A Non-Spelunker’s Guide to the Caves of the Smoky Mountains and Beyond

Growing up a member of Generation X, I had more access to freedom than was probably good for me. As a result, I developed a healthy sense of adventure. Living in medium to small cities, I explored neighborhoods and areas well outside the range of my parents’ yelling ability.

When we moved to rural areas with wide fields and forests of varying sizes, I was free, within certain relatively wide parameters, to explore to my heart’s content. And so, I found myself as a youth with access to more caves, especially in Southern Indiana, the limestone capital of the world. I liked the idea of exploring and imagining that people used them for shelter decades before I got there. Fancying myself a fledgling archeologist, I’d look for evidence of previous occupancies, cave drawings, arrowheads, that kind of thing.

But there was a limit to my adventure, which was tempered by the kind of prudence that kept me from getting too far from the light. The kind of prudence that kept me from squeezing into tight fits or seeking larger caverns beyond.....

​

When things go wrong, don't go with them.

Elvis Presley

🚨 Trending Posts🚨

New Attractions Guide: What’s New, What’s Coming Soon and What’s Going Away in the Smoky Mountains in 2025 A local breaks down what may be the biggest season of change since tourists started flocking to the mountains One thing about life in the Smoky Mountains is that change is always just around the bend. One season, you’re doing big business selling pancakes, racing go-karts or touting your special ... Read article

Dolly’s Parton’s Favorite Restaurant Is Hidden in This Tiny Gas Station in TN We took a journey to track down the restaurant that is believed to be frequented by Dolly Parton herself There’s a spot on the Parkway in Sevierville that is built almost entirely in anticipation. You’ve come through downtown and past the China Town restaurant, which has been serving the exotic c... Read article

What Is the Story Behind the Gatlinburg BMW? The real story behind the legend of the Gatlinburg BMW There is a mystery in the mountains of Gatlinburg. But it doesn’t have anything to do with haints, haunts, or wild people. We won’t be talking about Big Foot or spooky hollers. This mystery is much deeper than any of those fly-by-night mounta... Read article

A Full List of 14 Gatlinburg Live Webcams Get a live look at what’s happening in the Great Smoky Mountains When you want a live view of the Smoky Mountains – whether you’re checking in on traffic, weather conditions or cute animals – there’s likely a live webcam that can fit your needs. With modern technology, live came... Read article

6 Desserts in Gatlinburg That Will Make You Drool These are the 6 most irresistible desserts in Gatlinburg, according to a local I’ve always believed that half of the experience of a Smokies vacation is experiencing the local cuisine. From chicken and dumplings to barbeque, you have to admit, East Tennesseans know how to get the most out o... Read article

5 Things Not to Do at Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge According to a Local A local offers his advice on 5 things not to do when booking, attending dinner shows in Pigeon Forge Dinner and a show. Sounds like the perfect night out – or matinee – in Pigeon Forge. Dinner theaters have long been part of the fabric that is Pigeon Forge. But it’s only in recent years that ever... Read article

These 7 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants Are the Best in Gatlinburg A Smoky Mountain local reveals his top picks for the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Gatlinburg In a world filled with chain restaurants and expensive dining options, sometimes you find the best restaurants where you least expect them. We call them hole-in-the-wall restaurants for lack of a ... Read article

These Are the Best Gatlinburg Restaurants of 2025, According to a Local These are the best Gatlinburg restaurants of 2025, according to a local Ranking the restaurants in Gatlinburg is a dangerous game. Not in the sense of actual danger, but dangerous in that figuring out how to weigh classics with a reputation decades in the making versus a new and interesting spot ... Read article

Feral Humans in the Smoky Mountains? What Happened to Dennis Martin Social media revives rumors of feral humans in the Smoky Mountains linked to old cold case Dennis Martin was 6 years old in June of 1969. It was Father’s Day weekend and they hiked near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, a Martin family tradition. William Martin (his father) and Clyde (his gran... Read article

6 Things Not To Do at the Apple Barn According to a Local Superfan Do your best to avoid these common mistakes during your next trip to the Apple Barn With its shops, restaurants, hotels and stores, the Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store essentially becomes its own little village on weekends, especially in the fall. Parking spaces are a premium commodity.... Read article

Area Coupons & Discounts

Check out our full discount, deals, and coupons page for even more ways to save on these and other popular area attractions including (but not limited to):

*Disclosure: TheSmokies.com is sponsored by ads and affiliate programs. We may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon, Tripster and CJ Affiliate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Some offers are only available for a limited time. We do our best to keep this list as up-to-date as possible but keep in mind that these deals tend to sell out quickly, and availability may be limited. Please report any expired or sold-out deals by contacting us.​