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10 Best Mammoth Cave Tours Worth Your Time

This post is all about the best Mammoth Cave tours in Mammoth Cave National Park! You’ll find an overview of the different tours, travel tips, effort level listings, and estimated times based on our personal experiences hiking Mammoth Cave National Park.

In the beginning of autumn, I went on my first Mammoth Cave tour. I sat – legs pressed tight against a bench, feet clacking the ground – under the wide awning of Shelter A, waiting for a ranger to herd me (and a hundred or so other tourists) into the belly of the longest cave in the world. We walked and walked and walked some more. We climbed up and down thin, platformed stairs. We paused and gasped as the cave curved and snarled and dropped and twisted. Mammoth Cave’s pathways are serpentine; its walls are textured. And I was enamored by it all.

I returned to Mammoth Cave National Park often after, each time with the intention of taking one guided trip (sometimes two, much to the misery of my calves) through the cave itself. On those ranger-led tours, I chatted with travelers and staff, die-hard cave lovers and new-to-the-cave-scene visitors. Tour-by-tour, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Kentucky’s karst landscape.

Now, having been on almost all the Mammoth Cave tours (with the exception of their crawling tours), I feel ready to share my favorites.

Here are Passport To Eden’s top picks for the best cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park!

Editor’s Note: Mammoth Cave tours are seasonal and not necessarily offered year-round. Sometimes tours close for construction (one of my favorite mammoth cave tours was closed in 2023 for this very reason. The goal was to make paths to be more accessible in the future). The best place to check what tours are available right now is the National Park website ( I’ll link it here ). I also tried to include a list of phobia warnings based on my own personal experiences on each of the cave tours. If you experience any cave-triggered phobias, I highly recommend talking with one of the rangers at Mammoth Cave National Park (you can reach them at 270-758-2180) before booking a tour. They can help you decide which tour (if any) might suit you best!

Table of Contents

Historic Tour

Mammoth Cave has long been a place for the curious. Even before it became integrated into the National Park system in 1941, tours were being led down and through its hidden alleys and layered passageways. The Historic Tour is the oldest, continually operated tour at Mammoth Cave . It’s also the most popular .

Go for the atmosphere: the gaping, moss-laden Historic Entrance; the vaulted, limestone ceilings; the remnants of 19th century century saltpetre vats . Go for the route too. You’ll stroll through wide and thin areas of Mammoth Cave. You’ll pass a coffin-shaped rock that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of an old vampire novel. You’ll duck and twist and shimmy through Fat Man’s Misery (though I’d personally call this portion of the cave Anybody’s Misery). And by the end of your tour, you’ll be left with no doubts as to how Mammoth Cave got its name.

General Info

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours (Allot 2.5 hours) STAIRS: 540 EFFORT: Moderately Strenuous COST: $20.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Frozen Niagara Tour

Quick, short, and low-in-effort , The Frozen Niagara tour is hands-down the easiest tour offered at Mammoth Cave National Park. Don’t be fooled by the sketchy looking entryway: this is one of the most beautiful sections of Mammoth Cave . Within a small, dark, fourth-of-a-mile stretch, you’ll see wrangled beards of limestone, spirals of stalactites, and ice-like distortions of flowstone. Your tour guide will brief you on the geology of Mammoth Cave , the story behind the Frozen Niagara entrance, and some of the keystone species you might see at Mammoth Cave National Park (this part of the cavern is usually crawling with cave crickets).

ESTIMATED TIME: 1.25 Hours (Allot 1.5 hours) STAIRS: 12 With Optional 98 Stairs To The Drapery Room EFFORT: Easy COST: $18.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Arachnophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Cleaveland Avenue Tour

The Cleaveland Avenue Tour is one of the most underrated Mammoth Cave tours. If you’re visiting Mammoth Cave for the first time and want to get a feel for the length of Mammoth Cave without the stress of a large group size, this is the tour I’d recommend the most! Be warned: there are lots of steps up front and towards the end. But the path in-between is nice and gentle and compact . It’s a hike that’s strenuous in bursts, more tiring than difficult . And the reward is floral gypsum , white petals of calcium sulfate that choke cracks and crevices. You’ll amble and ramble and snap photos. And as you stroll through Cleaveland Avenue, your tour guide will introduce you to Mammoth Cave’s geology, topology, and history .

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours STAIRS: 400 EFFORT: Moderate COST: $22.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Nyctophobia, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia

Grand Avenue Tour

The Grand Avenue Tour is intense. It’s stair after stair, incline after incline. You’ll trek through sparkling passageways and squeeze into slot canyons and amble past rich tapestries of flowstone. You’ll experience Mammoth Cave to the fullest – its highs and lows, its dimness and darkness, its emptiness and too-muchness. Grand Avenue’s variation alone it makes it one of the best mammoth cave tours, but it’s also one of the most difficult . The pace tends to be slow and unhurried ( there are even restroom breaks) to accommodate, but the length will absolutely test your legs. This tour is long. You’ll spend half-a-day in a cool, dark, seemingly endless underground . At times, the landscape will feel (and look) hellish. But if you love caves and enjoy Stairmaster challenges, you’ll feel right at home in this tour.

ESTIMATED TIME: 4 Hours (Allot 4.5) STAIRS: 1313 EFFORT: Strenuous COST: $35.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Arachnophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Violet City Lantern Tour

Whilst at Mammoth Cave National Park, I tried asking as many park rangers as I could find what their favorite tour was. The overwhelming response? The Violet City Lantern Tour . This is one the most dramatic Mammoth Cave tours. Here’s what I love about it: Violet City swoops you back in time to an era of early exploration , an era where your eyes depended on the soft, intimate glow of lantern-light . So as you hold up your lantern to Mammoth Cave’s water-cut nooks and crannies, you’ll tap into the past. But you’ll also focus on the little details – the here-and-now, the what-was and what-could-be.

ESTIMATED TIME: 3 Hours STAIRS: 160 EFFORT: Moderate COST: $25.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Gothic Avenue Tour

One of my favorite Mammoth Cave tours was the Gothic Avenue Tour (which to me felt a lot like The Historic Tour without the severe claustrophobia moments). The Gothic Avenue tour is dark and moody . It’s theatrical in its form and shape. Spheres of light are cast onto historic graffiti burned into Mammoth Cave’s walls. Monuments (old Jenga-ed stacks of rocks) are strewn along the edge of the trails. You’ll see broody stalactites and stalagmites droop down below blackened shadows. You’ll crescent moon around a dramatic ring of formations (known as The Bridal Altar), which devilishly drips down to hard, compact ground. The atmosphere of Gothic Avenue is gloomy and eerie. Go in October if you can (this is the perfect tour to take during spooky season).

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours STAIRS: 160 EFFORT: Easy COST: $19.00 Per adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

River Styx Tour

I was told by a park ranger that the River Styx Tour is often touted as one of the most underwhelming tours at Mammoth Cave. “It’s because people expect to go down to the water,” he said. And while you do see water on the River Styx tour , you see it from above . You catch a small glimpse of it (just a glimpse). Know that this is less of a river tour, and mostly a mashup of many other Mammoth Cave tours . The River Styx trek (which is slick and muddy and wet in some areas) covers the entire Historic Route (truth be told, I was not looking forward to walking through Fat Man’s Misery again). It also injects some elements of the Violet City Lantern Tour and the Mammoth Passage Tour.

ESTIMATED TIME: 2.5 Hours (Allot 3) STAIRS: 600 EFFORT: Moderately strenuous COST: $22.00 Per adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia

Domes & Dripstones Tour

Like Frozen Niagara, Domes & Dripstones walks you through some of the prettiest sections of Mammoth Cave. It’s a lot more strenuous than Frozen Niagara though (according to the ranger who led our tour, this is the hike he’s seen the most people end up in need of medical evacuation – eeeep ). And after negotiating the steps past the entrance, I could see why. On the Domes & Dripstones tour, you knock out 280 stairs in the initial descent . The steps get smaller and smaller as you go farther and farther down. At the choke points, my feet were barely covered by the stairs. But wow, oh wow, once the stairs taper off, you’ll see one of the most beautiful sides to Mammoth Cave. This portion of Mammoth Cave isn’t dry and clean-cut. It’s moist and layered and filled with formations .

Side Note: I definitely felt like I gained the most knowledge from this tour. There were two ranger-led “Ask Me Anything” moments where our group got an opportunity to sit down on a handful of benches (arranged classroom-style right in the cave) and shoot questions. Y’all, I learned so much from the open-ended style of these portions, so if you’re looking to grasp more of the history and geology of Mammoth Cave, I highly recommend this tour!

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours (Allot 2.5) STAIRS: 500 EFFORT: Strenuous COST: $21.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia

Self-Guided Tour

For a quick in-then-out jaunt into Mammoth Cave, opt for the self-guided tour . You still need a ticket (first come, first served), but once you’ve strode down past the Historic Entrance, you can walk around and read the placards at your own pace . This is a popular option for those planning a last-minute stopover at Mammoth Cave.

The self-guided tour showcases a large , wide open, level snapshot of Mammoth Cave, making it more accessible to people who might experience claustrophobia, acrophobia, and agoraphobia. There is a guided version of this tour too ( The Mammoth Passage Tour ), but if you get a chance, try booking one of the other Mammoth Cave tours on this list instead (for a more in-depth Mammoth Cave experience)!

ESTIMATED TIME: 20-30 Minutes STAIRS: 130 COST: $8.00 Per Adult EFFORT: Easy

Wild Cave Tour

While I do not intend on going on any of the crawling tours at Mammoth Cave (I looked at one of the holes you have to squeeze whilst on another tour and no, just no), I do still want to mention one crawling tour in this guide. Here’s why: everyone I spoke to who has done the Wild Cave Tour in the past has absolutely loved it. Apparently, you crawl on your hands and knees and push your body through small gaps in the ground. You don’t just get to see Mammoth Cave, you get to feel it. The Wild Cave tour offers a tactile way to experience Mammoth Cave. It’s supposed to be fun and challenging and adventurous .

ESTIMATED TIME: 4 Hours EFFORT: Very Strenuous PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, ACROPHOBIA, Agoraphobia COST: $46.00 Per adult

Did you find this guide to the best Mammoth Cave tours helpful? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below! As always, I love hearing from you.

Pack With Me (WHAT I BROUGHT TO MAMMOTH CAVE)

• 🥾 Merrell Moab 2 : these shoes got me through every tour in Mammoth Cave
• 💧 Hydroflask : I brought this stainless steel water bottle (keep in mind, only clear water bottles are allowed on Mammoth Cave tours, but I didn’t feel like buying a new one and no one commented on my bottle being opaque ☺️).
• 🥜 Sahale : since no food was allowed in the cave, I kept this nut mix in my car and snacked on it after each tour (Sahale’s pomegranate vanilla cashews have my heart and soul 😋)
• 🧣 Light Sweater : Mammoth Cave tends to be a bit cold (in the mid 50s) so I opted for a light, long-sleeved, breathable sweater
• 📷 Sony Alpha a6400 : this is the mirrorless camera I personally used to take photos and film videos (I love that it has a flip-out screen)
• 🎒 Sling Backpack : this comfy little crossbody canvas rucksack was (and still is) my go-to day hiking bag

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

You describe places in a way that inspires me to travel and see the world. Thank you very much for that! Greetings from Canada.

Your firsthand info and perspective of each cave tour was very helpful, thanks!

Thank you so much for these reviews and assessments the physical demands of them. So very helpful!!!

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How to Pick the Best Mammoth Cave Tour: from Families to Avid Adventurers

Mammoth Cave National Park is a natural wonder nestled in the heart of Kentucky. We’ll show you all the reasons why you should add this extraordinary national park to your travel bucket list and how to pick the best Mammoth cave tour for you and your family. Uncover the mysteries of the world’s longest-known cave system, boasting awe-inspiring rock formations and captivating underground passages at this underrated family destination!

We visited Mammoth Cave National Park when our kids were 4 and 6. In fact, it was the first time they earned Junior Ranger badges! We asked our friend Amanda Perkins of Life Has Its Perks Blog to break down the best Mammoth cave tours, so you can choose the right tour for you- whether you are a first-timer, a family with small kids, or looking for a more challenging or adventurous tour through Mammoth Cave.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post,  download our Top Ten Tricks for Exploring National Parks with Kids .

Lodging: Booking.com Flight Deals: Skyscanner Rental Cars: Discover Cars Airport Transfers: Welcome Pickups

Digital SIM Cards: Airalo eSIM Travel Insurance: SafetyWing

Table of Contents

Is Mammoth Cave Worth Visiting?

Yes, Mammoth Cave is worth visiting! Immersing yourself in the park’s stunning landscapes, from lush forests to picturesque river valleys to the famous cave itself, is a family bucket list experience.

Mammoth Cave National Park offers an experience unlike any other National Park east of the Mississippi River. From the moment you step foot into the cave, you’ll be transported to a world of natural wonder and beauty that will leave you awestruck. Mammoth Cave makes a great stop on a family cross-country road trip .

Mammoth Cave is an incredible feat of nature, with massive chambers, intricate passageways, and bizarre formations that have been sculpted by millions of years of water erosion and geologic activity. But beyond its sheer size and beauty, Mammoth Cave also has a rich history that is woven into the fabric of American culture.

In addition to the cave tours, Mammoth Cave National Park has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. We love hiking and biking as a family and there are plenty of trails to explore here. The Green River also provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. And for those who prefer to stay indoors, the park offers a variety of ranger-led programs and exhibits.

When is the Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave?

The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is during the spring and fall seasons, specifically from April to June and September to October. We visited in September, right after school started, and that seemed like the perfect time to come to Mammoth Cave! During these times, the weather is generally pleasant, with milder temperatures and lower humidity compared to the hot and humid summer months. 

The park’s natural beauty flourishes during spring, as wildflowers bloom and the surrounding landscape comes alive with vibrant colors. Fall offers a picturesque spectacle with the changing leaves, creating a breathtaking backdrop for exploration.

Visiting during these seasons also ensures a more comfortable experience while exploring the cave system. The cave’s temperature remains constant at around 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) throughout the year, making it a refreshing escape from both the summer heat and winter chill.

More importantly, spring and fall attract fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. This means shorter lines for the best Mammoth Cave tour, easier access to hiking trails, and a quieter overall ambiance.

Mammoth Cave National Park is a popular destination year-round, and each season offers its own unique charm. However, for those seeking pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and a more relaxed atmosphere, spring and fall are the ideal times to experience the park’s wonders at their best.

The Best Mammoth Cave Tours

Tours are required when visiting Mammoth Cave. They offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the cave’s history and geology from knowledgeable rangers who will guide you through the cave system and point out interesting features along the way. There is one option for a short, self-guided tour of the cave, which is only offered in the summer. All other tours are guided tours.

There are a variety of tours available to suit every interest and level of ability, from easy strolls through well-lit sections of the cave to more challenging explorations of remote areas that require crawling and climbing. The cost of most tours ranges from $10 – $30 a person. Many cave tours require a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.

We took the Domes and Dripstone Tour which was a perfect fit for us. There are quite a few stairs and some tight spaces, but we were up for the adventure. The views were incredible and not something I will soon forget. 

No matter which tour you choose, you’ll be treated to a one-of-a-kind experience that you will never forget. And with so much to see and do at Mammoth Cave National Park, you’ll want to plan a return trip before you even leave.

Top Tip: Make sure to book tours well in advance- not all tours are available year-round.

Best Mammoth Cave Tours for Families

Exploring Mammoth Cave with kids can be lots of fun! There are lots of fun things to see and do in the park, including many cave tours that are suitable for families with kids. Here are some of the best Mammoth cave tours for families.

1. Frozen Niagara Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 1.25 Hours ✅ 1/2 mile, Great for young children

The Frozen Niagara Tour is a great option for families with young children. This tour is an easy, half-mile walk through the cave, and it’s filled with all kinds of cool sights to see. You’ll get to explore the Frozen Niagara Formation which looks like a big, frozen waterfall. Your guide will tell you all about how the cave was formed and answer any questions you might have. This is one of the most popular tours at Mammoth Cave.

2. Domes & Dripstones Tour

🌟 Difficult ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ Great for older children

For families with slightly older kids who are up for a bit more adventure, the Domes & Dripstones Tour is a fantastic choice. We loved this tour that took us on a 2-hour journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the cave. We saw massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll even get to climb up a spiral staircase to a lookout point that offers a stunning view of the cave.

3. Mammoth Passage Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 1.25 Hours ✅ Educational

If you’re looking for a tour that’s both fun and educational, check out the Mammoth Passage Tour. This tour is led by a park ranger who will teach you all about the history of the cave and the animals that live inside. You’ll get to see some amazing cave formations, like the Giant’s Coffin and the Bottomless Pit. This tour is perfect for families with kids who love to learn new things.

4. Accessible Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ No Stairs

Mammoth Cave National Park offers an accessible tour designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges. The Accessible Tour is the only tour with no stairs . This tour provides an inclusive experience, featuring wheelchair-accessible routes and audio descriptions. It allows everyone to marvel at the cave’s wonders and learn about its fascinating history, ensuring that no one is left behind in experiencing this incredible natural treasure.

5. Best Mammoth Cave Tour for History Buffs: Historic Tour

🌟 Difficult ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ Focus on History and Usage

If you love history, you’ll love the Historic Tour , which explores the cave’s role in the War of 1812 and the Civil War, as well as its use as a source of saltpeter for gunpowder during both conflicts. This tour involves a lot of stairs and some tight spaces. You can also do the Extended Historic Tour for a slightly longer, more in-depth experience.

6. Best Mammoth Tour for First-Time Visitors: Domes & Dripstones Tour

The Domes & Dripstones Tour is a fantastic choice for first-time visitors who want to experience a mix of history and beauty inside Mammoth Cave. We loved this tour that took us on a 2-hour journey, which includes massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll even get to climb up a spiral staircase to a lookout point that offers a stunning view of the cave.

