Our last stop on our way home from vacation in Tennessee was the Forbidden Caverns. My oldest daughter was like “great we get to have a social studies lesson”. However, every chance we were allowed to take photographs she was taking pictures of the caverns.
Hundreds of years ago, Forbidden Caverns was known to the Eastern Woodland Indians who roamed East Tennessee’s forests and mountains in search of good hunting grounds. The cave was used as a shelter in the winter and the cave river provided a constant supply of water. Scientists believe the source of the water to be an underground lake located beneath English Mountain, now famous for it’s spring water. Flint or chert is found here in limited quantities and was used to create arrowheads, knives and scrapers. The cave also contains many unique calcite formations that are still growing and boasts the largest wall of rare cave onyx or dripstones known to exist. An interesting Indian legend explains the fate of an Indian princess who was lost in a “hollow mountain of two streams”…” which is forbidden”.
During the early twenties and until 1943, the cave was used to make moonshine. The constant water supply and the isolated location was ideal for Moonshiner’s to make their homemade whiskey. In 1964, a group of business and professional men began the planning and vast undertaking of opening this natural attraction to the public. After 3 years of excavation and development, Forbidden Caverns was opened in June 1967. The approach to the caverns is through a picturesque valley that affords a beautiful view of the majestic LeConte range and English Mountain of the Smokies.
The Forbidden Cavern is a 35- minute drive from Gatlinburg, and 45 minutes from Knoxville. The caverns are a must in your vacation plans to enjoy East Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. The guided tour takes about an hour, and while you wait for the tour to begin you can look around the store to find a souvenir to remember your trip. Make sure to check out the Forbidden Cavern’s website before you plan your trip.
Wow, what beautiful formations! I like exploring places like that.
Your pictures are gorgeous! What a great homeschool field trip!!