Forbidden Caverns
Forbidden Caverns
4.5
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- RussPanama City Beach, Florida39 contributionsGreat guided tour...very interestingWe enjoyed the guided tour very much. Our guide took plenty of time and shared a lot of information...kept it interesting. The caverns had some great formations and a very pretty underground river. And we enjoyed the beautiful ride out from Sevierville.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 9, 2023
- Ed DMyrtle Beach, South Carolina64 contributionsFun experienceLast minute stop, but glad we stopped. It was very nice. As you are driving there you will think you made a wrong turn as you need to take some back roads, but it was worth it. Our tour guide was good. He knew a lot of the history, and he made jokes. Overall, it is as nice as any cavern we have been to. The gift shop is way smaller than most, but I have to assume it is because it is off the beaten path, and they are competing with a lot of tourist attractions in the area. It is well worth the stop.Visited May 2023Written June 3, 2023
- Michele B109 contributionsAwesome Cavern!This was a neat place to visit! The cavern itself was well lit and filled with really interesting formations. Our guide was great - she gave us lots of good information and told some fun/corny jokes! Overall very cool. Highly recommend!Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 21, 2023
- Samantha LErwin, Tennessee20 contributionsAwesome Cave rocks to seeMy family and I just got back from a visit there and we love it! My kids really enjoyed getting to see all the neat rocks down in the cave! We got to learn all the information on the tour we went on in the cave! We sure will be back soon!Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 10, 2023
- Dr_XaosPalatine, Illinois1,182 contributionsInteresting Cavern and Awesome TourWife and I visited this attraction while we were vacationing in the Sevierville area. We've visited numerous caves and caverns over the the years, but this location had some unique aspects that were new experiences for us. The tour does require an amount of mobility to get through the caverns, but it isn't overly taxing or demanding. The most strenuous aspect being the flight of stairs that you need to descend near the end of the walk. Tour guide was both knowledgeable and amusing. She kept the tour moving without anybody feeling rushed, and she ensured that everyone could hear and have an opportunity to ask questions.Visited June 2023Written August 11, 2023
- PerfectAlibiWheeling, West Virginia114 contributionsNice stop.This was a wonderful and informative experience. Diana was our tour guide and was excellent. The walk is easy and not very muddy or wet at all. It is beautiful , fun and educational. Our group ranged from 9-70 years old and we all had a great time. Plan on about an hour. Plenty of photo opps. There is a nice gift shop. It’s a beautiful drive to the cavern also. Enjoy.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 12, 2023
- Nytonc98Raleigh, North Carolina18 contributionsDefinitely take this tourWhat was great - These were the best caverns we've ever seen. So different than anything we've seen before. The guide was very good and interesting. What wasn't so great - Lighting could be better. The terrain was rough and puddles to watch for. (Don't wear light colored shoes!) We were in the front of the tour, which was perfect, but those in the back probably missed a lot. The guide used a flashlight to point out formations, which I'm sure they could not see. Definitely a sight not to miss. We really enjoyed this tour.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 7, 2023
- Discover598185Summerville, South Carolina4 contributionsInteresting Cavern Tour!We loved our experience in these caverns. It was a cool but comfortable 58 degrees. The staff was very polite and kind, and we had to wait about 20 minutes for the next tour, which was tolerable and made more pleasant by browsing through their little gift shop. Our guide, Alex, was very sweet, spoke loudly enough for all in the group to hear, and provided much information throughout the tour. Only one thing I'd suggest.... the group was extraordinarily large in our opinion. Supposed to be capped at 30, but the count only includes those over 4 years of age. So, when also counting the small children on the tour, it was more like 45 people. Many of the passageways and rooms were quite small, so I can't imagine those in the very back could see all of the interesting points the guide was showing us (with the help of her flashlight). I think they should limit the tours to 20 people. They seem to run 2 tour groups at the same time, so I'm sure it would still run pretty fast. Overall, a great experience!Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 23, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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LVH
Murfreesboro, TN1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
We checked the website for operation hours and it said closed Thursdays and Sundays and a statement about not taking any reservations due to lack of staffing. No mention of being closed Saturday November 25th. We also called and got an automated message, again with no mention of being closed. We drove 50 mins only to find out it was closed. Just be careful on planning to our trip to this location.
Written November 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Discover598185
Summerville, SC4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We loved our experience in these caverns. It was a cool but comfortable 58 degrees. The staff was very polite and kind, and we had to wait about 20 minutes for the next tour, which was tolerable and made more pleasant by browsing through their little gift shop. Our guide, Alex, was very sweet, spoke loudly enough for all in the group to hear, and provided much information throughout the tour.
Only one thing I'd suggest.... the group was extraordinarily large in our opinion. Supposed to be capped at 30, but the count only includes those over 4 years of age. So, when also counting the small children on the tour, it was more like 45 people. Many of the passageways and rooms were quite small, so I can't imagine those in the very back could see all of the interesting points the guide was showing us (with the help of her flashlight). I think they should limit the tours to 20 people. They seem to run 2 tour groups at the same time, so I'm sure it would still run pretty fast.
Overall, a great experience!
Only one thing I'd suggest.... the group was extraordinarily large in our opinion. Supposed to be capped at 30, but the count only includes those over 4 years of age. So, when also counting the small children on the tour, it was more like 45 people. Many of the passageways and rooms were quite small, so I can't imagine those in the very back could see all of the interesting points the guide was showing us (with the help of her flashlight). I think they should limit the tours to 20 people. They seem to run 2 tour groups at the same time, so I'm sure it would still run pretty fast.