Best Mammoth Cave Tours for Hard Core Adventurers

If you are looking for an exciting adventure during your visit to Mammoth Cave National Park, look no further! Here are some of the best Mammoth Cave tours for hard-core adventurers and adrenaline junkies like you.

7. Wild Cave Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 6 Hours ✅ Ages 16+, Includes crawling

The Wild Cave Tour is not for the faint of heart and you must be at least 16 years old to take part. This tour takes you on a 6-hour journey through the cave that includes crawling through tight spaces, wading through underground streams, and climbing up steep rocks. You’ll get to explore parts of the cave that most visitors never get to see, and you’ll feel like a true explorer. This tour is definitely not recommended for anyone who is claustrophobic or has mobility issues.

8. Grand Avenue Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳4 Hours ✅ Beautiful Areas, ages 6+

If you’re looking for a tour that’s both challenging and awe-inspiring, check out the Grand Avenue Tour. You must be at least 6 years old to do this tour. This tour takes you on a 4-hour journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the cave. You’ll get to see massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll also get to climb up and down several sets of stairs, so be prepared for a workout!

9. Violet City Lantern Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 3 Hours ✅ Tour by Lantern Light, Ages 6+

For a truly unique and thrilling experience, try the Violet City Lantern Tour. This tour takes you on a 2-hour journey through the cave by lantern light and you must be at least 6 years old to go. You’ll get to explore the darker corners of the cave and learn about the history and geology of Mammoth Cave. This tour is not recommended for anyone who is afraid of the dark or has trouble walking on uneven surfaces.

10. Introduction to Caving Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 3 1/2 Hours ✅ Includes Crawling and Climbing

For families with older kids ( 10 years or older ) who are ready for a real adventure, the Introduction to Caving Tour is an awesome choice. This tour takes you on a 3-hour journey through the cave that includes crawling through narrow passageways and climbing up steep rocks. You’ll get to see parts of the cave that most visitors never get to experience, and you’ll feel like a real explorer. This tour is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a great way to challenge yourself and make some amazing memories.

Most Underrated Mammoth Cave Tours

If you are looking for a Mammoth Cave tour that’s off the beaten path but still offers amazing views, you are in luck. Here are the most underrated Mammoth Cave tours that offer incredible sights you won’t want to miss.

11. River Styx Tour

🌟 Moderate ⏳ 2 1/2 Hours ✅ Includes Boat Ride, Ages 6+

The River Styx Tour may not be as well-known as some of the other tours, but it’s definitely worth checking out. This tour takes you on a 2.5-hour journey through the cave that includes a boat ride on the underground River Styx. Kids must be at least 6 years old to go on this tour. You’ll get to see some amazing cave formations and even a few bats hanging from the ceiling. And the best part? You’ll get to experience the cave in a completely unique way.

12. Great Onyx Lantern Tour

🌟 Moderate ⏳ 2 1/4 Hours ✅ Unique Part of the Cave

The Great Onyx Tour takes you on a 2-hour journey through a portion of the cave that’s not open to the general public. Kids must be at least 6 years old to go on this tour. You’ll get to see some incredible formations, including one of the largest stalactites in the world. You’ll also get to learn about the history of the cave and the people who have explored it over the years.

No matter which underrated tour you choose, you’re sure to be blown away by the amazing sights and experiences. Don’t forget to bring your camera and be prepared to be amazed!

Booking your Mammoth Cave Tour

To explore the cave, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for one of the guided tours. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the park. It’s a good idea to book your tour in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure you get the tour you want. Tickets tend to sell out fairly quickly. You can book your tickets up to 2 months in advance.

Tickets can be purchased at the recreation website . Be aware that not all tours are available year-round. 

How to Get to Mammoth Cave

Getting to Mammoth Cave National Park is easy! The park is located in south-central Kentucky and can be reached by car, bus, or plane. If you’re driving, the park is located off Interstate 65, about 90 miles south of Louisville and 35 miles north of Bowling Green.

The closest airport to Mammoth Cave National Park is Louisville International Airport (SDF) , located approximately 90 miles north of the park. From the airport, visitors can rent a car or arrange for a shuttle service to reach the park. Interstate highways, such as I-65 and I-165, provide a straightforward route from the airport to Mammoth Cave.

To reach Mammoth Cave National Park from Nashville International Airport (BNA) , you can rent a car and drive approximately 95 miles north via I-65. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, offering scenic views of the Kentucky countryside.

Need a rental car to visit Mammoth Cave? We recommend Discover Cars , they always have easy, straightforward pricing. No last-minute surprises!

Book a Rental Car with Discover Cars

Don’t forget to stock up on road trip essentials and of course the best road trip snacks as well!

Where to Stay to Visit Mammoth Cave

When visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, there are various accommodation options available to suit different preferences and budgets.

Remember to book your accommodations well in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your preferred choice. Here are some suggestions for places to stay near the park.

Recommended Budget Hotel: Days Inn Wyndham Cave City

This Days Inn hotel is a clean, and no-frills motel, with a pool that our kids quite enjoyed. It is also very close to Dinosaur World if that is also on your itinerary.

Book Now: Days Inn Wyndham Cave City

The Lodge at Mammoth Cave

The only lodging within the park, you’ll find The Lodge at Mammoth Cave just next to the visitors center. This historic lodge offers comfortable rooms and cabins with modern amenities. Staying here provides easy access to the cave tours and other park attractions.

Campgrounds in Mammoth

Mammoth Cave National Park offers several campgrounds, such as the Mammoth Cave Campground and Maple Springs Group Camp, which provide opportunities for a more immersive and budget-friendly experience. These campgrounds offer both tent and RV camping facilities, along with amenities like restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.

Tips for Taking a Tour of Mammoth Cave

Here are some tips for visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, including what to bring and what is allowed in the park.

-Dress appropriately. The cave stays a constant 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so bring a light jacket or sweater regardless of the season.

-Wear comfortable shoes with good traction, as some of the tours require climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces.

-Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

-Photography is allowed as long as there is no flash.

-Strollers are not allowed, and neither are backpack child carriers. Front packs are allowed.

-Pets are not allowed in the cave or on the cave tours, and they must be leashed at all times in the park.

-Smoking is not permitted in any buildings or on any trails.

-Always remember to stay on designated trails and respect the park’s wildlife.

FAQ: Best Mammoth Cave Tours

The “best” tour at Mammoth Cave National Park depends on personal preferences and interests. Ultimately, the best tour depends on factors such as fitness level, desired level of adventure, and interest in specific cave features or history. The park offers a variety of cave tours, each providing a unique experience. The Domes and Dripstones Tour is popular for its stunning formations, while the Historic Tour delves into the cave’s rich history. The Frozen Niagara Tour showcases the magnificent Frozen Niagara formation. The Grand Avenue Tour is the longest and most strenuous, offering a comprehensive exploration. For an adventurous experience, the Wild Cave Tour is recommended.

The most popular tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Domes and Dripstones Tour . This tour takes visitors through the cave’s awe-inspiring formations, showcasing the breathtaking domes and intricate dripstone features. It offers a glimpse into the natural wonders and geological history of Mammoth Cave. The Domes and Dripstones Tour is suitable for a wide range of visitors, providing an engaging and informative experience without being overly strenuous. Due to its popularity, it is advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure a spot on this highly sought-after tour.

The hardest tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Wild Cave Tour . This tour is designed for the adventurous and physically fit, as it involves crawling, climbing, and navigating through tight spaces within the cave system. Participants wear helmets, headlamps, and kneepads as they explore lesser-traveled sections of the cave, experiencing the raw and rugged aspects of underground exploration. The Wild Cave Tour requires a high level of stamina, agility, and a willingness to challenge oneself physically and mentally. Due to the demanding nature of the tour, participants must meet certain age and health requirements and should be prepared for a thrilling and strenuous adventure.

The easiest tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Frozen Niagara Tour . This tour offers a relatively accessible and leisurely exploration of the cave. Visitors can experience the beauty of the Frozen Niagara Formation, a magnificent display of stalactites and flowstone. The tour involves minimal walking on well-maintained paths, making it suitable for individuals of various fitness levels and ages. It provides a captivating introduction to the wonders of Mammoth Cave without requiring strenuous physical exertion or navigating challenging cave passages. The Frozen Niagara Tour offers a convenient option for those seeking a more relaxed and accessible cave experience.

No, you cannot explore Mammoth Cave without a tour, although one self-guided tour is available for part of the cave. The cave is a complex and delicate natural environment, and for conservation and safety reasons, access to most of the cave system is restricted to guided tours. The National Park Service offers a range of tours led by knowledgeable guides who provide valuable information about the cave’s geological features, history, and environmental significance. These tours ensure that visitors can safely navigate the cave while minimizing any negative impact on the delicate ecosystem.

A tour in Mammoth Cave National Park ranges from 30 minutes to more than 6 hours depending on which tour you choose. The shorter tours, such as the Frozen Niagara Tour or the Historic Tour, typically last around one hour, providing a condensed but still captivating cave experience. Longer tours like the Domes and Dripstones Tour or the Grand Avenue Tour can last two to three hours or more, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the cave’s features and passages.

The cost of touring Mammoth Cave National Park varies depending on the specific tour chosen. The prices range from approximately $8 to $30 per person, depending on the tour. The shorter tours, such as the Frozen Niagara Tour, generally have lower prices, while longer and more extensive tours, like the Grand Avenue Tour, are more expensive.

While Mammoth Cave does not have a boat tour, however, The River Styx Tour includes a boat ride. This 2 1/2-hour tour is the only one that includes a boat. Mammoth Cave primarily offers walking tours, allowing visitors to explore the stunning underground passages and formations on foot.

Yes, you can visit Mammoth Cave in the winter. The cave remains open year-round, allowing visitors to explore its wonders even during the colder months. The cave retains the same cool temperature all year. However, some tours and facilities may have adjusted schedules or limited availability during the winter season.

It is very helpful to have a car when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. Public transportation options are limited, and having a car provides flexibility and convenience for accessing the park, touring the area, and exploring nearby attractions. We recommend using Discover Cars for your car rental- you’ll find an easy interface and upfront pricing.

There You Have it: Best Mammoth Cave Tours

Mammoth Cave National Park is a truly fantastic place, and with a little planning, you can enjoy the best Mammoth Cave Tour for you and your family. From exploring the cave’s depths to hiking through the park’s beautiful forests, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the beautiful National Park.

With so many cave tours to choose from, ranging from family-friendly to extreme adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The park also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and water sports, as well as ranger-led programs and exhibits. 

From the stunning cave formations to the beautiful natural scenery, there is so much to see and do at this incredible park. So, pack your bags, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready to explore the best tours of Mammoth Cave!

Interested in National Parks? Don’t miss our posts of family favorites like Glacier National Park , Yellowstone National Park , or Yosemite . We also like more under-the-radar parks like Craters of the Moon and the Wright Brothers Memorial ! For a wonderful autumn destination, check out Acadia National Park in Maine .

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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Mammoth Cave National Park – Which Tour Should You Do?

“My God… That’s spectacular.” On our final tour at Mammoth Cave National Park, the man directly in front of us said this exact line every single time we turned a corner. No, I’m not exaggerating. While I didn’t share his same enthusiasm, I will say that Mammoth Cave is pretty cool. Some of these rock formations are incredible and it’s worth a visit to tour this cave system.

Table of Contents

About Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the worlds largest cave system, with over 400 miles of cave discovered and mapped so far (and still many miles of cave that still need to be explored). The cave is massive and until you visit, it can be difficult to really understand how the true scale of these caves.

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in central Kentucky, just outside of Cave City. A visit here is a little different than most of your national park experiences. Rather than just jumping in your car and exploring on your own, you must sign up for guided tours of the cave. There is a self guided tour option for those who don’t like the idea of a group tour. However, a ranger led tour will give you so much more information about the area you’re exploring.

We took three tours: The Star Chamber Tour, The Historic Tour, and the Domes and Dripstones Tour. All three were great and all taught us something new about the cave system. But there are still several others to choose from.

Mammoth Cave Tours

The star chamber tour.

This tour at Mammoth Cave is a bit different than most. The cave is filled with artificial lights which are turned on during most tours so everyone can see where they are going. But during this tour, these artificial lights are turned off. You follow your guide through the cave by oil lantern, just like the early tourists who visited here. Because of the limited light, it can be difficult to truly grasp how big the cave really is. Still, it is a great experience. You’ll travel down through the main entrance and down Gothic Avenue before reaching the Star Chamber, at which point you’ll turn around and retrace your steps.

If you’re going to do this tour, I recommend making this your first tour. It’s a great introduction to the cave. The cave feels big, but the lanterns don’t really let you see the true scale. The next day, when we took the Historic Tour, my mom and I were in awe of how big the cave really was. I don’t think you’ll get that same experience if you do the Star Chamber Tour at the end.

It’s such a unique experience that I have to recommend doing this tour.

Total Distance: 2 miles Length of Tour: 2.5 hours Number of Stairs: 160 Cost: $25 per adult

Historic Tour

This tour is a classic and leads you down into Mammoth Cave. You’ll enter through the main entrance and retrace some of the steps you made on the Star Chamber tour. However, now you have the artificial lights turned on and you can really get a sense for how massive this cave system is. It’s amazing how much different and bigger the cave feels with those artificial lights.

There are two big things to be aware of before signing up for this tour. There can be low ceilings and narrow passage ways. At a few points in the tour, you may need to crouch down and walk along the passage way for an extended period. For reference, I’m 5 feet 4 inches and I occasionally had to crouch down, while my mom at 5 feet 7 inches had to duck more often.

My mom was a little nervous about this, but said that the rangers over exaggerated how bad it was going to be. Still, you know your limits. If you are concerned, talk to rangers before you book your tickets. They will also reiterate all of this information at the safety briefing before starting your tour.

Total Distance: 2 miles Length of Tour: 2 hours Number of Stairs: 540 Cost: $20 per adult

Domes and Dripstones

This is the tour that I think of when I think of Mammoth Cave. It was on this tour that we heard “My God… That’s incredible!” at least 25 times in the course of the two hour tour.

From the visitor center, you’ll board a bus and travel to another entrance to the cave. At this second entrance, you’ll descend a narrow staircase down into the cave. Once you’re down here, the rangers will lead you to some of the most incredible rock formations of the cave system. The highlight for me was the Frozen Niagra area toward the end of the tour.

This tour had more narrow spaces than the Historic Tour, but I found myself having to duck less on this tour than on the Historic Tour. You will get a safety briefing before your tour that will outline exactly what you’re going to go through.

Total Distance: 1 miles Length of Tour: 2 hours Number of Stairs: 500 Cost: $21 per adult

More Tour Options

The above three tours are the tours that I have first hand experience with. But those aren’t the only tours available at Mammoth Cave.

Accessible Tour – For those with limited mobility, take a look at this tour. This is 2 hours, 0.5 miles, and has no stairs. Cost: $22 per adult.

Cleveland Avenue – This focuses on Cleveland Avenue and the Snowball Room and you’ll see unique passages and gypsum covered walls. This is 2 hours, 1 mile, and 200 stairs. Cost: $22 per adult.

Discovery (Self Guided) – This is the only self-guided option to explore Mammoth Cave. This is 1.25 hours, 0.75 miles, and 125 stairs. Cost: $8 per adult.

Extended Historic – Unsurprisingly, this the Historic Tour with an extension (to the 1840s Cave Experiment). This is 2.25 hours, 2 mile, and 540 stairs. Cost: $23 per adult.

Frozen Niagara – If you only want to see Frozen Niagara and skip the rest of the Domes and Dripstones tour, look at this tour. This is 1.25 hours, 0.25 mile, and 110 stairs (98 are optional). Cost: $18 per adult.

Gothic Avenue – This focuses on more in depth on Gothic Avenue, which is also seen on Star Chamber, Historic Tour, and Violet City Lantern Tour. This is 2 hours, 1 mile, and 160 stairs. Cost: $19 per adult.

Great Onyx Lantern Tour – This is another lantern tour, but it should be noted that this cave is not known to be part of the Mammoth Cave system. Remember that the cave system is still being mapped and explored, so one day, they may be able to connect it with the Mammoth Cave system. This is 2.25 hours, 1 mile, and 40 stairs. Cost: $23 per adult.

Grand Avenue – This is another in depth tour, but it does a deeper dive on the Domes and Dripstones tour. This is 4 hours, 4 mile, and 1313 stairs. Cost: $35 per adult.

Grand Historic – This is one of the most in depth tours and you’ll visit many of the iconic sites that are also seen on the Historic, Extended Historic, Gothic Avenue, Star Chamber, River Styx, Mammoth Passage, and Violet City tours. This is 4 hours, 4 mile, and 640 stairs. Cost: $35 per adult.

Mammoth Passage – This is an introduction to the Historic Tour and is a guided version of the Discovery (Self Guided tour). This is 1.25 hours, 0.75 mile, and 125 stairs. Cost: $11 per adult.

River Styx Lantern Tour – You’ll follow the Historic Tour, but also detour to the underground water level. This is 2.5 hours, 2.5 mile, and 600 stairs. Cost: $22 per adult.

Violet City Lantern Tour – This is another lantern tour option, but is slightly longer than the Star Chamber tour. This is 3 hours, 3 mile, and 160 stairs. Cost: $25 per adult.

Wondering Woods – This is more focusing on the surrounding forests, but does feature a short visit to the cave. This is 1.5 hours, 1 mile, and 194 stairs. Cost: $18 per adult.

Which Tour Should You Do?

The choice of tours is entirely up to you and you should take your own preferences into account, particularly if you love geology. But for the average person, I think the three tours I did (Star Chamber, Historic, and Domes and Dripstones) is a really good combination. Many tours overlap (at least partially) with another tour and I feel like we really got to see a lot of the cave.

