Mammoth Cave —the longest tunnel cave system in the world—formed over 10 million years ago, but it wasn’t designated as an official US national park until July 1, 1941. The cave earned its name for both the size of its massive caverns and its hundreds of miles of explorable passageways. Within the cave’s 412 miles of explored tunnels, visitors can choose from a variety of cave tours (from self-led to twinkling lanterns to wheelchair and kiddo accessible). Above ground, head to Mammoth Cave National Park for hiking, horseback riding, and camping within the park’s more than 52,000 acres of scenic Kentucky landscape. The Green and Nolin Rivers run through the park, giving guests ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing.
Where is Mammoth Cave National Park?
Located on top of the world’s longest known cave system (more than 420 miles of cave passages have been mapped), Mammoth Cave National Park is in south-central Kentucky.
The 53,000-acre park of hills and valleys is located close to Interstate 65. The closest airports are Louisville International Airport (89 miles away) and Nashville International Airport (99 miles away). Public transportation is not an option for reaching the park. Named for the “mammoth” size of its caves, Mammoth Cave National Park is divided by the Green River, which flows east-west through the park’s center. There are no bridges connecting the north and south sides of the park, so visitors can take the Green River Ferry or drive the highways outside the park.
The cave tours and most visitor amenities are on the south side of the river while backcountry camping, hiking, and recreational activities are mostly on the north side of the park.
Mammoth Cave Facts
Thanks to its underground location, Mammoth Cave is only mildly affected by the changing seasons. Temperatures hover around 54°F year-round. Over the years, the Mammoth Cave has been used as a church, wedding venue, and tuberculosis hospital. Today, Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system, with much more still to be explored.
Mammoth Cave Weather
Because of its steady year-round temperature, a tour of Mammoth Cave serves as a cool retreat in the summer and a warm welcome in the winter. Of course, most of the activities on the 53,000 acres of land above the park are best enjoyed May through September when Kentucky’s temperatures are best suited for being outdoors. Mammoth Cave’s busiest months are June, July, and August.
Hours of Operation
The grounds of Mammoth Cave National Park are open 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. The Mammoth Cave visitor center, which serves as the departure point for cave tours, is typically open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM, but from October 26 through March 6 and on holidays, they’re open from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Most campground reservations and cave tours can be booked online, but in-person assistance is only available during these times.
Is Mammoth Cave National Park currently open?
Mammoth Cave National Park is currently open, including the visitor center, cave tours, outdoor areas, including hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, picnic shelters, and campgrounds, and lodging, concessions, and retail spaces. Mammoth Cave is open 24/7. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cave tour operations are continuing to be phased back.
There is no fee to enter the park, but there are fees to tour the caves, which geologists estimate began forming around 10 million years ago. Mammoth Cave is in the Central Time Zone (GMT-5). Visitors coming from the north will cross the boundary from the Eastern Time zone (GMT-4) at the northern Hart County line. For up-to-date information on current conditions, visit these websites for information on roads, campgrounds, trail conditions, weather, ferry status, cave tour schedule, and a calendar of events and programs, including ranger-led programs.
Mammoth Cave Entrance Fee
There is no fee to enter Mammoth Cave National Park. Most activities, like hiking and biking, are free. Cave tour prices vary from $6 to $60 for adults. There are five days a year that are designated as “fee-free” days for all U.S. National Parks and Mammoth Cave offers a limited number of free cave tours on those dates.
Directions to Mammoth Cave
From Louisville, Kentucky, take Interstate 65 South to Exit 53 for Cave City. Turn right off the exit onto KY-70 and continue straight on as it becomes Mammoth Cave Parkway. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the visitor center. The physical address is: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, 42259.
Mammoth Cave Lodging
Mammoth Cave Airbnb
There are a number of rustic cabins, historic homes, and bed & breakfast Airbnb options available in the Mammoth Cave area. The best way to find something close to the park is to search for “Mammoth Cave” in the location bar and use the map feature to determine each location’s distance from the park (many will also give this information in the description). Cell service near the cave can be spotty, so check the details to ensure the host has wi-fi if that is important for your trip.
Mammoth Cave Hotels
Mammoth Cave Campgrounds
- Horse Cave KOA
- Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave
- Houchin Ferry Campground
- River Island Camping
- Mammoth Cave Campground
- Maple Springs Group Campground
- Backcountry and Riverside Camping
- Mammoth Cave Horse Camp
- Rock Cabin Camping
- Double J Stables
Mammoth Cave Tours
No visit to Mammoth Cave National Park is complete without a cave tour. There are more than a dozen tour options, which vary depending on the season, including short and long walking tours, cave crawling tours, and lantern lit tours. Ranger-led cave tours are offered year-round and self-guided tours are offered seasonally. No matter which tour visitors choose, they must purchase a ticket, which costs $6-$60. Purchasing a cave tour ticket in advance is strongly recommended as the tours often sell out.
