The Tennessee Cave Survey (TCS) is an internal organization of the National Speleological Society (NSS). The TCS is committed to the discovery, exploration, survey and mapping of the caves of Tennessee and to systematically collect, organize, maintain, and disseminate cave location information, cave narrative files, bibliographic data, and cave maps. The TCS relies exclusively on the volunteer participation of its caver members for all its data.

TCS data is available to vetted members of the caving community. The TCS, along with its parent organization the NSS, strongly encourages and promotes the protection of the caves of Tennessee from significant adverse environmental impact. The TCS recognizes that this conservation should also be consistent with reasonable cave access for recreation, scientific study, exploration and survey by cavers in good standing.

The TCS encourages its member cavers to cultivate and maintain good relationships with private landowners, as well as local, state and federal government institutions.

The TCS discourages widespread dissemination of sensitive cave information, that may encourage unprincipled or uneducated people to cause harm to the cave environment. The TCS does not release cave locations, cave maps, or other TCS data en mass to any person, outdoors group, government agency, state agency, private or non-profit organizations. However, on a case by case basis, TCS will consider releasing limited data to responsible people or agencies that it considers necessary to help preserve the cave and/or its environment.


Photo by Candice Eagle (2014)


Photo by Chuck Sutherland (2019)

If you have questions or comments click here to find out whom to contact in the Tennessee Cave Survey.