Ruby Falls

Discover the hidden beauty inside Lookout Mountain on the Cave Walk to Ruby Falls led by a Ruby Falls guide. Descend 260 feet by elevator into the mountain and explore the cavern trail to the tallest and deepest cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. Learn the story behind the accidental discovery of the cavern, see stunning rock formations, and experience the thundering waterfall!

Ruby Falls is home to the tallest and deepest  underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Descend 26-stories by elevator into the cavern and then explore on foot with guided tours along the scenic path to the  breathtaking waterfall, hidden deep within Lookout Mountain. See stalagmites, stalactites, drapery formations and flowstone, plus learn about the cave’s storied history. Enjoy the incredible birds-eye view of the Tennessee River, mountains and the  rolling Tennessee Valley from Blue Heron Overlook, the Village Plaza and historic Lookout Mountain Tower.

Discover the hidden treasures of Ruby Falls with a Classic Waterfall Tour. Led by a knowledgeable Ruby Falls guide, visitors  explore the cavern trail to the tallest, deepest cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. Learn about the accidental  discovery of the cavern and see stunning rock formations created over thousands of years; as a live cave, many formations  continue to be active. Soak up breathtaking, sweeping views from Lookout Mountain Tower, Blue Heron Overlook and relax  on the Village Plaza or Cavern Castle porch during your visit. Classic Waterfall Tours begin continuously throughout the day. Advance ticket purchase recommended for best availability.

Where it is:

Ruby Falls is conveniently located on Lookout Mountain and is just minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Exits 174, 175, and 178 off interstate 24 will lead to Ruby Falls.

FROM DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA

  • Travel South on Broad Street US-11 S away from Downtown Chattanooga
  • Proceed to the railroad underpass. Broad Street becomes Cummings Hwy (Highway 41)
  • Continue on Cummings Hwy (Hwy 41) about 0.5 mile
  • Take the ramp on the left side of the highway labeled Ruby Falls (Scenic Hwy)
  • Ruby Falls is ahead on the Right

Photography Information:

The cavewalk and the falls are illuminated with colored lights which will provide enough light for modern digital cameras using a high ISO setting.

GPS:

35°1’8.514″ N 85°20’21.078″ W

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

 

 

Hours:

Open daily, 364 days a year with tours running from 8 AM – 8 PM
Closed December 25
Extended hours on select evenings. Specialty tours on select dates by reservation. Private tours by reservation.

Cost:

Classic Waterfall Tour: $21.95 Adults, $12.95 Children Ages 3-12
Specialty Lantern Tour: $31.95 Ages 5 – Adults; keepsake miners helmet included for ages 5 – 12
Specialty Extended Cavern Tour: $31.95 Adults, $18.95 Children Ages 3-12
Annual Pass: $39.95 Adults, $21.95 Children Ages 3-12
Annual VIP Family Pass: $129.95 (2 adults & 2 children)

Tour tickets sell out quickly. For best availability, purchase timed-entry Classic Waterfall Tour tickets in advance at  rubyfalls.com. Classic Waterfall Tour tickets may also be purchased at Ruby Falls based on availability. Specialty tours require advanced reservations. Single visit tickets are valid for one year from date of purchase.

 

 

Location Contact Information:

1720 South Scenic Hwy Chattanooga, TN 37409
423.821.2544

 Email  info1@rubyfalls.com

Facilities:

A quick-serve restaurant with booth seating in the Ruby Falls Cavern Castle featuring Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, sandwiches,
snacks, fruit cups, chips, ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate and a variety of beverages.

RUBY’S KITCHEN Grab and Go Coolers
Grab and go from Ruby’s Kitchen in the Village Gift Shop. Snacks, ice cream, prepared sandwiches, treats and refreshing drinks
are ready to fuel your adventure.

Ruby Falls Village Gift Shop. Discover an extensive collection of quartz, agate, geodes,
and gifts designed to encourage curiosity in caves and geology. T


 Photo Gallery

Click Here for full page gallery

 

More Photographic Destinations in Tennessee Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State

 

All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.  

Great Places for Great Photos

 

Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!

 
 

Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.

Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.

All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.

If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance.

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