Mammoth Cave Adventure – Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is one of those national parks in the middle of the US that we don’t really hear about that often.   But we are here to tell you that visiting Mammoth Cave should be on your travel and adventure list. We put together this Mammoth Cave Trip Planner to tell you all the reasons why. We’ll also tell you all the things to do at Mammoth Cave, plus where to stay and where to eat.

Maybe we overlook it because it doesn’t have the visual grandeur of the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Niagara Falls, or the surreal landscapes of Death Valley, or Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Or maybe because it is so accessible, we think we can visit Mammoth Cave National Park any old time.  Besides, how could there be something amazing and fantastic in the middle of Kentucky? Heck, it’s smack in the middle of Nashville and Louisville!  We can have a Mammoth Cave adventure any time, so we forget about it. Whatever the reason is that we overlook Mammoth Cave as a travel destination, we should put it behind us!

Mammoth Cave is an extraordinary place, and one we should make a point  to visit, as much as all of the other mentioned parks. Not only is Mammoth Cave a US National Park, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We don’t hear that much about UNESCO sites in the US, but to the rest of the world, it is a big deal.  It is also an International Protected Biosphere. 

Okay, maybe you don’t want to go just because the rest of the world thinks that you should visit Mammoth Cave National Park…  But if you travel as a family, go just because it is a fun and interesting place to explore.  There are a ton of things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park, and even more things to do in the area surrounding Cave.  As I said, our Mammoth Cave trip planner gives you a whole bunch of fabulous things to do at Mammoth Cave, where to stay when you visit Mammoth Cave National Park, and even where to eat! But, because I am a grandma, I have to show you my grandson Jaxon’s video, before we get started!

I hope you enjoyed that almost as much as I do. Now, if you are a regular reader, you know I gotta tell you the history.  So, I will relay a bit of that background about the cave, and of that international significance stuff.  Perhaps that will be all the inspiration you need to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. But if it isn’t, then we will share our part of our Mammoth Cave adventure, as we tell you the cool things to do at Mammoth Cave. 

 

Mammoth Cave National Park History

Obviously the cave system below Kentucky came into existence long before humans occupied the land.  But we do know that thousands of years ago, natives were common in the cave. Hundreds of artifacts of these people have been found, as well as human remains.  Their nature indicates that the caves may have been used for shelter and mining of minerals. Scientists have been unable to determine what the minerals were used for, or what happened to the people.  But, they disappeared long before a modern settler happened upon the cave.

It would be around 1800 when hunter John Houchins allegedly chased a bear into a cave entrance, or got chased by a bear and happened to find a cave entrance that protected him. Either way, Houchins is credited with the discovery of Mammoth Cave.  Once it had been found, and purchased, the cave would be involved in a number of strange schemes.

Early owners used slave labor to man saltpetre mines.  A complicated process using hollowed logs as piping, flowing water through the soil, and boiling with potassium rich substances, resulted in crystals of saltpetre that was shipped to Connecticut to make gun powder for the war of 1812.   Later, a minister would use the caves as a chapel, leading followers into the caverns, where lengthy sermons were given in darkness. After that, a doctor would set up a hospital within the caves to treat tuberculosis patients.

Finally, the show-cave trend would rise, with Mammoth battling with other nearby caves to gain the most visitors.  The Mammoth Cave Hotel provided grand lodging for those coming to see the cave, outfitting them with the “proper attire” and sending a meal along for each tour.  During this time, a young slave Stephen Bishop would become known as a great guide through the caves. Stephen would later be known as one of the most renowned explorers of Mammoth Cave, finding many new paths and chambers, adding miles to the known routes.

It was in 1921 when the push to make Mammoth Cave a National Park began, with backing by the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather.  In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge signed the law stating that the US intended to make the area a National Park, when the required amount of land could be acquired.  However, it would not be until 1941 that all of the purchase and requirements could be met, when Mammoth Cave officially became a National Park, and it was not dedicated until the end of World War II, in September, 1946.  It was the 26th National Park of the United States.

At the time that National Park status was initially conceived, and even at the time of dedication, those involved really had no fathoming of the actual wonder they had protected.  Giving the area official status not only protected it, and enabled the management of visitors on an equal basis, it also made the caves available for research and learning. I say caves, because the property of the National Park included Great Onyx Cave, Crystal Cave, Salts Cave, Dixon Cave and Colossal Cavern.  At that time, it was believed that all of these were separate caves, when in fact, the ongoing exploration would reveal that all of them were parts of one huge underground network. The Cave truly was Mammoth.

