knoxville boat tours

We offer a variety of Lunch & Dinner Cruises along with sightseeing-only tickets.

How to organize a Wedding Event on Cruise

Weddings onboard the “Star of Knoxville” riverboat are a most unique and distinctive choice for your wedding. We can provide complete arrangements for the most intimate of weddings to the most elaborate, accommodating anywhere from 2 to 110 for a ceremony and reception and up to 200 for a reception only. The vessel is equipped with 2 full bars, a dance floor, and band stage. The open air observation deck is ideal for an outdoor setting. Our main interior is fully air conditioned and heated, for a great dining and entertainment experience and is a perfect choice for the most important day of your life. From black tie events to very casual, the atmosphere is right for any occasion. The beautiful Tennessee River proves to be the most romantic, enchanting, and memorable atmosphere in East Tennessee. You and your guests will be mesmerized by scenery and fully entertained during any of our cruise.

Cruises for 2024 are now open for reservations

The historic tennessee river.

The Tennessee River is one of the most beautiful rivers you will ever cruise. While cruising, you will enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in Knoxville. Not only will you see some of the history of the river, you will most certainly be relaxed by the river’s beauty.

Tennessee Riverboat Staff

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Public Riverboat Cruises in Knoxville, TN

Experience an unparalleled view of Knoxville during our public cruises! Enjoy a delightful lunch, brunch, or dinner cruise. We offer a range of public cruises for your friends and family on Knoxville’s only luxury yacht! From sunset dinner cruises to sailgates in Big Orange Country, Volunteer Princess Cruises is truly special for any event. Browse through our cruise offerings below to begin your jaunt along Knoxville, Tennessee’s beautiful riverfront!

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Sunset Dinner Cruise

Searching for a unique date night? Celebrating something special? Or just want a night out on the water? Our Sunset Dinner Cruise is just for you!

Brunch Buffet Cruise

Looking for a new Sunday brunch spot? Join us on the Volunteer Princess and enjoy brunch on the water!

Sailgate Cruise

Tailgate in style aboard the Volunteer Princess, and be a part of the Vol Navy!

Fall Foliage Cruise

Knoxville’s beautiful riverfront comes alive with the colors of fall during this lunch cruise!

Afternoon Sightseeing

Cruise the waters of the Tennessee River in air-conditioned or heated comfort and luxury with our sightseeing tour. Relax in the sun on the front deck or find comfort.

Lunch on the Lake

Whether you’re on vacation, celebrating a special occasion, or just looking for a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your experience on our lunch cruises. Relax in

Sunset Sightseeing

Pints & pizza cruise.

Experience a fun night on the Tennessee River! Grab a slice of pizza and a pint of beer, and enjoy a two-hour cruise around Knoxville!

Italian Night w/ Strolling Violinist

Experience a taste of Italy on our fantastic Italian Night Dinner Cruise. Take a seat at your private table, enjoy a two-hour cruise around Knoxville and indulge in a four-course.

THE BEST Knoxville Boat Tours

Boat tours in knoxville.

• Golf Courses
• Gear Rentals
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Volunteer Princess Cruises

2. Star of Knoxville Riverboat

3. Tennessee River Valley Fishing Guide Service

What travelers are saying

• Volunteer Princess Cruises
• Fishing with Billy (East Tennessee Fishing Guide)
• Star of Knoxville Riverboat

THE 5 BEST Knoxville Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in knoxville.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Volunteer Princess Cruises

2. Billy Lush Boards and Brew

3. Star of Knoxville Riverboat

4. Tennessee River Valley Fishing Guide Service

5. Knoxville Adventure Collective

6. Fish On! Guided Tours

7. Xtreme Jetpack Adventures

8. Extreme Tube Rides & Kayak Rentals, LLC

What travellers are saying.

• Volunteer Princess Cruises
• Fishing with Billy (East Tennessee Fishing Guide)
• Star of Knoxville Riverboat
• Extreme Tube Rides & Kayak Rentals, LLC
• Billy Lush Boards and Brew

Star of Knoxville Riverboat

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STAR OF KNOXVILLE RIVERBOAT - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

About Knoxville Surrounding Towns Trip Ideas Climate Geography Knoxville Government Knoxville Accessibility Recreation Resources Knoxville Demographics Knoxville Facts

Melting Pot Going to School in Knoxville School Website Wallpaper Contact Order your Knoxville Planning Guide here .

