Bristol Caverns
Caverns of the South, guided cave tours since 1944
Bristol, Tennessee
- City
- Bristol
- Cell signal
- moderate signal
- Admission
- From $9
Bristol Caverns sits along the underground Cavern River and has hosted guided tours for over 80 years. Lit walkways and steps lead through chambers of limestone formations 180 feet below ground. The cave was used by Cherokee and early frontier settlers and features prominently in Sullivan County's early commercial-cave tourism history.
Visit Info
mon: Closed
tue-sat: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
sun: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Last tour starts approximately one hour before close.
Parking: Free on-site parking.
Visitor Tips
- ›Wear closed-toe shoes
- ›Cave stays ~60°F year-round, bring a light jacket
- ›Tours run about 45 minutes
Stay near this stop
Turn this into an overnight trip.
These places to stay are closest to Bristol Caverns. Use them as your base, then add nearby food, trails, and events.
Featured in Routes
What to know before you go
- Access
- Tours involve stairs and uneven surfaces; not wheelchair accessible.
- Parking
- Free on-site parking.
- Cell signal
- Moderate cell signal — main areas covered, expect dead spots
- Tips
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Cave stays ~60°F year-round, bring a light jacket
- Tours run about 45 minutes
Pair Bristol Caverns with Vivian's Table, Cherokee National Forest (Watauga Ranger District), and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
Within 6 miles, you can chain these into a half-day without driving back.
Verified by us
Verified 2026-05-21 · next review 2026-08-19