
Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 109 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours worth booking?
Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours is a 0.8-hour experience in Chattanooga, United States, from $29 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 109 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (109)
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- From
- $29 per person
The Crystal Palace Tour is a 45-55 minute guided walking tour through the first 1/4 mile of the cave. This section of the cave has been modified to include lights, pathways, steps, and handrails. Education is the focus of our tours and your guide will explain how caves form, provide a history of the cave, and point out a wide variety of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and much more, including rare shield and helictite formations! Guests also have a chance to view cave wildlife including bats and salamanders, as well as ancient fossils. Photography is welcomed, however you must keep up with the group. As a reminder our cave is not wheelchair or child stroller accessible.
What you get
About this experience
The Crystal Palace Tour is a 45-55 minute guided walking tour through the first 1/4 mile of the cave. This section of the cave has been modified to include lights, pathways, steps, and handrails. Education is the focus of our tours and your guide will explain how caves form, provide a history of the cave, and point out a wide variety of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and much more, including rare shield and helictite formations! Guests also have a chance to view cave wildlife including bats and salamanders, as well as ancient fossils. Photography is welcomed, however you must keep up with the group. As a reminder our cave is not wheelchair or child stroller accessible.
What's included
Included
- Admission fees
Not included
- Travelers will be placed into the next operating tour based upon arrival time and availability/space
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Chattanooga
Raccoon Mountain Caverns meets at the designated area after a tour has been paid.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Raccoon Mountain Caverns meets at the designated area after a tour has been paid.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 106 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
106 verified traveler reviews for Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Easy family tour
Great for families. The guide was awesome! Very knowledgeable and entertaining!
via Tripadvisor
Mediocre family destination
Overall, we have mixed feelings on the tour & were surprised this is considered the #1 attraction in the area. We did enjoy the tour but it was expensive for such a short time. The staff were friendly & gift shop was decent, however, the location as a whole is deteriorating. The entrance & parking lot sets the tone for what to expect. Decking is borderline dangerous & should be repaired near the gift shop/mobile home convert. The cavern entrance could use some cleanup & a coat of paint on the exterior entrance area would be simple upgrades. $500 in easy & basic repairs would go a long ways in re-assuring customers that the experience will be positive.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend for cave dwellers
Great tour guides nice walkthrough out in under an hour. Saw a ton of local species of salamanders, cave crickets, and translucent spiders
via Viator
Excellent adventure with Terrance as our guide
My husband and I toured the cavern with Terrance as our guide. The caves themselves are spectacular, but Terrance was the highlight. He is incredibly knowledgeable, personable, kind and thoughtful. He genuinely loves his job, and it shows in his presentation. He made certain every one on our group got to see every formation and answered every question thoroughly. He was particularly kind to the children in the group, for which he earns bonus points from me. He also added the details that he personally found fascinating for each formation. The caverns are lovely, active and well worth seeing. The only thing I can think of that would make it better would be a zip line where the gondola/chair lift once was. If you have a couple hours to spare, this is a great way to spend them.
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience!
It was an amazing experience at a crystal cave! Breathtaking ! The tour leader Terence did a good job!👍🏻
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 38
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chattanooga.
How much does Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours cost?
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Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chattanooga usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours take?
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Plan for about 0.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chattanooga is not rushed.
Is Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 109 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chattanooga, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Around 38 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chattanooga can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chattanooga and add a light layer if any part of the 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chattanooga within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chattanooga?
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Chattanooga sells Lookout Mountain packages with Ruby Falls and Rock City, incline railway rides, Civil War battlefield tours, river cruises and caving trips. On Outty we rank every Chattanooga experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ocoee River Middle Whitewater Rafting Trip (Most Popular Tour), Classic Middle Ocoee River Adventure, Middle Ocoee Whitewater Rafting. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chattanooga?
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April to June and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chattanooga?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Included: Admission fees. Not included: Travelers will be placed into the next operating tour based upon arrival time and availabi. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Raccoon Mountain Caverns meets at the designated area after a tour has been paid. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Chattanooga. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Crystal Palace Walking Tours?
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Across 109 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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