Located in a cave crawling with terrifying monsters, the Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern is a unique attraction that adds a new level of fear to the traditional haunted house, opening Friday and Saturday. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. nightly for the Freak Parade, this haunt runs Oct. 1 until Halloween Fridays through Sundays, with an additional night Oct. 8.
“It’s another year, another totally new theme including a double feature,” said Todd Patton, co-creator of the Haunted Cavern’s theme and professional build every year. “Not just one, but two haunts. Two themes.” In the cave there are deadly creatures of the night and at the top haunt visitors experience the mind of a madman.
Having discovered a machine once belonging to the Van Helsing family, Cerebus takes it over for military purposes. Once activated, the machine releases lyconthrope and nosferatu deep within Lookout Mountain. Dr. Delong and renowned psychiatrist Russo have developed a sophisticated form of video-enhanced hypnosis psychoanalysis, allowing visitors to encounter the memories and secrets within the madman Eugene Todd’s mind.
This haunt continues to draw haunt enthusiasts from miles around, becoming one of the most popular and unique haunt destinations in the southeast, with national accolades as well. In 2014, the Haunted Cavern was listed in the number four spot on Buzzfeed.com’s list “19 terrifying haunted houses you should see before you die.” It has also recently received the ongoing special event award for an attraction in Tennessee.
This is the 12th year of fear for the Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern, where the theme changes every season and brave souls descend 26 stories underground, ‘where no one can hear you scream.’ Group discounts are available the first two weekends and on Sundays, plus additional savings if tickets are purchased online at www.hauntedcavern.com.