Nature Activities >>

NavCal River Rides 8016 Ellisville Lane Knoxville, TN 37909 • Map It (865) 765-3407 navcal.com NavCal provides history/sightseeing cruises on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. Aboard the boat, you will learn the history of the area during the steamboat/Civil War era and see the world famous Body Farm. Tennessee Riverboat Company 300 Neyland Drive Knoxville, TN 37902 • Map It (865) 525-7827 www.tnriverboat.com Cruise the beautiful Tennessee River and enjoy a Prime Rib Dinner with live entertainment and dancing. Volunteer Princess Cruises Volunteer Landing Marina 956 Volunteer Landing Lane Knoxville, TN 37915 • Map It (865) 541-4556 www.volunteerprincess.com Cruise the scenic Tennessee River aboard the finest luxury yacht in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Located at Volunteer Landing Marina.

Star of Knoxville Riverboat

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Star of Knoxville Riverboat - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Carefree Boat Club

Boating Without Owning

Ask us a Question: (865) 320-3040

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• Knoxville, TN
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Carefree Membership Are Your Keys to The Water

Welcome to Carefree Boat Club of Knoxville, where we make boating on the intracoastal fun and easy! Owning a boat is a lot of work and costs add up quickly. At Carefree Boat Club, you get all the benefits of boat life without the hassle. Our affordable membership options connect you with the premium boats you want and get you out on the water with family and friends sightseeing, swimming, wakeboarding, fishing, and more while we handle the logistics and maintenance. Boating couldn't be easier!

Don’t spend another summer dreaming about cruising the beautiful, world-class waters of Knoxville, TN. At Carefree Boat Club, we have options to fit most budgets and members get access to club boats around North America! Give us a call with questions or schedule a tour and take a step closer to a summer of fun on the water you’ll never forget!

How the Carefree Boat Club Works

Members can reserve boats in advance or take advantage of boats on a "Spur-of-the-moment" basis when available. Your boat will be clean, maintained, and waiting for you at our private boat club dock, leaving nothing for you to do but hop in and hit the water. New to boating? We provide excellent customer service, operation instruction, and boat safety training. We will show you where to go, where not to go, and wonderful places to go.

Membership is as little as 1/3 the cost of owning a boat. No boat financing hassles or high interest rates; no-slip fees or insurance; no maintenance, repairs, and taxes; no towing, cleaning, and winterizing. Just 100% carefree fun out on the water!

UNLIMITED ACCESS

Use our boats as often as you like at no additional cost. Our online reservation system allows you to pick the day, time, boat, and location easily.

Try Different Boats

Choose your own adventure on a different boat each time out! Cruise with friends and family on our exclusive top of the line pontoons and bowriders. Or, spend the day fishing in our offshore and bay boats. As membership grows, so will the number and variety of boats. We have the most diverse fleet in Knoxville, TN! Schedule your free tour today!

• Great Availability

With the LOWEST member-to-boat ratios in the industry, operating from Choto Marina, an easy-to-use online reservation system, and spur of the moment walk-on access, we have boats available throughout the spring, summer, fall, and winter. Request more information to learn why Carefree Boat Club of Knoxville has the best boat availability in town!

EXPLORE WATERS AROUND NORTH AMERICA

Want to explore waters beyond Knoxville, TN? Members have access to boats at no additional charge at all US and Canada Carefree Boat Club locations .

ON THE WATER INSTRUCTION

Instructors certified by the National Safe Boating Council provide boat safety training and handling skills so our members can comfortably and safely enjoy our boats for all activities.

Carefree Boat Club of Knoxville gives you the opportunity to try different types of boats and boating activities on the water, from cruising and water skiing to fishing and swimming.  When you’re done for the day, just motor back, hand us the keys, and you’ll be on your way.

Choose your own adventure on a different boat each time out! Cruise with friends and family on our great selection of exclusive luxury boats. As membership grows, so will the number and variety of boats.

Enjoy Our Member-Only Boat Fleet

Carefree Boat Club of Knoxville

Choto Marina 12214 Choto Marina Way, Knoxville, TN 37922

Member Benefits & Amenities!

• No Dock Fees or Insurance
• No Cleaning or Maintenance
• Unlimited Use (All Day, Any Day, Every Day!)
• Boats are Fueled and Ready For You to Hop On Onto
• Full Dock Staff to Assist You
• Pick Any Kind of Boat
• Boat Year-Round, From over 100 Locations Across the Globe
• Explore Waterways Near You
• Safe: We Teach You How to Operate Each Boat
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• FREE Tours of Our Docks and Boats
• Dogs are WELCOME!

Your Carefree Experience...

