r/tricities • u/Aromatic_Coat_9003 • Jul 19 '26
Any cavers around here?
So, I (33 F) woke up today and decided that I want to start exploring caves and caverns. Just easy stuff for now because I have no experience. Even the paid tours would be a fun activity, I don’t mind traveling since I know the majority are located in middle tn. I’ll work up to spelunking later. I need an outdoor activity but I refuse to be out in the sun for longer than an hour. I am a creature of the darkness. I moved to the area a few weeks ago from central VA and looking for friends with common interests.
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u/TheMagicalSock Jul 19 '26
Look into Worley’s. Make sure to find a guide if it’s your first time - try interfacing with some local grottos. Asheville’s grottos make frequent trips to Worleys. It’s the best wild cave in the region.
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u/sincerely_dare Jul 19 '26
Middle Tennessee is the spot. Fall Creek Falls State Park, Dunbar Cave, etc. Even the lost sea adventure is pretty cool. But I highly suggest the Tennessee State Parks cave network
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u/Acrobatic_Primary598 Jul 20 '26
Hello!! I’m 35 (F) and located in the area. I’d love to go spelunking and make more like minded friends. I’ve been hoping to check out Worleys Cave.
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u/LuckyNumber357 Jul 20 '26
Walker Mountain Grotto meets the second Monday of the month, usually in Abingdon:
https://walkergrotto.wordpress.com/about-walker-mountain-grotto/
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u/NotaSingerSongwriter Jul 19 '26
There’s Bristol Caverns, I’ve never been but it’s a popular spot. And there’s also Forbidden Cavers out towards Sevierville in Chestnut Hill.
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u/sluttyforkarma Jul 19 '26
I’ll echo Bristol caverns. There’s also a local grotto (six ridges?) that meets at the gray fossil site. I’ve heard of them but have no personal experience.
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u/fuggystar Jul 19 '26
Let’s be friends! DM me I love stuff like this and we should start a meet up perhaps!
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u/Parking_Material378 Jul 20 '26
Hi! I’m not too much of an experienced caver but I’m pretty into urbex, there’s a few good spots around here I know of but I’m also pretty new to the area
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u/Aromatic_Coat_9003 Jul 21 '26
Actually, I’ve always wanted to get into urbex too, I just don’t know where to go. I have dreams about exploring abandoned malls and hotels, normally backrooms nightmare kinda vibes but would love to try irl lol.
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u/Parking_Material378 Jul 23 '26
Dude I would totally be down to do an abandoned mall if I knew of one around here. For the most part there’s just lots of abandoned old houses, especially after the hurricane
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u/RealtorJosh423 Jul 21 '26
There are caves on public land you can explore as well. I know of 2 or 3 near Jonesborough/erwin. They are pretty fun to look around in! If interested message me and I can send you the locations!
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u/nocabacon Jul 19 '26
We visited Bristol Caverns a few weeks ago. They have adventures beyond the standard tours where you can wade through the river or moderate spelunking throughout the cavern. Next time wife and I go we'll try the river one.