On our trip, we arrived into Cave City at around 3:00pm. We got an early dinner in Cave City and then drove to Mammoth Cave National Park We took the Star Chamber Tour at 6:15 that evening. The next day we took the 10:00am Historic Tour and the 2:15 Domes and Dripstones Tour.

If you’re doing both the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones on the same day, I think this spacing (10am Historic and 2:15 Domes and Dripstones) works well. The Historic Tour finishes at 12:00, so you have plenty of time for lunch (there’s a Camp Store that serves sandwiches just down the road from the visitor center) and time to relax. If you take an earlier tour, you may be rushed during lunch.

Also note, that tour times change based on the season. We were here in early August when there were numerous tours available, but in winter fewer tours are offered. Always look ahead on the NPS website to see what tours are available for your dates.

It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance. We booked our tours online approximately six weeks in advance for a visit in August. At that time, there were still plenty of tickets available. However, by the time we arrived in Cave City, nearly everything was sold out. If there’s a tour you really want to do, buy your ticket in advance.

Additional Helpful Tour Information

Each tour at Mammoth Cave (except the Accessible Tour) contains a lot of stairs. Both the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones state that you will do over 500 stairs. That said, the stairs are not all at once and are spread out throughout the tour, which is anywhere from .75 to 2 miles in length.

Tour groups can get big. The Star Chamber Tour has limited spots since they have limited lanterns. Our group for this tour had approximately 30 people. However, our groups for the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones were at least 100 people. To get the most out of your tour (and to maximize your time for photos), stick to the front of the group. We were at the back of the group for the Star Chamber Tour, but I don’t think we missed much. For the other two tours, had we stayed at the back, we would have gotten the essential information, but we would have missed some more of the “fun facts” and other random tidbits from our ranger. He’d typically give these facts to the front of the group while we waited for the back part of the group to file in.

There are no facilities on your tour. Use the bathroom before you depart and carry anything you might need (although you really shouldn’t need much as food and drinks other than water are not allowed in the cave).

Getting to Mammoth Cave

Look at the map before you go. There is no service and the National Park Service strongly recommends avoiding Google Maps to navigate you to the visitor center. We used Google Maps and had no problems, but it’s something you should be aware of.

When to Visit Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is 52 degrees all year round, so they can be visited at any point. The biggest thing to note is that tour offerings change throughout the year. Summer will have more tours offered than winter.

We visited in early August, so while it was hot and humid outside (with temperatures in the upper 80s), the inside of the cave was cool. I wore leggings and had a light sweatshirt (I only used my sweatshirt on two of the three tours).

Where to Stay

The nearest town to Mammoth Cave is Cave City. It’s a small town with not a lot of options, but you will find a few choices for hotels and restaurants.

Final Thoughts

I’ve visited other caves, but nothing was quite like Mammoth Cave. The sheer scale is hard to imagine and when you’re standing in the cave, you can really feel small. It’s definitely worth a visit to Mammoth Cave National Park just to experience it.

Continue Your Adventure

Similar National Parks : For a similar, but also different, cave experience, check out New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park .

Nearby National Parks : Nearby is relative, but if you’re chasing national parks, there’s a few to look into. You have Indiana Dunes National Park to the north, Gateway Arch National Park to the west, and New River Gorge National Park to the east. All are between a five to six hour drive from Mammoth Cave.

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Best Mammoth Cave Tour for Families

With so many cave tours to choose from, how do you know which one is best for your family we break it down in this article with our recommendations for the best mammoth cave tour for your family..

On the road home from Mammoth Cave National Park, our grandsons were on the phone trying to talk their mom (who stayed home) into a second trip to the caves. Yes, they had that much fun! So we wanted to share the best Mammoth Cave tour for families with you. 

But we almost messed up. There are over a dozen cave tours, and we discovered that not all are kid-friendly or even interesting to kids. Based only on the description on the NPS website, our tour selection could have resulted in a boring trip for the boys (age 10 and 12). Due to a combination of luck and extensive research, we ended up with amazing tours they loved. 

Here are our thoughts on the best and the worst tours for families in Mammoth Cave National Park.

Best Mammoth Cave Tours Based on Your Family

Let’s be realistic; what works for a 2-year-old might not be the best cave tour for your teen. So we’ve broken the tours into categories based on age and mobility to help you choose the Mammoth Cave tours that are best for your family.

Best Overall Mammoth Cave Tour for Families: Domes and Dripstones

Our recommendation is the Domes and Dripstones Tour for a family tour. It’s an interesting tour that will entertain family members of all ages. Our family is still talking about this one.

About the Domes and Dripstones Tour

There are just enough tight squeezes between the rocks that our grandsons felt like they were on a big cave adventure. And the youngest (10)  was the only one to go through some tunnels without ducking.

The Domes and Dripstones Tour also features a collection of stalactites and stalagmites that we all found interesting. The most famous is the dripstone Frozen Niagra, which is stunning. You won’t find the extensive stalactites and stalagmites in Mammoth Caves that we saw in Carlsbad Caverns National Park .

The tour guides share a lot of history along this tour with stories that all ages will enjoy. These sections of Mammoth Cave have been a tourist destination for over 100 years. They also explain the science of the natural formation of the caves in a family-friendly way.

You will get a workout on the Domes and Dripstones Tour as you climb up and down 540 steps. The good news is that the 2-hour tour moves at a meandering pace so that you can take your time on the stairs

Domes and Dripstones might not be good for families with:

• Independent toddlers who demand exploring on their own. (You know if this is your child.) The narrow passages, deep drops and hundreds of stairs require a tight rein on toddlers.
• Anyone with health issues, those 540 stairs will give you a good workout. 
• Someone with extreme claustrophobia might not enjoy it. The tight spaces are not extensive and usually open up to a larger area quickly, so most folks don’t even think about it. But they do exist and should be considered if you have concerns. 

Best Challenging Tour for Your Family: Grand Avenue Tour

The Grand Avenue Tour might be the best tour for your family if your kids are pre-teen to teen and love an adventure. On this 4-hour tour, you cover everything in the Domes and Dripstones Tour plus a lot more!

According to the NPS description : You’ll be “going through slot canyons, tubular passageways, tall canyons, and tunnels sparkled with gypsum”… and you’ll cover “a wide variety of the history and geology of Mammoth Cave”.

We did not take this extended tour because I was concerned the boys couldn’t stay engaged for 4 hours. In hindsight, that was a good call. A 2-hour tour was the limit for the 10-year-old. When evaluating if your kids could handle this 4-hour tour, remember that there is no free exploring; you must stay with and follow the ranger guide. It’s a bit like being in school for 4 hours without a recess, except maybe more interesting than learning how to conjugate verbs.

There is a minimum age of 6 for this tour because of its 4-hour length and the 1300 stairs you will climb. The park rangers have designated this a difficult hike because of all those stairs. However, the tour travels at a comfortable pace, so don’t be frightened by those stairs unless you have a health issue.

Best Easy and Short Tour: Frozen Niagara Tour

The highlight of the Domes and Dripstones Tour is the finale at the Frozen Niagara section of the cave. It’s a beautiful section discovered in 1923. The large draping flowstone appears as a frozen waterfall. This tour is the way to shortcut right to that fantastic site.

The Frozen Niagara Tour lasts a little over an hour, including the short bus ride to and from the entrance. You’ll descend into the cave with only 12 stair steps and a walking distance of ¼ mile.

Although the caving experience is minimal on the Frozen Niagara Tour, it is an easy way to see one of the most famous sites in Mammoth Cave National Park if you have an active toddler or health restrictions. 

Ready for a Second Tour? Family Friendly Cave Tours that Round Out Your Visit

We’d encourage you to take a second tour with your kids while at Mammoth Cave to experience all the park offers. And the best second tour explores the original historical sections of the cave. You have several choices, listed from easiest to most challenging:

• Easy: Discovery Self Guided Tour
• Easy to Moderate: Gothic Avenue Tour
• Moderate: Historic Tour
• Moderate with extra features: Extended Historic Tour

All of these tours focus on the history of Mammoth Cave. The most impressive part of the tour is the massive open rooms that gave the caves their name. Did you think the caves were named after the animal? Nope… they were named because the early explored sections of the cave were “Mammothly” big.

The tours explore periods when the caves were mined for saltpeter, which was used in gunpowder. Much of the mining equipment was abandoned in the cave. The guides also have abundant stories to tell about early explorers and the first tourists.

The biggest difference between these 4 tours is primarily in how far they travel into the cave system. I recommend only planning to take one tour from this group, choosing the level best suited for your family.

Best History Tour of Mammoth Cave for Families: The Historic Tour

Want to walk through the tunnels that “humans have used for thousands of years”? Then the Historic Tour is for you as you tour many of the originally opened sections of Mammoth Cave. Your guide will regal you with past stories, talking about early explorers and visitors plus the mining operations.

The 2-hour tour travels about 2 miles, first through the large open rooms that made the cave famous. And then you’ll explore deeper into the cave, including tighter spaces. Some might find the steeper inclines and the 540 steps a bit challenging on this tour. But just like our favorite Domes and Dripstones Tour above, it moves at a slow enough pace that visitors in good health should be able to keep up.

We wish we had been able to get tickets for this very popular tour instead of the Gothic Avenue Tour listed below. I think we all would have really enjoyed walking through the deeper caverns.

Best Cave Tour for History Buffs: Extended Historic Tour

For a little more historical information, grab a ticket for the extended Historic Tour, which is the same tour as above with a bonus side trip “to one of the sites of the famous 1840s Mammoth Cave experiment to treat consumption”. 

If you have a few history buffs in your family, it’s worth adding this extra 15 minutes to your tour. But our grandkids would have been happy to skip this section. Know your audience.

Best Quick Tour: Discovery Self-Guided Tour

The Self Guided Tour is only offered when the park is super busy. It’s the option for many people who didn’t realize you needed to order your tour tickets online and in advance. So on busy days, the park opens up the Self Guided Tour with same-day ticket sales only.

Although I think it’s very thoughtful that the park has this overflow option for visitors, I also think the 30-minute Self-Guided Tour is a great option for people who can’t easily participate in a two-hour tour. For that reason, I wish they offered it all the time.

The Self-Guided Tour focuses on the history of the cave. You’ll find signage throughout the trail explaining the artifacts and geology of the cave. You can move at your own pace, but most people complete the tour in less than ½ hour. Rangers are available to answer questions as you travel along the ¾-mile trail. Although rated an easy trail, keep in mind there are 125 stair steps required, and the walk back to the visitor center is a fairly steep graded walkway.

Best Easy Guided Tour: Gothic Avenue Tour

We embarked on the Gothic Avenue Tour on our second morning at Mammoth Cave National Park. The size of the rooms is astounding. The large open rooms just keep going in this section of the cave. No wonder early visitors were impressed.

The guides shared many stories about the early visitors, explaining the historical graffiti and the early mining operations in great detail. Overall it was an interesting experience.

In hindsight, I would choose the Historic or Extended Historic Tour for our family’s tour. The Gothic Avenue Tour moved too slow for two energetic boys, and they were ready to move on after the first hour. 

Gothic Avenue Tour is Good for:

• Families with small children because the walkways are wide and there are no steep drops. They can easily walk holding hands with their parents. 
• Family members who wanted to move at a slower pace. 
• People with claustrophobia might be able to handle this tour since this cave section is very open. 

Best Mammoth Cave Tours for the Adventurous Family

These 4 tours are restricted to children at least 6 years old. The tours are a bit more challenging and your kids need to be able to listen to and follow instructions for their safety. 

These tours are smaller groups and have a very limited schedule, so make sure you order your tickets as soon as possible. When we ordered our tickets, about 2 weeks prior to our visit to Mammoth Cave, all these were sold out. The information I’m sharing is from the NPS website and Facebook Page since we didn’t have an opportunity to try any of them.

All except the Great Onyx Lantern Tour cover a lot of the sections included in the historic tours so would be a great substitute for families with older children.

Great Onyx Lantern Tour

Great Onyx Cave is not believed to be connected to the Mammoth Cave system, it sits in an area of the park by itself. But because it is unique, tours are offered with only a short bus ride from the visitor’s center. You’ll tour the cave by lamplight, recreating the experience of early visitors.

According to the NPS website description : “Great Onyx Cave houses an abundance of beautiful geologic formations that sparkle in the lantern light of this tour. Visitors on this tour can see many stalactites, stalagmites, gypsum crystals, and helictites.”

River Styx Tour

The River Styx Tour is the same as the Historic Tour with a really cool side trip down to the underground water level. The tour is 2 ½ hours long, covering 2.5 miles.

River Styx flows through and under the Mammoth Cave system, eventually emptying into the Green River. Early visitors to the cave were able to tour this section in a small boat. Because human interaction was affecting the little creatures that live in the river, you can now only walk along the river on a raised platform.

Star Chamber Tour

The rangers describe the Star Chamber Tour as an experience rather than site seeing. It’s “an evening tour in Mammoth Cave by lantern light, this winding its way to historic Star Chamber.” The tour is by lantern light to get the feel of what it felt like to be an early explorer walking through the caverns.

The 2 ½ hour tour travels through some of the same areas as the Gothic Avenue and Historic Tour and is only offered in the evening. 

Violet City Lantern Tour

“A truly historic way to experience Mammoth Cave, this tour travels exclusively by lantern light.”

For a longer, 3-hour and 3-mile exploration by lantern light, the Violet City Lantern Tour is quite the experience. Although there are only 160 steps, you’ll find several steep walking grades that make this a difficult tour.

Best Mammoth Cave Tour for Families by Age

Here’s a quick recap of which tours are probably best for families of different age groups. Of course, you know your kids best so take into account their unique abilities when selecting your tour.

Best Tour for Families with Babies

Since babies are allowed on most tours if you carry them on your chest, you are then only limited by your own level of fitness. If you can carry your baby for 2 hours going up and down stairs, then the Domes and Dripstones Tour is our top choice.

It’s important to know that the only way to include a baby on a Mammoth Cave NP tour is to carry the baby in a chest harness or chest carrier. Strollers and backpack carriers are not allowed on the tours. Babies are also not allowed on the tours with a 6+ age restriction.

Check the list below for the number of steps and the difficulty level to help you choose.

Best Tour for Families with Toddlers

Families with toddlers have a unique buddle of energy to accommodate. The basic Historic Tour is a good choice. The wider walkways will allow your toddler to walk holding hands with you. The tour often stops at benches for stories which will give you a break.

Be prepared to carry your toddler for some of this tour, 2 hours of walking is a lot for many little ones.

Best Tour for Families with Grade Schoolers

The best tour for school-aged kids is the Domes and Dripstones Tour, which is also our top recommendation for families. The tour has enough variety that kids will love exploring the cave.

Best Tour for Families with Pre-Teens and Teens

Teens will also love the Domes and Dripstones Tour. However, try to add in a second tour for them from the Lanterns tours that take them into parts of Mammoth Cave that few visitors see. They will appreciate the extra side trips that make those tours unique.

List of Mammoth Cave Tours at a Glance

The tours offered at Mammoth Cave can vary based on the season and demand. This is the current list of offerings. Tours may vary seasonally.

Why You Should Trust Us When Planning your Mammoth Cave Trip

Brad and I are on a mission to explore all of the US National Parks. Mammoth Cave National Park was the 33rd park we’ve visited! Before visiting a park like Mammoth Cave, we research like crazy to ensure we are ready to explore, have fun and create great memories. Then we go and do!

This article summarizes our personal experiences in the park, additional research, and all of our pre-visit research. 

The advice you read here is exactly what we’d tell our best friends if they plan a trip to Mammoth Cave! We hope you enjoy your visit to Mammoth Cave National Park.

About Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is in rural Southern Kentucky. Rolling green hills, dotted with farms and ranches, define the landscape. The aptly named Green River cuts through the park. 

Underneath all of this serene beauty, there is a whole other world of caves. The Mammoth Cave system runs over 450 miles. That makes it the world’s longest cave. The cave is a collection of caverns and tunnels connected by passageways. Over thousands of years, underground rivers and seeping rain have eroded the limestone creating the cave.

It’s estimated that Mammoth Cave might be over 600 miles long, with new passageways yet to be discovered. To be considered part of the same cave, a passageway must exist that a human can pass through. The most recent 50-mile addition was found when water levels dropped in one of the caverns exposing an opening that led to more miles of the cave. Rangers shared that they often join together to explore more of the cave system on their day off… that’s their entertainment!

Arrive Early to Explore the Museum

The museum in the Mammoth Cave National Park visitor center is extremely well designed to engage visitors of all ages. Our youngest (10) climbed through the mock cave tunnel repeatedly while our older grandson (12) explored independently. There are many hands-on activities to engage your kids while teaching them about the science and history of the caves.

As always, we had to drag Grandpa Brad out of the museum because he loved the abundance of explainer displays and videos. Mammoth Cave’s museum is one of the best we’ve experienced during our National Park Adventures.

Junior Ranger Program

When we picked up our Junior Ranger booklets in the gift shop, the clerk gave us a tip that all the answers could be found in the museum. Of course, that encourages your kids to search through all the displays. 

I’d suggest you spend 30 minutes in the Museum before your tour to plant a few seeds of knowledge about caves with your kids. Then another 30 minutes after your tour explore and finish their Jr Ranger books.

What to Expect Inside Mammoth Cave

Temperatures.

The temperature in the caves is a constant 54 degrees so you might want to bring along a light jacket. Temperatures on the top will vary with the season from cold winters to hot summers.