• Boats Are Fueled, Cleaned and Ready To Go Anytime
• Full Dock Staff Ready to Assist You
• Boat Year Round , Anywhere In the U.S.
• Luxury And Specialty Boats Range In Size From 22ft – 25ft
• Exclusive Member Only Yacht Club Pool Area And Facilities
• Easy Booking: Online Or Phone
• Boat “Spur of the Moment”
• Before, After Hours, And Overnight Usage
• Access to All 140+ locations and hundreds of boats

We Take Care Of The...

• Maintenance
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a boat club.

Carefree Boat Club is a private club. This means that our boats are only available to Members. We do not rent or charter our boats. Our members are the only ones with unlimited access to the fleet and they  never pay a fee to use the boats .

Is It Truly "Unlimited?"

Yes! Members have true unlimited access to boats.  Boat as much as you like .    

Is It Worth The Price?

It really is. With membership as little as 1/3 cost of owning a boat, you can cross numerous expenses off your list such as: boat purchase, slip fee, insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, towing and winterization.

How Does The Training Work?

All members get as much training as they need on and off the water. "On The Water" training is done with a certified instructor. Training covers CBC processes, general navigation, docking and safety.

How Soon Can I Get On The Water?

After joining, new members (without boating experience) can normally be boating within days of joining. If you have previous boat training, you can be on the water even sooner.

Are The Boats Well-Maintained?

Absolutely, in fact, all boats are inspected weekly by the CBC dock staff using a 50 point checklist of safety equipment, hull condition, electronics, and general mechanical items.

"Fall In Love With The Premier Boating Lifestyle"

"I joined Carefree a little over a year ago.  My experience has been nothing short of excellent . I have enjoyed boating for years but was never the captain. When some life circumstances changed, I thought I would have to give up this relaxing pleasure. I was not ready to do that,  so boating without owning was the perfect solution for me . The Carefree Boat Club instructors were patient and made sure that I was completely comfortable before going out on my own. The price is reasonable, and the extras that come membership are great!"

"This is our 3rd year at the Carefree Boat Club and we continue to thoroughly enjoy the experience. The concept works well for us, just make a reservation on-line and show up at the dock. The boats are new or nearly new, are always clean and ready to go . The staff are terrific people, they run the club like family. Always friendly, courteous, and accommodating to most any situation. They encourage you to get out there, help make it happen, and make the club experience very enjoyable."

Locations Around the Globe

• Tuscaloosa, AL
• Channel Islands Ventura, CA
• Coronado, CA
• Isleton (The Delta), CA
• Marina Del Rey, CA
• Newport Beach, CA
• San Diego (Pier 32), CA
• San Diego (Point Loma), CA
• San Francisco Bay, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Ventura Harbor, CA

Connecticut

• Bridgeport, CT
• Clinton, CT
• Noank Shipyard, CT
• Stamford, CT
• Westport, CT
• Ocean City, MD/DE
• Aventura, FL
• Canaveral, FL
• Cape Coral, FL
• Crystal River, FL
• Coconut Grove, FL
• Clermont, FL
• Englewood, FL
• Fernandina Beach, FL
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Fort Myers, FL
• Fort Pierce, FL
• Jacksonville Beach, FL
• Jacksonville - Ortega, FL
• Sanford, FL
• Melbourne, FL
• Pompano Beach, FL
• Port Charlotte, FL
• Port Orange, FL
• Space Coast, FL
• St. Augustine, FL
• St. Petersburg, FL
• Tarpon Springs, FL
• Tavares, FL
• Vero Beach, FL
• Lake Lanier, GA
• Richmond Hill, GA
• Savannah (Isle of Hope), GA
• Savannah (The Landings), GA
• Soap Creek, GA
• Ala Wai Harbor,HI
• Honokohau Harbor, HI
• Kawaihae Harbor, HI
• Bayview, ID
• Hayden Lake, ID
• Post Falls, ID
• Priest River, ID
• Sandpoint, ID
• Belmont Harbor, Chicago, IL
• 31st St., Chicago, IL
• Boothbay Harbor, ME
• Raymond, ME
• Annapolis, MD
• Baltimore, MD
• Deep Creek, MD
• Middle River, MD
• Oxon Hill, MD

Massachusetts

• Danvers, MA
• New Buffalo, MI
• Gull Lake, MI
• South Haven, MI

New Hampshire

• Freedom, NH
• George Mills, NH
• Meredith, NH
• Wolfeboro, NH
• Red Bank, NJ
• Buffalo, NY
• Long Island (Port Washington), NY
• Long Island (East Moriches), NY
• Long Island (Greenport), NY
• Long Island (Hampton Bays), NY
• Syracuse, NY

