Mammoth Cave National Park
Trip Assistant
How Much Time?
Mammoth Cave is another tour-dependent park. And, quite frankly, while the area is pretty, I’m not sure I’d come to the park without being able to go in a cave.
So, you’ll be planning your trip around cave tours. I’d definitely recommend going on more than one. Not only is Mammoth Cave the largest cave in the world (more than 420 miles), there are several caves in the park (one of which can be seen on the new Wondering Woods Tour).
After your cave tours are all sorted out, it’s time to think about other activities. The park is set up pretty well for biking. Even a few trails are open to mountain bikes. The north half of the park is a playground for horseback riders. And the Green River is a very popular paddling destination. Hiking is just okay. If hiking and cave tours is all you have in mind for your trip, one night here should suffice. Two if you arrive late.
Need to Know
- It is possible to get same-day cave tour reservations, but the way things have been these past few years, you’re better off considering it reservations required (especially for rarely-offered tours like Wild Cave, River Styx, Violet City, etc.).
- Broadway, Gothic Avenue, Historic, Discov-ery, Star Chamber, Violet City, River Styx, and Trog tours all begin at the Natural Entrance. If you don’t join one of these, be sure to check out the Natural Entrance on your own.
- The Wild Cave Tour is great but it’s also difficult. You must be at least 16 years old. Hiking boots are required. And your chest/hip measurements must be less than 42” to make sure you can make it through the tight squeezes.
- The cave is always cool, so remember to bring an extra layer if you’re visiting in summer.
Highlights
- Mammoth Cave
- Flint Ridge Road
- Green River Ferry
- Turnhole Bend
Activities
- Cave Tours
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Biking
- Paddling
- Fishing
Favorite Trails
Easy
Moderate *Links to AllTrailsWhen To Go?
Weather
Visitation
The park is fairly busy from March though October. Fall foliage is nice here, but the main thing is getting tickets for cave tours you’d like to join. Summer is hot, but the cave is always cool (literally).
Park Map Downloads
Road Trips
Helpful Tools
Below you'll see a Google Map to help plan road trips from the east (New River Gorge), north (Indiana Dunes), west (Gateway Arch), and south (Chatanooga, TN). It’s a good start, but I’d highly recommend making your own. Google My Maps, Wanderlog, and TripIt are incredibly useful trip planning tools. Find what works best for you!
There’s much more to our country. Here’s another Google Map with points of interest across all types of public land.
For campers, here’s a Google Map with National Forest campgrounds. National Park campgrounds are difficult to reserve (there are about 200!). With nearly 5,000 national forest campgrounds, you can usually pull in and find a spot.
Highlights
- Red River Gorge (KY) (Daniel Boone National Forest)
- Giant City State Park (IL)
- Garden of the Gods (IL) Shawnee National Forest
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