Mammoth Cave National Park
Official park boundary · National Park Service
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region.
Mammoth Cave National Park is a national park of the United States in south-central Kentucky. It encompasses portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world. The park's 52,007 acres (21,046 ha) are located primarily in Edmonson County, with small areas extending eastward into Hart and Barren counties. The Green River runs through the park, with a tributary called the Nolin River feeding into the Green just inside the park.
DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS! From the North: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center. From the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park. Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway; turn left. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center.
Kentucky has a moderate climate with warm, yet moist conditions. Summers average in the high 80s; winters average in the low 40s. Southern Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave is located, receives the highest average precipitation for the state, about 50 inches per year, mostly in spring. Winter can bring mild to moderate snow and ice. Storms happen year-round, and can include tornadoes and flooding in low-lying areas, but severe weather is infrequent. The temperature deep in the cave is a constant 54°F (12°C).
Source: National Park Service
- Cave Tours
Join a ranger as you discover the complex history and intricate geology of the worlds longest cave system.
- Become a Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger
Do you want to explore, learn about, and protect Mammoth Cave? If so, become a Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger! The Junior Ranger activity book is appropriate for all ages and is a great way to get more in-depth knowledge about the world’s longest cave and to learn about the natural wonders of the park.
- Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink
Stunning rock faces, cave springs, and geological panoramas, you will experience a wide array of seasonal wildflowers and biodiversity.
- Viewing Park Wildlife
Mammoth Cave is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life ranging from rare exotic cave species to more common woodland creatures. While viewing wildlife can be a highlight of any park visit, it is important to remember that animals in the park are wild.
- Attend a Ranger-led Program
Attending a ranger-led program in the park is a great way to discover new things and learn more about the Mammoth Cave National Park.
- Houchin Ferry to Brownsville
This short trip travels along the Green River from Houchin Ferry inside Mammoth Cave National Park to the former site of Lock and Dam #6 or the Brownsville boat ramp.
- Nolin River Dam to Houchin Ferry
This trip starts at the Tailwater Recreation Area below the Nolin River Dam north of the park.
- Green River Ferry to Houchin Ferry
This longer section of the Green River is less traveled then the popular Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry trip.
Source: National Park Service
- Houchin Ferry Campground
- Mammoth Cave Campground
- Maple Springs Group Campground
- Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Drive Mammoth Cave with Byway
Byway plans the scenic day around Mammoth Cave — real places, real weather, every stop verified. Zero hallucinations. Google Maps for turns. Byway for soul.