North Carolina

• Holden Beach, NC
• Lake Norman, NC
• Lake Tillery, NC

South Carolina

• Charleston (City Marina), SC
• Charleston (Daniel Island), SC
• Hilton Head, SC
• Lake Murray, SC
• Lake Wylie, SC
• Boone Lake, TN
• Chattanooga (Cameron Harbor), TN
• Chattanooga (Harbor Lights), TN
• South Holston Lake, TN/VA
• Watauga Lake, TN
• Clear Lake, TX
• Lake Conroe, TX
• Lake Travis, TX
• Hampton, VA
• Hopewell, VA
• Lake Anna, VA
• Norfolk, VA
• Smith Mountain Lake, VA
• Urbanna, VA
• Virginia Beach, VA
• Williamsburg (Kingsmill Marina), VA
• Williamsburg (Two Rivers Marina), VA
• Woodbridge, VA

Washington State

• Bellevue, WA
• Bellingham, WA
• Fishermen’s Terminal, WA
• Lake Chelan, WA
• Shilshole Bay Marina, WA
• Kenmore, WA
• Lake Union, WA
• Lake Geneva, WI
• Milwaukee, WI

District of Columbia

• Washington, D.C.
• Ashbridges Bay, Ontario
• Hamilton, Ontario
• Lake Simcoe, Ontario
• Montréal, Quebec
• Niagara, Ontario
• Scarborough, Ontario
• St. Catharines, Ontario

British Virgin Islands

• Tortola, BVI

Central America

• La Playita, Panama

Southeast Asia

Philippines.

• Subic Bay, PH

United States & Canada

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Choose Your Club Location parent_ALABAMA Tuscaloosa, AL endparent parent_CALIFORNIA Channel Islands, CA Marina Del Rey, CA Newport Beach, CA San Diego (Pier 32), CA San Diego (Point Loma), CA San Francisco Bay, CA Sacramento, CA The Delta, CA Ventura Harbor, CA endparent parent_CONNECTICUT Bridgeport, CT Clinton, CT Mystic, CT Stamford, CT Westport, CT endparent parent_DELAWARE Ocean City, MD/DE endparent parent_FLORIDA Aventura, FL Canaveral, FL Cape Coral, FL Crystal River, FL Coconut Grove, FL Clermont, FL Englewood, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Myers, FL Fort Pierce, FL Jacksonville Beach, FL Jacksonville - Ortega, FL Largo (Tampa Bay), FL Melbourne, FL Pompano Beach, FL Sanford, FL Space Coast, FL Stuart, FL St. Augustine, FL St. Petersburg, FL Tarpon Springs, FL Tavares, FL Vero Beach, FL endparent parent_GEORGIA Lake Lanier, GA Richmond Hill, GA Savannah (Isle of Hope), GA Savannah (The Landings), GA Soap Creek, GA endparent parent_HAWAII Ala Wai Harbor, HI Honokohau Harbor, HI Kawaihae Harbor, HI endparent parent_IDAHO Bayview, ID Post Falls, ID Priest River, ID Sandpoint, ID endparent parent_ILLINOIS Belmont Harbor, Chicago, IL Chicago, IL (31st Street Harbor) Lake Marie, IL endparent parent_MAINE Boothbay Harbor, ME Raymond, ME endparent parent_MARYLAND Annapolis, MD Baltimore, MD Deep Creek, MD Middle River, MD Ocean City, MD/DE Oxon Hill, MD endparent parent_MASSACHUSETTS Boston, MA Danvers, MA endparent parent_MICHIGAN New Buffalo, MI Gull Lake, MI South Haven, MI endparent parent_NEW HAMPSHIRE Lake Sunapee, NH Meredith, NH Ossipee Lake, NH Sebago Lake, NH Wolfeboro, NH endparent parent_NEW JERSEY Avalon, NJ Brick, NJ Red Bank, NJ endparent parent_NEW YORK Buffalo, NY Long Island (Port Washington), NY Long Island (East Moriches), NY Long Island (Greenport), NY Long Island (Hampton Bays), NY Rye, NY Syracuse, NY endparent parent_NORTH CAROLINA Holden Beach, NC Lake Norman, NC Lake Tillery, NC endparent parent_SOUTH CAROLINA Charleston, SC Hilton Head, SC Lake Wylie, SC endparent parent_TENNESSEE Boone Lake, TN Chattanooga (Cameron Harbor), TN Chattanooga (Harbor Lights), TN Knoxville, TN South Holston Lake, TN/VA Watauga Lake, TN endparent parent_TEXAS Clear Lake, TX Lake Conroe, TX Lake Travis, TX endparent parent_VIRGINIA Belmont Bay, VA Hampton, VA Hopewell, VA Lake Anna, VA Moneta, VA Norfolk, VA Urbanna, VA Virginia Beach, VA Williamsburg, VA Woodbridge, VA endparent parent_WASHINGTON STATE Bellevue, WA Bellingham, WA Fishermen’s Terminal, WA Kirkland Homeport Marina, WA Lake Chelan, WA Seattle, WA Shilshole Bay Marina, WA endparent parent_WISCONSIN Lake Geneva, WI Milwaukee, WI endparent parent_DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington, D.C. endparent parent_CANADA Ashbridges Bay, Ontario Lake Simcoe, Ontario Montréal, Quebec Niagara, Ontario Toronto, Ontario endparent parent_CARIBBEAN Tortola, British Virgin Islands endparent parent_CENTRAL AMERICA La Playita, Panama endparent parent_PHILIPPINES Subic Bay, Philippines endparent