- Accessible Tour: This easy two-hour tour has no stairs and covers half a mile.
- Discovery Tour: This is a seasonally offered, self-guided tour that is for those who want to go at their own pace or are short on time. Tickets are not sold in advance.
- River Styx Cave Tour: This moderate two-and-a-half-hour tour covers 2.5 miles and follows the historic tour route. This comprehensive tour includes a brief side trip to the underground water level.
- Violet City Lantern Tour: This strenuous three-hour tour covers three miles by lantern light. Visitors 6-years-old and older wind through broad tunnels, steep hills, and dirt trails.
The Wild Cave Tour is Mammoth’s longest and most strenuous tour, and it’s only recommended for experienced cave explorers. Mammoth Cave also offers an accessible tour that uses an elevator instead of stairs and a kids-only tour for little adventurers. Tour availability is limited and advance reservations are recommended.
Mammoth Cave Hiking
If you’re ready to stretch your legs (but not sure where to start), here’s a list of 10 of our favorite hiking trails near Mammoth Cave National Park.
- Heritage Trail
- Historic Entrance Trail
- Echo River Springs Trail
- Sinkhole Trail
- Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail
- Cedar Sink Trail
- First Creek Lake Trail
- Turnhole Bend Nature Trail
- Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk
- Sand Cave Trail
Best Things to Do Near Mammoth Cave
Dinosaur World
Located just outside of Mammoth Cave National Park, Dinosaur World offers the chance for families to wander among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs. This world-famous dinosaur attraction is a hands-on experience with interactive exhibits and plenty of outdoor play spots. Dinosaur World is also a dog-friendly attraction for well-behaved, leash-trained pups.
Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop
Head to Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop (Kentucky’s largest gift shop!) for an out-of-this-world collection of rocks, geodes, crystals, and fossils. If you’re into wacky roadside attractions, you can pose with a giant Mosasaurus, or pay $2 to enter the kooky Mystery House and “experience the unexplainable.”
Spelunkers Café & Ice Cream Parlor
Spelunkers Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor is the snack spot in Mammoth Cave. In addition to Kentucky-made ice cream and tons of sweet treats, their breakfast and lunch menu includes diner-style breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit parfaits, sandwiches, burgers, and more.
Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
Kentucky Down Under is an Australia-themed animal park located in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Visitors can try their hand at gem mining, stroll through the open “outback” where kangaroos and emus roam freely, and feed a huge family of Lorikeets.
Green River Canoeing
Kentucky’s famous Green River winds through Mammoth Cave National park, and a canoe trip with Green River Canoeing is the best way to experience it. Green River Canoeing offers a variety of kayak and canoe trips ranging in length from three hours to two nights or more. The rivers are calm and easy to paddle, making this the perfect activity for paddlers of all experience levels.
Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum
The Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum in Cave City is home to over 14,000 square feet of exhibit area featuring rare and exotic animals, marine life, insects, birds and more.
Mammoth Cave Historic Train
The Mammoth Cave Railroad played an important role in bringing more tourism to Mammoth Cave during it’s early development. Today, the remaining steam engines tell the story of life in Kentucky over a century ago. While you won’t find any moving train cars, visitors can still travel by foot or bicycle on the rail path as the abandoned line was converted to the Mammoth Cave Bike and Hike Trail in 2004.
Old Guides Cemetery
Mammoth Cave’s Old Guide’s Cemetery is the burial place of Stephen Bishop: one of the region’s first cave guides. Bishop was a Black American man who spent almost 20 years guiding cave tours of Mammoth Cave, first as an enslaved guide, and then as a free man. Stephen went on to make major discoveries during his time as a guide, and stories of his findings are still told to those who visit today.
Double J Stables
Double J Stables and campgrounds offers guided horseback rides along the trails found inside of Mammoth Cave National Park. With exclusive access to over 85 acres of trails in the park, Double J promises an experience found nowhere else.
Green River Ferry
The Green River Ferry, first developed in 1934, is the final remaining active river ferry in the entire park. The ferry carries vehicles, hikers and bikers across the Green River 364 days a year.
Kentucky Action Park
From horseback riding and golfing to zip-lining and go-carting, there’s fun for everyone at Kentucky Action Park. The park is most famous for its riding stables, the Jesse James Riding Stables, where anyone (aged 2 to 92, according to the website!) can enjoy a guided trail ride through cave country where outlaws like Jesse James once roamed.