Spelunking Adventure Trips

Discover Adventure

Underground Adventure is waiting for you. Cumberland Caverns is proud to offer three Spelunking Adventure Trips. Groups from 10 to 250 can discover what caving is all about. Every step and each turn is a new discovery for you. With nothing but a flashlight and your own determination, you will proudly say: "I came, I caved, I conquered!"

• Expand your imagination and caving experience through crawls & climbs, ladders & ledges, plus tight squeezes and muddy messes.
• Our Adventure Trips showcase some of our most beautiful and unusual sites and formations.
• This extreme-adventure is truly untamed and is the perfect way to spend half a day with your club, church, class, business, or just a few of your friends.
• Have you every spent the night 500 feet underground? Well here’s your chance. Cumberland Caverns also offers overnight spelunking tours throughout the year.
• Group size of 10 or more are required. At least 10 days notice is also required.
  
• Do you have a small group of under 10 people? You can still go caving with us! You can join with another group that has already registered, or come on Spelunk-Tacular Saturday for with no group minimum or reservations: Saturday Info

For Additional information see our Adventure FAQ.

• This adventure trip through Rocky Top’s rocky bottom will give the first-time spelunker a taste of the untamed-underground and show the experienced caver unsurpassed sites and formations.

• You’ll know it’s not your usual cave tour when you begin near the “Devil’s Quarry.” Will you make it through the infamous “Lemon Squeezer” and “Bubble Gum Alley?” Tight squeezes, cave crawling, and ladders-in-the-caverns will make this an adventure you will be able to brag about.

• You will encounter unique formations, spectacular gypsum crystals and plenty of mud. Rocky Topper is a unique team-building adventure for youth group leaders, business managers, teachers, churches, or any other club or organization.

• This is the original "wild tour" known also as the "Gypsum Crawl." You will have a great sense of accomplishment when you finally make out. And you will have stories to tell all your friends and family about the adventure you had at Cumberland Caverns.
  

• Hear the famous story of Aaron Higgenbotham while taking a break mid-way through the trip. This cave turned his hair white. What will it do to you!
• Everyone's favorite is always "Bubble Gum Alley" but it not really made of bubble gum. This sticky passage is full of mud and full of fun. Be sure your shoes are on tight!
• You will encounter the tricky "Balance Beam" and the unusual "Devil's Backbone" both made from the mud from visitors shoes after leaving Bubble Gum Alley.
• The "Lemon Squeezer" is just what it sounds like, a tight squeeze to cap off your Adventure Trip.
• The "Rocky Topper" Adventure Trip will generally take 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete.
• Adding the Daily Scenic Walking tour to "Rocky Topper" will give you 4 to 4 ½ hour in the cave.

Click to download pdf Map of "Rocky Topper"

Aaron Higgenbotham never forgot his time spent in Cumberland Caverns. Neither will you! Follow the steps of the early cave explorers while you explore the history of our great cave.

• You will have a mile and half nature hike around the Cardwell Mountain to the historic Higgenbotham Entrance. Then get ready for a real adventure.
• You will find our how exciting history can be when you crawl through narrow passageways, climb ladders (some up to 20 feet high) and squish through muddy trails.
• Can’t you just image Aaron Higgenbotham shaking his head as you go down the same route as his ill-fated first trip? We will do our very best to get you out before your hair turns white with fright.
• Expand your imagination and adventure through crawls and climbs in this extended Heritage and Nature Adventure. Follow the route of “Higgenbotham’s Revenge” with ladders, crawls, squeezes, and everyone’s favorite, cave-mud.
• This is an extreme caving adventure. Minimum age is 12 years and up for this trip.

• What a great way to start a Spelunking Adventure: a hike across through the beautiful hills of Tennessee.
• Ladders in the Caverns: If you think you climbed some ladders in "Rocky Topper" just wait till you see the ladders in this adventure!
• See the room and ledge Aaron Higgenbotham spent 3 frightful days and nights while hearing the story of his first and last time in Cumberland Caverns.
• "Higgenbotham's Revenge" will generally last 3 ½ to 4 hours.
• Adding the Daily Scenic Walking tour to Higgenbotham’s Revenge will give you 5 to 5 ½ hour in and around the cave.

