Ruby Falls

Type: show cave and underground waterfall attraction inside Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert; opened to the public in June 1930. Waterfall height: 85 feet (26 m), per Wikipedia. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since November 26, 1985. Address: 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37409.

Ruby Falls is a commercial cave attraction built around what is billed as the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States, hidden roughly 1,120 feet below the summit of Lookout Mountain. It was found by accident in 1928 when Leo Lambert, drilling to reconnect with an older, already-blocked cave system, broke through into a previously unknown passage and, after roughly 200 feet of further tunneling, discovered the waterfall itself, which he named after his wife Ruby. The site opened to paying visitors in 1930 and was among the first commercial caves to be wired with electric lighting. Today's visit takes guests down via a glass-front elevator to a guided walking tour along a cavern trail ending at the illuminated falls, with the water flow now maintained artificially by pump year-round rather than left to its natural, more seasonal flow. Above ground, the site has expanded into a broader attraction with a treetop zipline course, overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau, a 1929-built cafe, and on-site treehouse-style lodging.

Ruby Falls sits inside Lookout Mountain at 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37409, on the Tennessee side of the mountain, close to the mountain's other attractions (Rock City, the Incline Railway, Point Park).

The cave itself maintains a steady year-round temperature of about 60°F (16°C) regardless of the season or weather outside, so visitors should bring a light layer even on a hot Chattanooga summer day. Surface areas of the attraction, including outdoor overlooks and the zipline course, are subject to Chattanooga's humid subtropical climate.

Because the core cave tour is a controlled-temperature, indoor/underground experience, it can be visited comfortably in any season; the seasonal Junior Caver, Gentle Walking, and Lantern Ghost Walk tours run specifically July through October, and the High Point Zip Adventure operates March through November, so visitors wanting those specific experiences should plan within those windows.

Leo Lambert, a chemist and cave enthusiast, was drilling in 1928 to reopen access to the historic Lookout Mountain Cave (already known and used commercially since the 19th century but by then blocked). His drilling broke into an unrelated, previously unknown passage; after about 200 feet of additional tunneling his team discovered the underground waterfall, reaching a point roughly 1,120 feet below the mountain's summit. Lambert named the falls after his wife, Ruby, and opened the connected Lookout Mountain cave system to the public on December 30, 1929, with Ruby Falls itself opening to visitors in June 1930. The site was one of the first commercial caves fitted with electric lighting. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1985. Since then the operator has added above-ground attractions including a zipline adventure course and overnight lodging, while the cave tour itself remains the core draw.

The main activity is the guided cavern walking tour ending at the 85-foot underground waterfall, reached via a glass-front elevator descending 260 feet. Seasonal add-ons include a Junior Caver Tour for children ages 4-10, a Gentle Walking Tour, and a Lantern Ghost Walk (all July-October), plus the High Point Zip Adventure treetop zipline course (March-November). Visitors can also take in overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau and eat at the on-site Castle Cafe, built in 1929.

The main cavern trail and the illuminated 85-foot waterfall are the site's centerpiece. The Castle Cafe, dating to 1929, and outdoor scenic overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau are the other notable on-site stops, along with the zipline course for visitors seeking an above-ground activity.

Ruby Falls is on S. Scenic Highway on Lookout Mountain, reached via Chattanooga's St. Elmo neighborhood and the historic Ochs Highway route up the mountain; Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is the nearest commercial airport. On-site parking is available at the visitor center.

Specific daily opening and closing times were not confirmed from the official site content reviewed; the operator advises purchasing timed-entry cave tour tickets online in advance since slots can sell out. Confirm current hours directly at rubyfalls.com before visiting.

Per the official site, cave waterfall tour tickets range from $18.95 to $41.95 depending on tour type and timing, and the seasonal High Point Zip Adventure is priced at $21.95. Exact pricing by tour tier and age group was not itemized on the page reviewed; check rubyfalls.com for current, ticket-type-specific pricing.

The standard guided cave tour, including the elevator descent and walking trail to the falls, generally takes about an hour to an hour and a half; visitors adding the zipline course or a meal at the Castle Cafe should budget additional time.

Ruby Falls offers on-site luxury treehouse-style lodging directly at the attraction. Beyond that, most overnight visitors stay in downtown Chattanooga or the St. Elmo area at the mountain's base, both a short drive away with a wider range of hotel chains and rentals.

The on-site Castle Cafe, built in 1929, offers dining at the attraction itself. Additional restaurant options are concentrated in St. Elmo and downtown Chattanooga, a short drive from the cave entrance.

Rock City, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway and Point Park are all on the same mountain, a short drive from Ruby Falls, making it easy to combine visits. Downtown Chattanooga's riverfront attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, are a short drive away as well.

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is the nearest commercial airport. A personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach Ruby Falls, since it sits partway up Lookout Mountain's access roads rather than in a walkable downtown area.

The cave tour involves an elevator descent, uneven cavern surfaces, and enclosed underground spaces; visitors with claustrophobia or mobility concerns should check accessibility details with the operator beforehand. The zipline course carries its own height/weight/health restrictions typical of adventure courses; check current requirements before booking. For any emergency, dial 911.

A light jacket or layer is worth carrying even in summer, since the cave holds a steady 60°F (16°C) year-round. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are useful for the cavern walking trail, and advance-purchased tickets (recommended by the operator) should be on your phone or printed.

Book timed-entry tickets online in advance, as the operator specifically warns that popular time slots can sell out, especially in peak season. Pair a visit with one or more of the mountain's other attractions (Rock City, Point Park, the Incline Railway) to make the most of a day on Lookout Mountain.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Ruby Falls' general visitor line is (423) 821-2544, per its official site.

Ruby Falls - https://rubyfalls.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.