Crystal Palace Walking Tour
CRYSTAL PALACE WALKING TOUR
The Crystal Palace Tour is a 45-55 minute guided walking tour through the first 1/4 mile of the cave. This section of the cave has been modified to include lights, pathways, steps, and handrails. Education is the focus of our tours and your guide will explain how caves form, provide a history of the cave, and point out a wide variety of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and much more, including rare shield and helictite formations! Guests also have a chance to view cave wildlife including bats and salamanders, as well as ancient fossils. Photography is welcomed, however you must keep up with the group.
PLEASE CALL TO MAKE A RESERVATION. WALK INS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR GROUPS UNDER 4 (AVAILABILITY MAY VARY). ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
Currently, we are unable to allow children 3 years of age or younger on tours. All children must be able to walk the tour themselves, they cannot be carried.
As a reminder our cave is not wheelchair or child stroller accessible.
Open 7 Days A Week
Sun. – Sat. 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.
First tour goes in at 9:30 A.M.
Last tour goes in at 4:00 P.M.
Timing:
Friday – Saturday: Tours run every 30 minutes
Monday – Thursday: Tours run every hour at a minimum. Please call for more availability
Pricing:
Adults Ages 12+: $28.99
Kids Ages 4-12: $18.99
Q: Can we bring a group into the caves?
A: Yes, we love working with groups. Any group with four people or more need a reservation and can find more information on our GROUP PAGE or call us at (423) 821-9403
Q: What is the temperature in the cave?
A: The cave remains a constant 58° F all year, allowing tours to operate in all weather conditions. Most guests prefer a light sweater or jacket while on their tour.
Q: Is the cave wheelchair or stroller accessible?
A: Due to the layout of the cave, narrowness of some passageways, and number of steps, the cave is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Q: Will I get dirty on my cave tour?
A: Guests on the Crystal Palace Walking tour may get dripped on, but will not otherwise get dirty. Guests on the Wild Cave Expedition tours will most definitely get dirty.
Q: If I or a member of my group decide not to continue the tour, can we get a refund?
A: All cave tour purchases, both Crystal Palace and Wild Cave, are non-refundable. Please strongly consider the ability level and comfort level of your group members before purchasing a cave tour. If you have questions or concerns regarding the difficulty of tours, we are happy to give advice on which tour is best suited for your group. However, ultimately the decision is yours and refunds will not be given after a tour is purchased.
Q: Are bathroom facilities available in the cave?
A: There are no bathrooms in the cave. Please use the restroom before beginning your tour.
Q: Are animals allowed to be brought in the cave?
A: Due to the sensitive and fragile nature of the cave and its ecosystem, no pets are permitted inside.
Service animals are welcome at the Raccoon Mountain Campground. However, service animals, are not allowed on tours of the Raccoon Mountain Caverns due to the danger of the service animal’s presence being disruptive to the environment of the “nesticus furtivus” spider, which has been the only known to exist in the Raccoon Mountain Caverns. The “nesticus furtivus” spider is endemic to the Raccoon Mountain Caverns and its ecosystem. Therefore, great care must be taken to ensure that non-native animals do not disrupt the spider’s environment. The presence of foreign matter introduced by service animals can also damage the caverns’ rock formations and facilitate the growth of fungus that can harm the caverns’ ecosystem. In addition, service animals are not permitted on tours of the Raccoon Mountain Caverns because of the proximity of the safety hazard of narrow passageways between rock formations. We appreciate your understanding of our obligation to protect the Caverns and its ecosystem.
Pets are permitted in the following areas:
On roadways and in parking lots open to public vehicular traffic and in picnic areas & panning areas
Q: Is the cave dangerous?
A: Caves, by their very nature, can be dangerous environments. Please follow all staff instructions to ensure a safe and memorable experience. None of the wildlife in the cave pose a threat to humans.
Q: My question isn’t listed here; how can I get more information?
A: Give us a call or send us an email! We’d love to hear from you and will happily answer any additional questions you may have. A more detailed FAQ specific to the Wild Cave Expedition tours can be found at wildcave.com/faq.html
