The tallest underground waterfall you can visit in the US is hidden inside this Tennessee mountain

The south is full of natural wonders, from spectacular gorges and massive cave systems to beautiful wetlands and pristine beaches. If you are specifically in East Tennessee, you will be just a short drive from the incredible Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest underground lake in the United States (The Lost Sea), and a waterfall known as Ruby Falls.

Ruby Falls is not just any waterfall. “The most notable difference is that Ruby Falls is underground,” says Hollie Baranick, manager of tours and guest experiences at Ruby Falls. “There aren’t many other underground waterfalls that are so easily accessible to the public.”

Located more than 1,000 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain, the towering waterfall was discovered by chemist Leo Lambert and his team in 1928 while constructing an elevator shaft that would provide access to Lookout Mountain Cave. The cave had been used for centuries, but became blocked when a train tunnel was built through Lookout Mountain. Lambert named the falls after his wife and high school sweetheart, Ruby Losey, and the first public tours were given in 1930.

Today, travelers come from near and far to enjoy this magnificent landscape, as well as the stunning views from Lookout Mountain, the history of the destination, and a host of other interesting things to see and do. Here’s how to plan your own visit to Ruby Falls.

What you need to know about Ruby Falls

“The tour begins at the elevator, which takes you 260 feet underground to Lookout Mountain. The elevator has a glass door, so you can see the rock faces of the mountains as you go down,” explains Baranick. “From there, a tour guide will guide you through the cave, starting with a stop that explains our unique history, including how Ruby Falls was accidentally discovered! Your guide will point out some of the formations and the imaginative names we’ve given some of them (like the ‘Fish’ formation, so named because it looks like a fish).” She shares that her favorite stop along the way is the Hall of Dreams: “If you look up, the entire ceiling is covered in stalactites. It’s amazing.”

Of course, the real show happens at the falls themselves. “When you enter the Falls Room, it is very dark and there are only lights on the floor. Once everyone is near the waterfall, the lights turn on in a dramatic reveal,” he says. “I’ve seen the light show hundreds of times and it never gets old.”

There are several different tours you can take, including a after hours lantern toura adults-only cave tourand a geology tour. No matter which you choose, be sure to follow Baranick’s advice. “Don’t forget to look up and down! Because of the rock layers, there are small spaces where you can see the streams of the waterfall,” he says.

He also recommends purchasing cave tickets as early as possible and having plenty of wiggle room in your itinerary. “I don’t think guests realize how many times we sell out. I’ve seen groups wait for hours for a tour to become available or not be able to tour at all,” he says. “And plan to arrive a little early, so you have time to park and go to the bathrooms before the tour. If you miss the tour, you may have to wait a bit until there is a spot for another tour.”

Other Things to Do in Lookout Mountain

“Many visitors look for a specific attraction called Lookout Mountain. What they don’t realize is that Lookout Mountain is the name of the entire mountain and that there are many things to do here,” explains Baranick. “All of the attractions here are proud to be on Lookout Mountain, which is why we all use the term. Sometimes it can be confusing for our visitors.”

While visiting Ruby Falls, you can take in panoramic views from Lookout Mountain Tower, grab a bite to eat at the historic Ruby Falls Castle, and sail through the treetops on ZIP Adventure in High Point. “Of course, the other main attractions include Rock City and the inclined railway” he adds. “I would personally recommend taking a look at some of the hiking trails in the mountains, or if you’re daring, the Lookout Mountain Flying Park for hang gliding!”

Best time to visit

Ruby Falls is also notable for the fact that there really is no bad time to visit. “Because we’re underground, you can visit us even when it’s raining,” says Baranick. “We’re also great for visiting when it’s hot or cold outside; the rocks are good insulators in the cave, so the temperature stays at 60 degrees year-round.”

That said, vacations to Ruby Falls tend to be pretty amazing; She notes that “there’s always a magical feeling with the castle lights and decorations,” but also recommends scheduling your visit early in the morning or late at night. “During those times, most of the crowds are gone (unless it’s a holiday weekend) and the tours are usually smaller and more intimate. It’s a special time of day,” he says.