Formations in the Caves

Stalactites and Stalagmites make their home in many caves. These are the formations you anticipate seeing in caves that result from water dripping over limestone. However, most of the cave is open caverns. You won’t find as many of the beautiful cave structures as you can experience in the caves of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Size of Tour Groups

Tour size varies from a couple of dozen to over 100 people. The more popular tours will have bigger groups. However, even though our Domes and Dripstones tour comprised of about 110 visitors, we surprisingly didn’t feel crowded.

Bathrooms on Mammoth Cave Tours

Bathrooms on the tours are non-existent. You’ll find beautiful bathrooms at the visitor center so go before you head out. 

Tour Guides

The tour guides are excellent. They come prepared with a variety of stories to tell to illustrate the history and geography of the caves. Our first guide was a college student and our second guide was a retired teacher. Both exhibited a passion for the caves during the tours.

There is no free exploring. You must stay on the paths following the tour guides. They will remind you to not touch the rocks. Some additional rules for your cave tours:

• Photography is encouraged although you can’t use a flash. Tripods and monopods are not allowed as they will slow up the tour. If you are a professional photographer, you can apply for a special tour, although not many are granted.
• Child backpack carriers and strollers are not allowed. Feel free to use a front pack for babies.
• Large backpacks are not allowed. They defined that as “Metal framed backpacks and backpacks that are higher than the shoulder or that are of a length that extends below the hips”
• Firearms or other weapons
• Pets (You can kennel for a small fee nearby.)

What to Bring on Your Cave Tour

• Light Jacket
• Bottle of water
• Small snacks are allowed, especially for longer hikes or if you have health concerns.
• A camera that can be used without flash
• Closed-toed shoes are best for the metal stairs and extensive walking.
• Your tickets – they will be checked as you board the buses or enter the caves.

More Information for Planning Your Family’s Mammoth Cave Tours

How to get tickets for your mammoth cave tour.

While tour tickets are available at the visitor center, it is better to purchase your tickets in advance online through Recreation.gov . During our visit, tickets for almost all tours were sold out for same-day purchase. So waiting means you may not get in.

You should order your tickets as soon as you are confident in your tour dates. Two weeks prior to our visit there were a lot of tours available, but by the week of our trip, the selection was limited.

How Many Mammoth Cave Tours Should You Plan to Take?

If you can fit it into your schedule, I’d recommend you take at least 2 tours that explore a different section of Mammoth Cave. We scheduled one each morning and then left our afternoon free to explore outside the caves. 

How to Mix and Match Your Cave Tours

There are over a dozen different cave tours. Most tours are not completely unique, many overlap with the ground covered by other tours to capture the highlights of Mammoth Cave. For example, the Gothic Avenue Tour is primarily a subset of the Historic Tour. And the Frozen Niagara Tour is a short tour of the ending point for the Domes and Dripstones Tour.

Is There an Accessible Tour of Mammoth Cave?

Currently, the accessible tour is unavailable due to elevator issues and there is no clear date on when it will be reopened. 

What’s the Best Time of Day to Take a Cave Tour?

The biggest consideration in planning your family trip into the caves is that you and your kids will be a captive audience for the length of the tour. There are no bathrooms and there is no exit mid-tour. Once you start, you have to finish along with the rest of the group.

So the best time to take your tour will be different for every family. Consider when your kids are most able to focus. For example, your 4-year-old that takes afternoon naps is probably better on a morning tour. While a 15-year-old who sleeps in during the summer months might be more engaged right after lunch.

Pets in Mammoth Cave National Park

We were excited to learn that pets are welcome on the outdoor hiking trails in Mammoth Cave National Park. Most National Parks severely restrict pet access. So we originally planned to bring Charlie along on our trip. However, temperatures soared into the high 90s the week of our road trip so we left her with a friend to enjoy the air conditioning. That dog just plain hates hot weather!

While dogs are not allowed on the cave tours, you’ll find shaded outdoor kennels available for your use at the Mammoth Cave Kennels just a short walk from the visitor’s center for a very low fee. There are some restrictions so make sure you read about pets in Mammoth Cave NP before you head out on your road trip.

Where to Stay When Visiting Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave National Park is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. You’ll want a lodging plan before you head that way. Luckily there are great options for both camping and hotels.

Hotels, Motels and More

Inside the park, you can relax at the historic Lodge at Mammoth Cave . It is located directly next to the visitor center and features a mix of modern hotel rooms as well as historic cottages nestled in a woodland setting. All are within walking distance of cave tours and park trails.

Cave City is the nearest town, only about a 15 minute drive. You’ll find a variety of more traditional motels here. You can check Cave City motel availability here.

Campgrounds in Mammoth Cave National Park and Nearby

There are 3 beautiful campgrounds in Mammoth Cave National Park. We camped in the main campground and loved the large well shaded campsite. Make sure you get camping reservations because this park can fill up fast.

Re-capping the Best Mammoth Cave Tour for Families

The best Mammoth Cave tour for families is the Domes and Dripstones tour. We recommend that you combine this tour with one of the historical tours for a fully rounded trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. We’ve also included tips to adjust your tour plans based on your unique family. I hope you have a great time!

Planning to visit all National Parks? Here’s other Trips You Might Want to Read:

• Colorado National Park Road Trip
• Utah Might 5 Road Trip
• West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip

The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #42. WooHoo! Our mission is to help you plan your own adventures and create memories beyond your imagination!

The Adventures of Trail & Hitch

Two geeks, two cats in an airstream., best cave tours of mammoth cave.

Travel Adventures , Washington DC - Trail (Anne) - July 10, 2021

After writing a lengthy article on “ How to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park ,” I feel that I should make suggestions as to which cave tours to go on. We spent two weeks in the Mammoth Cave area and got to go on many of the major tours.

Historic Tour or River Styx Tour

I enjoyed the Historic Tour the most, out of all that we attended. We started at the Lodge Rotunda for a quick orientation before hiking down to the Historic Entrance. Our rangers guided us at an even pace, stopping every so often to tell a story or to point out a classic Mammoth Cave landmarks, which were visited by historical figures of the 1800s and early 1900s.

Highlights include crossing bridges over both Sidesaddle Pit and Bottomless Pit, squeezing through Fat Man’s Misery, crouching down into Tall Man’s Agony, and finally climbing up The Tower to view Ruins of Karnack and the great Mammoth Dome. Overall a fantastic tour featuring both history and cave decoration viewing.

At the time, I really wanted to take the River Styx Tour, which also includes the Historic Tour but then takes a side path down to an underground river. As much as I love history, I would have also enjoyed learning about the geology of Mammoth Cave. Sadly during our visit NPS closed the River Styx area due to a recent flood.

Up The Tower to Mammoth Dome

Violet City Lantern Tour

If you love history and wish to explore Mammoth Cave as they did in the past, then Violet City Lantern Tour is perfect.

A German mining engineer by the name of Max Kämper discovered a passage in 1918, along with his cave guide, Edwin Bishop. Together they crawled through a narrow passageway connecting Ultima Thule and Kämper’s Hall, which he named after himself. Today that passage area is known as Violet City, named after the cave owner’s wife, Violet Blair Janin.

From the shelters outside the visitor center, our ranger gave out lanterns before hiking down to the Historic Entrance. We passed landmarks we’ve seen on other shorter tours, such as the Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, and Giant’s Coffin.

Along the Main Cave just past Giant’s Coffin, we ventured into new territory. We saw the remains of old underground huts which housed Turburciolsis patients. Further down, we enter an underground canyon known as the Star Chamber, where the roof seems to rise about 20 or 30 feet above the ground and mimics a starry night. At a place called the Cataracts, we passed a subterranean waterfall pouring out of a hole in the ceiling.

Violet City Lantern Tours

At one point, after passing a 2000-year-old petroglyph, we end up at a spot where a 1935 work crew found the mummified remains of a Palio-Indian. Nicknamed “Lost John,” the National Park Service considered the 5-foot-3-inch man a major archaeological find and exhibited his body until 1976 when federal law prohibited the display of Indian human remains. The Rangers re-interred Lost John in a hidden location near where he was found.

Violet CIty

Near Ultima Thule, we climbed up and through the Grand Portal, a 60-foot wide and 50-foot high passage leading to Kämper’s Hall and Violet City. Sadly our lamps lacked sufficiency to illuminate the huge hall, but we saw dripstone formations, stalactites hanging down from the dark, and curtains of calcite. If you ask nicely, maybe your ranger will let you shine a flashlight on the Marble Temple, which is a flowstone wall decorated by stalactites on either side. We also passed several domes and Bishop’s Pit before climbing up and out a man-made tunnel to Violet City’s Exit.

Important Cave Touring Tip: Do not tailgate the person before. Since the cave path is dark and only lit by lanterns, keep an eye out for when the person before you stops or slows down. If you are a fast walker, I suggest going to the back of the group. That way you can pause longer, and catch-up quickly. If you are slow, move up front with the ranger who sets the pace for the group.

We pause for a rest and a history lesson

Grand Avenue Tour

Grand Avenue demands endurance from any hiker, but you’ll be rewarded with fascinating cave decorations and a wealth of stories as told by your ranger. Thankfully, our rangers were kind enough to go at an even pace and provide frequent stops along the way. We enjoyed this tour for its exceptional overview of the size and intricacy of the Mammoth Cave System.

After our orientation at the visitor center shelters, we took a short bus trip to the Carmicheal Entrance. This man-made passageway goes downward and into an area known as Cleaveland Avenue. The low ceiling tunnel felt long and unending, especially in low light. Here the walls showed evidence of an underground river now long gone.

Snowball room in Mammoth Cave – courtesy of NPS.gov

Snowballs & Grapes

After about a mile, we ended up in the Snowball Room. In this cavern, the ceiling is dotted with mineral lumps similar to snowballs in shape. These gypsum “blisters” formed as the mineral pushed outward into the cave by more gypsum forming in a layer just behind the surface. Beneath the faux snow roof, rows of tables stand ready to serve those who need a break. Our ranger tells us during certain times of the year, the Snowball room serves food. Just passed the Snowball Room, we entered an area called Mary’s Vineyard. Here the cave displays grapelike formations in the limestone deposits on the cave ceiling. As water carrying calcium carbonite drops downward, the water precipitates clusters of minerals, suspended in grape-like formations from the ceiling.

Gypsum Flowers & Flowstones

Our ranger then lead us to steep-walled Boone’s Avenue, a good example of one of the cave passages formed by water. Along the walls, there is past evidence of fast moving water, working its way down along a mild slope into deeper portions the cave. Through the winding channels, we arrived at Kentucky Avenue where the most fantastic gypsum crystals and needles can be found. Then at Grand Central Station, where at least five passages converge, we pause for our ranger to explain how this intersection of joints came to be. Our group then moved into the upper cave levels, where we finally got to see a fascinating variety of dripstone and flowstone formations such as the Frozen Niagara, Drapery Room, and Onyx Colonnade. All of it made a fine reward for the longest trip in Mammoth Cave.

Gypsum Flowers on Kentucky Avenue

Great Onyx Cave Lantern Tour

In 1915, Edmund Turner discovered Great Onyx Cave just after agreeing to be a shareowner with Flint Ridge landowner L. P. Edwards. As soon as Edwards agreed, Turner showed him where to dig, and resulted in the Great Onyx Cave, so named because of its cave onyx formations. Together, Turner continued to explore the cave while Edwards rushed to commercialize it.

At first, the owners of Great Onyx Cave refused to sell their land when the federal government in the 1930s, when it was making land purchases for the formation of Mammoth Cave National Park. When the National Park was established in 1941, Great Onyx Cave remained a privately held “island” within the Park’s borders. In January 1961, the owners finally sold Great Onyx Cave to the National Park Service. Today, you can take tours to the Great Onyx Cave depending on the season.

Great Onyx Cave Entrance

Despite search efforts, cave explorers have yet to find a connection between Great Onyx Cave to the rest of the Flint Ridge Cave System and Mammoth Cave. In fact, passages in the Flint Ridge Cave System pass beneath surveyed passages of Great Onyx Cave. During the cave’s commercialization, the owners most likely piled rocks and sand against the walls during their trail construction. During construction, it’s possible that they blocked off passages which might have connected to Mammoth Cave.

Although there are 8 mapped miles of Great Onyx Cave, you’ll only see a fraction of it. For those who love cave decorations, Great Onyx Cave is the tour you’ll want. Sadly, you’ll have to examine this geologic attraction by lantern light, putting a shadowy backdrop for an amazing yet abundant volume of dripstone gypsum, helictite formations, and travertine flowstones.

Great Onyx Cave

Mammoth Self-Guided Discovery Tour

If you have only time for a short visit to Mammoth Caves, I suggest the self-paced Discovery Tour. They usually offer this tour during the summer months and on weekends during spring and fall. You’ll visit the Rotunda, one of the largest rooms in the cave, and explore a Houchins Narrows and Audobon Avenue. Visitors will learn about 19th-century saltpeter mining operations and the geologic origins of Mammoth Cave from one of the many rangers stationed about the cave. Sadly you cannot reserve this tour online, the NPS only sells tickets daily and on a first-come-first-served base.

Saltpeter Sites

Wild Cave Tour

If you are up for an adventure, take the “extremely strenuous” Wild Cave Tour. They offer this tour daily in the summertime for adults only. After you pass the “42-inch-diameter-narrow-fit” test, they go through a detailed orientation on gear and safety. You’ll get overalls, gloves, and a hardhat with a headlamp. You’ll be crawling a majority of the 5-miles that this tour covers, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. At one section, you must traverse a slippery ledge while leaning across the chasm to put your hands on the far wall to balance yourself, then sidestep down the slope. Important: If you’re don’t like heights, super enclosed spaces or darkness, do not go on the Wild Cave Tour! Those who are relatively fit, and little to no fears of such things, will thoroughly enjoy this amazing experience.

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About author / trail (anne).

An attentive wife, lover of geekish things, avid blogger, amateur photographer, and a freelance web developer & desktop publisher for hire who is seeking wisdom through the passions of adventure.

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Great sand dunes national park, grand canyon: desert view drive, canyonlands national park: island in the sky.

We’re planning a trip to Mammoth Cave in early April. We love the idea of the violet city lantern tour. However I’m a little claustrophobic and wanted to ensure that the trails, paths, etc had plenty of overhead headspace. Please advise. Thanks

I would advise against it. There are a few places where we had to duck and squeeze through passages. If you want a cave tour that has plenty of overhead space I suggest visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.

You can’t help NOT love the park & caves! Enjoy them both & treat them with respect- for all our families& friends-You won’t regret it! Thanks-A Friend From Michigan! You all are GREAT!

I know! You’re totally right: respect nature — especially if you wish them to last through the generations to come. National parks are a fantastic legacy that America has to offer.

Amazing pictures and wonderful overview of the tours.

Thanks! Spending two weeks at Mammoth allowed us to take nearly all the tours. With the exception of a few tours only run certain seasons.

Very, very cool. I love that the NPS reinterred Lost John, too. I think they’ve done a pretty good job handling things like that.

I think everyone can learn a thing or two about the graceful way rangers respect historical artifacts and nature. I really admire them for that.

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THE BEST Mammoth Cave National Park Tours & Excursions

Mammoth cave national park tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Wild Cave Tour

2. Grand Avenue Tour

3. Gothic Avenue Tour

4. Discovery Tour

What travelers are saying

• Wild Cave Tour
• Grand Avenue Tour
• Gothic Avenue Tour

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Ultimate Guide to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Beginning to form more than 10 million years ago, Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world . There are more than 400 miles of caves running under Kentucky, and that is just what has been mapped.

Mammoth Cave is one of the Natural Wonders of the United States, alongside Niagara Falls, Hawaii Volcano Natural Park, Devil’s Tower, Old Faithful, Crater Lake, and Death Valley

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave was created by limestone erosion, also known as karst topography . During this process, rain and rivers dissolve and shape soft limestone, creating a vast system of caves.

Fun fact: Karst Aquifers like Mammoth Cave provide drinking water for about 40% of the entire U.S. population.

How Big is Mammoth Cave?

While the surface of Mammoth Cave National Park covers nearly 80 square miles, no one knows how big the underside is. The cave system is five levels and more than 365 miles of it has been mapped, though new caves are always being discovered.

Mammoth Cave Tours

Over 2 million people visit Mammoth Cave National Park every year. About 1/4 of those people take a cave tour . 10 miles of passages are available for tours.

There are many different tour options to explore the caves at Mammoth Cave National Park, ranging in the time it takes (2-6 hours in length) as well as the difficulty of the tours. These tours are perfect to get out of the humid Kentucky heat. Park rangers lead these tours.

Frozen Niagara Tour is not only the most popular, but is the perfect tour for those with trouble walking, or just don’t like having to hike to see the caves. 

The Frozen Niagara tour is a very steep walk up and down a paved road, but it’s only a quarter of a mile and there are several benches along the way.

Mammoth Cave Accessibility Tour is another cave tour perfect for those who cannot climb stairs, or have difficulty walking. Drive your car to the elevator entrance, and take the elevator down to the cave.

The paths are concrete and fairly level for wheelchairs and scooters. Bring your own flashlight, as the path isn’t very well lit. This is a two-hour tour with a maximum distance of a quarter of a mile. 

The only downfall to this tour is that it caps at 14 people, and can be canceled at any time if the elevator malfunctions, as this is the sole mode of transportation into the cave for those with wheelchairs.

Historic Tour is a two-hour, two-mile tour that dives deep within the caves to show the beauty behind this National Park. This tour is paved, and you don’t see as many formations as on the other tours.

Although this is a moderate hike, it is not for the faint of heart, as there are 540 stairs and only one way through. In addition, if you’re tall you will need to duck quite a bit, and some sections are so narrow your knees will touch as you squeeze through.

Domes and Dripstones Tour is a route for the science lover. It goes down about 250 feet and is tight in some spots. At 2 hours and ¾ of a mile, this gives visitors the perfect opportunity to view stalactites and stalagmites. 