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Knoxville Backyard & Beyond

Review Of The Lost Sea Adventure – An Amazing Cave Boat Tour

Perhaps you’ve heard something about a huge cave boat tour in Sweetwater, TN, halfway between Chattanooga and Knoxville? It is a real thing and it is totally worth going to see.

The Lost Sea is a large cavern containing the largest underground lake in the US. And you get to go on a glass bottom boat to explore. Guaranteed to be something fun and different from any other cave tour you have taken!

Info At A Glance

140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN 37874 7 miles off of I-75 on Hwy 68 1 hr 10 min from Chattanooga 50 min from Knoxville 1hr 30 min from Pigeon Forge

$26.95 Adults $15.95 Kids (4-12) Open Everyday (except Christmas and Thanksgiving)

Time And Difficulty

The regular tour is 1 hour 15 minutes. You walk 3/4 of a mile roundtrip and descend 140 ft underground on an inclined path. It can feel like a steep uphill on the way back.

The Lost Sea Adventure was a fond memory from my childhood spent in East Tennessee, going on school trips and summer days when it was too hot to be outside. I am happy to say it is still a great experience for kids and adults alike and that the boat tour on the underground lake is still a thrilling and otherworldly experience.

Visiting The Lost Sea Adventure is a fun time any day but it is particularly perfect for cold winter days, hot and humid summer days, or rainy days in general.

This is my complete guide to the Lost Sea Adventure, from where and what it is, the super cool history of the cave (it was used by the Cherokee, moonshiners, and Civil War soldiers), and practical information like ticket prices, the different tours available, and how long you will spend there.

Plus other handy need-to-knows, like what to wear in a cave to stay warm, and most importantly, – are there really blind fish in the lake? (Spoiler Alert – yes, there are fish and no, they aren’t blind.)

What Is The Lost Sea? What Makes It Special?

The Lost Sea is part of the larger Craighead Caverns, a system of caves that extends from Sweetwater all the way north to Madisonville.

The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the United States (it is in the Guinness Book of World Records) and is the 2nd largest underground, non-subglacial, lake in the world. So pretty unique there.

It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 because of the size of the lake and the abundance of “cave flowers,” a rare type of crystalline clusters technically called anthodites.

The underground lake that you tour is a little less than 5 acres (so about 3.5 football fields) but there are lots more caves below this one that are completely filled with water. No one is sure how far the water goes.

Besides the sheer size of the cave and the lake and the rare cave crystals, I also think the Lost Sea is special and worth visiting because there is some nifty history associated with it.

The History Of The Lost Sea – Jaguar Fossils, Civil War Graffiti, And Moonshine

Okay bear with me for the history lesson because it has to do with much of what you will see on your visit. There is a lot to see on the tour of the cavern besides just the underground lake, although that is the undeniable star of the show!

Super Short Geologic History

The many caves and cave systems in east and middle Tennessee (over 10,000 found so far) are due to the abundance of limestone in the area. 250 million years ago, this area was covered by a shallow inland sea leading to the limestone formation.

Some 90 million years ago, the inland sea dried out as the land was uplifted and surface water began to trickle through the limestone bedrock, dissolving it and forming the caves found all over this part of Tennessee.

A Pleistocene Jaguar in the Lost Sea – the earliest known tourist to the cave

During the Pleistocene era about 20,000 years ago, a giant jaguar wandered into the cave and didn’t get out, leaving some super cool bones for humans to find in 1939.

You can see the bones and casts of its footprints in the Visitor Center (and some of its bones in the American Museum of Natural History in NYC if you are ever up that way). This jaguar was probably a bit bigger than a modern jaguar but the subspecies is now extinct.