Click to download pdf Map of "Higgenbotham's Revenge "

• The ultimate Spelunk-Tacular Adventure. If you want an adventure trip your group will talk about for years to come, come find out “What Waits Below.”

• This overnight adventure begins as you enter the cave in the afternoon, not to emerge until the next morning. Spend the night crawling, climbing, squeezing, and squashing through amazing sights, spectacular rooms, and unsurpassed formations.

• You and up to 250 of your closest friends will camp-out underground in the 10-Acre Room with all the comforts a true caveman/ cavewoman would expect, including fully functional underground rest room facilities at the campsite in the "Ten Acre Room." But, will you be able to sleep after hearing accounts of the Cumberland Caverns ghost?
• In the morning, before you see the light of day, your group will be treated to a continental breakfast in the cave. You will find out that fun and adventure “waits below” for you.
• Will you get muddy? Yes! Will you get tired? Yes! Will you make it through the night? That’s yet to be seen.

• The "What Waits Below" Adventure Trip includes Cumberland Caverns' "Daily Scenic Walking Tour."
• This overnight adventure follows the same spelunking route as Adventure Trip #1 "Rocky Topper." (see map)
• You will experience "Ladders in the Caverns", the "Lemon Squeezer", and yes, world famous "Bubble Gum Alley."
• 5:30 pm check-in all nights except Friday.
• 6:30 pm check-in on Friday nights only.
• 7:30 am breakfast is served in the cave's ballroom known as the "Volcano Room." (For $40 it's the most affordable camping/spelunking/dining experience around.)
• Groups generally leave the cave the next morning between 8:00-8:30 am.

If you wanted more caving, this is the trip for you. This trip combines "What Waits Below" with Higgenbotham's Revenge" to give your group a chance to see all Cumberland Caverns has to offer. And because this is an extreme caving adventure, the minimum age for this trip is 12 years and up. Our two most popular tours have now been combined and at a discount price!

"All Around the Mountain " Highlights

• The "All Around the Mountain" Adventure Trip includes Cumberland Caverns' "Daily Scenic Walking Tour."
• This overnight adventure follows the same spelunking route as Adventure Trip #1 "Rocky Topper." (see map)
• You will experience "Ladders in the Caverns", the "Lemon Squeezer", and yes, world famous "Bubble Gum Alley."
• 5:30 pm check-in all nights except Friday.
• 6:30 pm check-in on Friday nights only.
• 7:30 am breakfast is served in the cave's ballroom known as the "Volcano Room."
• After breakfast you will have a mile and half nature hike around the Cardwell Mountain to the historic Higgenbotham Entrance. Then get ready for a real adventure.(see map)
• You will find our how exciting history can be when you crawl through narrow passageways, climb ladders (some up to 20 feet high) and squish through muddy trails.
• Can’t you just image Aaron Higgenbotham shaking his head as you go down the same route as his ill-fated first trip? We will do our very best to get you out before your hair turns white with fright.
• Expand your imagination and adventure through crawls and climbs in this extended Heritage and Nature Adventure. Follow the route of “Higgenbotham’s Revenge” with ladders, crawls, squeezes, and everyone’s favorite, cave-mud.

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Those that traveled "Parts Unknown" had this to say:

“The view was great with and probably the best part of it for me. It was a once in a lifetime trip for me, I would have never done this on my own. I have no regrets and would love to do it again someday.” -John

“I had a great time! Once in a lifetime experience. Excellent team building exercise! Would love to do it again!” -Vergil

I have talked about the experiences we had with anyone who would listen. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is adventurous and loves a challenge. It was a great team building experience as you heard repeatedly each other helping and asking if anyone needed anything. We had loads of fun and lots of laughs and we all came out unharmed. The views and the natural landscape that is underground is something we will cherish each time we talk about Cumberland Caverns. - Tom

“We have had a strong team for some time, but that experience drew us closer in a different way, that only reinforces our work relationships. I got to see a side to everyone that I have not seen before, and it opened my eyes to all of our group in a different way. The degree of difficulty made this challenging without “breaking” me, and left me wanting to come back for more. This was my first cave experience, and it was AMAZING. I have not laughed that hard in years and it is hard to put into words the experience we shared.” -Shane

