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Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park, in my opinion, is very underrated. It’s not typically on people’s top lists of National Parks to visit but it has so much more than people would expect. Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest cave system in the world, which in itself is pretty amazing. Who doesn't love exploring caves and the mysteries they hold? Outside of the caves, there are also many other things to do in the Mammoth Cave area, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors through hiking and of course caving, but also biking, horseback riding, canoeing, camping and more. This is your guide to planning your trip to Mammoth Cave National Park and the surrounding area.
Location of Mammoth Cave
First things first, where even is Mammoth Cave National Park? Mammoth Cave is located in west central Kentucky. It’s about an hour and a half to Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city, and an hour and a half away from Nashville, TN. It’s in a rural area off of I-75, but with that rural nature, comes beautiful countryside and amazing hidden gems with plenty of things to do while visiting Mammoth Cave National park.
History of Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave was originally named a National Park in 1926 when congress passed an Act to accept lands donated to the government, in which the national park at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky was created. But, Mammoth Cave has a much deeper history with amazing discoveries, famous visitors, and legendary explorations. Legend says the 1790 was the first year a European settler to find the cave, John Houchin. Over the next several decades the land that Mammoth Cave sits under sold several times, each time each owner making new discoveries within the cave system. The discoveries within the cave system, including mummies (CRAZY, I KNOW!), and history is quite interesting. From people like the infamous Jesse James and his gang pulling robberies off at the cave, to explorers like Charles F. Harvey who was lost in the cave for 39 hours, to the mummies, you can read all about it here.
When is the best time to visit Mammoth Cave
- Spring and Fall: The caves stay a cool 54 degrees deep into the cave so bringing a light jacket no matter the season is a good idea. Spring and fall are great because it’s not blistering hot outside for hiking so probably what you are wearing outside of the cave is great for inside and you don't have to bring anything extra if you decide to do a cave tour.
- Winter: Winter is tough, at certain times of the year Mammoth cave national park may close if its icy and conditions are bad. While the park is open 24 hours, Kentucky winters can be brutal so camping and other outdoor activities across the park are not ideal in the winter time.
- Summer: Similar to Spring and Fall, Summer is a great time to visit. It can get hot outside though so inside the cave can provide some relief from the hot sun! But it can get cool in the cave (54 degrees or so) so even if it is super hot outside, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket for inside your Cave tour.
Trails and Hiking at Mammoth Cave
It is free to enter Mammoth Cave National Park and there are no permits so you are free to do as many trails as you’d like. There are several mammoth cave hikes, so depending on your level there’s plenty to choose from:
Trail Name: Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail
- Distance: 4.4 Miles
- Timing: 1.51 Hours
- Trail Guide: Link
- This moderately difficult trail takes you on a loop through green river bluff, echo river springs and sinkhole and heritage trail with tons of scenic viewpoints along the way. This trail is dog-friendly.
Trail Name: Dixon Cave, Green River Bluffs, and River Styx Spring Loop
- Distance: 1.6 Miles
- Timing: 48 minutes
- Trail Guide: Link
- This trail is considered moderately difficult and takes you by caves, along the Green River bluffs and to scenic lookouts. This trail is dog-friendly.
Trail Name: Sinkhole Trail
- Distance: 2.6 Miles
- Timing: 1.10 hours
- Trail Guide: Link
- This trail is considered easy and is adjacent to Mammoth Dome sinkhole. This one is also kid-friendly and dog-friendly.
Cave Tours at Mammoth Cave
If you’d like to take a cave tour, stay in the campgrounds, or reserve picnic shelters there are fees and/or permits required.There are over 20 different cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park so depending on your level of difficulty and interests, there is one for you. Fees typically range from $12 for an adult ticket to $79 for the more extensive tours.
All cave tours start at the visitor center, where tickets are required prior to tours. Reservations are highly encouraged to be made prior to your visit, because many of them will sell out! From there you will be given a briefing of the do’s and don'ts during your tour as well as a safety review. This is pretty short, usually 10-15 minutes. From there you will depart with your guide on your tour depending which one you go on.
Some key things to note before we dive into some of the popular tours. Tours range from 0.25 miles to over 2 miles so plan accordingly and pay attention when booking, almost none of them have bathroom access, so if you are like me, limit your liquid intake before you go on your tour so you don’t have to make any emergency stops because tours can last typically from 1.5-2.5 hours.
Mammoth Passage Tour
This is the one we went on and that the pictures from this post are from. This was a perfect introductory tour to Mammoth Cave where you learn the history of the Mammoth cave and even go through the historic entrance. On this tour it is very well lit with large walk ways and you see the largest rooms within the cave. It does include steps and a steep hill but it is ideal for anyone looking for the most limited steps, does not like tight spaces, and perfect for children!
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.25 hours, 0.75 miles
- Cost: 8 Adults, $6 Youth
Domes & Dripstones Tour
This classic tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years. This tour begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, amazing breakdown, and ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites. This one also requires a short bus ride to the cave entrance that departs from the visitor center.
