Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in central Kentucky, approximately 90 miles south of Louisville. It is renowned for its extensive cave system, which holds the title as the world's longest known cave system with more than 400 explored miles. The park covers a total area of 52,830 acres, offering a diverse range of outdoor activities and natural wonders.

With a rich historical background, Mammoth Cave has been a site of exploration and habitation for thousands of years. Native Americans, such as the Shawnee and Cherokee tribes, utilized the caves for shelter and ceremonial purposes. European settlers began exploring the caves in the late 18th century, with the earliest documented tours conducted in the early 1800s. Mammoth Cave became a national park in 1941 and was later designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

Visitors to Mammoth Cave National Park can embark on several cave tours that cater to varying interests and physical abilities. These tours provide an opportunity to witness the stunning underground formations, including beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. The Historic Tour takes visitors through the original entrance of Mammoth Cave, while the Domes and Dripstones Tour showcases the remarkable dripstone formations within the cave system. The Wild Cave Tour is a more adventurous option, offering a chance to explore lesser-visited sections with crawling and climbing involved, providing a unique and thrilling experience.

Apart from cave tours, the park offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and camping. There are more than 80 miles of hiking trails that cater to different levels of difficulty and offer picturesque views of the surrounding forests and river valleys. The Green River, which flows through the park, allows for canoeing and kayaking, allowing visitors to explore the natural beauty from a different perspective. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot various species like deer, foxes, beavers, and a variety of bird species while exploring the park's trails.

Nearby attractions around Mammoth Cave National Park include the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, located approximately 30 miles away. This park preserves the humble cabin where the 16th President of the United States was born and offers exhibits and a memorial building dedicated to Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. Another nearby attraction is the National Corvette Museum, located in Bowling Green. Car enthusiasts can explore the museum's collection of iconic American sports cars and immerse themselves in the history of the Corvette.

Overall, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky offers a unique and mesmerizing experience for visitors, combining geological wonders with outdoor recreational opportunities. Whether exploring the underground labyrinth of the caves, hiking the scenic trails, or discovering nearby historical and cultural attractions, the park provides an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and history buffs alike.

Mammoth Cave National Park is situated in south-central Kentucky, nestled within the hilly region known as the Pennyroyal Plateau. Located in Edmonson County, the park stretches across 52,830 acres of magnificent landscapes and encompasses the vast Mammoth Cave, which takes center stage as the world's longest known cave system. The park lies approximately 90 miles south of Louisville and about 20 miles northwest of Bowling Green. Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and meandering streams, Mammoth Cave National Park enjoys a diverse range of geographical features, making it a captivating destination for nature enthusiasts and explorers seeking to delve into the mysteries of its underground wonders.

Address & Contact

1 Visitor Center Parkway
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007
Driving Directions
Phone: 2707582180
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park would be September. Throughout the year, the park experiences varying weather conditions. In September, the average maximum temperature is 85°F, and the average minimum temperature is 61°F. The average monthly precipitation is 4.0 inches. This timeframe offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities while avoiding large crowds, as visitor counts are low during this month.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Mammoth Cave National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hands-On Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Park Film Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Hiking Front-Country Hiking Boating Canoe or Kayak Camping Fishing Backcountry Hiking Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Group Camping RV Camping Freshwater Fishing Dining Caving Horse Camping (see also camping)

Topics

Learn about these topics at Mammoth Cave National Park: Animals Birds Caves, Caverns and Karst Geology Groundwater Freshwater Springs Night Sky Architecture and Building Archeology Industry Native American Heritage Transportation Fish Fire Fossils and Paleontology River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Trails Water Trails Unique Species Mining Watersheds African American Heritage Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Religion and Spirituality Churches Women's History Climate Change Forests and Woodlands Natural Sounds Astronomy Scenic Views Wetlands Monuments and Memorials Wars and Conflicts Endangered World War I Mineral Deposits Enslavement Medicine Hospital War of 1812 Trains and Railroads Ancient Seas

Visitor Centers

Mammoth Cave Visitor Center

The park visitor center is the central point for visitors to orient themselves to what lies both above and below the surface at Mammoth Cave. Situated just up the hill from the cave's Historic Entrance, the visitor center is the departure point for all cave tours, and offers exhibits to prepare you for discovery. You can also meet a ranger for a talk or a hike. Gifts, restrooms, permits and information are available and visitor amenities are offered by the nearby Lodge at Mammoth Cave across the footbridge.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Mammoth Cave National Park

