It happens every year. After a certain point, usually around mid-July, I start to dread the outdoors. The reasons are both obvious and endless: the heat, the sweat, the mosquitoes, the ridiculous amounts of sunscreen required. Summer has always seemed like more of an obstacle course than a season. But right around the time I realize I’ve already told anyone who’ll listen that my favorite form of sun protection is a house, I start feeling guilty. Who am I to keep my family hemmed in by air-conditioning and walls? What about nature? It’s become a real conundrum.
But fear not, I’ve found a loophole, and there’s a way to spend quality time outdoors while technically remaining inside — caves.
Caves are great because they’re always about 55 degrees, you’re always in the shade, and sometimes there are bats. Middle Tennessee happens to be home to a handful of amazing caves that are worth exploring — especially when you need a cool spot in the summer months. Not all of the caves mentioned here are open to the public year-round, but they are during the summer. Be sure to check out each cave’s site for details before your trip. Here’s our primer.
Cumberland Caverns
Cumberland Caverns
1437 Cumberland Caverns Road, McMinnville
Cumberland Caverns is about a two-hour drive from Nashville, and it’s a great place to start when you’re just getting into caving. There are three different categories of cave tours available, and each category has four options. So even if you end up caving here a handful of times, each experience will feel brand-new. The walking tours are the gentle way in, and most are open to cavers of all ages. For the more adventurous among us, there are adventure tours and overnight packages.
The Caverns
555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham
About an hour-and-a-half from Nashville near Fiery Gizzard State Park, The Caverns are best known these days as a music venue. (Flock of Seagulls play May 22! There’s also CaveFest, which Gillian Welch is headlining this year, in October.) But there are also plenty of cave tours available, from a simple guided tour to the intense Tombstone Pass Adventure Cave Tour, which is recommended only for cavers 16 and older and requires helmets, head lamps and knee pads (all provided). That one comes with a warning that you will definitely get muddy.
Jackson Cave at Cedars of Lebanon State Park
328 Cedar Forest Road, Lebanon
About an hour east of Nashville, Cedars of Lebanon State Park is an easy day trip, but as with all state parks, a caving permit is usually required. Caves in Tennessee state parks are open from May until August, and large groups (usually 10 or more) need to register in advance. Visit tnstateparks.com/activities/caving before you start planning.
Dunbar Cave State Park
401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, Clarksville
About an hour northwest of Nashville, Dunbar Cave State Park is perfect for cavers who moonlight as birders. A checklist of all the birds you might spot is available on the Dunbar Cave website, and includes dozens of hawks, warblers, geese and owls.
Lost Creek Cave
Lost Creek Cave at Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park
3990 White’s Cave Road, Sparta
Lost Creek Cave is one of the biggest caves in Tennessee, and has five separate entrances — including one that’s underwater — and seven miles of mapped passages. It’s also a home to the endangered species Indiana bat. To check out Lost Creek Cave, you’ll need to register via the Tennessee State Parks site at least three days in advance.
A general tip for all the cave-curious: Check out Nashville Grotto. This crew of caving enthusiasts was established in 1953 as a chapter of the National Speleological Society. They meet on the first Tuesday of every month at Radnor Lake Visitor Center. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m., but visitors are encouraged to drop by early and hang out — curious cavers are usually full of questions, and Nashville Grotto welcomes them all.
Swimming, caving, skating, baseball and other ways to spend your summer