Human History In The Lost Sea

The cherokee.

The Cherokee used the “Council Room,” a large cave near the entrance, as a meeting place, leaving behind archaeological artifacts like jewelry and weapons. Later, white settlers in the area used the caves as food storage, handy since the caves maintain a steady 58 degrees year-round.

Civil War History

Confederate soldiers mined saltpeter in these caves and also left behind graffiti for us to admire. The names and dates in black on the cave walls were made using ash from the soldiers’ torches which carbon dating has corroborated. Only the names in black are historic, the names in white were scratched into the rock in modern times. It’s interesting to see that the “I was here” sentiment hasn’t changed much over the years.

*** Trivia Alert – Saltpeter is the old-fashioned name for potassium nitrate, an integral component of gunpowder. The saltpeter mined in caves primarily comes from bat guano (that’s the technical term for bat poop).

The Confederate Army was so interested in the huge amounts of saltpeter in the caves of The Lost Sea, that they advanced $2,000 ($50,000 today) to expand the operation , which continued mining until the Union Army arrived in Sweetwater in 1863. At that point, the Confederate soldiers destroyed the mining operation so the Union soldiers couldn’t get their hands on it. Basically, the Civil War was fought with a lot of bat poop. The kids found this bit of trivia riveting.

Craighead Caverns History Since the 1900s

The first credited discovery of the underground lake goes to a 13 year old boy, Ben Sands, in 1905. He crawled through a tunnel the size of a bike tire to reach the lake (this makes me freak out as a parent), but by the time he brought his Dad back to show him, the water levels had changed. They were unable to find the tunnel again.

The lake lay hidden for the majority of people until 1965, when the tiny passageway was blasted out to allow tourists down to the lake.

Previous entrepreneurs have tried a variety of enterprises in the caves. In the 1940s, there was an underground bar with a dance floor called the Cavern Tavern in one of the larger rooms in the cavern. (Which is an absolutely awesome name by the way.)

There were several moonshine operations (you’ll see an old moonshine still by one of the walkways) and even a mushroom growing operation once.

The government designated the caves as a fallout shelter during the Cold War, storing thousands of pounds of food down here, some of which can still be seen on the cave tour too.

Thank you for attending my (very brief) history lesson of the Craighead Caverns. And now you know there is more to the Lost Sea Adventure besides just being a cavern with a boat ride.

Your tour guide will go over all of this as well so no need to study up before you go ;).

What To Expect On A Tour Of The Lost Sea

Arriving at the lost sea adventure.

When you turn off Highway 68 into the entrance of The Lost Sea, the entrance drive takes you by several parking areas and a collection of buildings to your left and one building to your right. The building on the right is the ticket office and entrance to the caves.

There are two types of tours offered by the Lost Sea Adventure:

• Regular tour
• Wild Cave tour

Almost everyone takes the regular tour which lasts just over an hour and includes the boat ride on the underground lake. The Wild Cave tour is for the more adventurous folks and takes you crawling through small holes to explore the less visited parts of the cave. It is for larger groups and requires advanced notice – see more on it below.

You can buy your tickets online ahead of time for the regular tour but you must still check- in at the ticket desk. We highly recommend buying ahead of time so you can pick your time. You can walk in and get tickets, especially in the less busy winter months, but you may have to wait an hour or so for the next tour to start.

The Regular Tour Of The Lost Sea Adventure

• This is the cave boat tour most people talk about
• Lasts 75 min, 3/4 mile loop walking path
• Descends 140 ft to the lake

The Regular Tour is the most popular tour of the Lost Sea and covers the main part of the cavern and the underground lake boat ride.

You will have a tour guide who will point out the interesting bits and explain the history and geology of the cave. (Which, of course, you are already familiar with having read my excellent history section above 🤣.)

You start at the entrance near the surface and make a loop through the cavern, with the boat tour in the middle. Along the way to and from the lake you will see stalactites, stalagmites, anthodites (the rare crystalline formations mentioned above), an old moonshine still, the Civil War graffiti, and a waterfall.

You will also experience total darkness for about a minute when they turn off the lights, which is a highlight for everyone.

The tour lasts about an hour and 15 min and you need to be fairly mobile to participate. It covers 3/4 of a mile round-trip as a loop through the cavern. You descend 140 ft down to the lake (and more importantly, 140 ft back up to the surface – this is the hardest part of the walk).

The walkway is wide and steeply sloped in sections but there are decent handrails to use. The cave has a clay surface on most of the paths so wear good shoes as it can get slippery because the cave has high humidity all the time.