Through the last 50 years or so, Mammoth Cave has been recognized around the world. In 1980 when the Cave Research Foundation would submit Mammoth Cave as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.  There are 10 governing criteria used to establish protected sites, and each site must meet at least 1 of them, but many sites meet more.  Mammoth Cave was submitted under 3 separate criteria.

Exploration and studies are ongoing at Mammoth Cave, and since all of this recognition originally occurred, numerous other findings have been made.  Most significantly is that miles of newfound chambers have been discovered and documented, bringing the total known underground mileage to about 412 miles.  Pretty amazing!  If all of those chambers were stretched out on the surface, they would go from the park, to Chicago, plus another 25 miles north.

Our Mammoth Cave Adventure

We decided to visit Mammoth Cave for a 3 day holiday weekend in the fall.  This was a 3 generation family trip, so along with me were my son Doug, his wife Brittany, and my two grandsons Cash and Jaxon, who were 11 and 6 at the time. 

Under normal circumstances, spring and fall are the ideal times to visit the area. You escape all of Kentucky heat and humidity. But, not only is the weather comfortable, spring brings the wildflowers, and autumn of course, the blaze of colorful foliage.   

As luck would have it, the remnant of a hurricane made its way up the central US that weekend, something that happens about once a decade, and all of the Ohio River Valley was a saturated by rain and humidity.  We did not get to do every single one of the great things to do at Mammoth Cave.  Still, we made the best of the situation.  We accustomed ourselves to being wet and sticky, which didn’t matter at all to the kids, and we explored all areas that had accessible trails.  All the wet was not particularly friendly to my photos though, so sometimes I got lucky, and sometimes I didn’t!

A Mammoth Cave Trip Planner – Things to Do at Mammoth Cave

Find The Best Mammoth Cave Tours!!

Obviously the highlight of any cave based park is the cave tours.  There are a number of them offered at Mammoth Cave National Park, ranging in prices, difficulty, and length.  Currently, there are 9 different tours offered, ranging from $5 to $20 for adult admission. For a complete schedule of available tours, see  National Park Service Cave Tours.

If you have never been on a cave tour, there are things to be aware of. 

• Caves tours are fairly dark in many places.  They also feel relatively enclosed in many places.
• Caves maintain a constant temperature that has little to do with the outside temperature.  Generally, it is pretty cool, and a jacket may be needed.
• There are living creatures in caves, and you may or may not see them.  It is their home.
• There are different types of cave systems, and Mammoth includes several.  Stalactites and stalagmites only occur in wet caves, and only certain areas of Mammoth Cave are wet, so if these features are your main interest, be sure to ask before purchasing tour tickets.  

We already knew those things, and we opted for two tours, the Discovery Tour and the Frozen Niagara Tour. 

The Discovery Tour

The Discovery Tour allows visitors to peruse the historic entrance area and domes at their own pace.  This was cool for us, because we did not have to be a part of a group. We went along as we pleased, which with Jaxon, was sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly.  Rangers are available at the entrance, and along the route, to explain features and answer questions.

Accessing the Historic Entrance for this tour includes a trail with a rather steep grade, and a number of stair steps.  The  entrance is quite stunning, with the steep descent into the darkness, alongside the waterfall.  This is probably one of the most photographed spots in the park.

The tour includes the rotunda, which is one of the largest rooms in the cave system, and it is huge.  Down the corridor, there are remnants of the mining operations in this area, and there are also displays of some of the archaeological finds, to provide information about the natives who once used the cave.  

Photos below include:  remains of slippers found by archaeologists; a lantern lit informational station set up by Rangers to teach about cave life forms;  informational posting about saltpetre mining.

It was here where we first discovered the cave crickets.  We learned about them in the museum, but actually seeing them was a big WOW for us.  Cave crickets live only near cave entrances, and are a critical component of the cave ecosystem.  They appear a bit creepy, but they are entirely harmless, as well as oblivious to visitor presence.  At first they are hard to see, but after we became accustomed to spotting them, we saw numerous clusters on both days of our tours.