“Talk about ‘the road less traveled’! The experience was absolutely amazing! It was a true test of physical and mental endurance. We all helped each other, worked together, and laughed a lot along the way. Navigating the passages and paths was also representative of how we have to navigate through the tough adverse situations we have in our day to day life. The cave tested our teamwork and our ingenuity. The formations were breathtaking. It was such a reward. To go from rooms so large as to hear echoes to a crevice barely big enough to slide through was phenomenal. I loved the experience and can now cross it off my ‘Bucket List’. It was unforgettable!” -Christy

I am an adrenaline junkie! I have the need to exceed the limits in all that I do, “Work hard and Play hard” is my motto! Now that that is out, I wanted to thank you and your staff for the awesome adventure. I had one of the best days, climbing, learning, exploring, and laughing with our team! It was an adventure to remember. I have been snorkeling, deep sea fishing, bridge jumping, quarry diving, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game hunting, bungee jumping, and sky diving; and this was at the top of the list. -Sean

• Cumberland Caverns offers all the modern conveniences a modern caveman or cavewoman would expect.
• Electrical outlets are available in the cave at the underground campsite for air-matress pumps.
• We now have indoor-underground plumbing in the cave with fully functional rest room facilities. (We don't have all the bats potty-trained yet, but we're working on it.)
• Additional rest room facilities and showers are available outside the cave as well.
• The Volcano Room Ballroom is equipped with audio-visual equipment for movie viewing or presentations. With picnic-table seating for well over 250, we can meet the needs of your group.
• A snack bar is located close by our underground campsite. You may want a quick snack after your great Spelunking Adventure.
• Additionally, there are several spots for primitive campsites on the Cumberland Caverns property.

• Our Spelunking Adventure Trips are great for after-work or after-school adventure seekers.
• Throw off your suit & tie and grab your jeans and flashlight.
• Your group will crawl, climb, and squeeze out all of the stress of your day.
• After making it through famous Bubble Gum Alley and reaching the top of the ladders-in-the-caverns, you all will be ready to tackle any crisis that comes your way.
• Whether you choose a Spelunking Adventure trip, a group walking tour, evening banquet in our underground ballroom, or a corporate Christmas party, it will surely be an event your employees will remember.

• You made it through the adventure trip, now you can brag about.
• Show off your spelunking abilities by proudly wearing one or all of our Adventure Trip Badges.
• Perfect for scouts, motorcycle gangs, and soccer moms.

Ask how you can receive discount price on badges when you call to reserve your group's adventure trip.

All of our Patches are now for sale on-line: Gift Shop

• Don’t forget to eat before arrival. If you get hungry don’t worry, we have a snack bar facility that is open during our tours.
• Gem-seeded bags of mining rough are also available for purchase at the snack bar in the cave or outside in our gift shop. Miners are then permitted into the special mining area where every bag is guaranteed to yield a variety of gems and minerals in our old-time sluice.
• If you would like a souvenir to remember your trip, our gift shop on the surface will be open for you when you exit the Caverns. We have a variety of patches, T-shirts, and other Cumberland Caverns souvenirs.
• Ask how you can receive a discount price on gem-mining when you call to reserve your group's adventure trip!

• It is very easy to make reservations for a Spelunking Adventure Trip at Cumberland Caverns.
• You may make reservations by phone (931-668-4396) or by mailing or faxing the “Spelunking Adventure Trip Reservation Form” (download here)
• Please send Reservation Form with full payment.
• We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, check or cash.
• All reservations should be made and paid for 10 days prior to the trip date.
• You will receive an Adventure Trip Confirmation Notice
• Reservations are not complete until you receive your confirmation from our office.
• For more information on reservations see: Adventure Trip FAQ

• The Spelunking Adventure Trip is an extremely strenuous activity.
• This trips are also highly addictive, many adventure seekers have been known to want to go back again and again.
• There are several tight crawls and you will get wet and muddy! (Good clean dirty fun!)
• The smallest crawlspace is only 11 inches high!
• You will be amazed and in awe at what and who can be squeezed through an 11" high hole.
• DO NOT participate in the spelunking tour if you have heart or respiratory condition, knee or back problems.
• DO participate in the spelunking tour if you have a sense of adventure, a thrill seeking condition, or need for physical activity.