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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Mammoth Cave National Park |
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PO Box 7, I 60 Exit 53, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: 270-758-2328 or 800-967-2283
Open All Year
Overview. Time and the flow of underground rivers have carved the world's longest surveyed cave under the rolling limestone hills of south central Kentucky. Mammoth Cave has figured in human history since prehistoric man mined it for minerals up to 4,000 years ago. Local lore credits a hunter named Houchins with "discovering" it when he chased a wounded bear into the gaping Historic Entrance in 1797. During the War of 1812, Mammoth Cave was a source of saltpeter, necessary to the manufacture of gunpowder, and the remains of this mining operation may be seen on several cave tours today.
After the war was over, tourism was more lucrative than mining, and the Croghan family, who owned the property, built a hotel near the Historic Entrance. The famous cave guide, Stephen Bishop, led exciting tours through the cave. Bishop was a slave, owned by the Croghans, and he relished exploring far into Mammoth's depths. He opened many new passageways to 19th-century sightseers. In the winter of 1842, Dr. John Croghan, a pulmonary specialist, built "habitations" in the Acute Angle section of Mammoth to house 16 of his tuberculosis patients. The experiment was not successful, and was abandoned several months later. Two of the cottages that served as Croghan's sanitarium are now a part of the Violet City Lantern Tour.
There were scores of other caverns within a few miles of Mammoth Cave and, with the upswing in tourism brought about by the advent of the automobile, cave visitation rose. Touts for rival caves waylaid motorists on their way to Mammoth, trying to steer them in the direction of their own subterranean treasures. Entrepreneurs found new entrances to Mammoth, entrances that were closer to the main road and the tourists. Frozen Niagara, Violet City, and New Entrances were all discovered during this "Kentucky Cave War" era. In 1941, the State of Kentucky and the Mammoth Cave National Park Association acquired Mammoth Cave and neighboring cave land and donated it to the National Park Service to establish the park. Explorers began probing these outlying caves, searching for a connection with Mammoth. In the late 1970s, a major link was made, and Mammoth Cave, with over 345 miles of passages now mapped, officially became the longest cave in the world.
Above ground, Mammoth Cave National Park is a scenic joy. It is a haven for birds and other wildlife, and is home to Big Woods, a large stand of old-growth forest. The Green and Nolin Rivers are open to boating and fishing, and over 70 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails wind through the park. Mammoth Cave National Park has been designated both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What to see and do. Cave tours, which are available year-round, originate at the visitor center near the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave, and range from the quarter-mile, relatively easy, well-lit Travertine Tour to the extremely difficult Wild Cave Tour that worms its way for over six hours through undeveloped passages, low crawlways, and tight squeezes. Take the popular Historic Tour, or see the cave by lantern-light on the Violet City Lantern Tour. There is even a tour specifically for children. No matter what tour you choose, be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket or sweater. Mammoth Cave's temperature remains a steady 54 degrees Fahrenheit with 86% humidity year-round. Reservations are strongly suggested for all tours and can be made in advance of your visit by calling 1-800-967-2283.
There's plenty to see and do above ground, too. Hike or ride on horseback along one of the many trails at Mammoth Cave National Park. There are three campgrounds in the park, and many backcountry camping sites are also available. Canoe down the leisurely Green or Nolin Rivers. Fishing is permitted within the park without a state license, although certain restrictions and limits apply. Wildlife abounds, and it is not unusual to see deer feeding very close to the roads. Hop aboard the Miss Green River II for a short cruise; tickets and tour schedules are available at the visitor center. Campsite reservations are available at 800-967-2283.
The park and visitor center are open year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day. Hotel accommodations and food service are available on site. There are many other campgrounds, motels, and restaurants in communities adjacent to Mammoth Cave National Park. Contact park authorities at 800-346-8908 for information on canoe, boat, and horseback riding concessions located nearby.
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Bicycle Trails |
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Bird Watching |
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Boat Launching |
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Caving |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Horse Trails |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Visitor Center |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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