Frozen Niagara Tour

On our second day, we took the Frozen Niagara tour.  For this tour we had to wait with a group, and be bussed to a special entrance.  The bus ride had that treacherous feeling, going through the forest along bluffs and sinkholes, but we arrived safely.   

The Frozen Niagara Entrance has a manmade doorway, with protective panels that everyone goes through.  This doorway is designed to manage the airflow in and out of the cave, in this area that had no natural entrance.  We managed to make our way to the back of the group, so we could be a bit more leisurely in our observations.  

This tour takes place in a wet portion of the cave, and the primary attraction is a huge dripstone feature that resembles a waterfall, hence the name Frozen Niagara.  For those with mobility issues, the formation is visible from an overhead view-point. Those who can make the lengthy stairway descent and climb, also have an option to climb down and see the waterfall from beneath.  It is really impressive from below.

Photos below include:  delicate cave formations protected from human touch by steel grating; the Frozen Niagara formation, from above; a close up view of a portion of the Frozen Niagara.  

• 

• 

• 

After the bus returns the group to the lodge area, it is required that everyone walks across the biological cleaning mats.  This is to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome between bats, as this segment of the cave is a home for some species of bats.  Bats are a critical component of the ecosystem, and the white nose syndrome has been detrimental to their populations.

• Mammoth Cave tour tickets can be reserved in advance, online.  It is not required, but strongly encouraged for weekend and peak season visits.  
• If you try out all of the tours and still don’t have your fill of caves, there are more tours available through commercial vendors in the area, including Onyx Caves and Diamond Caverns.

Other Things to do at Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave tours are fabulous, but if you are like us, you don’t want to make the drive, and do nothing but the cave tours.  You want to get out and see the rest of what the park and the area have to offer.  So did we, so our Mammoth Cave Trip Planner has several other options for you!

 

Visit the Mammoth Cave Visitors Center

The Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor’s Center is where tickets for cave tours are purchased, or picked up, if purchased online.  It has all of the amenities of an NPS Center, including comfort facilities and a first aid station.  There are two gift shops in the center, one with memorabilia type items, such as shirts and hats, and the other geared more toward children, with fun science games and activities.  

There is a museum onsite, which explains the geological processes that formed the caves, and the history behind the National Park.  The museum seemed very modern and well put together.  It was interactive and engaging.  While I expected the children to move through quickly, they were actually quite entertained, and all of us learned some things that we took with us into the caves.  In some cases, the children impressed the tour Rangers with this knowledge.

There is also a full Rangers station in the center.  Free maps are given to visitors and Rangers will answer any questions about the park features, wildlife and events.  The Rangers also provide a number of services to visitors throughout the park.

 

Tray a Ranger Activities

Cash and Jaxon became Junior Rangers at Mammoth Cave.  To begin the program, they had to talk to the Rangers at the station in the Visitor’s Center. They were then given a booklet with a number of fun and educational activities about the wildlife and environment of the park, both underground and above ground.  Each activity resulted in a particular number of points when completed. The number of points that had to be earned was based upon each child’s age.

Well, the truth is, after dinner on the first evening, everyone in the family was working together on the Junior Ranger activities.  The other truth is, that every single one of us learned some things we did not know! While the kids may have had a bit of assistance, for us, the program served its exact purpose, engaging all of us in learning about the delicate ecosystem of the area, and providing a fun full family activity.  

The next day, Cash and Jaxon were sworn in as Junior Rangers of the National Park Service.  The Ranger had them take an oath, and pinned them with their Junior Ranger Badge.  The thing that moved me the most, was that both children were quite sincere when making their oath.

There are a number of other Ranger led activities at Mammoth Cave, including walks along certain trails to learn about the wildlife in the area.  This includes bird watching walks, wildflower walks, and even an exploration of pond life. There are also weekend campfire talks. Ranger activities are seasonal, so be sure to check the calendar when you visit.

 

Get out on the Trails..

Outside of the cave, the trails are another intriguing way to explore as a part of your Mammoth Cave adventure.  The park boast nearly 85 miles of trails, including some that are accessible in the visitor center area, frontcountry trails and backcountry trails.  These trails are a mixture of those designated for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers, including a few which are all use.

