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Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center is open all year with times varying with the seasons. It is closed December 25. It is located at the Headquarters area and has water fountains, restrooms, Eastern National bookstore, information desk, weather reports, ticket office, and boat tour concession. Special programs include two films, “Water and Stone” and “Voices of the Cave”; ranger-led auditorium talks and slide presentations. You will also find visual exhibits; an exhibit on cave exploration; a relief map of the park; and a “video aquarium”. The visitor center and its restrooms are accessible. Some ranger-led activities around the visitor center may be accessible; inquire at the Information Desk.

Mammoth Cave National Park was established in 1941 to protect the unparalleled underground labyrinth of caves, the rolling hilly country above, and the Green River valley. Since then, ongoing study and exploration have shown the park to be far more complex than ever imagined, hosting a broad diversity of species living in specialized and interconnected ecosystems. It encompasses an area as large as 52,830 acres. Almost 2 million visitors a year come to the park.

The Mississippian limestones of the Mammoth Cave region (300-325 million years old) formed at the bottom of a shallow saltwater sea now known as the Mississippian Sea. The marine life of that ancient sea is reflected in a range of fossils interspersed through the various limestone strata and exposed on the cave walls as caves were hollowed out. Typical fossils found in the cave include crinoids, blastoids, gastropods, and the teeth of fossil sharks.

Mammoth Cave, by far the world’s longest known cave system, is the heart of the South-Central Kentucky karst, an integrated set of subterranean drainage basins covering more than 1,050 square kilometers – 400 square miles. The total surveyed extent of Mammoth Cave currently stands at 580 kilometers (360 miles) with potential for a 1600 kilometer (1000 mile) system. In addition, there are more than 200 caves within the park which are disconnected fragments of the larger system or associated with local drainage features. The geology and geography of the area has resulted in a variety of karst basins, which have become the most thoroughly understood conduit flow aquifer in the world. The South-Central Kentucky karst is a crossroad of carbonate bedrock stretching north to Indiana, east to the Cumberland Plateau, and south to Georgia and west to the Ozarks. Karsts are characterized by rapid subsurface drainage through limestone and cave systems and account for approximately 20% of the Earth’s land surface, 25% of the continental United States and 45% of the area east of the Mississippi River. Approximately 40% of the U.S. population relies upon karst aquifers for drinking water.

Flow through the Mammoth Cave Karst aquifer can be very rapid, on the order of 1000′s to 10,000′s of feet per day. Contaminants entering the karst aquifer can thus be rapidly transported, unfiltered through the conduit system. The karst aquifer is very dynamic, that is, it responds nearly instantaneously to rainfall. Aquifer stage can rise 10′s of feet in a matter of hours, with numerous records showing stage rises of over 100 feet over the course of one day. Also, chemical and bacteriological properties of the groundwater can change dramatically following rainfall events.

The park is bisected east to west by the Green River which defines the hydrologic base-level and divides the region into two distinct physiographic areas. North of the river an alternating series of limestones and insoluble rocks are exposed with the main limestone strata accessible only near the river and in the bottom of a few deeply incised valleys. This has resulted in rugged topography with streams that alternately flow on insoluble rocks, over waterfalls, enter caves in limestone and resurface at springs perched on the next lower stratum of insoluble rock. South of the Green River the insoluble sandstone and shale caprock over the limestone has preserved significant portions of Mammoth Cave.

The Mississippian limestones of the Mammoth Cave region (300-325 million years old) formed at the bottom of a shallow saltwater sea now known as the Mississippian Sea. The marine life of that ancient sea is reflected in a range of fossils interspersed through the various limestone strata and exposed on the cave walls as caves were hollowed out. These include: crinoids, blastoids, gastropods, and the teeth of fossil sharks. Within the cave, a vast array of subterranean geologic features have developed over millennia, including stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, travertine dams, and several types of gypsum formations such as the aptly-named “gypsum flowers”.

The Green and Nolin Rivers possess one of the most diverse fish (82 species) and invertebrate faunas (51 species of mussels) in North America. In addition to the mussels, there are approximately 200 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in these rivers. For these biological reasons, the Green River has been designated an “Outstanding Resource Water”. As explained above, since Green River is the base-level stream for the Mammoth Cave System, it has crucial influence on the cave aquatic community since food supply and sediment transport are both affected. There are also innumerable springs to experience where groundwaters flowing underground from the sinkhole plain into the Green River find their outlets. Among the most notable springs in the park are River Styx Spring, Echor River Spring, and Turnhole Spring.

