Otherworldly Underground Lake in Tennessee Is a Literal Hidden Gem

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Summer weather is here, and every body of water bigger than a small puddle is about to be flooded with swimmers, sunbathers, and boaters for the next few months. As an avid swimmer, I'm gonna be one of those people myself, so no judgments there. Still, all those crowds get pretty old, pretty fast, and finding a quiet lake retreat to yourself just gets harder and harder.

With that in mind, you might not have much luck with lakes above the ground- but what about the ones under the ground? If you're not afraid to look a little beneath the surface (literally) you might enjoy a trip to The Lost Sea, a literal hidden gem in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Chattanooga, Tennessee travel guide @hope.maum introduced her followers to the breathtaking Lost Sea Adventure, the largest known underground lake in the country. The cave is located in Sweetwater, Tennessee, which is at a halfway point between Knoxville and Chattanooga, an hour from both cities. This is the place to be if you want to get away from both the big-city tourist crowds and sweltering summer heat above ground!

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Visitors can enjoy a subterranean boat trip after walking to a boat ramp 3/4 of a mile inside the spacious underground cavern. You don't need any serious spelunking skills to complete this walk, but Hope warns that there are some steep spots, so wear good walking shoes and stretch those calves. Once guests reach the boat ramp, they can glide out onto the 4+ acre lake and feed the trout that live in its waters.

Though the Lost Sea isn't as well known as some of the other big caverns in the region, like Ruby Falls or Raccoon Caverns, the national landmark still manages to be a memorable visit for its guests.

"I wet about 11 years ago and it was awesome," recalled @cheezncats. "The 'complete' darkness was crazy when they turned out the cave lights."

"20 years ago, my youth group would get a private walk through in the dark and do a sleepover in the cave. Great memories," reminisced @doriimefasolatido.

Oh, and since we're talking about ways to beat the summer heat: according to one of Hope's comments, the Lost Sea's cavern stays at a cool 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Who needs AC when you've got that?

Info About the Lost Sea Adventure

As Hope said, the typical cavern and lake tour only takes about an hour and 15 minutes, so it's the perfect length of time for a quick day trip activity if you're in the area. According to the Lost Sea Adventure website, the standard daily tour costs about $29 for adults and $17 for kids aged 4-12. There are discounts for seniors and military members, and kids 3 and under get in for free.

If you still feel like exploring once you're back above ground, you don't have to head back to the city right away. The Lost Sea Adventure also has a gem mine where you can pan for precious stones, a live glassblower studio, a general store, and a sweet shop serving up ice cream and other toothsome treats. There's also a 1/3 mile nature trail where you can bathe in the sunlight after your trip underground.

The only downside is that you can't go swimming in the Lost Sea- I'm sure that would be a logistical and ecological nightmare for the cavern's owners. Still, if you want a boat trip on a lake that strays from the norm, this is the place to be!

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