Adventure Trip FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover adventure on a spelunking adventure trip at Cumberland Caverns. Do you have questions about your trip? Find your answers below.

Have a question not answered here? Please call us at 931-668-4396 or e-mail us at info@CumberlandCaverns.com

Back to Adventure Trips

• There is a 10 person minimum for our Adventure Trips.
• Helpful Hint: Tours are designed for groups of 10 or more, but if your group is smaller, we can coordinate your trip on a night that other groups have scheduled.
• Help Hint: Cumberland Caverns now offers Spelunk-Tacular Saturdays, every Saturday at 1:00 pm CST, Adventure Trips are offered to the public with no reservations and no group minimums. For more info: Saturdays
• There is a 250 person maximum capacity for overnight adventure trips.
• Helpful Hint: For very large groups, you may want to have them divide up into smaller groups of 50 to make getting through the trip quicker and easier for everyone.

What if more people want to come?

• Great! We will do our best to fit them in if there is additional room on the trip.
• Please call us and let us know how many more are coming as soon as possible. P931-668-4396.
• We still require a 10 day notice for additions without a late fee.

• The Adventure Trip has it’s moments of tight squeezes and requires an adventurous spirit.
• Our guides test everyone beforehand to make sure you can fit so there will not be any “getting stuck” in the cave passageways.
• Your adventure guide should be told if you are nervous or if you get uncomfortable during your trip.
• Helpful Hint: With a big group of friends along with you, the Adventure Trip won't seem that scary, but more of a great adventure, something to conquer - not to fear.

• You may make reservations by phone (931-668-4396) or by mailing or faxing the “Spelunking Adventure Trip Reservation Form” (download here)
• Please send Reservation Form with full payment.
• We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, check or cash.
• All reservations should be made and paid for 10 days prior to the trip date.
• You will receive an Adventure Trip Confirmation Notice
• Reservations are not complete until you receive your confirmation from our office.
• If your group has a Tennessee Certificate of Tax Exemption, please mail or fax a copy while making your reservation to receive your admission tax-free. Our fax number is 931-668-5382

• Our standard policy is that there are no refunds on adventure trip reservations. However you can reschedule the trip.
• In order to reschedule please notify the office at least 7 days prior to the date of your trip.
• If your group cannot notify us at least 7 days prior to the date of the trip, we will work with you to find a way to make your trip work for you at some future date.
• If you need to put your trip on hold for any reason, we will hold your reservation for up to two years.
• You may reschedule your trip for your entire group up to 2 times within 2 years of the date of your original reservation.
• As always, in the event of inclement weather, groups will be allowed to reschedule.

• Your group will arrive at Cumberland Caverns and assemble outside our gift shop.
• Helpful Hint: Don’t forget to eat before arrival, you’ll need the energy.
• Your leader will check-in, confirm the number in your group, and receive final instructions.
• Overnight spelunkers will begin by bringing their gear to the underground campsite.
• Before beginning the Adventure Trip, you will be suited up with an official caving helmet. (You will come to love your helmet after bumping your head several times.)
• Your Adventure Trip Guide will give the group instruction on safe caving, and then you’re off to explore and discover a true “spelunk-tacular” adventure.

• Daytime Adventure Trips will be given a check-in time, this will be shown on your confirmation notice.
• Evening and overnight Adventure trips check in at 5:30 pm Saturday through Thursday.
• Friday Adventure trips check-in at 6:30 pm.
• Helpful Hint: It never hurts to arrive a bit early. There are always last minute details to take care of.

• Always cave in groups of at least three people.
• Always tell three people where you're going and when you'll be out of the cave.
• Always have three light sources
• Use three points of contact on climbs

Each of our Adventure Trips will take different times:

Adventure Trip #1, Rocky Topper:

• Will generally last 2 ½ to 3 hours.
• Adding the Daily Scenic Walking tour to Rocky Topper will give you 4 to 4 ½ hour in the cave.

Adventure Trip #2, Higgenbotham’s Revenge:

• Will generally last 3 ½ to 4 hours.
• Adding the Daily Scenic Walking tour to Higgenbotham’s Revenge will give you 5 to 5 ½ hour in and around the cave.