Atop the labyrinth is a biologically diverse set of ecosystems inextricably interlinked with the ecosystems underground. This physiographic province, with Mammoth Cave National Park at its core, was declared an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990. Above grounds show a wide range of diverse vegetation, from second growth forests of eastern red cedar and Virginia pine to more mature upland sites that have oak hickory, and in moist hollows, beech-maple-tulip poplar forests. Approximately 45% of park land was fields and pastures prior to park establishment. These old fields are largely dominated by eastern red cedar and Virginia pine mixed with deciduous trees along the outer margins. More mature upland sites are generally oak hickory forest, and in moist hollows, beech-maple-tulip poplar forest dominates.

Along the Green and Nolin Rivers, sycamore, silver poplar, river birch, box elder and American elm are found. Special communities of limited distribution include upland swamps with pin oak, red sweetgum, and red maple; deep sandstone hollows with hemlock and umbrella magnolia; dry limestone cedar oak glades; and cliff margin stands of Virginia pine on sandstone cliff margins. Patches of prairie, locally called barrens due to the lack of trees, were originally maintained by Native Americans through burning in an effort to attract deer and buffalo, and now exist in remnant patches in the park. Efforts at native prairie restoration are now underway.

Kentucky once had a vast area of savannah grassland known as the “Barrens.” This was in part a human-engineered ecosystem maintained through intentional burning. Although largely eliminated from the region because of agricultural practice and fire suppression, small remnant stands of native grasses still exist and consist of varieties of Indian Grass, Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and others genetically distinct from their cousins in the Great Plains. Efforts at native Kentucky prairie restoration have begun in the park at the old Job Corps area and at the old Wondering Woods site.

Forest/Savanna Ecosystem: Transitional between the drier Oak-Hickory Forest Region to the west and the mixed Mesophytic (medium moisture) Forest Region to the east and north, Mammoth Cave National Park contains portions of each. With over 1200 species of flowering plants, including 84 species of trees, the diversity within plant communities is high.

Oak-Hickory Forest/Savanna – On broad uplands in the park separated by large karst valleys south of Green River, oak-hickory forest covers relatively large areas of acid mesic-subxeric and calcareous sub-xeric habitat types which have been minimally disturbed. North of the river, sandstone capped uplands with similar habitats supporting oak-hickory forest are divided by narrower drainage channels. It is possible that portions of these uplands were oak savanna prior to settlement, especially areas adjacent to southerly slopes where fuels are more frequently combustible. For now, the goal for prescribed fire in oak-hickory forest is to reduce the invasion of fire intolerant species such as beech and maple.

Karst Valley Forest/Savanna/Prairie – Pre-settlement vegetation types in karst valleys south of Green River are unknown, and most of these large expanses of calcareous sub-xeric habitat were farmed prior to park establishment. Research on stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen are needed to determine presettlement vegetation patterns back through time. Until these data are acquired, the goal for prescribed fire in karst valleys will be limited to maintenance of isolated prairie patches, and small scale experiments in successional stands of cedar/pine.

Mesic Slope and Floodplain Forests – Moist ravines connected with the major river valleys support beech, maple, and tulip poplar in largely calcareous mesic habitats. On the floodplain alluvium, box elder, sycamore, and river birch complement beech and maple. These habitats receive limited sunlight to dry fuels, and are watered by runoff in addition to their own catchments. Therefore the frequency of presettlement fire must have been very low. The same can be said for the supra-mesic habitats, and there are no plans to introduce fire in these areas. In some instances, portions of these very moist habitat types will be included within a prescribed fire unit to make the fire line safer and easier to manage, but this fire-intolerant vegetation will not be forced to burn.

Cedar-Oak Glades – In the driest limestone habitat types (calcareous xeric and sub-xeric), especially on south to west facing slopes, cedar-oak glades prevail. These are sites where eastern red cedar is not successional, and where the inherent dryness of the site is an important factor in limiting growth of deciduous trees other than drought tolerant species such as chinkapin oak and blue ash. Based upon field observation of scars, fire is also a factor in limiting the invasion of more mesic species. However, given the vulnerability of eastern red cedar, fire intensity must be typically low, and the ability of cedars to grow right out of exposed limestone benches puts some distance between them and the meager fuel available.

Ridgetop Pine-Oak Stands – Located on the dry edges of sandstone cliffs facing south to west, acid xeric habitats support nearly pure but narrow stands of Virginia pine and chestnut oak. Analogous to the cedar-oak glades, these sites are where Virginia pine is not successional. Droughty conditions are clearly a factor in the maintenance of these stands, but the role of fire is not known. Observations in the field have failed to detect fire scars on either pines or oaks, so until the role of fire is better understood, these stands will remain low on the list of priorities.

