The Ultimate Guide To Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls, a spectacular underground waterfall, is a true icon of must-see nature!
Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the US, is accessible only via guided tours traversing the narrow caverns of Lookout Mountain leading to the miraculous Ruby Falls!
Ruby Falls Cave and Ruby Falls, located deep inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, near the Tennessee-Georgia state border, are a world of fascinating nature featuring stunning geological formations, a fault line, and one of the most unique and spectacular waterfalls in the world! Ruby Falls is situated about 1,120 feet below the mountain’s surface and approximately 0.5 miles deep inside the mountain from the entrance. The imposing waterfall, plunging nearly 90 feet from the cave’s ceiling into a pool at its bottom, along with light and music effects, is a sight to behold!
Sculpted and shaped by nature, Ruby Falls Cave in Lookout Mountain was created millions of years ago as a result of groundwater dissolving the soft limestone and minerals, creating cracks and narrow passages that lead to Ruby Falls located at the end of the Ruby Falls Cave, cascading down the cave’s roof. Ruby Falls was discovered by Leo Lambert, a cave enthusiast, who, through an extraordinary expedition that included passing through narrow dark caves and crawling through tight spaces, first saw the waterfall in 1928 and named it after his wife, Ruby!
Ruby Falls is equipped with a modern and futuristic elevator, making it a breeze to reach the entrance of the cave at the bottom, but from there, it’s an easy one-mile round-trip hike to Ruby Falls!
Ruby Falls can only be explored via guided tours of the cave, departing multiple times a day from the historic Ruby Falls Castle. The Park offers various cave tour options and experiences, including the Cave Walk to the Waterfall, which is the most popular of all cave tours and is offered year-round, and several specialty tours, such as the Lantern, History, and Geology Tours offered on select dates throughout the year. To add to the adventure, Ruby Falls also features the High Point ZIP Adventure and the Lookout Mountain Tower, an observation tower featuring sweeping views of the Tennessee Valley and Cumberland Plateau. Lookout Mountain is also home to a few other great attractions, including Rock City and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, both located just minutes from Ruby Falls and a great addition to your itinerary!
Here is my ultimate guide to Ruby Falls, featuring essential trip-planning information, Ruby Falls attractions map, various cave tour options, activities, nearby attractions, and recommendations on hotels and restaurants near Ruby Falls!
Things To Do In Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls Attractions Map
Undeniably, the cave tour is the main attraction at Ruby Falls, but it’s far from the only reason to visit — from the historic Castle and sweeping mountaintop overlooks to the High Point ZIP Adventure and a handful of other great attractions nearby on Lookout Mountain, there’s plenty to fill a full day here!
With a historic castle, a cavern trail deep underground, scenic overlooks, and a treetop zipline course, Ruby Falls offers more than most visitors expect from a single stop. The cave tour itself is guide-led at a relaxed, set pace, but with a timed-entry schedule in place, a little planning ahead goes a long way toward making sure you have enough time to see everything else Ruby Falls has to offer, at your own pace.
Upon arriving at Ruby Falls, you’ll park in the lot beneath the historic Castle and make your way inside to check in for your scheduled cave tour, assuming you’ve already purchased tickets online (more on that below, because you’ll want to). Plan to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before your tour time, as this gives you a chance to explore the Castle, browse the gift shop, and grab a bite at the Castle Café before your group is called for the elevator descent.
Here are the main highlights at Ruby Falls, starting with the historic Castle and the cave tour itself, followed by the above-ground attractions worth carving out extra time for!
Ruby Falls Castle
Ruby Falls Castle
Built in the 1920s from limestone excavated for the elevator shaft, Ruby Falls Castle is a striking, storybook structure perched on the edge of Lookout Mountain. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it houses the ticketing area, gift shop, and Castle Café. Even before descending into the cave, its turrets set the tone and make a great photo stop.
The Cave Walk To Ruby Falls
The Cave Walk To Ruby Falls
A glass-front elevator drops 260 feet into Lookout Mountain, opening onto a cavern trail lined with stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. Your guide shares the cave’s history, including its 1928 discovery, as the trail winds toward a large chamber. There, Ruby Falls crashes down 90 feet, illuminated by a striking, music-set light show.
Lookout Mountain Tower
Lookout Mountain Tower
Back above ground, the historic Lookout Mountain Tower and adjacent Blue Heron Overlook unveil truly breathtaking, panoramic vistas of the Tennessee River meandering gracefully through the Cumberland Plateau. Both overlooks are complimentary with your visit and rank among the property’s most picturesque vantage points, especially during the golden hour.
Castle Gift Shop
Castle Gift Shop
Tucked within the historic Castle, the gift shop showcases an eclectic assortment of souvenirs, from handcrafted local treasures to Ruby Falls-branded keepsakes and geological curiosities inspired by the cavern below. It’s the perfect spot to procure a memento commemorating your subterranean adventure through Lookout Mountain’s storied depths.