Adventure Trip #3, What Waits Below:

• Our overnight adventure will keep you underground 14-15 hours.
• Our overnight adventure trips always include the Daily Scenic Walking tour and the Rock Topper tour route.
• Breakfast is served at 7:30 am for those on the overnight adventure.
• Overnight groups generally leave the cave the next morning between 8:00-8:30 am.

Adventure Trip #4, All Around the Mountain:

• Our overnight adventure will keep you underground 16-17 hours.
• Our overnight adventure trips always include the Daily Scenic Walking tour and the Rock Topper tour route.
• Breakfast is served at 7:30 am for those on the overnight adventure.
• Following breakfast your group will hike up the mountain to enter the historic entrance and take the Higgenbotham's Revenge tour route.
• Overnight groups generally leave the cave the next morning between 10:00-10:30 am.

• One signed Release Form (download here) for each adult and each child at your specified check-in time.
• Any person under 18 years of age participating in the Adventure Trip must have a Release Form signed by parent or guardian.
• Helpful Hint: Releases are provided for your group on our website, or call and ask for a copy to be sent with confirmation notice.
• You will need to make accurate count of children and adults that will be participating on trip. (Make sure you leave with the same number you came with!)

• If you see you will be late, please call the office immediately at 931-668-4396.
• If you need to reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible.
• If your group cannot notify us at least 7 days prior to the date of the trip, we will work with you to find a way to make your trip work for you at some future date.
• If you need to put your trip on hold for any reason, we will hold your reservation for up to two years.
• You may reschedule your trip for your entire group up to 2 times within 2 years of the date of your original reservation.
• We do reserve the right to cancel trips for late arrivals!

• A backpack or duffel bag packed with all of your gear.
• Helpful Hint: You will carry your gear ½ mile from the parking area to the cave, so pack light.
• A sturdy flashlight with extra batteries.
• Helpful Hint: Headlamps are avaliable for purchase in the gift shop, please let us know if your large group all will need headlamps.
• A small pack to carry a water bottle and extra batteries.
• Change of clothes, socks, shoes, and a jacket.
• Helpful Hint: If you are staying overnight, bring warmer clothes to sleep in
• Plastic bag for dirty clothes. You will get wet and muddy!
• Sleeping bag, ground cloth (tarp, plastic) if spending the night.
• Helpful Hint: We do have electricity in the cave, so if you want to bring an air mattress & pump for “roughing-it” that will work just fine.
• Money for snacks and souvenirs. (Don’t forget to get a “I Survived Spelunking” shirt)

• Jeans or pants are best (Remember, you will be getting dirty, so not your best pair)
• Shorts should not be worn because you will be crawling on your hands and knees.
• Hiking boots are best, good lace-up sneakers will also work (Bubblegum Alley is a great place to lose shoes!)
• Layer a long sleeve shirt with a T-shirt (or just a t-shirt is fine for spelunking at Cumberland Caverns)
• Helmet, if you don’t have one, we’ll loan you one for free (you will grow to love your helmet during spelunking)
• Helpful Hint: Some folks like to bring along knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves. These items are not required, but may make it an easier trip for those not used to crawling around in a cave.

We will do our best to help you and your group have a fun and safe experience while spelunking at Cumberland Caverns. If you have special needs, please call us (931-668-4396) and let us find a way to help you. Some of the frequent needs addressed are:

• Sleep Apnea: we do have electrical outlets at the campsite.

• Medicines: If there are medicines that need to be stored or taken during the Adventure Trip, please ask your group leader inform us at check-in.

• Dietary Restrictions: If you have specific dietary needs during your stay, please let us know. You may bring specific food items on your trip, or it may be something that we regularly stock.

Yes, to protect the cave and abide by the laws of the state of Tennessee, a few items are not allowed in the cave. The following is a list of items that are not allowed during Cumberland Caverns Adventure Trips.

• Chewing gum
• Alcohol or drugs
• Food or drinks
• Helpful Hint: If you medically must have certain foods, please call our office for details.
• Pets, radios, video games, laser pointers, or musical instruments
• Weapons or fireworks
• Cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco. Cumberland Caverns is a tobacco free environment