Prairie Ecosystem: Prairie in the park is limited to small areas each no greater than 40 acres, and none can be considered actual remnants from pre-settlement times. Even so, these areas are rich in prairie grasses and forbs such as big bluestem, Indian grass, goldenrod, and tall coreopsis. They serve as refuges for species marginalized by conversion of former prairie on the sinkhole plain to agriculture, and by fire suppression within and beyond park boundaries.

A variety of cave tours are offered, ranging in cost from $4 to $45. Reservations can be made online at: www.reservations.nps.gov. The Mammoth Cave Discovery Tour, self-guided, takes about 30 minutes. The guided tour takes about 1 1/4 hours. You will see the Natural Entrance, Narrows, Rotunda, Salt Petre artifacts, Audubon Avenue (fall/winter),and Broadway Avenue (spring/summer). The Historic Tour last 2 hours and you will walk 2 miles. Landmarks to be seen are the Natural Entrance, Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, Methodist Church, Salt Petre artifacts, Giant’s Coffin, Sidesaddle Pit, Bottomless Pit, Fat Man’s Misery, River Hall, Mammoth Dome, and Audubon Avenue. The Frozen Niagara Tour is 2 hours long with an emphasis on Deep pits; high domes; dry cave passages; dripstone area at exit; dynamic cave being carved by water; and animal life. The Travertine Tour takes 1 ¼ hours and you will see the Frozen Niagara Entrance, Rainbow Dome, Crystal Lake, Frozen Niagara flowstone formation; and Drapery Room. The Grand Avenue Tour is 4 ½ hours long where you will see the Carmichael Entrance; Cleaveland Avenue; Snowball Room; Boone Avenue; Thorpe’s Pit; Mt. McKinley; Grand Canyon; Aerobridge Canyon; Hippodrome; Grand Central Station; Frozen Niagara; and Travertine Tour Route. The Violet City Lantern Tour takes 3 hours and you will get to see the Natural Entrance; Narrows; Rotunda; Broadway Avenue; Giant’s Coffin; Tuberculosis Huts; Star Chamber; Wright’s Rotunda; Cataracts; Chief City; Mummy Ledge; Elizabeth’s Dome; and Violet City Entrance. The River Styx Cave Tour is 2-1/2 hours and has the Natural Entrance, Narrows, Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, Methodist Church, Salt Petre artifacts, Giant’s Coffin, Sidesaddle Pit, Bottomless Pit, Fat Man’s Misery, River Hall, Dead Sea, Lake Lethe, Mammoth Dome, and Audubon Avenue in the line-up of landmarks to see. The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is 2-1/4 hours with landmarks such as Flint Ridge Road (surface drive); Great Onyx Cave entrance; several rooms of formations, including “The Nativity,” large dry passage; and gypsum. The last tour is Wild Cave Tour and is 6 to 6-1/2 hours with the Carmichael Entrance, Cleaveland Avenue, Split Rock, Snowball Room (food available), Boone Avenue, various areas off developed tour trails, and Travertine Tour route. There are a few other tours you can take as well.

Walk on top of what lies below – six miles of beautiful woodland trail lead you into huge sinkholes and down to flowing springs, both windows into the underworld. Take in a ranger-led walk and get some first-hand knowledge about the wildlife and flora of the region. Sit in on a campfire program at the Amphitheatre and find out how people lived 2,000 years ago, discover what kinds of creatures like the dark, talk to someone from the 1800s, and learn what owls and frogs and snakes do in their spare time – among many other things. Bicycle along the bike trail or stroll along the accessible Heritage Trail. Drive the winding and beautiful Flint Ridge Road and stop by historic Mammoth Cave Church.

On the South side of the park, a quick drive and an easy walk will show you some of the park’s most beautiful scenery. Take a picnic, stroll the circle of Sloan’s Crossing Pond Nature Trail and listen for bullfrogs, green frogs and red-winged blackbirds among the cattails. Descend into Cedar Sink to look through a window into the way water travels beneath the ground, then go to Turnhole Bend Nature Trail and find out where and how that same water joins the Green River.