Hikers have a multitude of choices.  The karst topography results in amazing features above ground, just as it does below ground. The 7 miles of trails surrounding the visitors center are not only the easiest to access, in most cases they are paved, making them accessible for almost all visitors.   Because of the constant rain during the first two days of our visit, these are the only trails we were able to venture onto. Yet, in this small  section of trails alone, we saw the old Mammoth Cave Railway cars, scenic overlooks, sinkholes and waterfalls.

Those who want a greater breadth of exploration, and who don’t have the rare misfortune of visiting during a tropical storm, should venture out onto the frontcountry or backcountry trails.  On these trails, the natural features increase, including some curious wonders, such as Cedar Springs Sinkhole, the Sand Cave, the River Styx spring, and other hollows, sinks, springs and waterfalls. There are also some interesting historical features along some trails, including cemeteries, churches and homesteads.  

Those who prefer mountain biking can bring their own bikes, or rent bikes for the day.  The camp store near the visitors center rents mountain bikes out by hours or days, and there are other vendors in surrounding areas.  One of the highlights for bikers is the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail, built along the line of the former rail service. Bikers are advised that this trail does include some crossings.  Caution should be exercised, and children should not be allowed to ride ahead. The trail also has portions with a fairly steep grade.

Horseback riding is another excellent option.  There are specific camping areas at the Maple Springs Group Campground for those who travel with horses.  Visitors with less experience can opt for guided horseback rides along the parks trails through vendors in nearby Cave City.  A popular choice is Double J Stables.  

Things to know about the trails:  

• Mammoth Cave is far enough south that venomous snakes are possible.  Wearing long pants and carrying a snake bite kit on hikes is a good idea.  They are rarely seen on Visitor’s Center area trails, or frontcountry trails, but have been spotted in the backcountry.  Park Rangers can provide much more information.

 

Get out on the River..

There are two rivers running through the park, and a number of streams and springs.  These waterways provide more options for fun. The park rivers are known for good fishing, particularly in the spring and summer, with over 100 species, including bass, crappie and catfish. Anglers report good catches from both banks and canoes.  Like most national park areas, no state fishing license is required within park boundaries.

Those who prefer to use the riverways for exploration can rent both canoes and kayaks from vendors in nearby towns.  Regulations require that personal floatation devices are worn at all times on the waterways. Canoeing and kayaking is quite scenic, as there are riverside bluffs, dense woodlands, and an abundance of wildlife around the riverways.   There are also offshoot springs that lead to cave entrances, and spring sources, for those who really want to see all of the wonders available.  A popular local choices for rentals is Cave Country Canoe.  

Things to know about the rivers:

• Swimming, floating, and water jets are NOT allowed on any of the rivers within the park.
• Mussels are protected in Mammoth Cave National Park.  The Green and Nolin rivers are home to more species of mussels than any other river system in North America.  Seven of these species are endangered.  Possession of mussels or their shells is strictly prohibited.

 

Other Things to Do Near Mammoth Cave

• Cave City has a lot of the typical tourist type attractions, that get mixed reviews. These include zipline, bumper boats, go karts, Dinosaur World, a haunted house, and other such options.
• Cave City is known for a number of antique malls. 
• There are also a number of other cave tour locations, not operated by the National Park Service, that can be tried, such as Onyx Cave. 
• The Abraham Lincoln Birth Home, which is also operated by the National Park Service, and his boyhood home, are located about an hour northeast, near the town of Hodgenville. Some of the small surrounding towns also have homes and museums associated with Lincoln and his family, as well as other historic attractions.  
• In that same area, you can find the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, complete with an interpretive center and a number of distilleries that can be toured.
• To the southeast of Mammoth is the town of Glasgow, which has a civil war battlefield, and a fun center.
• To the southwest is Bowling Green, with a branch of the University of Kentucky and the National Corvette Museum.

Mammoth Cave National Park can be a great base to visit any of these, or the numerous other attractions.

Eating at Mammoth Cave

Our Mammoth Cave trip planner could not be complete without some places to experience some delicious food, and that the children would enjoy.  There are several chain restaurants in the parkside cities, but there is no reason to leave the park to eat. There are two eating establishments in the lodge, Spelunkers, and Green River Grill, which we were completely satisfied with, and in fact, we ate at both of them twice!

