Set in the Kentucky countryside, this national park protects geological wonders and conserves surface wildlife habitat.

The incredibly twisting length of the passageways that meander endlessly beneath the sedimentary layers of the landscape make it the longest cave in the world. Cave tours are offered for varying abilities and are readily available with reservations.

While perhaps not the most beautiful, the history of this cave is incredibly long – and written on the walls. With numerous tours for any level, the opportunity to explore the underworld is available to everyone. The historic use of this cave is precisely why we must ardently protect our caves as state and national park sites – so much of the beauty has long since been destroyed or removed.

Our quirky park ranger delighted us with a deep sense of history during our cave tour, making the uniqueness of this cave and area understood. From Native American use as far back as 5,000 years ago, to the use of slaves as original tour guides and the mining of salt peter for war efforts, as well as the use of the cave for therapeutic purposes – this is a cave of deep history.

Extra Tips:

Stay in one of the Lodge at Mammoth Cave facilities or in the park campgrounds.

These reasonably priced accommodations place you within proximity to all available activities – including hiking trails, the visitor center, and our cave entrance. We stayed in Sunset Terrace. The bathroom facilities were antiquated but the linens were clean and the stay very peaceful. We enjoyed sitting outside watching the ample squirrels.

Book a tour in advance.

Information on choosing and purchasing a tour is available on the Mammoth Cave National Park Website. Schedule your tour well in advance. We enjoyed the evening Star Chamber Lantern Tour, held in the evening, but there are so many to choose from!

Take time to explore the surface.

There are some very lovely trails within the park. We hiked River Styx Spring Trail from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center down to the Green River. It was a short, but delightful walk.

Enjoy the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

National Park Visitor Centers always hold an abundance of information and fantastic displays, and the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center was no exception. The cave displays were incredibly informative!

Junior Ranger Badge:

The Junior Ranger Badge booklet at Mammoth Cave contains activities on:

• Observations
• Species Adaptations
• Native Americans as First Explorers
• Cave Mapping
• Cave Formations
• Citizen Science
• Slavery
• Creation Stories
• Fossils

Where to Eat:

The Lodge at Mammoth Cave offers several dining options, so you don’t need to drive anywhere for meals. Waitresses were very friendly and attentive.

When to Go:

When we went in June, all was brightly green and beautiful. Wildflowers were in bloom and wildlife were plentiful. The weather was perfectly comfortable to enjoy several short hikes.

Remember:

Park service personnel work incredibly hard to protect and educate. They are federally funded, and visitor fees most certainly do not cover all operating expenses. However, most parks have either individual foundations, support from the National Park Foundation, or simple donation boxes. Please support and fund your national parks in whichever way you are called. There may also be ways to donate your time and services to your favorite park.

Posted: February 20, 2025

Visited: June 2024

Sample 1 Day Itinerary