Sloan’s Crossing Pond Nature Trail, Sand Cave Trail, and the Heritage Trail are fully accessible to persons in wheelchairs. The Heritage Trail offers all visitors a leisurely stroll and has been specially designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The trail features wheelchair turnouts, rest areas with benches, and lights for evening use. Along this trail, you will find a beautiful overlook, large trees, and The Old Guides Cemetery. The trail begins at the end of the footbridge near the Mammoth Cave Hotel. On Sand Cave Trail you can follow this accessible woodland path to an overlook above the site of Floyd Collins’ tragic 1925 entrapment in Sand Cave. Sloan’s Crossing Pond Trail is an accessible boardwalk encircling this fascinating pond, with turnouts that take you to the water’s edge. Viewing platforms and wayside exhibits help you learn about this special area.

Some other hiking trails by the visitor center are Campground Trail a .5 mile trail near Headquarters Campgrounds, Dixon Cave Trail near the Historic Entrance, Echo River Spring Trail near Green River Ferry, Green River Bluffs Trail near the Visitor Center Picnic Area, Heritage Trail near the Mammoth Cave Hotel, Mammoth Dome Sink Trail near Heritage Trail and River Styx Spring Trail also by the Historic Entrance.

The North side of the park offers some great hiking and backpacking trails. Any of these would be good day hike or overnight hikes. They are Blair Spring Hollow Trail at 1.2 mi / 1.9 km long, Buffalo Trail at 4 mi / 6.4 km long, Collie Ridge Trail at 4.3 mi / 6.9 km long, First Creek Hollow Trail at 6.7 mi / 10.7 km long, Ganter Cave Trail at 1.8 mi / 2.9 km long, Good Spring Loop Trail at 7.9 mi / 12.7 km long, McCoy Hollow Trail at 6.3 mi / 10 km long, Raymer Hollow Trail at 4.7 mi / 7.5 km long, Sal Hollow Trail at 8.7 mi / 13.9 km long, Turnhole Bend Trail at 3.2 mi / 5.1 km long, Wet Prong-McCoy Hollow Spur at 0.4 mi / 0.6 km long, Wet Prong Trail at 4.9 mi / 7.9 km long, and White Oak Trail at 2.7 mi / 4.3 km long.

Over a dozen campsites dot the 70+ miles of trail on the North Side. Hike here and you may not see another living soul. Seek solitude in the rugged hills and deep valleys, camp by river, lake or waterfall, explore bluffs and ridgetops. Ride horses along these backcountry trails. Drive the scenic routes of Houchins Ferry Road and Ugly CreekRoad. Seek out the Big Woods, one of the few remaining stands of old-growth timber in Kentucky. If you have a large group of friends, camp out at the Maple Springs Group Campground.

Over 30 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers trace through the park and offer a wealth of recreational opportunities and carry boaters past dramatic bluffs and large trees. Angle for muskellunge, bluegill, catfish, bass, perch, crappie, and other game fish. Canoe the rivers and camp along their shores. Camp by the river at the Houchins Ferry Campground. Cross the Green River on two ferries – Green River Ferry and Houchins Ferry – two of the few operating rural ferries in the nation. Take a cruise looking for wildlife, springs and river bluffs.

Boats may be taken in and out of the water at Green River Ferry and Houchins Ferry. Canoes may be taken in and out at Green River, Houchins and Dennison Ferries. To explore the Green River, launch your canoe at Dennison Ferry Campground or Green River Ferry; you’ll find the best take-out points at Green River Ferry or Houchins Ferry. On the Nolin River, launch your boat just below Nolin River Dam at Tailwaters Recreation Area. When you reach the Green River, paddle upstream against a gentle current and take out at Houchins Ferry.

There are several things for young people to do at the park. Take the Trog Tour, a trip for young people 8-12 years old. You get to go into parts of the cave no one else – no parents, anyway – get to see. Put on a hard hat and headlamp and learn how the cave was formed, what lives in it, who has been there before you, and how you can help protect it. It is offered during the summer season. Become a Junior Ranger: young people 6-13 years old are eligible to become Junior Rangers. Purchase the Junior Ranger packet at the book sales area in the visitor center and start rangering! Follow a ranger on guided activities and record your own discoveries in the booklet to become a Junior Ranger. Bring Mom and Dad for an Introduction to Caving. This is a good trip for people 10 and up, poking into dark, twisting tunnels and learning why people go caving, how they do it safely, and what they find when they’re there.

Bike the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, a nine-mile one-way gravel and boardwalk path. It is not a trail for a beginner bicyclist. There are numerous hills and three areas that are so steep, they recommend you get off your bike and walk it up the hill. It winds through some impressive woods and past deep ravines. The trail also passes a couple of cemeteries where several of the original settlers in the area are buried. Stop at Sloan’s Crossing Pond, Proctor’s Hotel, France Country Store and an old church to see history and wildlife. There are also a few trails that allow mountain biking. Ask at the visitor station for which ones are allowed.

Horses have carried people up and down the hills of the Mammoth Cave area for generations. Most backcountry trails are open to horses for horseback riding. Maple Springs Group Camp has four sites with tie-offs for horses. Be sure to know the rules for having horses in the backcountry before you start your ride.

Ongoing study and exploration have shown the park to be far more complex than ever imagined, hosting a broad diversity of species living in specialized and interconnected ecosystems. The park’s challenge is to balance these remarkable and sometimes fragile living networks with the public’s enjoyment of them. The key to that balance is knowledge, and the park’s new environmental monitoring programs will provide that understanding.

Many natural resources in Mammoth Cave National Park are subjected to unfavorable influences from a variety of sources, for example, air and water pollution, industrial development, and excessive visitation. Left unchecked, the very existence of many natural communities can be threatened. To help prevent the loss or impairment of such communities in the National Park System the Natural Resource Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program was established.

The principal functions of the I&M Program at Mammoth Cave National Park are the gathering of information about the resources and the development of techniques for monitoring the ecological communities. Ultimately, the inventory and monitoring of natural resources are integrated with park planning, operation and maintenance, visitor protection, and interpretation to establish the preservation and protection of natural resources as an integral part of park management and improve the stewardship of natural resources.

The detection of changes and the quantification of trends in the conditions of natural resources are imperative for the identification of links between changes in resource conditions and the causes of changes and for the elimination or mitigation of such causes. Inventory and monitoring datasets lead to specific management actions, and then track the effectiveness of those actions. If results of resource management actions are not as anticipated, then adjustments can be made to the prescription. This is a process known as adaptive management.

Normal flow of 16 miles of the Green River, 7 miles of the Nolin River, and many miles of cave streams in the park is retarded by a relict dam known as Lock and Dam #6. Habitats for 7 federally listed endangered aquatic species are seriously degraded through reduction of natural flow velocity and resultant siltation. The quality of recreational non-motorized boating is also seriously diminished by the 21 miles of pooled river within the park.

Natural, modified natural and artificial cave entrances pose some of the greatest challenges in the management of karst resources because provision must be made for movement of air, water and wildlife within acceptable tolerances while simultaneously providing an adequate deterrent to illegal human entry. United States Fish and Wildlife Service approved bat gates have been installed on the entrances of caves supporting major bat hibernation areas. Cave gates are designed to accommodate bat movement, provide greater security, natural rates of air exchange and restore endangered Indiana and gray bat habitat. Airlocks have been installed on man-made entrances to restore cave atmospheric conditions.

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to over 70 threatened, endangered or state listed species. These species include birds, crustaceans, fish, gastropods, insects, mammals, mussels, plants and reptiles. The Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 recognizes that many of our species across the United States have been lost and others are close to extinction. This act enables agencies to have the necessary means to aid these species in retaining their existence. Through education and restoration programs we hope to prevent further destruction caused by human impacts.

There are two categories of exotic species which have had significant impact on park forests: pathogens and invasive plants. Chestnut Blight and Dutch elm disease have virtually eliminated American chestnut and American elm and a similar fungal disease is currently impacting the American Butternut tree. Invasive exotic plant species such as honeysuckle, garlic mustard, kudzu, Microstegium, silver poplar, and Ailanthus out-compete native species and are therefore spreading. With over 1000 species of flowering plants – including 84 tree species – the potential for loss of biodiversity is great.

Summers are hot and sultry with highs in the 80s to 90s. Winters are mild with highs in the 30s to 40s, although temperatures can drop well below zero. Temperatures in the cave hover around 54°F year-round, so bring a light jacket if you plan to visit the cave.

Current Park Weather

Summers are hot and sultry with highs in the 80s to 90s. Winters are mild with highs in the 30s to 40s, although temperatures can drop well below zero. Wear appropriate clothing for the season and your activity.

Hikers are encouraged to pick up the official park brochure at the visitor center before taking any hike in the park. This brochure contains maps and other important information. Hikers and horseback riders must sign in at trailhead registers. For hiking, sturdy boots or shoes are needed. Be aware that some of the hiking tours may be strenuous, so depending on your health level or ages of small children, pick accordingly. All trails north of the Green River (except Sal Hollow Trail) are open for horseback riding. When hikers and horses meet, horses must be slowed to a walk and hikers must remain quiet.

While in the caves, it can be slippery, so rubber-soled shoes are best. A jacket or sweater is helpful if you plan to spend any length of time in the caves as the temperature is 54 degrees F at all times. It is illegal to remove any artifacts, rocks or cave items. Also, touch only what you are allowed to on the tours as even skin oils can affect the delicate state of the cave formations and life. The physical requirements for cave tours include the ability to free-climb cave walls; lengthy crawls through areas as tight as 9 inches high; walk in a crouched position; hand and knee crawls over jagged rocks and dirt; crawling through wet areas; and twist into and out of tight crawlway openings. Visitors have to be 16 and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. High-top, over-the-ankle lace-up boots, with lug or deeply treaded soles, are required. No low-cut hiking or athletic shoes allowed. Chest or hip measurement should not be more than 42 inches to avoid situations that impact tour for all participants. Work or climbing gloves and long pants are recommended – do not overdress. Helmets, lights and kneepads provided. Visitors must pick up reserved tickets 30 minutes prior to tour departure, or tickets may be sold to others.

A backcountry use permit is required for all backcountry camping. The usual camping gear is needed for camping out, but a good backpacking checklist is: backpack, tent, sleeping bag and mat, food, water and /or water filtering system, camp stove, fuel, matches, fire starter, first aid kit, repair kit, good hiking boots, layered clothing adequate for the season, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, topographical map, compass, GPS system, multipurpose tool or knife, collapsible water carrier, 1-2 quart water bottle, cooking utensils, toilet kit, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, animal proof container, signal mirror or whistle and garbage bags to pack out what you pack in. Remember to use the Leave-No-Trace principles.

Maximum group size is limited to 8 people per campsite and no more than 2 tents. Camping must not exceed 14 consecutive days. Do not dig, trench, or level ground at your campsite. Put out campfires completely. Use a backpacking stove. Dispose of human waste at least 3 inches deep. Dispose of wash water at least 100 feet away from water source, trails and campsites. Store food so wildlife cannot access it.

Leave your itinerary with someone and sign in at a trail register; include your destination for all backcountry use. Lock your car and leave valuables out of sight. Be prepared for emergencies. Obtain a weather forecast and observe weather conditions. Avoid poisonous snakes (rattlesnakes and copperheads). Killing of snakes is prohibited. Avoid poison ivy and stinging nettle. Streams may rise rapidly in heavy rain. Use extreme caution crossing flooded streams. Cell phones may not work in the backcountry. Use an insect repellent and check yourself for ticks-ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.

The following rules apply to all campers at all park campgrounds: Confine fires to ground grills. Never make new fire circles. Please remove dry leaves, grass and other flammable material from the fireplace area and keep fires small. Use only fallen dead wood for fires. Only use hand saws; chain saws are prohibited. Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM. When using radios, generators, motors and other noisy equipment, do not disturb your neighbors. Pets must be on a leash and under physical restraint at all times. Do not leave pets unattended at your campsite. Never chop, cut, saw or drive nails into standing trees. Heat from lanterns can kill the living tissue of trees. Therefore, do not hang lanterns in trees. Fireworks, firearms, bows, air rifles, blow guns, sling shots and other weapons capable of destroying or frightening wildlife are prohibited in the park. To avoid creating a health hazard, attracting insects, and generally making a mess, do not use the area near water spigots for washing dishes or clothing. Do not dig, trench or level the ground at campsites. Raccoons often visit campsites in search of food. Therefore, keep personal gear such as ice chests, stoves, thermos bottles, etc. in your car or trailer. Keep valuables locked up and out of sight. Report any thefts or lost and found items to the park rangers.

Bring your fishing tackle for fishing. No license is needed to fish in the park itself. Otherwise, Kentucky fishing regulations apply. Inquire at the visitor center before fishing. Fish by hand line, rod and reel, or trot and throw line. All other methods are prohibited. Harvesting of mussels is prohibited in the park.

Swimming in the river is not recommended because of strong currents and deep holes. Camping along the floodplain is by permit only. Inquire at the visitor center before camping along the river. Observe weather conditions. Flooding is possible. In case of storms, leave the water and seek shelter. River levels and current fluctuate dramatically, particularly during the winter months, and snags or sandbars may be hidden underwater. You must bring at least one Coast Guard-approved life preserver for each person. You may rent canoes from concessionaires located near the park. It is not recommended that paddlers continue down the Green River to Lock and Dam #6. Located outside the park, the approach to the dam is not marked with warning signs. Being sucked into the current above the dam could be extremely hazardous.