The cavern is very large so claustrophobia shouldn’t be much of an issue on the regular tour unless you can’t stand the idea of being underground at all.

The Boat Tour On The Underground Lake

The boat ride lasts about 15 min and each large, flat- bottomed boat holds 15-20 people easily. Motion sickness isn’t generally an issue as the water is completely calm, leaving you feeling more like you are gliding rather than motoring across the water.

Remember, the visible portion of the lake is about the size of 3.5 football fields so it can hold several boats at once no problem.

What About The Fish?

The large, rainbow trout were added to the lake in the 60’s and 70’s in the hopes that they would find their way out, get caught, and the tags would be reported back so they would know where the outlets might be. Turns out, though, that trout don’t like to swim in the dark so they would not leave the lit sections of the lake and we still don’t know where the water goes exactly.

The rainbow trout, which are restocked periodically, are fat and happy. They are frequently fed and fishing isn’t allowed so they will come right up to the boat looking for their treats. You can watch them swim underneath the boat as well, through the glass panels in the bottom.

Check out the website for more information and pictures about the Regular Tour.

The Wild Cave Tour Of The Lost Sea

This extended tour of the caves can be done as a daytime trip or an overnight camping excursion. In addition to the regular tour, you will get to explore additional, harder-to-access cave rooms, such as where the jaguar bones were found. Plus, you get to crawl through crevices and holes, so it is much more of an authentic spelunking experience.

You will get muddy and a little banged up on the Wild Cave tour, but reviews are very positive if you have a high tolerance for dirt, port-a potties, and tight spaces. Many of the kids I grew up with, including my siblings, did the overnight tour with the Scouts or a church group and all of them still refer to it as an awesome experience years later. Certainly, it is a one-of-kind campsite.

Call for more details or peruse the website to see pictures from the Wild Tour. You will need to book several weeks ahead of time if you are thinking about a Wild Tour.

The Practical Details For Visiting The Lost Sea

Opening hours.

Open everyday except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Do check the website for changes – Prices and hours for the Lost Sea .

• Winter (Nov-Feb): 9am -5 pm
• Spring/ Fall (Mar & April / Sept & Oct): 9am- 6pm
• Summer (May-Aug): 9am- 7pm (8pm in July)

Ticket Prices

Regular Tour: Adults $26.95/ Kids 4-12 $15.95/ Under 3 are free

Wild Cave Tour: Daytime $31/ Overnight $38 (same price for all ages)

Tips are encouraged for the guides, so you might want to bring along a few extra bucks.

Location Of The Lost Sea Adventure

The Lost Sea Adventure is in Sweetwater, Tennessee, about 50 minutes southwest of Knoxville or 1 hr 15 min northeast of Chattanooga. It is just 7.3 miles from Interstate 75, directly off of Highway 68.

Getting There

Take exit 60 from I 75, following the sign for Highway 68/ Sweetwater. Go east on Highway 68, through a collection of strip malls and fast food outlets. Once you cross Highway 11, though, you get to more picturesque farmland and rolling hills.

Look for the sign for The Lost Sea Adventure on your left about 5 miles after you cross Highway 11. It will take you about 10 min total from Interstate 75 to get to The Lost Sea.

Weather In The Lost Sea/ What To Wear

Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. The pathways are packed dirt and due to the high humidity in the cave, they are always slightly slick. We did not have anyone slip and fall but it could have easily happened several times. Use the handrails if needed.

It is a constant 58 degrees in the caves, so I would wear long pants or bring a light jacket. The high humidity keeps it a warm 58 though. It doesn’t seem cold at first but after about 30 minutes, you start to notice. Especially if you are visiting in the summer, you will feel the difference, although that is a great thing when it’s 100 outside!

Some Handy Tips

Use the bathrooms right next to the ticket desk before your tour. It will be your last chance until the tour is over.

Be sure to check out the Pleistocene jaguar skull and footprints as well as the largest trout ever caught in the lake. Both are preserved in cases near the ticket desk.

What Else To Do At The Lost Sea Besides The Underground Tours

Besides the tours, you will also find a gift shop, sweet shop with ice cream, a glass blowing place, a cafe, a general store, gem mining, and a nature trail.

The gift shop is adjacent to the ticket desk in the main building. Everything else is located in the little collection of buildings, called the Lost Sea Village, which is across the street from the main building (where the ticket desk and cave entrance are).

The Lost Sea Village

The cafe serves sandwiches and pit BBQ and has a covered picnic area attached. We brought our own picnic lunches and enjoyed them at these picnic tables.

The glassblower has lots and lots of pretty little ornaments that all looked incredibly breakable so we did not venture into it with the kids on our last visit.