Overall, a great experience!
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leigh W
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Very interesting and learned a lot. Tour guide was nice and made sure everyone was in the room before she started speaking. Lots of knowledge.
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nytonc98
Raleigh, NC18 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
What was great - These were the best caverns we've ever seen. So different than anything we've seen before. The guide was very good and interesting.
What wasn't so great - Lighting could be better. The terrain was rough and puddles to watch for. (Don't wear light colored shoes!) We were in the front of the tour, which was perfect, but those in the back probably missed a lot. The guide used a flashlight to point out formations, which I'm sure they could not see.
Definitely a sight not to miss. We really enjoyed this tour.
What wasn't so great - Lighting could be better. The terrain was rough and puddles to watch for. (Don't wear light colored shoes!) We were in the front of the tour, which was perfect, but those in the back probably missed a lot. The guide used a flashlight to point out formations, which I'm sure they could not see.
Definitely a sight not to miss. We really enjoyed this tour.
Written October 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hopeanimals
Lexington, KY148 contributions
Aug 2023
This tour was great! We did it with two younger children and the tour was family friendly. There are steps and some areas are wet so I’d wear closed toe shoes to avoid getting your feet wet.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PerfectAlibi
Wheeling, WV114 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This was a wonderful and informative experience. Diana was our tour guide and was excellent. The walk is easy and not very muddy or wet at all. It is beautiful , fun and educational. Our group ranged from 9-70 years old and we all had a great time. Plan on about an hour. Plenty of photo opps. There is a nice gift shop. It’s a beautiful drive to the cavern also. Enjoy.
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr_Xaos
Palatine, IL1,182 contributions
Jun 2023
Wife and I visited this attraction while we were vacationing in the Sevierville area. We've visited numerous caves and caverns over the the years, but this location had some unique aspects that were new experiences for us. The tour does require an amount of mobility to get through the caverns, but it isn't overly taxing or demanding. The most strenuous aspect being the flight of stairs that you need to descend near the end of the walk.
Tour guide was both knowledgeable and amusing. She kept the tour moving without anybody feeling rushed, and she ensured that everyone could hear and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Tour guide was both knowledgeable and amusing. She kept the tour moving without anybody feeling rushed, and she ensured that everyone could hear and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha L
Erwin, TN20 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
My family and I just got back from a visit there and we love it! My kids really enjoyed getting to see all the neat rocks down in the cave! We got to learn all the information on the tour we went on in the cave! We sure will be back soon!
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele B
109 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
This was a neat place to visit! The cavern itself was well lit and filled with really interesting formations. Our guide was great - she gave us lots of good information and told some fun/corny jokes! Overall very cool. Highly recommend!
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael O
8 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
It was a neat experience to see all the formations underground.
It does involve some walking, but nothing too strenuous. It is 58 degrees so I recommend a light jacket or hoodie.
The guide we had was good. Funny and obviously knowledgeable of the place. He took his time to make sure everyone could hear what he was explaining and get the pictures they wanted.
Decent place to check out with the family, especially if it is a rainy day.
It does involve some walking, but nothing too strenuous. It is 58 degrees so I recommend a light jacket or hoodie.
The guide we had was good. Funny and obviously knowledgeable of the place. He took his time to make sure everyone could hear what he was explaining and get the pictures they wanted.
Decent place to check out with the family, especially if it is a rainy day.
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PerfectAlibi
Wheeling, WV114 contributions
Will my shoes get wet?
Michael O
8 contributions
There is a little water on the floor in some areas, but you will not walk in any water
Are dogs allowed?
Gene W
22 contributions
As far as I know, I am pretty sure they are not.
itsclariss
Hollywood, FL9 contributions
Would you recommend this tour for someone who is claustrophobic? Are there exits along the tour where you could leave if need be?
Becky
3 contributions
There are not exits along the way. My mom is slightly closterphobic and it was not a problem for her. Its actually fairly large open spaces with just a few smaller walk ways where you have to watch so you dont bump your head. Hope this helps
Dawnrpridemore72
Maryville, TN
How steep is it as my mom is elderly. She is not in a wheelchair nor uses a Walker. However, she doesn't walk much. So, she has little endurance but wants to visit a cave. Is it possible for her to make it through? What is the steep to go in and out?
Ernest R
Royston, GA393 contributions
Its not bad but there are some places where you have to walk down stairs deeper into the cave. In total its about a 45 minute walk through the cave.
Heatherbreen123
Concord, NC19 contributions
How much does this cost
Ernest R
Royston, GA393 contributions
I believe it’s $16. There are $1.00 off coupons in many books and maps available in the area. It’s a 45-60 min guided tour.
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Claim your listingFORBIDDEN CAVERNS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Forbidden Caverns
- Hotels near Forbidden Caverns:
- (0.94 km) Quiet private home with pool
- (13.46 km) Best Western Newport Inn
- (13.43 km) Hampton Inn Newport
- (4.24 km) High Valley Rentals
- (11.27 km) Creekwalk Inn and Cabins
- Restaurants near Forbidden Caverns:
- (1.19 km) English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill
- (3.09 km) Bush's Family Cafe
- (9.10 km) Chubby's Deli
- (14.68 km) Ristorante DellaSantina
- (14.49 km) Preacher's Smokehouse
- Attractions near Forbidden Caverns:
- (0.30 km) Blowing Cave Mill
- (3.07 km) Bush's Visitor Center
- (8.08 km) Tennessee Legend Distillery
- (9.07 km) Foxfire Adventure Park
- (10.37 km) Smoky Mountain Llama Treks