Castle Café
Castle Café
Housed within the historic Castle, the Castle Café serves a seasonal menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, complemented by craft beer, coffee, and delectable desserts. It’s a charming, convenient spot to refuel before or after your cave tour, the Castle’s cozy, rustic, cabin-like ambiance lending a delightful backdrop to your meal.
Planning Your Trip To Ruby Falls
Flying into and staying in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and visiting a couple of other Lookout Mountain attractions, is the best way to get the most out of your trip to Ruby Falls!
Best Time To Visit Ruby Falls: Ruby Falls is open throughout the year, closing only on Christmas Day (December 25th), and with a constant temperature of 60° F inside the cave, it’s a year-round destination! However, spring and fall are the peak seasons at Ruby Falls and Chattanooga, when temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities and fall brings colorful foliage. Summers are pretty hot in Tennessee, but given the constant temperature of 60° F inside the cave, heat shouldn’t be a huge problem if you’re planning to visit just the cave and waterfalls. Winters are cold with some snowfall in Chattanooga, but if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and use layered clothing, visiting in winter is a great way to beat the crowds at Ruby Falls.
Time Required At Ruby Falls: Given you book your tour tickets online in advance and arrive before your tour departure time, exploring Ruby Falls will not take more than half a day. However, being a popular tourist destination, tickets can sell out quickly if you don’t have an advance reservation, especially during holidays and weekends. Also, you would need additional time if you choose to add a specialty tour, such as the History or Geology Tour, or to enjoy the High Point ZIP Adventure.
Getting To Ruby Falls: The best way to get to Ruby Falls is by directly flying into Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, but a lot of people also fly into Atlanta or Nashville International Airports and then drive to Ruby Falls. Alternatively, you could also take an Amtrak train or a Greyhound bus to the closest city and then drive to Ruby Falls.
- Flight: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee, just 15 miles from Ruby Falls, is the closest major domestic airport to Ruby Falls. However, you could also fly into a couple of international airports near Ruby Falls – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, about 127 miles from Ruby Falls and Nashville International Airport (BNA), Nashville, Tennessee, approximately 130 miles from Ruby Falls.
- Train: The Atlanta Peachtree Station, an Amtrak train station located in downtown Atlanta about 116 miles from Ruby Falls, is serviced by several Amtrak train services and is the closest Amtrak Station to Ruby Falls.
- Bus: Greyhound offers bus services to Georgia and Tennessee, with two Greyhound bus stops – Chattanooga in Tennessee and Trenton in Georgia, located within 15 miles from Ruby Falls.
Tickets & Parking At Ruby Falls: Ruby Falls operates on an advance reservation system, with limited space on each tour to protect both the cavern and its guests. Ruby Falls offers various tour options, including the Cave Walk to the Waterfall, and several specialty tours, such as the Lantern, History, and Geology Tours, and offers timed tickets, which allows you to select your preferred tour time so that you can skip the line and arrive just before your tour begins. Time slots for the cave tour sell out quickly, especially during summer and holiday weekends. I highly recommend booking your Cave Tour tickets online on the Ruby Falls Website and reserving your tour slot in advance. Ruby Falls offers complimentary parking for visitors.
Lodging Options Near Ruby Falls: Downtown Chattanooga, about 15-20 minutes from Ruby Falls, offers the widest range of hotels and is a great home base if you’re planning to explore other Chattanooga attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium and the Walnut Street Bridge. Here are my top picks for hotels near Ruby Falls:
- Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls, for a splurge-worthy, one-of-a-kind overnight stay right on the mountain
- The Chattanoogan, a stylish downtown hotel with easy access to the riverfront and Lookout Mountain attractions
- The Read House Hotel & Suites, a beautifully restored historic hotel in the heart of downtown Chattanooga
- Courtyard by Marriott Chattanooga Lookout Mountain, ideally located just minutes from Ruby Falls and Rock City
Dining Options At Ruby Falls: The Castle Café at Ruby Falls is a convenient option right on site, but downtown Chattanooga, just a short drive away, is packed with excellent dining. Grab a wood-fired pie at Community Pie, a Chattanooga favorite, or head to Sluggo’s for creative vegan comfort food. Merv’s is a great spot for a casual, laid-back bite, and no visit to Chattanooga is complete without a stop for a classic Southern meat-and-three plate at one of the city’s beloved local diners.
Other Attractions Near Ruby Falls: When visiting Ruby Falls, I highly recommend pairing your trip with nearby Rock City Gardens, just a 15-minute drive away, known for its rock formations, gardens, and Swing-A-Long Bridge. The Incline Railway, one of the world’s steepest passenger railways, is another Lookout Mountain must-do just a short drive from Ruby Falls. You’ll find even more things to see and do in the Scenic City in my Chattanooga Travel Guide.
Other Tennessee Attractions & Related Posts
I hope you enjoyed reading the post, The Ultimate Guide To Ruby Falls, and I hope this will help you plan your trip to Ruby Falls. You can find other attractions in Tennessee in my Tennessee Travel Guide.
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2 comments
Thanks for the valuable information!
You’re most welcome, Gina!