Ruby Falls is the perfect destination for groups!
Cave Walk group rates are valid for groups of 15+ paying guests on select dates, with one person paying for the entire group in advance. Groups must arrive 30 minutes prior to their reserved tour time.
Group rates are not available Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, July, and limited June availability. Group reservations are subject to availability.
General Group Rates
Cave Walk to the Waterfall
Adult: $27.00
Child: $18.00 (ages 4 – 18)
Please complete the group reservation form or call 800.755.7105 in advance for groups of 15 or more. The Ruby Falls group sales team will assist with reservations and provide group leaders with important information to help your group have a wonderful visit.
School Groups
School groups are eligible for special school group rates.
Experience nature and science in action at Ruby Falls. Students will discover stalactites, stalagmites, and other geological wonders on a guided Cave Walk to the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.
Scout Groups
Scout group admission includes a Ruby Falls scout patch, guided walk to the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States and access to historic Lookout Mountain Tower.
Group FAQs
If you have special needs, please email info1@rubyfalls.com or call us 423-821-2544 to discuss potential accommodations and allow time for arrangements to be made prior to your visit. For example, guests with hearing disabilities may request a printed copy of the tour. As you might imagine, our park offers sensory stimulation including crowds, darkness, varied levels of lighting in the cave, noises, colored and changing lighting, narrow cavern passages, music with volume changes, group tours, enclosed areas, and close proximity with other guests in confined areas. Ruby Falls offers a Low Sensory Cave Walk for guests requiring a low-sensory experience. This tour features a smaller group size, reduced audio presentations, and time at the waterfall without the lights and sound show. To book a Low Sensory Cave Walk, please contact us at least two weeks in advance of when you'd like to visit info1@rubyfalls.comPlease keep in mind the cave is not wheelchair accessible due to the cave’s natural formations, narrow passages, and small groupings of steps. Cave adventure participants should be comfortable walking at the pace of the group and standing for up to 90 minutes.Special consideration is taken for service animals. We have specific guidelines to ensure guests with service animals are supported throughout their visit. Please note:
- A service animal is a dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
- Service animals must be under the control of the owner at all times and should remain on a leash, tethered, or in a harness.
- Only trained service animals are permitted in the cave and indoor venues. Our onsite kennels are available seasonally at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis for emotional support animals, comfort animals and pets.
- Service animals must be housebroken. Service animals are required to behave and not bark, growl, jump up on or lunge at other guests or team members. Service animals may not jump up on cave walls and ancient formations.
- Service animals must remain on the floor and not on dining chairs or tables in food and beverage locations.
- Corrective action must be taken by the animal's handler if the service animal is not behaving appropriately.
Due to natural formations, narrow passages and small groupings of steps, the cave is not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible venues at Ruby Falls include Blue Heron Overlook, Village Plaza, Hospitality Center, Village Gift Shop, Back Porch, restrooms, Castle Cafe, Ruby Falls Castle and the Castle front porch. Historic Lookout Mountain Tower observation decks built prior to current accessibility standards are accessed by stairs. Additional accessibility information is available by contacting Ruby Falls at info1@rubyfalls.com.
The temperature in the cave is around 60 degrees year-round. Comfortable shoes with sturdy soles are suggested as the walking distance on the cavern trail is a little under a mile. The pathways, although paved, are uneven and wet in some places. Heels, sandals, or backless shoes are not recommended.
All access to the cave and waterfall is guided for the safety of our guests and the preservation of the cave. Private tours are available with at least three weeks advance notice by emailing info1@rubyfalls.com.
After descending 260-feet into the cave by glass-front elevator, guests walk just under one-mile, round trip on the paved cavern trail with their group. There are small groupings of steps and slight elevation changes totaling approximately 35 steps with handrails provided. Height clearance along the cavern trail varies between over 100-feet to just under 6 feet. The cavern trail is narrow, with very limited opportunities to sit during the tour. Cave Walk guests should have the ability to stand for up to 1.5 hours and move comfortably on their own along the trail, keeping pace with their tour group. For more information, please contact us at 423-821-2544. (The Gentle Walking Tour is a great option for guests who prefer a very relaxed pace with opportunities to sit at several points during the tour.)ACCESSIBILITY INFO
Download our Educational Resource Guide to help prepare students for your visit
Ruby Falls does not have facilities for group meals or brown bag lunches.
The roundtrip underground guided walk is just under one mile and is 70-90 minutes, depending on the number of tour groups exploring the cave during your visit. The majority of the path is level, however the pathway includes a few small groupings of steps and narrow passageways. Plan time to visit the park's scenic overlooks, relax in the historic castle's cafe, find a keepsake in the Village Gift Shop. Most guests spend 2-3 hours at Ruby Falls.
Comfortable shoes are suggested. The pathways, although paved, are uneven in some places. Heels, sandals, or backless shoes are not recommended.
Free bus/motorcoach parking is available. A parking attendant will assist and direct you upon your group’s arrival.
The group leader must prepay for the entire group at least 5 days in advance. If paying by check, it must be received at least 5 days in advance. Additional guests may not be added on the day of visit.
Allow at least one-week advance notice when planning your visit to Ruby Falls.
You must have 15 people or more to qualify for a group rate.
Ruby Falls is in the Eastern Time zone.
Most guests spend 2-3 hours at Ruby Falls. Be sure to allow plenty of time to take in the view from historic Lookout Mountain Tower and Blue Heron Overlook, grab a bite to eat, and browse the Village Gift Shop. By purchasing your ticket in advance online, it is easy to plan your day and avoid disappointment if tours are already sold out when you hoped to visit.
*Please note, when the elevator is out of service for an extended period, Ruby Falls may choose to transport guests approximately one mile to an alternate cave entrance/exit via bus or passenger van. The alternate entry/exit is accessed by several steps leading to the special event portion of the cave. The paved path through this portion of the cave is approximately 700-feet long. Please allow an extra 60-90 minutes for your visit when guests are accessing the cave through the alternate entrance/exit due to elevator maintenance.
*Please note, when the elevator is out of service for an extended period, Ruby Falls may choose to transport guests approximately one mile to an alternate cave entrance/exit via bus or passenger van. The alternate entry/exit is accessed by several steps leading to the special event portion of the cave. The paved path through this portion of the cave is approximately 700-feet long. Please allow an extra 60-90 minutes for your visit when guests are accessing the cave through the alternate entrance/exit due to elevator maintenance.
Due to its cavern location, Ruby Falls is a great place to escape to on rainy days. In fact, rainy days are a terrific time to visit because rainfall increases the flow of the waterfall, making it especially beautiful. Heavy rainfall over an extended period can cause minor flooding along the cavern trail resulting in temporary suspension of tours. If you have questions, please contact us prior to your visit or check for updates on our social media channels.