The only issue some may have with this route is the 540 stairs that it takes to get underground, but this tour is perfect in the summer, as it is cooler at this depth.

Violet City Lantern Tour is not for a family with children. This tour has an age restriction as it is longer, and more unsteady with no lights except the lanterns that are carried. 

The Violet City Lantern Tour is a 3 hour, 3-mile hike into a historical cave that has been around for centuries. Unfortunately, this cave does not have a restroom as it is still in its natural state, so go to the bathroom topside before you head down.

Great Onyx Lantern Tour, separate from the Violet City Lantern Tour, is a longer passage for the science lover as there are many unique rock formations in this cave. 

This cave tour is less than 2 and a half hours long, and is only a mile long, but does have an age restriction of 6 years old. 

Gothic Avenue Tour is for the historian in the group. This tour has many beautiful formations in a museum-like area, with artifacts left behind from those who have once traveled through this area. The Gothic Avenue tour is 2 hours, and a mile and a half long.

River Styx Tour is perfect for those who want to see the formation of the cave, and who don’t mind getting their feet a bit wet. In this tour, you can observe the many years of wear on the walls, and see what’s left of the water still in the cave. The River Styx Tour is geared towards those who love natural history. This tour is 2 and a half hours, and 2 miles long.

Mammoth Cave Tour Prices and Discounts  

Although the park itself is free to get into, there are many affordable tours to give a more in-depth look into the caves, as well as the opportunity to camp on site.

• The Frozen Niagara Tour is $14 for adults and $10 for children or $7 for pass holders
• The Historic Tour is $17 for adults and $12 for children or $8.50 for pass holders
• The Domes and Dripstones Tour is $17 for adults and $12 for children for $8.50 for pass holders
• The Gothic Avenue Tour is $15 for adults and $10 for children or $7.50 for pass holders.
• The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is $20 for adults and $15 for children or $10 for pass holders
• The Violet City Lantern Tour is $15 for adults and $10 for children or $10 for pass holders
• The River Styx Tour is $18 for adults and $13 for children or $9 for pass holders

Is Mammoth Cave Cold?

It’s a cool (or cold, if you’re from Arizona) 54 degrees year-round inside the cave. In the “variable temperature zones” close to the entrances, wind chills in winter can dip below freezing, or temperatures can rise to around 60°.

What to Wear

No matter which tour you take, be sure to wear hiking boots or good shoes with nonskid soles. Bring a jacket, because it’s chilly underground.

IMPORTANT: In an effort to prevent more deaths from White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), clothing, footwear, and handheld items that have previously been worn in caves or mines in certain areas may not be brought into Mammoth Cave .

White-Nose Syndrome is a disease in bats that is tragically killing bats by the millions. Read more about why bats are so vital to our lives here.

Mammoth Cave Hours

Hours vary by day and season; see a full list here . Reservations are strongly encouraged during the summer months and on holidays, including weekends in the Spring and Fall.

Mammoth Cave Kentucky is on Central time, so be sure to plan accordingly if you’re coming from another time zone!

What to do at Mammoth Cave (besides tours)

Don’t skip the tour, because you’ll definitely regret it, but there are other activities at Mammoth Cave National Park. You can hike and ride horses on more than 70 miles of trails. Much like at other National Parks, you can also fish, canoe, camp, and picnic.

Mammoth Cave Horse Riding

North of the Green River, you’ll find sixty miles of trails open for horseback riding. You may park your trailer at Lincoln Trailhead, Maple Springs Trailhead, or across the road from the Maple Springs Campground bulletin board. The trails at Mammoth Cave National Park are well-marked and well-maintained.

Download the free horseback riding trail map , courtesy of NPS.

Mammoth Cave Camping

Most campsites at Mammoth Caves National Park are $20 a site, and the VIP campsites that are a lot nicer are $50. If you are planning to bring your horses along, you can get an equestrian campsite for $25.

To reserve a campsite, go online or call the National Park Reservation Service at (877)444-6777.

More to do at Mammoth Cave National Park

This beautiful park features more than 52,000 acres, meaning the possibilities are endless when finding things to do:

• The Big Woods : get a glimpse of the uncut forest of Old Kentucky.
• Turnhole Bend : the “turnhole”, once used by riverboat pilots to turn around in the narrow river.
• Good Spring Church: A silent sanctuary that echoes memories of a past community.

No matter what you plan to do at Mammoth Cave, take a few days to explore… it’s worth it!

Best Time to Visit Mammoth Caves

The average temperature inside Mammoth Cave is 54 degrees year-round. Even with the air temps in Kentucky dropping into the lower 30’s during the winter, the temperatures in the cave only fluctuate slightly. This means that it is warmer in the cave than it is outside during the winter and cooler in the cave during the summer months.

Camping at Mammoth Caves National Park is open all year long. So plan your trip today and enjoy a tour of the most famous cave system in the world.

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How to Get to Mammoth Cave

The best way to describe how to get to Mammoth Cave is from their website .

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.

Do not rely exclusively on your GPS or Google Maps™ to get you to the park Visitor Center in time for your Cave Tour. Follow the directions above.

Hotels Near Mammoth Cave

Not a fan of camping? There are several hotels within a short drive of Mammoth Cave.

Places To Stay Nearby

History of mammoth cave.

The majority of the mapping at Mammoth Cave was done by slaves. Public tours of Mammoth Cave started in the early 1800s. Slaves led tours as early as 1830.

Stephen Bishop

Stephen Bishop, a freed slave, worked in Mammoth Cave from 1838 until 1856. Bishop crossed a frightening landmark now known as the Bottomless Pit , to discover unmapped areas of this cave system with nothing more than a flickering lard-oil lamp to guide his way.

During the War of 1812, slaves were used to mine saltpeter from the sediment in the cave. Saltpeter was used to create gunpowder.

Stephen Bishop was unquestionably one of the greatest explorers Mammoth Cave has ever known. He was in his late teens when he was brought to Mammoth Cave in 1838. He learned the toured routes from white guides Joe Shackelford and Archibald Miller Jr. However, Stephen Bishop ventured beyond the toured areas and discovered many miles of the Mammoth Cave no eye had ever seen. The gateway for modern exploration of the cave could be attributed to Stephen’s crossing of a deep vertical shaft known as the Bottomless Pit. (Source)

Bishop, who took the name of his previous master, is buried near the cave entrance in the Old Guide’s Cemetery, along with several of his family members.

Learn more: Journey to the Bottomless Pit, the Story of Stephen Bishop & Mammoth Cave

Underground Tuberculosis Hospital

The cemetery also holds the remains of several Tuberculosis patients that passed there. In the early 19th century, the owner of the cave, Dr. Croghan, established an underground tuberculosis hospital. He believed the steady temperature and humidity would heal their lungs. Patients lived in the small stone structures inside the cave, with canvas roofs.

Unfortunately, the experiment was a failure and that was evident within just a few months. A few years later, Dr. Croghan himself died of TB. You can view the structures where the patients lived if you take the Violet City Lantern Tour.

Stalactites  form when water containing dissolved calcium bicarbonate from the limestone rock drips from the ceiling of a cave. As the water comes into contact with the air, some of the calcium bicarbonate precipitates back into limestone to form a tiny ring, which gradually elongates to form a stalactite. (Source)

Geological Cave Formations in Mammoth Cave

There are several cave formations you will see when you visit this cave, most notably:

• stalactites
• stalagmites
• travertine dams
• gypsum formations

You could spend a week in Mammoth Cave National Park and see and learn more than you could ever imagine!

Wildlife in Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to over 70 threatened or endangered species, including birds, crustaceans, fish, insects, mammals, mussels, reptiles, and plants.

More than 130 species of animals live in the Mammoth Cave system. Currently, 12 species of bats live within the caves. Bats species include the Indiana Bat and the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, both of which are endangered.

Mammoth Caves National Park is home to the largest colony of bats in the United States , but unfortunately, the numbers have been dwindling. There is a disease called the white-nose disease which is a fungus that grows on the skin of bats and has wiped out 90% of the bats at Mammoth Caves.

Aside from bats, it is also home to fish that have adapted to being underground. Some of the unique fish species found in the cave are Indiana Eyeless Crayfish, Southern Cave Fish, and Albino Shrimp.

Due to the lack of light, many species of fish have developed a white color, and many are being bred without eyes as a form of evolution. Because these fish cannot see, they have adapted to utilize their sense of smell and hearing to survive, rendering their eyes useless.

The Mammoth Caves National Park is a great place to explore a natural exhibit, go camping, and enjoy the outdoors. It’s cheap and a great way to sneak away from work and life for a week with family and friends.

Download our FREE Mammoth Cave Guide (Unofficial)

Is mammoth cave haunted.

One of the most frequently asked questions about Mammoth Cave is if it’s haunted or not. Many deaths have happened in this cave system, though the exact number of deaths is unknown.

Mummified remains have been found in different areas of the cave, along with pottery, primitive tools, and other remnants of the past .

In 1925, Floyd Collins became trapped (and died) while mapping out a previously unexplored area of Mammoth Cave (the “lonely sandstone cave”). Several slaves and TB patients also died in this cave.

Mammoth Cave is considered one of the most haunted places in the world! Many have claimed they sense spirits when visiting.

Visiting Mammoth Cave

Still, need more information before visiting? Call (270)758-2180 or email the NPS for an information packet.

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9 thoughts on “ Ultimate Guide to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky (Tours, Pricing, History, Map) ”

[…] broken barbed wire, but you don’t even need to climb over it to get to the cave. There are no tours with this cave, as most likely there will be nobody in sight when you arrive. With that being said, if you do […]

[…] a week, the brewery is closed to allow for the owners to focus on the history of the caves, and give tours for $10 a person. Over the past 2 years, they have taken about 40,000 people on a […]

[…] it was not until a few years later that the cave was toured and discovered more in full. There was a newspaper ad searching for explorers, and five women […]

[…] process of the acid in the groundwater slowly breaking it down. We have talked about other Karst Caves like Mammoth Cave National Park, of […]

[…] Mammoth Cave […]

[…] is the historic candle-lit lantern tour through an undeveloped section of the cave on unpaved trails. If you are visually challenged, you need to know it might be too dim […]

[…] over 300 miles of underground trails, Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest cave system in the […]

This is a great guide! I’m from Kentucky and have been to Mammoth Cave a few times, but this will be my first time taking a tour. I’m excited to learn more!

Have fun! 🙂

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These Tours Of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave Are Worth Taking, Ranked By Difficulty

Mammoth Cave is home to one of the biggest cave systems in the world, and these tours take you through the best parts.

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These Tours Of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave Are Worth Taking, Ranked By Difficulty

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Frozen niagara tour, domes & dripstones tour: very easy to moderate, historic tour: easy, grand avenue tour: moderate to difficult, violet city tour & star chamber tour: moderate, river styx tour: moderate, wild cave tour: difficult, accessible cave tour.

Mammoth Cave is one of the most well-known landmark features in Kentucky. The cave has a long history within the state and has kept many travelers intrigued by its slightly unusual and captivating caverns, which span 400 miles underground. It's also known as the world's largest cave system , and this, alone, spurs a fascination that is rarely seen with other, smaller caves.

Related: Krubera Cave Is The World's Deepest, And Getting To The Bottom Isn't Even The Half Of It

What's perhaps even more peculiar about this cave system is that its above-ground surroundings are just as intriguing. Some tours allow visitors to wind their way through one of many hiking trails that wind through the woodland forests in the region, making for a very full-on adventure. Visitors must sign up for a tour in order to see the caves and trust us when we say it's worth it. Not only will guests be able to navigate the caverns with a pro leading the way, but they'll also gain an interesting insight into the history of Mammoth Cave.

UPDATE: 2022/05/26 12:21 EST BY LIANNA TEDESCO

Mammoth Cave continues to be one of the most fascinating underground cavern systems in the world. While tours are ongoing throughout the year and change according to cave conditions and availability, one thing remains the same: It's entirely worth visiting. We've updated this feature to include relevant information such as tour prices, detailed difficulty levels, walking distance, and any other details one might need to know prior to choosing one. The hope is that this will make planning a future trip easier, and will provide visitors with an idea of what to expect whenever they do.

Both of these tours are ranked as being fairly easy since they don't encompass as many steps as the others. The Frozen Niagara Tour is great for those who are still unsure about how deep they want to go into Mammoth Cave, and it's only a quarter-mile tour. Additionally, this tour is much shorter than the others, taking only about an hour and 15 minutes to complete. Visitors have the option to complete the full 98 steps but are only required to take 12. The shuttle bus takes roughly a half-hour to the site of the tour, and visitors have the chance to see formations in the Frozen Niagara section of the cave as well as the Drapery Room.

Similarly, Domes & Dripstones takes visitors on a limited tour, but this one goes a bit deeper, with a total length of three-quarters of a mile and a time span of two hours. Visitors will see the same cavern sections with the addition of unique formations they'll be walking past as opposed to taking the shuttle straight to Frozen Niagara.

Frozen Niagara Tour Details

• Duration: 1.25 hours
• Distance: 0.25 miles (0.4 km)
• Total Stairs: 12, plus an optional 98
• Difficulty: Easy
• Ages: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Restrooms: No
• Fees: $18 Adults, $14 Youth, $9 Senior Pass Holder, $9 Access Pass Holder.

Domes & Dripstones Tour Details

• Duration: 2 hours
• Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
• Total Stairs: 500, including 280 on the initial staircase descent
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Fees: $21 Adults, $16 Youth, $10.50 Senior Pass Holder, $10.50 Access Pass Holder.

When choosing any tour, one that includes a ton of history is always the best bet. The Mammoth Cave Historic Tour is by far the most popular and one of the mid-length tours (some take up to six hours!), with a length of two hours covering a span of two miles. This is a great tour for newcomers to cave systems as well as Mammoth Cave; starting at the main entrance of the cave, guests will take 440 steps down into the cave itself to explore several major features.

Included are stops at Mammoth Dome, Bottomless Pit, Fat Man's Misery (squeezing in tight spaces required), Tall Man's Misery (crouching required), and some saltpeter mines. A 200-year history will be discussed throughout the tour, and it's by far one of the most beginner-friendly treks offered by the cave.

The Grand Avenue Tour comes in at a moderate ranking because it is four hours long, and covers a distance of four miles. There are bathroom stops included on this tour, and, along the way, visitors will see Cleveland Avenue, Boone Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, and Mt. McKinley before ending in Frozen Niagara and the Drapery room. This is a great option for those who want to see the lesser-explored parts of the cave.

Grand Avenue Tour Details

• Duration: 4 hours
• Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
• Total Stairs: 1313
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Ages: 6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Restrooms: Yes
• Fees: $35 Adults, $27 Youth, $17.50 Senior Pass Holder, $17.50 Access Pass Holder.

The Violet City Tour takes travelers down into the cave by lantern light to see some of the most famous and notable signatures that have been left on the walls throughout history. Along the way, the tour overlaps parts of Gothic Avenue, the Historic Tour, Star Chamber, and Mammoth Passage Tours. The tour lasts about three hours over a span of three miles.

Alternatively, the Star Chamber Tour covers many of the same features, but it is shorter at a length of two and a half hours, covering a distance of one and a half miles.

Violet City Tour Details

• Duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
• Total Stairs: 160 and numerous hills with no handrails.
• Tickets available for each tour time: 38
• Fees: $25 Adults, $20 Youth, $12.50 Senior Pass Holder, $12.50 Access Pass Holder.

Star Chamber Tour Details

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)
• Total Stairs: 160
• Tickets available for each tour time: 40

For anyone interested in the cave's water features, the River Styx Tour is the way to go. This tour takes two and a half hours, covering two and a half miles through the cavern's most impressive lakes and flowing waters.

The Dead Sea, Lake Lethe, and River Styx are all included.

River Styx Tour Details

• Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km)
• Total Stairs: Approximately 600, including 155 at Mammoth Dome.
• Restrooms: No, restrooms are temporarily unavailable on this tour.
• Tickets available for each tour time: 30
• Fees: $22 Adults, $16 Youth, $11 Senior Pass Holder, $11 Access Pass Holder.

The longest and most strenuous hike is the Wild Cave Tour which takes visitors through the experience as though they were cave explorers, themselves.

The tour is six hours long and traverses a distance of six miles, feeling much more like an underground hike. Belly crawling, rock scrambling, climbing, and narrow passageways are all part of this tour for the truly adventurous. Visitors receive knee pads and a hard hat, and it should be booked in advance to avoid choosing a sold-out date.

This tour is open to anyone who has mobility issues and features elevators rather than stairs throughout the tour. Guests will see the Grand Avenue route of the cave over the span of two hours, covering a total distance of half a mile.

No matter which tour one chooses when visiting Kentucky's famous Mammoth Cave, it's certain to be an experience that they'll remember. As one of the most unique cave systems on earth, it's worth the price of a tour - and worth the effort it takes to get there.

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Top ten tips for visiting mammoth cave national park.

Planning a visit to Mammoth Cave? GREAT! Here are some tips that will help you have a fun and memorable visit to the longest cave system in the world.

NPS Photo/ Kait Evensen

1. Get Your Cave Tour Tickets and Campground Reservations in Advance

Cave tours are our most popular activity and often sell out. By purchasing your tickets ahead of time through Recreation.gov , it will ensure you can get the tour you want, on the day you want, at the time you want. It is a win-win-win! And don’t miss your chance to roast s’mores around the campfire, make your campsite reservation in advance for one of our three campgrounds . Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov .

2. Pick the Right Tour

Mammoth Cave offers a variety of cave tours for visitors of all abilities an interest. This allows you to select the adventure that best fits your group’s needs. From a 2.5-mile, 2.5-hour dirt trail hike to an underground river, to a .25-mile, 1.25-hour walk to see hundreds of dripstone formations, there is a tour here that is right for you. Check out all our tour descriptions to learn about all our tour options.

