And on that same day trip we made to Lookout Mountain a week earlier (in September) of that same year (2025) and when we rode up on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, my family and I also went somewhere totally different too too – 260 feet into the heart of Lookout Mountain to Ruby Falls.
My wife and I traveled to Chattanooga from Murfreesboro with our daughter who was then 8 and our son who was 5.”
We love Chattanooga. It is one of our favorite Tennessee cities for a family day trip, especially once the weather starts cooling down. The Tennessee River, the mountains and the easy access to hiking make it a place we keep coming back to.
One of the items on our list was Ruby Falls!
While I knew there was an underground waterfall somewhere inside Lookout Mountain, I honestly did not fully grasp what the experience itself involved until we had actually done it.
Deep into the mountain by elevator, you walk with a guide though narrow cave passages past formations that have taken millions of years to develop to a huge underground room where the waterfall drops out of the darkness above you.
For the boys, it was an adventure.
This was one of the attractions, it turned out, that actually delivered what we expected from it for us.
The Experience Starts With an Elevator Into Lookout Mountain
Ruby Falls is situated on Lookout Mountain only minutes away from downtown Chattanooga.
The parking was easy for us and right now parking at Rudy Falls is free!
After we were checked into our tour, our real adventure began with the elevator ride that would take us about 260 feet down into the mountain from a glass-front elevator.
Our kids enjoyed that part.
It is not a fast decent but within moments as it feels like you’ suddenly disappears below your standing 300 to 500 feet into the ground you are walking out into a cave.
And everything else completely changes from the moment you come out of it.
No matter if it is 90 degrees outside, it is a cool and comfortable 60 degrees in the cave all year-long!
That also means I would bring a light layer if you are someone who gets cold easily.
The Walk to Ruby Falls Is Part of the Experience
“The waterfall is not next to the elevator.”
You walk until you see the waterfall.
The standard Cave Walk spans less than one mile round trip and should last for between 60-90 minutes. The pathway is paved and can be wet/uneven in places. There are approx. 50 stairs around the pathway.
With our 8-year-old and 5-year-old, it was totally doable.
However, I would describe it more as a walk-in than simply take the elevator down, look at the falls, and return straight back.
You climb up and down staircases, enter passages with altering ceiling heights. The passage sometimes opens out to much larger rooms and then narrows close to the width of the main doorway itself.
It is a lot of fun.
There is certainly enough there for our kids to be looking at all the time and the guides do point out formations throughout.
There was definitely plenty to look at along the way and guides are pointing out stalagmites and stalactites that were developing over a long course of time as water moved through the limestone.
Then You Hear the Water
The best part is arriving at the waterfall chamber.
For the most part it is a relatively quiet cave, but all of a sudden you start hearing water splashing and rushing, getting louder and louder as you approach.
Then suddenly when the passage opens up we are in front of the waterfall room!
The marketing blurbs will always state that Ruby Falls is a 145-foot underground waterfall and that is mostly true with some quirks to the number.
More recently Ruby Falls teaching literature states that the waterfall begins somewhere above where the ceiling of the room can be seen so the whole height is unmeasurable and the only waterfall height visible is what can be seen from the room that visitors occupy – 90 feet.
However, there is little doubt as to how ‘spectacular’ it looks when visitors stand underneath.
The waterfall from the darkness above into the cavern where a light and sound show is put on up the waterfall for you.
The kids loved it.
Weird to be with the kids, standing so far underground looking upwards at a waterfall pouring from the ceiling.
You do not have endless time in the room. The tour keeps moving, so do photos during your opportunity.
You only stop taking pictures when you are left behind by tour operator, but you can take pictures of where your visit or places that took your interest when ever you want to.
The Story Behind Ruby Falls Is Almost as Good as the Attraction
What truly amazed me after visiting was learning the way Ruby Falls was found.
Nobody was actually looking for it.
While trying to reopen another cave buried in Lookout Mountain in 1920s, chemical and cave lover Leo Lambert was not looking for another one.
However, the earlier entrance to Lookout Mountain Cave itself was buried many years before by railroad construction along the base of the mountain.