Jaxon has extensive food allergies, and the staff in both assisted us in finding options that he could enjoy. What is more, since both feature a number of locally sourced farm fresh fare, there were choices within his restrictions.

Spelunkers is a bright, cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. It was great for lunch and snacks. Between us, we tried burgers, hotdogs, and salads. More importantly, they had fabulous ice cream.

 

Green River Restaurant features a breakfast buffet, with delicious locally sourced sausage, and has burgers and sandwiches for lunch. I was most impressed by dinner though. The kids had southern fried chicken, the grandkids had chicken strips, and I had rainbow trout, along with drinks, including beer, for about $75. Not only was it a bargain for the ton of food that we consumed, the food was outstanding!

 

Lodging at Mammoth Cave National Park

If you are spending the night, or some nights, and we think you should, there are several choices.  We thought that the primitive cabins were an excellent choice for us. They may look small from the outside, but there was plenty of room inside.  Ours had a full-sized bed for mom and dad, and 3 twin beds for Cash, Jaxon and Grandma (me.)

We put our photos of the primitive cabins in Jaxon’s video. If you already watched it, you know what they look like, and how spacious they. Check it out if you are considering the cabins as a lodging option.

Be mindful that there is no air conditioning or sources of entertainment in the primitive cabins.  The temperature was mild during our visit, so we were quite comfortable.

Each room had a ceiling fan, electric lighting and outlets, and there were hot showers.  Working on our Junior Ranger badges, we also had plenty of entertainment before bed.  And, as you see, the children got ahold of the camera, and found many ways to entertain themselves with it.

 

Camping Choices

Those who prefer camping will find both frontcountry and backcountry options in the park.  There are also a dozen backwood sites that can let you sleep right along the river, or a number of other intriguing spots.  If we would have had more time, this definitely would have been our choice, as it would have been awesome.  If you are going to give the backwoods camping a try, make sure you know these 7 tips for camping in the forest!

If you need more comforts for camping, the most developed grounds is the Mammoth Cave Campground, which has accessible sites, RV sites, as well as flush toilets, and seasonal hot showers and laundering facilities.  There are two other developed campgrounds in the park, although they do not have laundry facilities.

Things to know about camping:

• It is forbidden to bring firewood along from another state due to the potential of invasive species endangering the biosphere.
• After your tent, the most essential piece of equipment you have is your cooler.  Be sure that you have the best cooler for your camping needs!
• Carry a first aid kit.  If an accident occurs, help is a ways off, and cellular signal is random in the park.

Other Lodging Options

Also available right in Mammoth Cave National Park are the historic cabins, the Sunset Terrace, and the Heritage Trail Rooms in the lodge. These options are a bit more upscale, and are spoken of highly, although we did not try them out.

Those who prefer to lodge outside of the park will find several choices of accommodation in nearby Cave City. One of the few remaining Wigwam Villages lies just to the north of Cave City. This was actually my first choice of where to stay, for the Americana feeling. However, when I asked Cash what he thought, his response was: “Uhh, why don’t we just stay in a regular place.”

There are also a few chain hotel choices just off Interstate 65. Locals spoke well of the Comfort Suites, which you can reserve here:  Choose your vacation. Find your room now!

 

Getting to Mammoth Cave National Park

With its central location in the US, Mammoth Cave National Park, is an easy drive for US residents of several different states.  The simplest access is from Interstate 65, where it is centered between Louisville, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, about 90 miles from each.  Driving is pretty much the only way to get there. Those flying will need to go into one of these larger cities, and rent a car to get to Mammoth.

Turn west on Kentucky 70 off of I 65, at Cave City.  Entrance to the park is free, so you can drive right in. It is not necessary to go to the visitor’s center, but this is the best option.  You can get park maps, visit the museum, talk to rangers if desired, and secure your cave tour tickets.

 

Start Planning that Mammoth Cave Adventure!

We hope our Mammoth Cave trip planner has piqued your interest in this amazing national park, and given you all of the information that you need to plan your trip.  Once you visit Mammoth Cave, you will be glad that you did!

If you live a little too far south to make the drive to Mammoth Cave, you might like Cathedral Caverns, in Alabama.

And, if caves are not your thing, some other awesome outdoor areas that are not too far from the area include the Shawnee National Forest, or Turkey Run State Park.

We’d love it if you pin this for later!

• 

•  

•