NPS Photo/ Nathaniel Leies

3. Get Out Early to Enjoy the Sunnier Side of the Park

Mammoth Cave is known for its extensive labyrinth of underground cave passages, but did you know the park has over 85 miles of hiking , biking , and equestrian trails? Get out on the trails early in the day to view wildlife, wildflowers, and the park’s scenic views along the forested rolling hills before the rest of the world has even rolled out of bed for their morning breakfast.

4. Hang Out With a Ranger

If you are looking for something to do other than visit a dark hole in the ground, join one of our guides for a free Ranger-led Program . These walks and talks take place throughout the day and offer a great way to learn about the park. They are the perfect activity to complement your cave tour.

NPS Photo/ Kevin Howard

5. Paddle Away on a Weekday

Not all the water at Mammoth Cave is hidden at the bottom of a cave. The park is home to over 30 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers which are perfect for paddling or fishing . The river can get very busy over the weekends, though, so plan your trip along the scenic waterways on weekdays to avoid congestion at the river access points. Several canoe and kayak outfitters are happy to set you up for your trip down the river.

6. Remember Your Jacket

The sultry summer heat and humidity can make us sweat, but the cave’s temperature averages a cool 54 degrees year-round. Be prepared for your tour by bringing an extra clothing layer to keep you comfortable while inside the cave. Find out what else you need to Know Before You Go .

7. Don’t Be Scared. Be Prepared!

Mammoth Cave is a place for fun, not folly! At the end of the day, we want both you and the park to be in a better condition than when you first found each other. Learn more about how to keep yourself and the park safe during your visit.

8. Tick-Tock…Watch the Clock

Mammoth Cave National Park sits on the far eastern side of the Central Time Zone (GMT-5). This can be confusing to visitors traveling from the north and Eastern Time Zone who are trying to plan their cave tour schedule. We don’t want you to be too late or too early for your tour.

NPS Photo/ Molly Schroer

9. Don’t Let Technology Lead You Astray

GPS and electronic navigations are handy for guiding us around, but they don’t always lead you on the best path to the park. Check your route and review our directions to the park before you set out on your journey. Also know that public Wi-Fi is available at the park visitor center but cell service throughout the park can be spotty.

10. See What South-Central Kentucky is All About

Feel like you are cramming a lot of Mammoth Cave into one day trip? Stay around and avoid the rush! There are several lodging and camping options inside the park as well as within our neighboring communities . You might even check another National Park Service site off your list by visiting Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgensville, KY which is right up the road.

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Mammoth Cave National Park

Last updated: February 1, 2022

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18 Best Things to Do in Mammoth Cave National Park | Our Top Recommendations

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

Mammoth : Of enormous size, extent, or amount; huge. Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park lives up to its name.

It’s the world’s longest cave system. So far, explorers have mapped 412 miles of the cave, the distance from Boston to Baltimore. Explorers are still discovering new passages, and they say no end is in sight. Mammoth Cave hosts 130 animal species and thousands of years of human history.

But the park isn’t only about the cave. Explore the Green River and Nolin River valleys via the park’s numerous backcountry trails and waterways. The park is busiest in the summer. Winter offers fewer tours, but far fewer crowds.

UNESCO has recognized the area as a World Heritage Site and created the Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region.

The park entrance is near Interstate 65, 90 miles from Louisville and half an hour from Bowling Green. (We recommend Louisville as one of America’s most affordable cities to visit.)

Note: Do not trust navigation devices to take you to the park. Use the park’s directions.

Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

18 Best Things to Do in Mammoth Cave National Park

In Greek mythology, Hades was the god of the underworld, including all the wealth buried underground, such as minerals and fertile soil. When you’re under the ground in Mammoth Cave, you’ll feel the weight of the land above you. And, as in Hades’ realm, you’ll find numerous treasures waiting below the earth. Cave tours range from the fully-accessible, no-stairs Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour to the strenuous all-day Wild Cave Tour.

The surface is Demeter’s realm. She was the Greek goddess of fertility and agriculture. Explore her realm on foot, bike, or horseback through Kentucky’s lush landscape. Paddle the Green and Nolin rivers and catch fish.

Explore Hades’ Realm On A Cave Tour

Don’t expect massive displays of stalactites and stalagmites in Mammoth. Shale and sandstone caprock prevent dripping surface water from creating them. Instead, Mammoth’s marvel is the gargantuan size of the rooms within the cave. Tours often sell out. For peace of mind, make reservations . The cave’s temperature stays at 54 degrees. Bring a jacket.

Fun Fact : To distinguish between stalactites and stalagmites, remember this: Stalactites hold tightly to the ceiling, while stalagmites might reach the ceiling someday.

Mammoth offers 20 tours, although not all are offered every day.

1. Explore A Bottomless Pit Of History

Start your day with the 2.25-hour Extended Historic Tour. Be prepared for 2 miles of walking and 540 stairs. The rangers will share many fascinating stories during the historic tour, but Stephen Bishop’s story was our favorite.

Before the Civil War, enslaved guides led tours and explored many miles of the cave. Stephen Bishop was the first Mammoth guide, and he trained other guides. Among many exploits, he extended a ladder across the 105-foot-deep Bottomless Pit, held a lantern in his teeth, and crawled to the other side. His signature in candle smoke adorns many areas of the cave that frighten even modern cavers.

Fun Fact : Bishop is buried in the park’s Old Guide’s Cemetery, along with three tuberculosis patients who died in the cave. In 1842, tuberculosis patients lived in huts in the cave, part of an experimental treatment.

2. Domes And Dripstones: Where Niagara Is Frozen

In the afternoon, join the 2-hour Domes and Dripstones Tour for the cave’s best formations. The tour starts in a sinkhole, meanders through gigantic domes, ending at Frozen Niagara. The tour requires three-quarters of a mile of walking and includes 500 stairs, starting with 280 at the beginning.

3. Beauty And Commercial Warfare At Great Onyx Cave

Great Onyx Cave is not connected to Mammoth, but the park offers a one-mile lantern tour there with 40 stairs. Onyx is full of gorgeous formations, but the cave’s history is even more fascinating. During the Kentucky Cave Wars, Onyx, Mammoth, and many other caves’ owners engaged in cutthroat competition for tourist dollars. Onyx lay beneath two property owners’ land. The one without cave access successfully sued the other, determining property rights case law to this day.

Pro Tip : The cave offers a River Styx Tour, but flooding often renders it impassable. Instead, explore Mammoth’s River of the Underworld outside. From the historic cave entrance, walk toward the Green River. Look for the River Styx where it joins the Green, then follow it downhill to the cave. Continue on the 3.4-mile Echo River Trail, one of our recommended Kentucky hikes .

Fun Fact : The word styx means shuddering. The mythological river was the boundary between the lands of the living and of the dead.

Explore Demeter’s Realm On The Surface

The park offers more than 80 miles of backcountry trails. Sixty miles are available for horseback riding and 19 miles are for bikes. All the equestrian trails are north of the Green River. Observe safety principles.

Pro Tip : If you want to know where you are in relation to the cave system below, visit the Beneath Your Feet website or scan the QR code on a sign.

4. Follow The Mammoth Cave Railroad Route

A railroad reached the cave in 1886, but it closed in 1931. The Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail mostly follows the railroad’s route, but unlike many former rail routes turned trails, this trail is not flat. It extends into neighboring Park City. Download a map (PDF).

5. Get In Sync On The Cedar Sink Trail

The park’s above-ground world syncs with its subterranean world on the one-mile-loop Cedar Sink Trail. The top is 300 feet above the sinkhole bottom. The sinkhole is often full of seasonal wildflowers. When the water table is high, the underground river rises into the sinkhole’s bottom. Visitors must descend stairs to enter the sinkhole and ascend another set of stairs to exit it.

Pro Tip : Hike the loop clockwise to walk down the longer staircase.

Roxie Yonkey

6. Remember A Kentucky Cave Wars Casualty At The Sand Cave Trail

Find the Sand Cave Trail next to the Mammoth National Park sign on Kentucky Highway 255. Accessible parking is available at the sign.

In 1925, Floyd Collins went searching for a new cave. His family’s Crystal Cave was losing in the Cave Wars, and he hoped to find a new attraction at Sand Cave. While he was in a tight passageway, a falling rock pinned his leg. Rescuers sought to extract Collins from the cave as his plight captured the nation’s attention. Tragically, every rescue attempt failed. After 18 days, Collins died of exposure. He is buried in the park at Mammoth Cave Baptist Church after a long, strange posthumous odyssey.

7. Experience Local Culture At Historic Churches And Cemeteries

Before Mammoth became a park, nearly 30 rural communities lived within park boundaries. When the land became a park, the residents left three churches and 70 cemeteries. The churches are open to guests. Search the cemetery database before you explore. Be respectful and leave no trace.

8. Fish, No Fishing License Required

Fishing on the Green and Nolin rivers in the park is best in the spring and summer. Catch bass, perch, catfish, crappie, and bluegill, and other game fish. The park does not require any fishing licenses, but catch and creel regulations apply.

9. Paddle 30 River Miles

Four suggested river trips last from 1.5 to 6 hours of paddling time. Look for wildlife and riverside caves. Beware of downed trees and logjams. Always wear personal flotation devices and follow river safety guidelines .

Pro Tip : The park provides a list of canoe and kayak outfitters.

10. Catch A New Passion For Horses

Double J Stables offers guided horseback rides. The park’s equestrian options include everything from smooth paths to daring ridgeline trails. Park your horse trailer at one of five trailheads on the park’s north side.

Brysin / Shutterstock

Best Camping In Mammoth Cave National Park

Sleep in peace at various options within the park. Stay inside at The Lodge, pull up an RV, camp with your horse or on a riverbank. Reserve your spot and observe camping regulations.

11. Sleep Above The Cave In The Lodge At Mammoth Cave

We recommend The Lodge at Mammoth Cave as one of the best places to sleep above a cave . Dine at the lodge’s Green River Grill or Spelunkers Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor.

12. Authentic Meets Amenities At Mammoth Cave Campground

Only a quarter-mile from the Visitor Center, Mammoth Cave Campground offers 111 campsites. It has two accessible campsites and accessible restrooms on each loop. In season, the campground offers a store, dump station, potable water, and laundry facilities.

13. Groups And Horses Are Welcome At Maple Springs

Eight sites at Maple Springs Group Campground offer greater seclusion and are perfect springboards for backcountry exploration. Sites one through four are designed for people with horses.

14. Enjoy Peace And Quiet At Houchin Ferry

Houchin Ferry Campground is reserved for tents only. Drive up to one of 12 first-come, first-served campsites.

15. Rough It In The Backcountry

Thirteen backcountry sites are ready for those who like adventure. The campsites, accessible only to hikers and horseback riders, offer only fire rings and hitching posts. Boaters may camp on islands or floodplains along the Green and Nolin rivers. All backcountry and riverside campers must obtain permits. River campers should always check river levels and weather.

16. Sunset Point

Sunset Point is the endpoint of the Heritage Trail, located on the South Side of the Mammoth Cave National Park . Take an easy hike to Sunset Point to view the park-favorite panorama of the Green River Valley with its fresh spring foliage and vivid autumn colors. The viewpoint is only half a mile from the Mammoth Caves Visitor Center parking area.

17. Canoe and Kayak Tours in Mammoth Cave National Park 

The Green River and the Nolin River both flow through the park so consider spending some time there. Trips range from a few hours to daily tours and operate from April until October, depending on the weather. The river trips are Class I, suitable for families.

Pro Tip: For rental boats and float trips find authorized outfitters like Caveland Kayak and more. 

18. Eat at Mammoth Cave National Park

The Spelunkers Café provides counter service dining and food on the go like hamburgers, breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, hand-dipped ice cream, greek yogurt parfaits, and coffee drinks.  The Green River Grill’s menu features local favorites and offers fine dining and catering services for events.

However, both eateries are closed until January 2024 due to construction and remodeling so look for eateries near the national park.

Cell phone service is hard to come by in the park. Beware of poison ivy, poison oak, ticks, and mosquitoes. And if Mammoth Cave has given you the cave-explorers’ bug, check out these caves nearby.

Can I Explore the Mammoth Cave on My Own?

No. You must be on a Mammoth Cave tour to enter the cave in order to protect the cave environment and for your safety. Cave tours can be booked at the Visitor Center and are led by rangers, The tours are offered throughout the year and a short self-guided cave tour is offered seasonally. 

How Much Time Does It Take To See the Mammoth Cave?

Tours can range from easy to difficult and may be anywhere from one to six hours long with Wild Cave Tour lasting most of the day. With 11 miles of cave trails and walkways that may or may not have electric lights, it would be best to take two days to explore the cave completely.

How Many Campgrounds Are There in Mammoth Cave National Park?

Mammoth Cave National Park has two campgrounds, although only one of them is a fully developed traditional national park campground. The main campground is very busy being right next to the popular areas, while Houchin Ferry is the serene, more secluded option.

Where Can I Stay In or Near Mammoth Cave National Park?

There is a sole lodge inside the Mammoth Cave National Park, the Lodge at Mammoth Cave. Outside the park accommodation for the Mammoth Cave area is located in the aptly named Cave City.

Are There Any Kid-Friendly Tours in Mammoth Cave National Park?

Yes. Nature Tracks for Kids is designed for children to learn and explore more about Mammoth Cave National Park. Park rangers will help children discover more about the park’s ecosystem and cave formation through a variety of activities.

Roxie Yonkey is an author and travel writer who specializes in road tripping. She wrote the Kansas ultimate bucket list book, 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die , and is a contributing author to the book Midwest Road Trip Adventures .

Before becoming a travel writer, Yonkey was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor, and a public relations manager for destination marketing organizations. She has won numerous awards, including Midwest Travel Network's Rising Star Award in 2020.

Yonkey loves to follow the open road wherever it takes her. Follow more of her adventures at RoxieontheRoad .

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Mammoth Cave tours + tickets 🦇 What’s the best Mammoth Cave National Park tour?! 🦇 Kentucky travel blog

The specific cave tours that are offered at Mammoth Cave National Park when you are there will depend on when you go.

There may be over 10 Mammoth Cave National Park tours that you can choose from!

It is worth it to do at least one Mammoth Cave tour.

And park rangers will also say that doing 2 or more cave tours can be worth it to give you a different experience in Mammoth Cave.

So if you want to do a lot of exploring of Mammoth Cave, it’s possible to mix and match to get a more well-rounded experience to see different aspects of Mammoth Cave!

There is also some overlap of the offered cave tours, so they are not all 10 completely unique tours.

But it’s possible to take more than one cave tour without feeling like you are seeing the same thing you saw in a previous tour.

If you want to do more than one cave tour, you will just want to be sure to read the cave descriptions carefully, because they do note the overlap that there may be.

And no matter which Mammoth Cave tour you choose, you will likely get a tour guide with great passion for Mammoth Cave!

Best Mammoth Cave tours

According to a Mammoth Cave park ranger, if you want a well-rounded Mammoth Cave experience, there are 4 types of Mammoth Cave tours you can do.

Here are the basic types of Mammoth Cave tours:

• Historic tour
• Formations tour (think stalagmites and stalactites)
• Geology tour
• Lantern tour

So these are the kinds of things you can look out for as you read through the descriptions of the cave tours.

If you want to do 2 solid cave hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park, then I would have said to check to see if there is availability for the River Styx Tour and Domes and Dripstones Tour .

These are the 2 Mammoth Cave tours I did, and I thought it was a perfect combination.

I didn’t feel like I was doing the same tours at all.

But unfortunately… neither are offered in summer 2023!! 😒

As of spring 2022, the River Styx Tour is listed as not being available at all in 2023, and the Domes and Dripstones Tour is listed as being available only in fall 2023.

So if you do see these Mammoth Cave tours offered, book tickets sooner rather than later since apparently they are rare!

So if you can’t do the River Styx Tour or Domes and Dripstones Tour… what then?!

1. Mammoth Cave historic tour

Is a historic tour is best Mammoth Cave tour?!

I was at the shelter waiting for a later departing tour when the Historic Tour was gathering around.

The park ranger leading that tour said that the historic tour was his favorite and went on to say that you haven’t really been to Mammoth Cave if you haven’t been on a historic tour!

If anything, this says that you will at least want to go inside Mammoth Cave through the historic entrance , whether that’s through a tour or on your own !

There are Mammoth Cave historic tours:

• The Historic Tour is $20 per person. (2 hours, 2 miles, 540 steps, moderate)
• The Extended Historic Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 2.25 miles, 540 steps, moderate)

There are other cave tours that start from the historic entrance, but these are the basic historic tours of Mammoth Cave.

If your cave tour does not enter through the historic entrance, then you can go inside Mammoth Cave on your own through the historic cave entrance by doing the self-guided Discovery Tour .

2. Frozen Niagara of Mammoth Cave

Is a cave formations tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

One of the most popular underground sections of Mammoth Cave is an area called the Frozen Niagara.

While most of Mammoth Cave is wide open passageways (which is why you should experience the cave from the historic entrance!), the section of the cave called the Frozen Niagara is where you can go to see more classic cave formations that you learn about in school. (aka stalagmites and stalactites .)

When you get to the Frozen Niagara of Mammoth Cave, you can see it without taking any stairs.

But you do also have the option of taking the stairs down into the Drapery Room, which is very much worth it to see more cave formations!

There are several Mammoth Cave tours that pass through the Frozen Niagara area:

• Frozen Niagara Tour (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.25 miles, 12 steps, easy)
• Domes and Dripstones Tour (2 hours, 0.75 miles, 500 steps, moderate)
• Grand Avenue Tour (4 hours, 4 miles, 1313 steps, difficult)

The Frozen Niagara Tour is the shortest and easiest way to see the “Frozen Niagara” of the Mammoth Cave.

The Domes and Dripstones Tour starts off by going down down down the stairs!

There are a lot of stairs to go down as soon as you enter the cave.