Lambert raised the sum for an entirely new shaft to be dug directly through the mountain.
But when they had gone down about 260 feet into the ground an unexpected opening was encountered.
Lambert and a few others crawled over her leading as she went in the dark to see where it went.
This exploration lasted for about 17 hours.
They found unknown passages, unknown formations in the cave, unknown water; and the waterfall after some time.
Lambert later brought in his wife, Ruby, into the cave.
He named a waterfall after her.
That is how he named Ruby Falls.
Although when you have been inside you realise it is better.
Imagine having to crawl through the opening to Lookout Mountain in 1928, knowing that you still do not know if and/or when you will find a way out!
Even the Castle Above Ground Has a Story
I must admit I presumed, before the tour, that the stone castle at Ruby Falls was mainly of decorative importance.
It is not.
They dug up about five million pounds of limestone when they built the 145-foot elevator shaft and cave attraction.
Some of that stone was used for the build the castle attractions many walk through today.
This building, completed in 1929, looks like it was inspired by a medieval European castle.
And more than a cave mouth.
Throughout the Great Depression, while families had less money to pay for cave admission, the castle operated as a restaurant, tearoom and place of entertainment with music and dancing.
This fascinating history just makes the whole place more appealing.
You are not coming to a modern day visitors centre set up for the enjoyment of a waterfall.
Ruby Falls has been attracting visitors ever since.
Is Ruby Falls Good for Kids?
To us, without doubt.
Ours were 8 and 5, and both loved it.
But there are a couple of points to be aware of if your children plan to attend.
The standard Cave Walk can be up to 90 minutes long and close to a mile long. Kids will have to be able to move along quickly with the group. There are steps and tight passages to contend with, though they are perfectly safe.
No strollers are allowed inside the cave.
The cave is stroller-free, though they allow parking near elevator so I recommend carrier if you have one even a back carrier for larger toddlers.
What about your child’s feelings about darkness or being penned in?
There is not much of the cave which is frightening but it is underground, involves some narrow areas, changes of lighting and there is also a loud presentation when you reach the waterfall.
Ruby Falls has low-sensory options; you can reach out for more information on the best times to go for a low-sensory visit.
For our family though, the children found the fact that there was a long underground walk to be all the more exciting to them.
A Few Things I’d Know Before Going
You will want to book ahead of time for the biggest thing.
Ruby Falls has timed admission. They currently sell tickets online. Popular times during weekends or school breaks can well sell out.
I would show up for my scheduled tour 15 minutes prior.
No restroom facilities once you go down the elevator; you will need to use them before getting on it.
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. The path is paved, but cave floors may be cold, wet or uneven in places so heels, sandals and backless shoes are not recommended by Ruby Falls.
And try not to be rushed during the whole visit!
Remember, Ruby Falls is more than just a cave; you may want to allow for 2-3 hours total and that includes the cave walk and castle, overlooks, food etc…
One Important Accessibility Note
There are some wheelchair accessible areas above the ground, but for the most part, the cave itself is NOT wheelchair accessible.
There are inherent stairs, narrow areas or other features that would prevent wheelchairs from completing the Cave Walk.
Much different from the incline railway that we have visited on this trim where all ages and abilities are much more welcome to the Incline.
Would We Take the Kids Again?
Yes.
This worked well at part of our Chattanooga day trip as Ruby Falls was so different from the other things we done.
The Incline Railway took us up Lookout Mountain.
At Rock City we traveled the Enchanted trail.
For the girls it was a special adventure to go inside the earth.
For me the attraction is further improved once I learn about the actual history the fact that it is only there as a by product when Leo Lambert accidentally finds an entire cave whilst trying to achieve another.
And with Murfreesboro being close enough to Chattanooga that we can turn this whole thing into an overnight experience versus a week long experience.
If you’re in Chattanooga with kids, Ruby Falls struck easy entry on my recommendation list for being part wild nature / part unique human touch / close enough by to allow for a convenient and memorable visit.
Just remember to buy tickets ahead of time, wear some good walking shoes and be prepared to move.
The waterfall inside Lookout Mountain is neat as well.