A few things are closed in the offseason, especially on weekdays, such as the General Store and Sweet Shop. They are popular places to visit in the summer, though. The gem mining was also nifty looking and looked to be a fun activity to keep the kids occupied while the parents sat at the nearby picnic tables. My kids have never really been interested in gem mining.

The Nature Trail is just a 1/3 mile long and I wouldn’t get overly excited about it but it is good for a quick stretch of the legs.

Other Things To Do That Are In The Area

Visit sweetwater, tn.

10 min from The Lost Sea Adventure

Sweetwater is working hard to redevelop its Main Street and has some picturesque buildings along its main square. You’ll find several antique shops, a gift store, clothing boutiques, and an old train car from the “Pelican Line” that ran through town, taking travelers from NYC to New Orleans.

If you are hungry, try Vittorino’s Cucina or Hunter’s Bakery and Cafe . If it is a great cup of coffee and a baked good you are after, try the Cup Runneth Over Coffeehouse . If it is an afternoon ice cream treat, then be sure to drop by the Sweetwater Creamery .

All of these restaurants are located around the main square downtown. Parking is available there too.

If you need a playground break, the Sweetwater Recreation Park is just a half mile away from Main Street. You can drive there or you can take the greenway along Sweetwater Creek. There are 2 playgrounds: a big new blue one next to the soccer fields and a second one with a climbing net and swings next to the walking track.

Getting to Sweetwater

Downtown Sweetwater is just 10 min from The Lost Sea Adventure. Turn right on Highway 68, go back to Highway 11 and turn right again. From here it is just a mile until you come to downtown Sweetwater. (See the map above showing the location of the Lost Sea.) You will see the gazebo and train car on your right as you come into downtown on Highway 11/ Main Street. There is plenty of public parking there.

Sweetwater Valley Farm

20 min from The Lost Sea Adventure / 10 min from downtown Sweetwater

If you love delicious cheese and lots of it, then this will be your happy place. Sweetwater Valley Farm is a huge dairy farm that makes a stunning variety of cheeses on site so you can tour the farm, learn about cheese, and sample to your heart’s content. Then buy a bunch to take home with you.

You could spend 30 min or 2 hours here, depending on your devotion to all things cheese and whether you take the tour of their state of the art robotic milking facility. The gouda and fiesta cheddar are personal favorites but I would eat any of the cheeses from Sweetwater Valley Farms. So good.

To get to Sweetwater Valley Farm, turn right on Hwy 68 from The Lost Sea. Then turn right on Hwy 11, heading towards downtown Sweetwater. Stay on Hwy 11 for 8 miles until you see the big white, brick entrance to the farm.

The shop and cafe are open Tues – Sat 9am – 5pm. The cafe serves sandwiches 11 -3 and milkshakes all day. The menu is basically all things cheese (shocking, I know) from grilled cheese to cheese and meat melts and pimento cheese. There is a kids menu also.

Tours of the dairy are every hour from 10 am until 3pm and take about an hour. Tickets are $12 adults and $8 kids 3-11 and you can buy them ahead of time online. (And I would think twice about kids unless they are really into milking. I found it fascinating but the younger kids were over it by about 30 minutes in.)

Cherohala Skyway

30 min from The Lost Sea Adventure

A national scenic byway, the 40+ miles of the Cherohala Skyway takes you from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC and to some million dollar views along the way.

Simply turn left from the Lost Sea onto Highway 68 and follow it for 17 miles until you turn left onto Highway 165, following the signs for Tellico Plains, Cherohala Skyway, and Indian Boundary.

Start in Tellico Plains with some goodies from the ever excellent Tellico Grains Bakery (the sandwiches, the coffee, the loaves of bread—it’s all amazing). Then detour out to the gorgeous Bald River Falls first for some Instagram-worthy shots before getting on the the Skyway.

Be sure to stop at Huckleberry Knob on the Skyway. It is a 1.25 mile hike to a gorgeous bald with 360 views of the Smokies.

Check out our Cherohala Skyway blog for all the information and tips you need to tour one of America’s most scenic drives.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy your time at the Lost Sea Adventure. It certainly is one of the most unique experiences in the area and one that has always made an impression on the kids. Please check out some of our other posts about the area to find even more ideas for family adventures big and small in East Tennessee!

Happy Trails – Amanda

Amanda co-founded Knoxville Backyard & Beyond so she could write about her hometown Knoxville and the East Tennessee area. She also runs Simply Awesome Trips, a general travel website for families, as well as freelance writing for other major travel blogs.

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