All About Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world. Explore the complex labyrinths of the cave network on a guided tour.
What to do at Mammoth Cave National Park
The Best Trails and Hikes at Mammoth Cave
By far, the most popular thing to do at Mammoth Cave National Park is to go on one of the cave tours through the vast chambers. There are multiple cave trails that you can do based on your mobility, the amount of time you have, your skill, and the age of everyone in your group.
Historic Cave Tour
Other Hikes (Outside of the Cave)
Outside of the cave there are variety of trails you can explore:
- River Styx Spring Trail
- Sinkhole Trail
- Green River Bluffs Trail
- Cedar Sink Trail
- Sand Cave Trail
Handicap-Accessible Trails (Outside of the Cave)
Mammoth Cave National Park has many handicap-accessible trails in the park including:
- Echo River Springs Loop Trail
- Engine No. 4 Trail
- Heritage Trail
- Sand Cave Trail
- Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk
Things to do at Mammoth Cave National Park
- Take one of the many ranger-guided cave tours.
- Go horseback riding on the 60 miles of trails in the backcountry.
- Marvel in the dark sky for a night of stargazing.
- Hit the trails on a bicycle ride.
What to see at Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
There’s only one visitors center in Mammoth Cave National Park located at 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259. This is the central point for most visitors and the location of many trailheads both above the ground level and below the surface in the caves. Here you can speak with a park ranger, meet for any cave tour you have reserved, view the exhibits, visit the gift shop or bookstore, get a Passport Book stamp, pick up a Junior Ranger book, or acquire backcountry permits.
Near the visitor center, you’ll also find general goods for sale, food and dining, lodging, and camping.
Passport Book Stamp Location
National Park Passport Book Stamp Locations
- Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Mammoth Cave National Park Basics
1 Mammoth Cave Parkway,
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
$0 per person (Free)
But cave tours cost money
Central Time Zone
1941
Location, Phone Number, and Address
What are the Entrance Fees for Mammoth Cave?
The National Park System does not charge an entrance fee for Mammoth Cave National Park to get into the park boundaries, but you will pay a fee for the cave tours.
Current as of July 2024
What Time Zone is Mammoth Cave National Park in?
Mammoth Cave National Park is in the Central Time Zone in the United States.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Since the main attraction here is the underground caves, Mammoth Park is a great park to visit year-round. The temperature stays consistently between the mid-50s to low 60s in the interior passages. The summer months are the busiest time of the year so there are more options for tours than at other times of the year.
When did Mammoth Cave become a National Park?
Mammoth Cave National Park was established on July 1, 1941, to preserve the longest known cave system in the world, the forested landscape, the Green and Nolin Rivers, and years of human history.
How Big is Mammoth Cave National Park?
The national park encompasses a total area of 52,830 acres or about 82 square miles.
Park Website
Always check the official park site for the most up-to-date information, hours, prices, and conditions.
Travel Tips for Mammoth Cave National Park
Driving Through Mammoth Cave National Park
There are no official scenic drives through Mammoth Cave National Park and only a few roads that lead to the visitor center and trailheads.
Where are the National Park Entrances?
There are two main ways to get to the center of Mammoth Cave National Park and the visitor center. If you come through the southern entrance, you will be able to drive directly to the visitor center. This is the main entrance to the park and the one that is most commonly used. Going through the north entrance requires a trip on the ferry across the Green River. Make sure you check the status of the ferry before taking this route. If the water level is too low, the ferry will be closed and you’ll have to take the highways around the park.
What is the Nearest City to Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave National Park is just east of Brownsville, Kentucky. Other surrounding cities include Arthur, Cedar Spring, Park City, Cave City, Rocky Hill, Bee Spring, and Lindseyville.
What is the Nearest Airport to Mammoth Cave?
The closest major airport is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) about 89 miles from the park and Nashville International Airport (BNA) about 100 miles from the park.
Itineraries including Mammoth Cave National Park
Lodging Near Mammoth Cave National Park
Where to Stay
There is one lodge available inside the park, called The Lodge at Mammoth Cave. it is directly next to the visitor center and has a mix of historic cottages and modern hotel rooms. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season.
Outside the park, there are many hotels and rental homes in the area available.
Campgrounds in the Area
Mammoth Cave National Park offers three campsites with the Houchin Ferry Campground open year-round and the Mammoth Campground and Maple Springs Campground open from March through November.
There are also 13 backcountry campsites or riverside camping options available via hiking, horseback riding, or paddling on the river for several miles. Make sure to get a backcountry camping permit before going to one of these locations.
What are the Closest National Parks to Mammoth Cave National Park?
Gateway Arch
200 miles • 4.75 hour drive
Facts about Mammoth Cave National Park
The Plants and Animals of Mammoth Cave
A variety of animal life calls Mammoth Cave home. There are various birds, crustaceans, fish, insects, mammals, mussels, and reptiles in and around the caves. Over 70 species of animal found here are classified as threatened or endangered. Due to the darkness in the caves, there are a number of blind animals found here, including the first eyeless fish ever found in the world.
Mammoth Cave National Park is also home to a rich diversity of plant species. Thanks to the two rivers that flow into the park, there is plenty of rich soil that supports over 100 types of trees and shrubs, mostly deciduous trees such as pines, cedars, and evergreens.
What is the Highest Point? What is the Lowest Point?
The highest point on the surface is 852 feet above sea level at Brooks Knob. The highest cave elevation is 810 feet at the top of the elevator shaft.
On the surface, the lowest elevation is 411 feet at the Green River near Brownsville and the lowest cave elevation is 412 feet at Echo River.
Mammoth Cave Fun Facts
- Mammoth Cave National Park is part of the National Park Service, a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and an International Dark Sky Park. It was given the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.
- Over 426 miles of passageways have been surveyed, including a connection with the Flint Ridge system.
- If you need to cross the Green River, there's a free ferry that fits two vehicles at once to take them the short distance across the river.
- Mammoth Cave is one of many caves in the entire region around the park. Many other attractions can be found in other caves in the area.