This part is fun!

There are parts where you’ll be going down narrow stairs with the cave walls literally right next to you.

And then you continue walking along a cave trail, and towards the end is where you’ll see the Frozen Niagara.

3. Mammoth Cave geology tour

Is a geology tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

When my River Styx tour started gathering around, the park ranger leading my tour said that the River Styx tour was her favorite because of the geology aspect.

She is a geologist and likes talking about rocks and water, which is what the River Styx tour was about.

River Styx: Underground water in Mammoth Cave

This is described as a “geology” tour, with a focus on learning more about the geology of Mammoth Cave.

One of the highlights is also seeing an underground river in Mammoth Cave.

You also have a chance to see eyeless cave fish , although they didn’t show themselves during my tour.

Fat Man’s Misery of Mammoth Cave

The River Styx tour goes through a section of Mammoth Cave called Fat Man’s Misery .

And while it is called this, the park ranger did indicate that a “fat man” can get through just fine.

No matter what size you are, you might be side stepping at times as you walk through this section of Mammoth Cave.

It’s fun!

It was also noted that all the paths we went through were naturally made.

So even the Fat Man’s Misery section, while it may seem like it was carved out, it was all naturally formed.

4. Mammoth Cave lantern tour

Is a lantern tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

There was yet another park ranger who said the lantern tour is one of his favorite ways to explore Mammoth Cave!

This park ranger was hesitant to specify any individual cave tour as his favorite.

But he basically said that he likes any of the lantern tours because he likes the experience of walking through the cave by the light of a lantern only.

There are several Mammoth Cave lantern tours:

• The Violet City Lantern Tour is $25 per person. (3 hours, 3 miles, 160 steps, difficult)
• The Star Chamber Tour is $25 per person. (evening lantern tour, 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles 160 steps, moderate)
• The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 1 mile, 82 steps, moderate)

While the Great Onyx Lantern Tour is offered by Mammoth Cave National Park, the tour does not take place in Mammoth Cave itself. You will be exploring another Kentucky cave called the Great Onyx Cave.

And while you won’t be walking most of Mammoth Cave by lantern, the River Styx Tour has a small portion in which you will use only a lantern to light your way too.

I did a full “lantern tour” at Jewel Cave National Monument , and it was fun! See about my Jewel Cave lantern tour .

What is the most popular Mammoth Cave tour?

Among the most popular Mammoth Cave tours are the Historic Tour and the Extended Historic Tour .

A historic tour takes you through the wide open Mammoth Cave passages that Mammoth Cave is known for!

It is worth noting that the Frozen Niagara Tour is also very popular, but unfortunately this is also not offered until fall 2023. (The Domes and Dripstones Tour goes to the same exact spot as the Frozen Niagara Tour, and then some.)

If you are going to Mammoth Cave National Park in the fall 2023, then you can do a historic tour and Frozen Niagara Tour in one day.

And although not as popular, I would also recommend considering the Violet City Lantern Tour .

You get to walk through Mammoth Cave with the light of a lantern only ! So fun!

At 3 hours long though, the Violet City Lantern Tour is on the longer side, so you will want to consider that.

Another less popular tour that you should consider is the Cleaveland Avenue Tour so that you can learn about the geology and history of the Mammoth Cave! This is another tour on the longer side at 2.5 hours.

Mammoth Cave tours not offered for some or all of this year.

According to the National Park Service as of spring 2023:

The River Styx Tour and Star Chamber Lantern tour are “not currently available.”

The Frozen Niagara Tour and the Domes and Dripstones Tour, which both go to the Frozen Niagara section of Mammoth Cave , will not be offered until fall 2023.

The Grand Avenue Tour will not be offered until fall 2023 or summer 2024.

See currently offered tours.

How much does it cost to go on a Mammoth Cave tour?

The cost of a Mammoth Cave tour will depend on which tour you decide on.

The cost of tickets for the regular Mammoth Cave tours is around $20 per person.

The adult prices are listed below, and there is a discounted rate for kids.

Number of reviews are at the time I updated this list, also indicating the most popular tours.

Here are the best Mammoth Cave tours based on popularity:

• The Historic Tour is $20 per person. (2 hours, 2 miles, 540 steps, moderate, 1,955 reviews)
• The Extended Historic Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 2.25 miles, 540 steps, moderate, 1,109 reviews)
• The Domes and Dripstones Tour is $21 per person. (2 hours, 0.75 miles, 500 steps, moderate, 774 reviews)*
• The Frozen Niagara Tour is $18 per person. (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.25 miles, 12 steps, easy, 330 reviews)*
• The Gothic Avenue Tour is $19 per person. (2 hours, 1 mile, 160 steps, moderate, 245 reviews)
• The River Styx Tour is $22 per person. (2.5 hours, 2.5 miles, 574 steps, moderate, 225 reviews)
• The Cleaveland Avenue Tour is $22 per person. (2.5 hours, 2 miles, 400 steps, moderate, 223 reviews)
• The Grand Avenue Tour is $35 per person. (4 hours, 4 miles, 1313 steps, difficult, 197 reviews)*
• The Mammoth Passage Tour is $11 per person. (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.75 miles, 125 steps, easy, 163 reviews)
• The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 1 mile, 82 steps, moderate, 144 reviews)
• The Violet City Lantern Tour is $25 per person. (3 hours, 3 miles, 160 steps, difficult, 105 reviews)
• The Wondering Woods Tour is (1.5 hours, 1 mile, 194 steps, moderate, 46 reviews) 
• The Star Chamber Tour is $25 per person. (evening “experience” lantern tour, 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles 160 steps, moderate, 37 reviews)
• The Grand Historic Tour is $35 per person. (4 hours, 4 miles, 640 steps, difficult, 36 reviews)

*At the time of this update, these tours were unlisted so information is based on last year. Hopefully they will be added back!

See the current list of tours and fees.

How to buy tickets for a Mammoth Cave tour

The important thing to know is that Mammoth Cave tours do sell out.

So planning may be required!

The best way to book your ticket for Mammoth Cave tours is through the official National Park Service reservation website .

When you are on the national park reservations website for the individual tours, you can go to the calendar availability.

If you click on a certain date, it will tell you how many tickets are left for each tour time. So this can let you know how soon you should book.

If there is still availability of the cave tours, then you can also buy tickets to the Mammoth Cave tours when you show up at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

In 2022, the only way to buy Mammoth Cave tickets to walk inside Mammoth Cave on your own is to show up at the Mammoth Cave visitor center.

But this can always change, so it’s important to check for updated Mammoth Cave ticket info from the National Park Service website .

You may also try calling the Mammoth Cave visitor center to speak with a park ranger to ask about how the availability of any of the cave tours for the day is looking.

The listed phone number for the Mammoth Cave visitor center is 270-758-2180.

If you buy your Mammoth Cave tour ticket online, screenshot your ticket.

Once you buy your ticket for a Mammoth Cave tour, a ticket will be emailed to you.

You will want to screenshot this e-ticket, as this will be what you will show to go on the tour!

You likely won’t have service in most of Mammoth Cave National Park, but there is wifi at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center if you forget to screenshot the ticket.

How long does the Mammoth Cave tour take?

Most of the Mammoth Cave tours are 2 hours long.

Where do Mammoth Cave tours start?

All things to do with Mammoth Cave tours will begin at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

The starting point of the cave tours is at a shelter located right outside the visitor center.

There is Shelter A and Shelter B. There is a sign posted at the shelter with the cave tours that start at each location.

There is no separate “check-in” area. You can just show up here.

From the meeting area, there are some tours (like the Frozen Niagara Tour) that will shuttle you by bus to another area of the park to enter Mammoth Cave.

The National Park Service tells you not to rely on GPS or google maps to get to Mammoth Cave National Park.

I believe the problem may be if you just click on a random “Mammoth Cave National Park” on google maps, as it may not be a specific location within the park.

But if you navigate specifically to Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center then you should be fine. ( map )

I navigated to Mammoth Cave Campground (which is near the visitor center), and it took me to the right place. ( map )

Still, if you want the National Park Service directions for confirmation, these are the directions to get to Mammoth Cave National Park.

The directions to the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center will be emailed to you if you book a cave tour.

How to get to Mammoth Cave National Park 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.

How to get to Mammoth Cave National Park 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.

Other than that, you may be driving through rural areas, so it’s best to download offline google maps for Kentucky before you go!

Mammoth Cave National Park is in central time zone!

Well, the good news is that if you are not already in the central time zone, then if you mess up the time, it just means you will be an hour early for your tour! Better than being an hour late!

Some of Kentucky is in central time zone, and some of Kentucky is in eastern time zone.

What to wear in Mammoth Cave

How should you dress for Mammoth Cave?

You will want to dress for cooler temperatures for Mammoth Cave.

It is said that inside Mammoth Cave is consistently in the mid-50s.

You will also want to wear shoes good for walking so your feet can be comfortable as you walk through the Mammoth Cave!

So, you will likely want to wear a sweatshirt or light jacket inside Mammoth Cave.

Also because you will be walking a lot, you will want to wear good walking shoes inside Mammoth Cave.

Also while we are talking about what to wear, we will also talk about what not to wear on your next cave trip after Mammoth Cave!

Take a full-body picture of yourself when you are inside Mammoth Cave!

This way, you will know what NOT to wear the next time you go inside a cave!

There’s a disease that’s deadly to bats that is known to exist in Mammoth Cave called white-nose syndrome. (This doesn’t affect humans at all.)

White-nose syndrome is thought to have been mostly spread from cave to cave by humans who have entered a cave with the fungus and then tracked it into another cave.

This is why it’s best not to wear the same shoes (or even clothes) that you wore into Mammoth Cave into any other cave in the world.

The most serious park I went to, Craters of the Moon National Monument , didn’t want you wearing ANYTHING into the Craters of the Moon caves that you wore into any cave in the last 15 years!

It was literally a question that was asked upon entry to the park!

So, by taking a picture of yourself, you’ll know what you wore into Mammoth Cave so you’ll know what not to wear to another cave!

Save the bats!

Why save the bats?!

And that’s a little bit about doing a Mammoth Cave tour!

I did Mammoth Cave tours in May 2022. Your experience may vary!

Above ground: Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park

HAPPY DOING A CAVE TOUR IN MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK!

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• Parting words

Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) Mammoth Cave

• January 14, 2021 January 14, 2021

No visit to Mammoth Cave National Park would be complete without a tour of the cave. There are many wonderful things to do at the park, like kayaking or hiking, but the cave is what makes the area so unique and interesting. Of course, when you visit the world’s longest cave system you can expect numerous tours that cover a wide variety of abilities, lengths, and sights. The Extended Historic Tour at Mammoth Cave is a great way to explore the cave while walking where people have explored and worked for thousands of years.

Unfortunately, when I visited Mammoth Cave National Park in south-central Kentucky, we were in the middle of a global pandemic. So my choices were limited. In fact, we had one choice of cave tour, and it wasn’t as long as it normally is. But I was extremely thankful to still be able to explore this amazing ecosystem below the surface of the earth.

Our tour was called the Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided). This self-guided tour includes the upper portion of the Extended Historic Tour, but because of COVID, the lower potions where spaces can get tight were restricted. The tour begins and ends at the Historic Entrance and takes you to the Tuberculosis Hospital Ruins deep inside the cave. It has a side trip down Audubon Avenue. In total, it’s about 2 miles and takes about an hour and a half. It’s rated easy and has 160 total stairs.

The Extended Historic Tour—Normally at Mammoth Cave

The Extended Historic Tour, one of the most popular tours of the park, takes you along this path but loops deeper underground through the features like the Wooden Bowl Room, Fat Man’s Misery, and the Ruins of Karnak. But because of COVID, this portion was closed.

Mammoth Cave National Park, has two different tours with the name Extended Historic Tour—one called the Extended Historic Tour and the Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided). The Self Guided tour only takes you to the tuberculosis camp and back the way you came, unlike the guided tour which loops via a lower portion.

Historic Entrance, Rotunda, and Audubon Avenue

The Historic Entrance is Mammoth Cave’s largest natural entrance. It’s easy to see how the cave system was not kept secret throughout history. Once you enter the cave, you pass through the Houchins Narrows, which opens up to a large space called the Rotunda.

This room is massive. And you can really get a feel for why the early visitors called the cave, Mammoth Cave. It has a circular breakdown-dome ceiling giving the large room an even larger feel. Here in the Rotunda, you can see one of two niter works where people long ago mined in the area. Niter or saltpeter is potassium nitrate.

During the early 1800s, people mined saltpeter. There are numerous wooden artifacts that are pointed out by placards as well as along the walk. It’s really interesting to view these well-preserved artifacts.

From the Rotunda, swing a right toward Audubon Avenue, named for the famed John James Audubon. On your walk to the end of Audubon Avenue, keep your eyes on the sides of the path for more artifacts.

At the end of Audubon Avenue, you can view ancient artifacts left by those who used Mammoth Cave during prehistoric times. From there, you retrace your steps back to the Rotunda and saltpeter vats.

Broadway to Tuberculosis Huts

From the Rotunda, you make your way further into what is known as the main cave. You pass through an area named Broadway, It was named so because it resembles the urban canyon of Broadway. The cave makes a slight curve to the left as you pass by a nook. The nook is known as The Church, a beautiful cave feature.

After you pass The Church, be on the lookout to your right for more wooden artifacts from the 1800s. Seven saltpeter vats and a pump tower once operated along this stretch of cave.

Just before you get to the end, the cave makes a sharp turn. Acute angles are not often seen in this main trunk of Mammoth Cave, but it’s a great reminder of the river that once carved the world’s longest cave system.

When you reach the end of the tour, you are treated to two stone structures that were built for those suffering from consumption or, tuberculosis. The clinic was a medical experiment in 1842. The cave air was thought to have curative properties for those battling the disease.

To finish this tour, you simply turn around and retrace your steps back out of the cave.

Above the water table

One thing I found interesting about the Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) at Mammoth Cave was that it does not take you below the water table. It may take you underground quite a ways, but not below the water table.

This is called a dry cave. When I planned my trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, I expected to see stalactites and stalagmites, like in Blanchard Springs Caverns in Arkansas. However, because we did not drop below the water table, these distinct cave features have not formed at this location. However, other tours at Mammoth Cave do go lower underground where you can see those features.

412 miles surveyed so far

The Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) is only a fraction of Mammoth Cave. To date, there have been 412 miles of cave surveyed, but there is a potential for 1,000 miles within this cave system. Mammoth Cave isn’t called the longest cave system in the world for no reason.

This tour only covers about 1 mile of the cave. In addition to the Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided), Mammoth Cave National Park offers around 20 different cave tours . And believe me, when COVID is over, I will be going back.

Mammoth Cave National Park is dog friendly! Dogs, of course, are not allowed in the cave, but the park offers dog kennels at a low cost so you can feel comfortable leaving your four-legged friend behind.

The Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) at Mammoth Cave

Even though I only got to visit a small fraction of Mammoth Cave, I was so glad I got to explore the world’s longest cave system. The historical aspect of the Extended Historic Tour is well worth a trip to the national park.

Pin it! Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) Mammoth Cave

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1 thought on “Extended Historic Tour (Self Guided) Mammoth Cave”

This is one of the places we are hoping to visit when we take a long vacation. We really enjoyed the Kentucky State Park system, pretty sure this will be a great one to visit. You have made Scott want to visit this summer!

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Alerts in effect, may 5th - may 18th, 2024, may 19th - june 30th, 2024, july 1st - july 31st, tour reservations.

Cave tours often sell out during the summer and early fall seasons, and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are the only way to ensure a spot on a tour is available for your party. Please plan accordingly by visiting Recreation.gov or calling 877-444-6777 to secure your tickets in advance. Availability of walk-up tickets is not guaranteed.

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Contact recreation.gov.

By Phone:  (877) 444-6777 TDD (hearing impaired):  (877) 833-6777 Online:   www.recreation.gov Call Center Hours:  9:00 am - 9:00 pm Central Time

Cave Tour Cancellation Policy

Refunds will be processed if you cancel before your tour time and date. There will be $1 per ticket charge regardless the reason for the cancellation. Customers who cancel any tour after the reservation time and date or no-shows will forfeit the tour fee.  For Wild Cave, Introduction to Caving, and Trog tours:

• Cancellations made 10 or more days prior to the Tour Date will be no charge.
• Wild Cave Tour: $12.00
• Introduction to Caving Tour: $6.00
• Trog Tour: $4.00

Descriptions of Cave Tours

Accessible tour ♿, call the visitor center at 270-758-2180 on the day of your visit for availability..

Utilizing the Elevator Entrance, this tour emerges near the famous Snowball Room. Continuing through historic Cleaveland Avenue, this tour passes through areas of the cave highly decorated with historic signatures and sparkling geological formations. This tour is ideal for people who wish to see the cave and are looking for a tour with no stairs. This is an accessible tour. This tour is designed for persons with a disability, limited physical mobility, or any other reason for a tour with no stairs. If no one in your party needs an accessible tour, please consider selecting another tour unless this is the only tour available at the time of your request. Wheelchairs, scooters and other assistive devices are allowed. Accessible restrooms are on this tour.   Participants meet at the visitor center for a caravan in their personal vehicles to drive approximately 2 miles to the elevator entrance. Assistive devices will need to be decontaminated upon exiting the cave to limit the spread of White Nose Syndrome. Please note that no transportation or mobility assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers or canes are available. NPS employees will not transport or assist visitors or visitor equipment. If visitors need assistance with the Park's accessible features, they must bring a companion with them for aid. Duration:  2 hours Distance:  0.5 miles (0.8 km) Total Stairs:  No stairs Difficulty:  Easy Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time: 14 Fees:  $27 Adults, $21 Youth, $13.50 Senior Pass Holder, $13.50 Access Pass Holder.  

