Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park
More Than a Cavern to Entice Visitors to Kentucky's Outdoors
Sep 22, 2009
Located in south central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest cavern system. According to the National Park Service, 367 miles of the cave have been explored to date, while it is estimated that the entire system may be up to 1000 miles in length.
Although the caves are the park’s biggest draw, its 52,800 acres also offer many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, fishing, and floodplain camping along the Green and Nolin Rivers.
The park, located 90 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky, is open year-round. Park entrance is free, although there are fees for cave tours, camping, and picnic shelter use. Reservations for these activities can be made online or by calling 877-444-6771.
Mammoth Cave History
Humans have been using Mammoth Cave from as early as 2000-4000 years ago. Early Woodland Native Americans gathered minerals from the cave, and many of their artifacts, such as slippers, torches, gourds, and mussel shells, are still located there. Settlers made the modern discovery of the caverns in the 1790s.
Tours of Mammoth Cave have been offered since 1816, making the caverns one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions. The site became a national park in 1941 and a World Heritage Site in 1981, and it remains a popular destination. In 2008, over 584,000 people visited Mammoth Cave National Park.
Mammoth Cave Tours
The park boasts 14 miles of developed cave trails and offers 15 different cave tours throughout various times of the year. Visitors are encouraged to review the tour descriptions to determine which one is best suited to their abilities, as some tours can be strenuous. None of the cave tours are handicap accessible.
The temperature inside Mammoth Cave ranges from the mid-50s to the low 60s year-round. Visitors should wear long pants and bring a sweater or jacket to stay comfortable on tours. Rubber-soled shoes are also encouraged as some areas of the cave may be wet.
Camping at Mammoth Cave National Park
The park features three developed campsites and a dozen primitive sites in the backcountry and along the area’s riverbanks.
Mammoth Cave Campground, the park’s main site, is located just a quarter of a mile from the Visitor Center. The campground has restrooms, pay showers, an RV dump station, and garbage dumpsters. There are RV sites, but no hook-ups for water or electricity. The campground also has four group campsites, accommodating up to 16 campers each. Reservations for Mammoth Cave Campground are recommended during peak season, which runs from May 15th to September 15th.
Houchins Ferry Campground is located 15 miles from the Visitor Center along the Green River. Chemical toilets and fresh water are provided. There is no parking for RVs or large trailers at this campground.
Maple Springs Group Campground is located six miles from the Visitor Center and contains seven campsites accommodating 24 campers each. Four of the sites are equipped with hitching posts and trailer parking for equestrians. The campground has fresh water, chemical toilets, and garbage dumpsters.
The twelve backcountry campsites are located in the floodplains, along the banks, and on the islands of the Green and Nolin Rivers. When staying in the backcountry, campers must either bring their own water or be prepared to boil and treat water from nearby natural sources. A free permit is required to stay in these campsites and can be obtained at the Visitor Center.
Outdoor Activities at Mammoth Cave National Park
Caves are not the only reason to visit the park. There are a host of outdoor pursuits to engage all types of visitors. Anglers will enjoy the park’s miles of rivers, which abound with bluegill, catfish, and bass. No state fishing license is required within park boundaries, although state creel and size limits do apply. Fishermen should check with park rangers for specific restrictions. The rivers are also excellent for canoeing and kayaking. No trips are offered by the park, but there are several outfitters in the area that take visitors on group tours.
Mammoth Cave National Park is also a great place for hiking. There are several frontcountry trails, as well as over 70 miles of backcountry trails. Some of the backcountry trails are open to mountain bikers and equestrians, creating many ways to explore Kentucky’s landscape.
Opportunities for All Outdoor Enthusiasts
Caverns are not the only reason to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. While the park is home to one of the world’s largest caves, visitors can also enjoy camping and hiking. The Green and Nolin Rivers provide chances for fishing and boating activities. Mountain bikers and equestrians will also find many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Related Articles
Geology of Mammoth Cave National Park
Formation and Features of Cave Networks
 |
 |