Bicycles are not available in the park. No bicycles, roller-blades or roller skates are permitted on the trails in the park, except for the designated bicycle trail.

Horseback riding is permissible on all designated trails north of the Green River except Sal Hollow Trail. Horseback riding is prohibited on all roads and trails south of the Green River. Horses are prohibited at Bluffs Campsite and on its access trail. Travel by horseback off of trails is prohibited. Minimize erosion by riding single file in small groups; do not use switchbacks or shortcuts. Walk horse through mud on trails, not around it. Always hitch horses more than 100 feet away from designated campsites, trails, or water sources. Hitching horses to tress is prohibited. Use a picket line or hobble horses during breaks. Scatter horse manure at least 200 feet from trails, water sources, and campsites. Never frighten, harass, or feed wildlife. Day-use horseback riders can park trailers at Lincoln Trailhead and across the road from Maple Springs Campground; trails are nearby. Hikers must yield to riders on trails. Horses must be slowed to a walk.

All plants in park are protected. Collecting or digging plants is strictly prohibited. Possessing, destroying, removing, digging, or disturbing archeological resources is prohibited. Entering any cave within the park without a permit is prohibited. All wildlife in the park is protected. Feeding or harassing wildlife is prohibited.

Weapons, traps, and nets are strictly prohibited. Motor vehicles, including ATVs and motorcycles, are prohibited on trails.

Boats may be taken in and out of the water at Green River Ferry and Houchins Ferry. Canoes may be taken in and out at Green River, Houchins and Dennison Ferries. It is not recommended that paddlers continue down the Green River to Lock and Dam #6. Located outside the park, the approach to the dam is not marked with warning signs. Being sucked into the current above the dam could be extremely hazardous.

More than 130 species are regular inhabitants within the Mammoth Cave system. These species are divided almost equally among three classes of cave life: obligate cave dwellers known as troglobites, facultative species which can complete their life cycle in or out of caves (troglophiles), and those that use caves for refuge (trogloxenes). Because of the region’s biogeography history, the tremendous variety of abiotic conditions, and the presence of key trogloxene species, the South-Central Kentucky Karst has cave species and biotic cave communities among the most diverse in the world. The assemblage of cave fauna is diverse because both in-situ speciation and immigration of species that evolved in other cave regions has occurred.

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to a variety of salamanders (15), toads (3), and frogs (10). Some of the species you will find are Mudpuppy, Hellbender, Red spotted newt, Jefferson salamander, Spotted salamander, Marbled salamander, Eastern spade foot toad, American toad, Fowler’s toad, Southern cricket frog, Mountain chorus frog, Spring peeper, and Gray tree frog. There are also many crustaceans; an eyeless cavefish, so called for the fact that it adapted to lightless, low-energy environments by ceasing to grow eye structures and unnecessary skin pigments; the most diverse population of mussels in North America; and a wide array of lizards, turtles and snakes.The lizards you might see are Fence lizard, Slender glass lizard, Six-lined racerunner, Ground skink and the turtles are Snapping turtle, Eastern box turtle, Map turtle, Slider, Red eared turtle, Smooth softshell turtle, and Eastern spiny softshell. Some of the snakes there are Worm snake, Northern ringneck snake, Hognose snake, Rough green snake, Northern black racer, Gray rat snake, Northern pine snake, Prairie king snake, Scarlet king snake,and Black king snake. The only poisonous snakes are the Northern copperhead and the Timber rattlesnake. Carry a flashlight when walking through the campground at night as they are common.

Indiana Bats (Myotis sodalis) and to a lesser extent Gray Bats (M. grisescens) were prominent species in Mammoth Cave only 150 years ago, but are today listed as endangered. Little Brown Bats (M. lucifugus) were also abundant with the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), and Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus) being less common. All together, these and more rare bat species such as M.leibii and M.septentrionalis had estimated populations of 9-12 million just in the Historic Section. While these species still exist in Mammoth Cave, their numbers are much reduced. Ecological restoration of this portion of Mammoth Cave, and facilitating the return of bats is an ongoing effort.

The park contains a wide variety of birds, offering great bird watching opportunities. Grebes, herons, whip-poor-wills, nuthatches, hawks, bald eagles, quail, wild turkey, sandpipers, and tanagers are just a few to be seen in the surrounding area.

For fishing, you will find bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch, striped bass, gar, catfish and many others.

Other mammals common in the park include eastern whitetail deer, bobcats, foxes, muskrats, gray squirrels, flying squirrels, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, striped and spotted skunks, beaver, mink, groundhogs, chipmunks, moles, voles, shrews, mice and wood rats.