Houchin Ferry Campground

The Houchin Ferry Campground lies next to the Green River at the former location of the Houchin Ferry. This campground is operated year-round and is located 15 miles from the Visitor Center and two miles east of Brownsville, KY. For campers who like it simple, these 12 tent-only campsites afford a quiet visit with drive-up access.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Houchin Ferry Campground - Primitive Site - Regular), 10.00 (Houchin Ferry Campground - Primitive Site - Access Card)
Total Campsites: 12
Toilets: Portable Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Mammoth Cave Campground

The Mammoth Cave Campground is ideal for visitors seeking an authentic national park experience while still having easy access to amenities, cave tours, and other park activities. This developed campground is located within ¼ mile from the visitor center and contains 111 primitive campsites with a mixture of tent only sites, group sites, tent or RV sites, and accessible sites. Rangers on duty in the campground kiosk are happy to provide information to make your stay a special adventure.
Fees (US$): 25.00 (Mammoth Cave Campground - Single Site), 12.50 (Mammoth Cave Campground - Single Site - Senior Pass or Access Pass), 40.00 (Mammoth Cave Campground - Group Site), 50.00 (Mammoth Cave Campground - VIP Site), 25.00 (Mammoth Cave Campground - VIP Site - Senior Pass or Access Pass)
Total Campsites: 111
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: Hot - Seasonal
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Maple Springs Group Campground

Maple Springs Group Campground lies on the park's north side, six miles from the visitor center and three miles north of Green River Ferry. This campground offers more secluded sites ideal for larger groups of campers and their horse companions. All sites have electric and water hookups for RVs. This campground is a natural launching-point for forays along the more than 70 miles of backcountry trails in Mammoth Cave National Park.
Fees (US$): 50.00 (Maple Springs Group Campground - Regular Group Site - Water/Electric Hookups), 50.00 (Maple Springs Group Campground - Equestrian Site - Water/Electric Hookups)
Total Campsites: 7
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Hotels within or near Mammoth Cave National Park

Baymont by Wyndham Cave City

With a stay at Baymont by Wyndham Cave City in Cave City, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Cave City Convention Center and Dinosaur World. Featured amenities include a business center and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 799 Mammoth Cave St, Cave City, Kentucky 42127
Web: Link

Super 8 by Wyndham Munfordville KY

Located in Munfordville, Super 8 by Wyndham Munfordville KY is within a 5-minute drive of Hart County Museum and Kentucky's Stonehenge. Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 88 Home Run Rd, Munfordville, Kentucky 42765
Web: Link

The Hotel Sync

A stay at The Hotel Sync places you in the heart of Bowling Green, within a 5-minute drive of National Corvette Museum and NCM Motorsports Park. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a business center, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 518 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
Web: Link

Park Mammoth Resort

Located in Park City, Park Mammoth Resort is in a national park, within a 5-minute drive of Cave Valley Golf Club and Mammoth Cave National Park. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Address: 22850 Louisville Road, Park City, Kentucky 42160
Web: Link

Serenity Hill Bed and Breakfast

With a stay at Serenity Hill Bed and Breakfast in Brownsville, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Mammoth Cave National Park and Diamond Caverns. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, microwave in a common area, and refrigerator in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3600 Mammoth Cave Rd, Brownsville, Kentucky 42210
Web: Link

Econo Lodge Cave City

Located in Cave City, Econo Lodge Cave City is within a 15-minute walk of Dinosaur World and Cave City Convention Center. Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 102 Gardner Lane, Cave City, Kentucky 42127
Web: Link

Sleep Inn

Located in Bowling Green, Sleep Inn is in the historical district, a 3-minute drive from National Corvette Museum and 5 minutes from NCM Motorsports Park. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 554 Corvette Drive, Building B, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
Web: Link

MainStay Suites

Located in Bowling Green, MainStay Suites is in the historical district, a 3-minute drive from National Corvette Museum and 5 minutes from NCM Motorsports Park. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 554 Corvette Drive, Building A, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
Web: Link

OYO Hotel Cave City KY

Located in Cave City, OYO Hotel Cave City KY is within a 5-minute drive of Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum and Cave City Convention Center.
Address: 414 N Dixie Hwy, Cave City, Kentucky 42127
Web: Link

Hampton Inn Cave City, KY

With a stay at Hampton Inn Cave City, KY in Cave City, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Cave City Convention Center and Dinosaur World. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and an elevator. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 803 Sanders Street, Cave City, Kentucky 40299
Web: Link