Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system in south-central Kentucky. It is one of the most popular attractions in Kentucky. The park includes Mammoth Cave, river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a portion of south-central Kentucky.
Mammoth Cave National Park was established on July 1, 1941, by John Croghan. There are many activities to do in Mammoth Cave National Park like hiking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, and kayaking. The 10 miles of cave tours are the major attraction of the park.
Best Time To Visit Mammoth Cave National Park:
The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is winter since the cave has a constant temperature is 54 °F throughout the year. You can visit the park in winter when there is less crowd. Summer is the most popular time to visit Mammoth Cave also the most crowded season.
Expense To Visit Mammoth Cave National Park:
The entry fee to Mammoth Cave National Park and its surface is free. They do charge to tour the cave, picnic shelters, and campgrounds.
Cave tour fee changes for each age group. Before you plan to visit the park make sure to check the current cave program schedule. We recommended booking your cave tour in advance.
Picnic Shelter Reservation Fees
The park has two picnic shelters with ten picnic tables and a working fireplace. They also have fire grates, restrooms, freshwater, and a garbage dumpster
- Open Picnic Shelter costs $55 per day
- Enclosed Picnic Shelter costs $80 per day
Camping Fees
There are three developed campgrounds within the park.
- Mammoth Cave Campground for regular site $25 for group site $40
- Maple Springs Group Campground for regular site $50 for group site $50
- Houchin Ferry Campground for regular site $20
Things To Do In Mammoth Cave National Park:
Go For Cave Tours:
The cave tour is the must to do activities in Mammoth you get to explore the unique landscape. Before you plan to visit Mammoth Cave it is recommended to make advance reservations for cave tours. The Wild Cave Tour is the longest tour at Mammoth Cave. During the trial there are even paths where you need to crawl on your hands and knees, they even provide helmets with lamps, kneepads, bandanas, and gloves.
Bicycling at Mammoth Cave Railroad
If you love cycling there are several trails and service roads are available in the park for you. The trails also shared by hikers and horses you need to be careful while cycling. The park does not offer bike rentals, but there is a company in the park that gives bikes for rent.
Fishing
Mammoth Cave National Park also permits fishing. Surface fish include bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, striped bass, largemouth bass, gar, and catfish. There is no fishing license or permit is required within the boundary of the park but you need to follow the rules.
Get Down to Frozen Niagara
Frozen Niagara is a very popular tour. If you don’t want to go deep into the cave, you can go for a Frozen Niagara tour. The tour starts from the entrance and then down 50 feet into Drapery Room. You get to explore the unique rock formation.
Visit the Violet City Lantern Tour
When you visit Mammoth Cave make sure to reserve a spot on Violet City Lantern Tour. You get to walk through the cave in light of a lantern. The tour is about 3-miles you can also sit and the guide will tell you the history of the cave. There are a few hills and stairs to climb but it’s not a difficult trail. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed.