I have a family member who celebrated a birthday in September, so we enjoyed a trip up to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky this past weekend.
Last spring when I visited her, she mentioned that she’d loved exploring the colorfully-lit caves at Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tennessee so much that she’d wanted to visit more caves. So we headed over to Dunbar Cave in Clarksville, Tennessee back in April but were disappointed when all the tickets were sold out. I promised that when I returned in the fall, we’d tour a cave together.
If you’ve ever been to Mammoth Cave, you may already know it’s the longest cave system in the world and that it gets its name from its immense size. We chose the self-guided tour on the last day of September so we could enjoy the cave at our own pace, but we only saw one small section of this natural wonder since the entire cave is 426 miles in total length and growing by the year as more discoveries are made by cave explorers. The lantern tour was recommended as one of the best tours, so we are planning a return trip to see it by lantern light the way that early spelunkers would have seen it – – without electric lights.
To set the spooky tone for the month on the first day of October, we went to The Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee to hear the historical accounts of the Bell Witch’s terrorizing of the Bell family back in the 1800s, even sending a United States President running from the place. We toured the replica cabin and the actual cave where she was said to have frequented. It is said that she saved a child when he got stuck in the cave one summer. For all the evil she is said to have caused, she did do something good, apparently.
Please share the most fascinating caves you’ve visited in the comments. I’m adding to our list, so I’d love to know which ones would be recommended and which ones would not. I would highly recommend Mammoth Cave for its balmy temperature and fascinating history, but I would not recommend the Bell Witch Cave unless you are very steady on your feet and do not mind squeezing through tight spaces on rocks with a cold-water creek running underfoot. You have to sign an accident waiver, which should have been my first sign – – especially since last year at the end of September, I missed the last step at work and broke my ankle (redefining fall break). I lucked out this year and walked away without injury, but I’m starting to admit that my age may need to be a risk factor in my adventure assessments going forward. I’ll also add that Fantastic Caverns in Missouri is my favorite cave adventure to date (it was discovered, in part, by a lost dog) because I appreciated being driven through the cave in a jeep instead of having to crawl or walk through it – or swim.
Both recent excursions were fun, though, especially as we have long sought reprieve from the brutal heat of summer. There’s nothing like the 54-degree-year-round cool of a cave to welcome the balmy feel of fall!
Cheers for sweater weather!
Common Threads 
Great spelunking, Kim. I’ll skip the Bell cave for the reasons you mentioned, but it does look spooky. My favorite cave is Carlsbad Caverns. It’s massive, too, but full of unique formations. I like the cave at Silver Dollar City in Branson, too, and have toured it numerous times. It’s an excellent way to escape the summer heat. We have a few caves nearby, but Missouri, of course, is the cave state,Â
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Thanks for reading, Glenda! I remember seeing some pretty impressive ice caves in your photos!!
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I’ve been in a lot of caves but haven’t heard of The Bell Witch Cave so will add it to my list. And I share Jewel cave and Wind cave national parks for their unique formations. 🙂 Happy spelunking!
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Thanks, Debbie! I am adding these new caves to my list. I love their names.
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I do enjoy cave exploring and have since I was a kid. For several years we would take our sixth-grade students to Penn’s Cave in central PA for their field trip. When I was a kid my aunt took me to Howe Caverns in NY state. I really enjoyed that trip.
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There is something magical about caves. I remember building caves with sheets over tables as a child, pretending we were like Holly, Will, and Dad in The Land of the Lost.
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Wow, your cave adventure is inspiring me! My husband can’t travel due to a recent surgery he had, but as soon as he can, I think we have to visit some caves with the kids that’s about an hour or two north of our house.
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Stacey, I’m so glad you are inspired. We walked through them just mesmerized at the intricacies of formation. I hope you are able to make the trip soon, that your family enjoys every minute and that your husband heals quickly.
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Kim, fascinating! You have a lot of caving experience! I appreciate all the details you provide, like about the Bell Witch doing “something good, apparently.” That made me smile!
I always grew up hearing about Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico because my mom had been there, but I never went. I did go to the Mercer Caverns in Calaveras County, California, though, and it was beautiful and impressive!
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Denise, I’m adding Carlsbad to my list. That sounds absolutely amazing! I think I want to add Calaveras County just because of that celebrated jumping frog Twain made famous,too! And the cave!
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And guess why I was in Calaveras County? To go to the Jumping Frog Jubilee. As kids we would be frog jockeys, trying to make the frogs jump farther! So fun!
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Kim, so many great details! Maquoketa Caves in Iowa has inside and outside treasures – a nice six-mile hike and multiple caves for those who like big spaces – Bridal Cave or skinnier places!
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Fran, I’m grateful because I need the wider places and not the skinnier ones – – I got a little claustrophobic in the witch cave. I’m making a list of all these magnificent caves today. I love our vast group experience of the underground places across this nation!
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Such beautiful photos! I was afraid of spelunking but you enticed me! I wonder where the closest caves are for me – probably Virginia! Running to do research! Thanks!
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I’ll bet there are some beautiful ones in Virginia! That’s a gorgeous state!
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I have always enjoyed cave exploring – and your photos are awesome. I have not been to Mammoth Caves. Our last caving adventure was in Craters of the Moon, Idaho, summer 2022. I know I felt my age – having trouble seeing my footing, nearly bumping my head a time or two with my inability to bend as much as was needed. I think if they had put a waiver in my hand, I would not have had the courage. Thanks for this post, Kim!
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Thanks, Maureen! Yes, the waiver should have been my flashing warning light but I’m like an untrainable dog waggy tail and all that can’t see a lesson. I went straight for the cave.
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I don’t think I’ve been in a cave since I was a child. And it’s not currently on my bucket list. I enjoyed reading about your plans.
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