FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Know Before You Go

How much time should I allow to visit each individual attraction?

Ruby Falls – 2-3 hours
Rock City – 2-3 hours
Incline Railway – 1 hour

*Times listed are approximations. They do not allow for travel time between attractions, meals, shopping, or any wait time associated with high volume days. 

What should I wear?

Rock City – This outdoor attraction is at the top of the mountain and the temperature is generally just a few degrees cooler than in the valley. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Ruby Falls – The temperature in Ruby Falls cave is around 60 degrees year-round. Comfortable shoes with sturdy soles are suggested as the total cave walk is a little under one mile and the pathways, although paved, are uneven and wet in some places. Heels, sandals, or backless shoes are not recommended. 

Incline Railway – The train itself is enclosed, but the observation towers on top of the mountain are outside and are generally a few degrees cooler than the valley below.

How much walking?
Ruby Falls – The Ruby Falls cavern trail is a little less than one mile round trip. There are 30-35 stairs on the trail that come in sets of 4 and 5. Ruby Falls cave adventures are guided and guests should be comfortable standing for up to 2 hours without access to seating.

Rock City – The Rock City trail is a little under a mile in total. There are stairs throughout the trail. The Rock City trail is self-guided and one at one’s own pace.

Incline Railway – The Incline is a seated trolley-car style ride, although guests have to climb stairs for the observation towers. Civil War points of note Battles for Chattanooga and Point Park are only a 3 block walk from the top station.

Are the attractions stroller and handicap accessible?

Ruby Falls

Strollers: Due to narrow passages and steps, strollers are not permitted in Ruby Falls cave. A stroller parking area is available in the elevator waiting area.
Handicap Accessibility: Due to natural formations, narrow passages and small groupings of steps, the cavern is not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible venues at Ruby Falls include Blue Heron Overlook, Village Plaza, Ticket Atrium, Village Gift Shop, Back Porch, restrooms, Castle Cafe, 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 [email protected].

Rock City

Strollers: Due to some narrow passages along Rock City’s trail, strollers are not allowed. We recommend bringing an infant backpack.
Handicap Accessibility: Rock City is partially handicap accessible. A handicap accessible trail is available for guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility to visit the overlook at Lover’s Leap for the 7 States View. Round trip distance is about 1/2 mile.

Incline Railway

Strollers: Incline Railway allows the umbrella-type strollers on the cars, but only folded up and carried onboard.
Handicap Accessibility: The Incline Railway is fully wheelchair accessible on the cars and both top & bottom stations.

Is there food available at the attractions?

Rock City – Year round food is available at the Big Rock Grill (short-order style dining) and Cliff Terrace (pizza). An additional sit-down restaurant option, Cafe 7, is open seasonally. Home-made Rock City fudge and other candies are also available. Starbucks is located just outside the Ticket Plaza.

Ruby Falls – Enjoy a seasonal menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert at the Castle Cafe, located inside the historic limestone castle built in 1929. Sample the rotating selection of local craft beer and hard seltzer from Chattanooga craft breweries on eight taps. Open Daily, Hours Vary by Season. Admission to Ruby Falls is not required to dine at the Castle Cafe.

Incline Railway – The Top station offers a confection counter and snack bar with multiple menu offerings. The lower station features Clumpies Ice Cream. 

Are pets allowed at the attractions?

Rock City allows pets on a leash. 

Ruby Falls provides on-site, self-serve kennels free of charge available seasonally on a first come basis. Pets are not permitted in the cave.

The Incline Railway does not allow pets.

Where can I get information about each individual attractions?
Please follow the links below for detailed information or contact us if you have additional questions.

Ruby Falls

Rock City

Incline Railway

Where can I get information on visiting Chattanooga?
VisitChattanooga.com is an excellent source for information on Chattanooga and the surrounding area. It provides information on area hotels, restaurants and attractions.
How much does it cost to go to Lookout Mountain?

Each attraction on Lookout Mountain is separately ticketed. Individual attraction tickets are available for purchase on each attraction’s website.  Multi-attraction combination tickets are not available.