Looking for an unforgettable family nature experience that’s perfect for all sorts of weather? Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, TN checks all the boxes! This underground wonder stays a comfy 60 degrees year-round, offers incredible natural sights without the need for major hiking skills, and makes for an awesome adventure in the heart of one of Tennessee’s most vibrant cities.
💧 Ruby Falls: Fast Facts
Height: 90 feet (just the visible part — it goes even higher!)
Location: The waterfall is 1120 feet underground in Lookout Mountain. Getting there: Descend 260 feet underground in Lookout Mountain inside a glass-front elevator.
Age: The cave is estimated to be 30 million years old
Claim to Fame: The tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the U.S.
Bonus: You’ll see it during a guided tour, complete with lights and music!
A Hidden Waterfall 1120 Feet Underground
Tucked inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Ruby Falls is home to the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the U.S. You’ll start your journey with an elevator ride that drops you 260 feet below the surface, and that’s just the beginning.
Our family took the Cave Walk to the Waterfall, a one-mile round-trip guided tour to and from the falls that takes a little over an hour to complete.
Watch! Take a Closer Look at Ruby Falls
When the falls were first discovered in 1928, you could only reach the falls by crawling through narrow passageways, so a path was created to open the falls to the public. This path is fairly easy to walk through for a cave. It has lights, rails in parts, and is fairly smooth. The path is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, and it’s a cave, so there is moisture dripping at times on the floor and lower ceilings.
This particular cave tour focuses on the history of the discovery of the falls and the creation of Ruby Falls. It’s lighthearted and full of jokes. The formations that on the way to and from the falls are even named funny names based on what they look like, such as the “Steak and Potato”.
For those that are able to walk the full trail but might need more breaks, a Gentle Walking Tour is available that takes a slower pace and allows breaks to sit.
3 Reasons to Add Ruby Falls to Your Family Travel List:
- It’s always the perfect temperature. Rain or shine, summer or winter — the cave stays a comfy 60 degrees year-round, making it a fun pick no matter the season.
- It’s adventure without the stress. No extreme hiking here! The cave trail is smooth and manageable for most kids and adults, with lights and rails to help guide the way.
- It’s got serious wow-factor. A 90+ foot underground waterfall with a light show? Yep, it’s just as amazing as it sounds — and it blew our teens away.
The Wow Moment: Ruby Falls
Let’s talk about that waterfall. Ruby Falls plunges 90 feet inside a cavern room, and it is every bit as dramatic as it sounds. A light show brings the falls to life, and honestly, it was beautiful. Everyone on the tour from teens to young children were impressed.
🕰️ How Ruby Falls Got Its Name
Back in 1928, explorer Leo Lambert was digging an elevator shaft into Lookout Mountain when he discovered a hidden cavern with a roaring underground waterfall. He named it Ruby Falls after his wife, Ruby — and thanks to his adventurous spirit, families can now visit this incredible natural wonder without having to crawl through narrow rock tunnels! Today, over 500,000 people a year come to see what Leo found nearly a century ago.
Know Before You Go: Ruby Falls Chattanooga, Tennessee
Bathrooms and food: Use the restroom before you head underground and grab a snack — there are no bathrooms or food on the tour.
Tours are timed: Once you’re in the cave, you’re committed. The tour doesn’t allow early exits, so gauge your child’s comfort level with dark, enclosed spaces before booking.
Lantern Tour option: While we didn’t try it, the Lantern Tour looks like a fun (and slightly spooky) alternative for older kids and teens. This tour is lit only by carried lanterns and has a smaller group.
Early morning and late evening tours tend to have smaller groups, especially during school holidays! Our tour was only around 20 people which made it easier to hear our guide and see the falls. Some of the tours can be as large as 50 people.
Flash photography isn’t permitted, but you can take non-flash photos during the tour and at the waterfall. You will not be permitted to stop to take photos on the route to and from the falls.
Don’t Miss the View
After the cave, we climbed the Lookout Mountain Tower, and it was an amazing view. You can see the Tennessee River, Chattanooga, and the Cumberland Plateau. It’s the perfect spot for a family photo after the cave tour.
Tips: Visiting Ruby Falls
- Arrive 15-30 minutes early to check in and ensure you are on time for your tour.
- Book online as tours often fill up.
- Parking is free.
- Flash photography isn’t permitted, but you can take non-flash photos during the tour and at the waterfall. You will not be permitted to stop to take photos on the route to and from the falls.
- Wear comfy shoes with good grips — the walk is just under a mile round-trip.
- You may want a light jacket since the cave is around 60 degrees year-round.
Ruby Falls was the perfect mix of natural wonder, adventure, and family-friendly planning. We really enjoyed our visit and would add it to our list of must-see destinations in the Southeast.
1720 Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN
Find lots more things to do in Chattanooga, TN in our huge guide to the area.
