Raccoon Mountain Caverns

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Raccoon Mountain Caverns is one of two commercial caves located in Chattanooga/Hamilton County, Tennessee. The other commercial cave is Ruby Falls.

Raccoon Mountain Caverns was discovered, so the story goes, in 1929 by Leo Lambert, the same person who opened Ruby Falls to the public. Lambert had heard of a "blowing crack" located at the base of Raccoon Mountain and went to check it out. As an experienced cave explorer, Lambert realized that in order for air to blow out of a crack in limestone rock, there must be a large cave beyond the crack to supply such a volume of air. Lambert was rewarded by discovering several hundred feet of well-decorated cave passage in a cave that was close to major U.S. Highway 41. He developed a series of trails, installed electric lights, and opened the cave to the public as "Tennessee Caverns" on June 28, 1931.

Raccoon Mountain Caverns has been operated under several different names over the years, including: Tennessee Caverns, Crystal Cave, Crystal City Caves, 41 Crystal Cave, Crystal Caverns, and its present name, Raccoon Mountain Caverns.

Raccoon Mountain Caverns is located approximately 4 miles west of Ruby Falls Cave, at the base of Raccoon Mountain. Both caves can be reached from Interstate 24 by taking Exit 174 (Lookout Valley Exit). From this exit, goes east and follow the signs to Ruby Falls Cave and Lookout Mountain, or go west and follow the signs to Raccoon Mountain Caverns.