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: 1 hour, 0.75 miles
- Cost: $30 Adult, $25 Youth, $7.50 child
Wondering Woods Tour
On this tour you will actually hop on a bus with your range after and ride across the park while learning about the communities and people that were once here. After a short bus ride, the ranger will take you on a guided hike in the Wondering Woods. At the end of the hike, you’ll be taken on a short cave tour where you'll be surrounded by beautiful cave formations.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 1.5 hours, 1 mile
- Cost: $26 adult, $22 Youth, $8 Child
Frozen Niagra Tour
The naturally decorated Frozen Niagara section remains one of the most famous at Mammoth Cave, and serves as the last stop for a variety of cave tours. While many tours require long hikes and numerous stairs to reach this point, this short tour offers a chance to visit this area. This tour is ideal for anyone with difficulty walking long distances or negotiating stairs.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.25 hours, 0.25 miles
- Cost: $26 adult, $22 Youth, $8 Child
Accessible Tour
Utilizing the Elevator Entrance, this tour emerges near the famous Snowball Room. Continuing through historic Cleaveland Avenue, this tour passes through areas of the cave highly decorated with historic signatures and sparkling geological formations. This tour is ideal for people who wish to see the cave and are looking for a tour with no stairs.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2 Hours, 0.5 miles
- Cost: $27 adult, $21 Youth, $8 Child
There are 15+ more tours that range from self-guided and intro to caving to four hour tours going through slot canyons and tubular passageways. Check out all the tour options here.
Where to stay during your visit to Mammoth Cave
Whether you are looking to go camping, park your RV, book a cozy cabin, or stay somewhere truly unique like a treehouse, there are so many options of places to stay in the Mammoth Cave area. See our top recommendations below.
Camping and RV Parks at Mammoth Cave National Park
Jellystone Mammoth Cave is an amazing spot just 15 minutes away from the Mammoth Cave National park entrance. Not only are they an RV park near Mammoth Cave but they also offer individual cabins if that is more your speed that sleeps up to 9 people.
Mammoth Cave cabins
There are tons of cabins in the Mammoth cave area. Here are some of our favorites we’ve been to personally or are highly rated:
The Maple Retreat at Mammoth Cave
Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave
Unique places to stay when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park
What To Pack When Hiking At Mammoth Cave National Park
- Hiking backpack: Something to carry all your gear and keep you organized. Check out this backpack we love >>>Buy Backpack
- Sunscreen: It get's so hot and you don't want to be left without protection. >>>Buy Sunscreen. We also love this powder sunscreen that is perfect for traveling with kids if you are bringing your family to the park.
- Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned! >>>Check Out This Chapstick
- Sunglasses: I always forget my sunglasses, so here's your reminder to pack yours! You will also never find me spending over $20 for sunglasses because they get lost all the time. Here's an affordable pair I like. >>>Check Out These Sunglasses
- Hiking socks: Blisters are the worst, so good socks are a must to save your feet! >>>Buy Hiking Socks
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: Hiking boots grip rock better than tennis shoes and are more protective if you hit a rock or something hard. >>>Check Out My Hiking Shoes
- Water: Hydration is key!
- Snacks: Good snacks for hiking usually include Jerky, we love the steak bits at Costco, or energy bars. Remember to dispose of garbage responsibly.
- First Aid Kit: You never know when you are going to need it >>>Check out this portable first aid kit
- Headlamp: Some of the caves don't allow headlamps but some do, so doesn't hurt to bring one just in case and are helpful for other hikes because they are hands-free. >>> Get a Headlamp Here
- Jacket: Always a safe bet, and the caves stay cool >>>Buy Jacket
- Map And Trail Guide: Start planning your trip with Alltrails. >>>Visit Alltrails
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Mammoth Cave tour for families? We really love the Mammoth Passage your, it's not too long, there's no tight squeezes and it's easy to keep track of everyone. We actually took Baylor on this tour when he was just over a year old and it was perfect. Just note, that if you bring babies you have to have a front carrier and they have to be facing outwards.
What to bring when visiting Mammoth Cave: I provided a handy dandy packing list above, but if you take no other advice, bring a light jacket if you are taking a cave tour no matter what time of year you are going. It is about 54 degrees inside the cave which can get cool!
Is Mammoth Cave family friendly: Yes! Mammoth cave is super family friendly, we took our 1 year old when we went, however it is important to note a few things. You are not allowed to wear back facing baby carriers, they have to be front facing. You are also not allowed to bring wagons, strollers, etc. The caves are big, and dark, most kids would not go running into the dark, and the pathway is well lit inside, however just keep that in mind going in!
Thanks for reading all about Mammoth Cave National Park! I have some other great blog posts on Kentucky below you can check out:
- Where to eat during your stay at Mammoth Cave
- Best things to do at Mammoth Cave national park
- Best places to stay at Mammoth Cave
- Camping at Mammoth Cave
- Kentucky Parks Roadtrip
- Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park