Feeding wild animals is prohibited. Feeding animals has the potential to harm both the animals and the visitor. Wildlife needs to depend on its own resources, not ours, to survive in our national parks.

There are no park entrance fees. It does cost $4-$45 to take the different tours available. Reservations are recommended.

Camping fees run $12, $16 and $30 per day depending upon where you stay.

There are three camping areas available within the park. Campground and picnic shelter reservations can be made in advance for Headquarters and Maple Springs Group campgrounds by calling National Park Reservation Service at (800) 967-2283 or (800) 365-CAMP. Please note that campground reservation cancellations and changes of reservation will incur a charge of $13.25. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance of the reserved time will not receive a refund.

Headquarters Campground has 109 sites with token operated showers, laundry and a camp store nearby. It is open March through November and is located ¼ mile from the visitor center. Each site features a paved parking area, a picnic table, and a fire grate. The campground has restrooms, fresh water, a dump station, garbage dumpsters, and a recycling station. There are no hookups for electricity or sewer. The camping fee is $16 per night per site and $8 for visitors with Golden Age/Golden Access passports. Reservations are recommended. Check-in time is 12 noon, and check-out time is 11am. A maximum of 8 people is permitted at each site, and campers can stay a maximum of 14 days. Emergency phone numbers, and announcements regarding park activities, are posted at the bulletin board at the campground entrance.

Houchins Ferry camping area has 12 primitive campsites and is open year round. It is located 15 miles from the park visitor center on the south bank of the Green River. Each site has a picnic table and a fire grate. The campground has two chemical toilets, fresh water, and an adjacent picnic shelter. This campground is not suitable for large trailers or RVs. The camping fee is $12 per night per site and $6 for visitors with Golden Age/Golden Access passports. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The ferry operates from 9:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. daily except when repairs or hazardous river conditions prevent operation.

Maples Springs Group Campground accommodates horses and large groups. It is open March through November and is located 6 miles from the visitor center and 3 miles north of the Green River Ferry. This campground has 7 sites with a 24-person capacity per site. The campground has picnic tables, fire grates, chemical toilets, garbage dumpsters, and fresh water. Four of the Maple Springs sites have hitching posts and trailer parking for horses. Campsites cost $25 per night per site and $13 for visitors with Golden Age/Golden Access Passports. Reservations are required. Maple Springs Campground check-in time is 12 noon and check-out time is 11am. Note: The most direct route from the Visitor Center to the Group Campground requires crossing the Green River Ferry. The ferry has a load limit of 8 tons. Please note that high or low water conditions may impede crossing, especially of motor homes or trailer units. The ferry is open from 6 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. daily, except when repairs or hazardous river conditions prevent operation. An alternate route to the campground via state and county roads is 35 miles from the Visitor Center.

Picnic shelters are also available for $50-75 per day with weekend availability March 1-Memorial Day, Labor Day-November 30 and daily availability Memorial Day-Labor Day. There is one open picnic shelter and one enclosed picnic shelter.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site is 44 miles away. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is 186 miles away. Fort Donelson National Battlefield is 140 miles away. Barren River Lake State Resort Park is 29 miles away. Land Between the Lakes is 134 miles away. Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve, Dog Creek Recreation Area, Iberia Recreation Area, Dickeys Mill Recreation Area, Moutardier Recreation Area, Nolin River Lake and Barren River Lake are all close by the park.

There are regular flights into Louisville or Nashville, each approx. 1.5 hours from the park.

If you travel south by car from Louisville, KY, the most direct route is I-65 south to Exit 53 at Cave City. Another 15 minutes of driving will bring you to the park visitor center.

If you travel north from Nashville, TN, the most direct route is I-65 north to Exit 48 at Park City, KY. Another 10 minutes of driving will bring you to the park visitor center. Nashville and the park are both in the Central Time Zone. Louisville is in the Eastern Time Zone, one hour ahead of the park.

Bus service stops in Cave City, KY.

You may travel by car to most places in the park. In the backcountry, you may hike, ride horseback, and in limited areas, ride a mountain bike. You may canoe down 27 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Mammoth Cave National Park:

By Car:

Nashville, TN – 94.63 miles

Indianapolis, IN – 206.33 miles

St. Louis, MI – 507.47 miles

Louisville, KY – 93.11 miles

Lexington, KY – 132.04 miles

Evansville, IN – 148.48 miles

Commercial vehicles are prohibited on the park roads.

Mammoth Cave National Park, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Park Information 270-758-2180

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