Mammoth Passage - Not Always Offered.

An introductory tour into the Historic Entrance, this section of cave houses many great artifacts left behind by historic and prehistoric people. Staying along broad walkways in some of the largest rooms in Mammoth Cave, this tour is ideal for those who do not like tight spaces, have small children, or anyone looking for a tour with limited steps. This tour is the guided version of the Self-Guided Discovery Tour. Includes part of the Historic Tour and all of the Discovery Tour routes. Includes a steep outdoor hillside trail to and from the cave’s natural entrance. This tour does not see dripstone formation areas. Duration:  1.25 hours Distance:  0.75 miles (1.2 km) Total Stairs:  135 Difficulty:  Easy Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  70 Fees:  $15 Adults, $13 Youth, $7.50 Senior Pass Holder, $7.50 Access Pass Holder

Discovery Tour (Self-Guided) Not Always Offered

This tour is not always offered. Please call the visitor center at 270-758-2180 on the day of your visit to check its availability. This tour is typically offered Memorial Day to Labor day.

There is a fee for this tour. When tickets are sold, the time on the tickets will be the last time you can enter the cave. This tour has designated multiple hours that you can enter the cave, between the time you bought the ticket and the last time being the one displayed on your ticket. Please do not wait until the last minute to use the ticket. Many people visiting Mammoth Cave ask, “May we visit the cave without a guided tour?” The answer is yes! This self-guided tour requires a ticket, and proceeds into the Historic Entrance. Focusing on early history and prehistory of the cave, this section of cave houses many great artifacts. This tour is ideal for people wanting to move at their own pace or are looking for a cave experience without much time commitment. This tour is the self-guided version of the guided Mammoth Passage Tour. Includes part of the Historic Tour and all of the Mammoth Passage Tour routes. Please Note:  Advance tickets are not available. Duration:  0.5 hours Distance:  0.75 miles (1.2 km) Total Stairs:  135 Difficulty:  Easy Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time: Unlimited Fees:  $12 Adults, $9 Youth, $6 Senior Pass Holder, $6 Access Pass Holder.

Frozen Niagara Tour

The naturally decorated Frozen Niagara section remains one of the most famous at Mammoth Cave, and serves as the last stop for a variety of cave tours. While many tours require long hikes and numerous stairs to reach this point, this short tour offers a chance to visit this area. This tour is ideal for anyone with difficulty walking long distances or negotiating stairs. This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. This section of cave is seen in its entirety on the Domes and Dripstones, Grand Avenue, Introduction to Caving and Wild Cave Tours. Duration:  1.25 hours Distance:  0.25 miles (0.4 km) Total Stairs:  64, plus an optional 98 Difficulty:  Easy Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  34 Fees:  $26 Adults, $22 Youth, $13 Senior Pass Holder, $13 Access Pass Holder.

Domes & Dripstones Tour

This classic tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years. This tour begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, amazing breakdown, and ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites. This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. This tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and a small portion of the Grand Avenue Tour route. Duration:  2 hours Distance:  0.75 miles (1.2 km) Total Stairs:  640 , including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96 Difficulty:  Difficult Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  110 Fees:  $30 Adults, $25 Youth, $15 Senior Pass Holder, $15 Access Pass Holder.

Historic Tour

This classic Mammoth Cave Tour visits many of the historic areas that originally made Mammoth Cave famous. Going through tunnels that humans have used for thousands of years, this tour not only explores huge rooms that gave Mammoth Cave its name, but also descends to much tighter places deep inside the cave. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. This tour is ideal for people with an interest in history and a sense of adventure.   Portions of this tour are also seen on the Violet City Lantern, Star Chamber and Gothic Avenue Tours. It is seen in its entirety on the River Styx Tour. Duration:  2 hours Distance:  2 miles (3.2 km) Total Stairs:  540, including 155 at Mammoth Dome Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time:  110 Fees:  $24 Adults, $18 Youth, $12 Senior Pass Holder, $12 Access Pass Holder.

Grand Avenue Tour

At 4 hours long, this lengthy tour explores the geologic diversity of what Mammoth Cave has to offer. Going through slot canyons, tubular passageways, tall canyons, and tunnels sparkled with gypsum. This tour also encounters hundreds of steps and ascends and descends many tall, incredibly steep hills.  Covering a wide variety of the history and geology of Mammoth Cave, this tour is ideal for those wishing for a lengthy, half-day hike inside of the cave.  This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. This tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and all of the Domes and Dripstones Tour except for the 280 stairs descending the vertical shafts at the entrance. Duration:  4 hours Distance:  4 miles (6.4 km) Total Stairs:  1521 pluse an optional 96 Difficulty:  Strenuous Ages:  6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time:  78 Fees:  $42 Adults, $34 Youth, $21 Senior Pass Holder, $21 Access Pass Holder.

Gothic Avenue Tour

Gothic Avenue was named because of its unusual rock formations resembling Gothic architecture, and was the site of some of the earliest 19th century tourism. Early visitors left behind signatures, artifacts, and monuments in this area of the cave, which also features stalactites and stalagmites. This tour focuses on 1800s tourism and uses of Mammoth Cave, and is ideal for people with a high interest in history. Portions of this tour are also seen on the Star Chamber, Historic and Violet City Lantern Tours. Duration:  2 hours Distance:  1.7 miles (2.7 km) Total Stairs:  170 Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  40 Fees:  $23 Adults, $19 Youth, $11.50 Senior Pass Holder, $11.50 Access Pass Holder.  

Extended Historic Tour - Will Be Offered Beginning March 16th, 2024

Enjoy this Historic Tour with a bonus side trip to one of the sites of the famous 1840s Mammoth Cave experiment to treat consumption. This tour is ideal for people who want a Historic Tour and have a little extra time to spend in the cave. Portions of this tour are also seen on the Violet City Lantern, Star Chamber and Gothic Avenue Tours. Duration:  2.25 hours Distance:  2 miles (3.2 km) Total Stairs:  540, including 155 at Mammoth Dome Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time:  60 Fees:  $27 Adults, $21 Youth, $13.50 Senior Pass Holder, $13.50 Access Pass Holder.

Great Onyx Lantern Tour - Will Be Offered Beginning March 16th, 2024

A beautiful cave in its own right, Great Onyx Cave houses an abundance of beautiful geologic formations that sparkle in the lantern light of this tour. Visitors on this tour can see many stalactites, stalagmites, gypsum crystals, and helictites. This cave was also the site of very important cultural history in the early days of Kentucky cave tourism. This tour is ideal for people with an interest in cave tourism history and unusual rock formations. Please note: this tour is in Great Onyx Cave, which is separate from Mammoth Cave.   This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. Please Note:  This cave is toured within Mammoth Cave National Park, but is not known to connect with the Mammoth Cave System. Duration:  2.25 hours Distance:  1 miles (1.6 km) Total Stairs:  82 Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  38 Fees:  $31 Adults, $26 Youth, $15.50 Senior Pass Holder, $15.50 Access Pass Holder.

Violet City Lantern Tour - Will Be Offered Beginning March 16th, 2024

A truly historic way to experience Mammoth Cave, this tour travels exclusively by lantern light. At three hours long, this tour winds through the history and prehistory of Mammoth Cave as you wander through huge, broad tunnels. This tour climbs and descends many incredibly steep hills on historic dirt trails as you experience the cave in the light of the earliest explorers. This tour is ideal for visitors who like to hike and are wanting a unique way to experience the cave.   This tour requires a short bus ride back to the visitor center from the cave exit. Portions of this tour are also seen on the Historic, River Styx and Mammoth Passage Tours. Only visitors age 16 and over may carry lanterns. Be prepared, the rugged nature of this tour possesses steep hills, low lighting, uneven terrain and no handrail or electric lighting infrastructure. To preserve the nostalgic nature of this tour, the use of flashlights is prohibited. Duration:  3 hours Distance:  3 miles (4.8 km) Total Stairs:  200 and numerous hills with no handrails. Difficulty:  Difficult Ages:  6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  38 Fees:  $32 Adults, $27 Youth, $16 Senior Pass Holder, $16 Access Pass Holder.

Star Chamber Lantern Tour - Will Be Offered Beginning March 16th, 2024

An evening tour in Mammoth Cave by lantern light, this tour winds its way to historic Star Chamber. Described as more of an experience tour than a sightseeing tour, the Star Chamber Tour explores historic sections of the cave in the lighting of the earliest explorers, emerging from the cave in late evening. Focusing on early history of Mammoth Cave, this tour includes a trip into Gothic Avenue. This tour is ideal for visitors wanting a unique way to experience the cave and its history. Portions of this tour are also seen on the Historic, River Styx and Gothic Avenue Tours. Only visitors age 16 and over may carry lanterns. To preserve the nostalgic atmosphere of the activity, there is no flashlight use permitted on this tour. Duration:  2.5 hours Distance:  2 miles (3.2 km) Total Stairs:  170 Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  40 Fees:  $30 Adults, $25 Youth, $15 Senior Pass Holder, $15 Access Pass Holder.

Cleaveland Avenue Tour - Not Currently Offered

For nearly two centuries, Cleaveland Avenue has attracted people from all over the world to see its sparkling walls of gypsum and unique tube-shaped passages. Evidence of early visitors can still be seen on the walls and ceiling as you travel Cleaveland Avenue to the Snowball Room. This tour is ideal for people looking for a unique part of Mammoth Cave and an interest in geology and history.  This tour enters the cave by descending nearly 231 stairs and exits the cave via an elevator. In the event the elevator is not available due to unforeseen circumstances, the tour extends its time 30 minutes, retraces the route, and ascends the near 231 stairs back out of the cave. This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. Includes all of the Accessible Tour route. Duration:  2 hours - (2½ hours if the elevator is unavailable) Distance:  1 miles (1.6 km) - (2 miles [3.2 km] if the elevator is unavailable) Total Stairs:  231 - (462 if the elevator is unavailable) Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time: 34 Fees:  $30 Adults, $24 Youth, $15 Senior Pass Holder, $15 Access Pass Holder.  

Wondering Woods Tour - Not Currently Offered

Take a leisurely bus ride with a ranger across the park landscape and learn about the communities and people that were once here. After a short bus ride, enjoy a hike in the Tranquil Valley of Wondering Woods. At the end of the hike, a short cave tour awaits you where you'll be surrounded by beautiful cave formation! This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. Please Note:  This cave is toured within Mammoth Cave National Park, but is not known to connect with the Mammoth Cave System. Duration:  1.5 hours Distance:  1 miles (1.6 km) Total Stairs:  194 includes 54 being optional Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  All Ages Restrooms:  No Tickets available for each tour time:  30 Fees:  $26 Adults, $22 Youth, $13 Senior Pass Holder, $13 Access Pass Holder.

River Styx Cave Tour - Not Currently Offered

Following along the Historic Tour Route, this tour focuses on the unique geologic and natural history of Mammoth Cave. Including a brief side trip to the underground water level, this tour takes an in-depth look at the millions of years of formation of Mammoth Cave. This tour is ideal for visitors with a high interest in geology.  Please use extra caution when visiting the river level. To access this section of the cave the tour leaves modern tour trail to uneven terrain that may be wet, muddy, and/or slick. The tour route travels next to bodies of water, some of which can be very deep depending on river levels. Viewing of this area will also be conducted with electric lanterns and not the modern lighting system on the rest of the route. This tour covers the entire Historic Tour route. Limited sections of the Star Chamber, Violet City Lantern and Mammoth Passage are also seen. Duration:  2.5 hours Distance:  2.5 miles (4 km) Total Stairs:  Approximately 600, including 155 at Mammoth Dome. Difficulty:  Moderate Ages:  6 year and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Restrooms:  Yes Tickets available for each tour time: 40 Fees:  $26 Adults, $20 Youth, $13 Senior Pass Holder, $13 Access Pass Holder.

Wild Cave Tour -  Not Currently Offered

Introduction to caving - not currently offered, trog tour - not currently offered, wild cave and introduction to caving crawling tour requirements.

Boot tread must be a minimum of 1/4 inch in depth, and boot height must be sturdy and cover the ankle bone completely. You will not be able to participate if your footwear does not meet safety requirements. There will be no refunds or ticket exchanges for not having the proper footwear.

Learn more about the special requirements for crawling tours in the informational video below.

Embed video.

The Willd Cave and Introduction to Caving Tours are the most extreme cave tours offered at Mammoth Cave National Park. Learn what to expect and what to wear for these challenging crawling adventures.

Tour Route Photo Galleries

2 hours | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 540 stairs

2.25 hours | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 540 stairs

2.5 hours | 2.5 miles (4 km) | 600 stairs

2 hours | 1 miles (1.6 km) | 160 stairs

1.25 hours | 0.75 miles (1.2 km) | 135 stairs

0.5 hours | 0.75 miles (1.2 km) | 130 stairs

1.25 hours | 0.25 miles (0.4 km) | 64 stairs, optional 98 stairs

2 hours | 0.75 miles (1.2 km) | 638 stairs

1.5 hours | 1 mile (1.6km) | 140 stairs, optional 54

2.25 hours | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 82 stairs

2 hours | 1/2 mile (0.8 km)

3.5 hours | 1 mile | 300 stairs

2 hours 45 minutes | 1 1/2 miles | 200 stairs

Other Cave Tours

Mammoth Cave offers numerous cave tours throughout the year. The selection of tours changes seasonally and with staffing availability. You can read descriptions and learn more about these other cave tours before planning your trip to the park. Check back with our cave tour schedule or park calendar to see future offerings of these other cave tours.

Beyond the Cave

Park footer, contact info, mailing address:.

P.O. Box 7 Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007

270 758-2180

Stay Connected

Mammoth Cave National Park Tours

Mammoth Cave National Park

As the National Park Service (NPS) monitors and responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health to use the latest science to guide our decision making. Modifications to Mammoth Cave National Park operations and the addition of cave tours to the current reservation schedule will be adjusted as park managers monitor local conditions and evaluate facilities and services with the support of public health professionals.

Tour offerings and schedules may change in accordance with public health guidance. Please check back periodically for an updated tour schedule as it will be updated when tour offerings are determined. We strongly recommend making tour reservations prior to your visit as cave tours often sell out.  

Explore up to ten miles of the incredible Mammoth Cave! With more than 400 miles (644 km) of mapped passageways, Mammoth Cave ranks as the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park was established in 1941, designated a World Heritage Site in 1981 and became the core area of an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.  

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hill country of south central Kentucky. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place" but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned it the name Mammoth. The park offers a variety of cave tours daily (except Christmas Day). Mammoth Cave tours are available year-around, up to 6 months in advance.  

The park may not publish the complete schedule or variety of tours until 1 to 3 months prior to tour date. All tours begin and end at the Visitor Center. Tours range from easy to difficult and may last anywhere from one to six hours. Cave trails and walkways may have electric lights or may be rugged, pitch-dark paths that require visitors to carry a lantern.   

Take a little time to ensure the activity you choose is the best one for you. Each tour is fascinating in its own way and shows off the various sections of the cave. Tour highlights include the Rainbow Dome, the Snowball Room, Crystal Lake, and the Bottomless Pit. Please note the Self-Guided tour is usually only offered during the busier times of the year of summer and fall. The park also offers free programs on the surface that do not require reservations. 

Notifications and Alerts

The America the Beautiful Senior Pass and America the Beautiful Access Pass ♿ will give a discount for the pass holder card only. Discount is applied in-person after you make your reservations, and you must bring the physical card and ID to the ticket counter at the Visitor Center for the refund. All other passes do not apply to tour fees.

Need to Know

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in the central time zone and observes daylight savings time.

When traveling to the park for a cave tour, plan for adequate travel time to the visitor center. We suggest that you arrive around 30 minutes before the start of your scheduled tour. This will allow for time to find parking, pick up your tickets and time to use the restroom. All schedule tours leave on time.   

Firearms, pepper spray, mace, knives or weapons of any type are not permitted on cave tours or in the Visitor Center.

All schedule Tours leave on time. Customers with reservations that arrive after your tour reservation time and date will forfeit your tour fee. This includes if you miss being at your assigned shelter at your designated time and the tour leaves without you, you will forfeit your tour fee. If you see that you will not make your reservation time and date you may cancel before your tour time and date. There will be $1 per ticket charge regardless for the cancellation.

Child strollers and infant backpack carriers are prohibited in the cave for visitor safety reasons. Front carriers are permitted. Some tours have age restrictions. Please check age requirements prior to making your reservation. Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older on all tours.

The park offers a variety of cave tours daily (except Christmas Day). Mammoth Cave tours are available year-around, up to 6 months in advance. The park may not publish the complete schedule or variety of tours until 3 months prior to tour date. The park schedules several tours daily, year-round (for example, the Historic Tour runs daily). Other tours are offered seasonally or less frequently. Please check the current cave tour schedule. You may call the park at 270-758-2180 for additional information.

Evacuation from the cave to a hospital for medical attention could take several hours; visitors with known heart or respiratory conditions, poor circulation, or difficulty walking and climbing stairs should carefully consider their limitations.

Flash photography is not permitted on cave tours. Camera tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are also prohibited.

During the months of March, April, and May we experience heavy visitation from schools; there may be large groups of students on tours.

All visitors are required to walk on bio-security mats at conclusion of tour; this measure is to protect the spread of a WNS, a fungal disease threatening cave-hibernating bat populations in our national parks.

Booking Windows

Reservations:

Mammoth Cave tours are available year-around, up to 6 months in advance. The park may not publish the complete schedule or variety of tours until a few months prior to tour date. Cave tours frequently sell out and reservations are the only way to ensure a spot is available for you and/or your party. First Come First Served tickets only sell on the day of and do normally sell fast, so it is recommended coming early to purchase those tickets. First Come First Served tickets may not be offered everyday, so please call Mammoth Cave National Park to check.

Changes and Cancellations

REFUNDS: Refunds will be processed if you cancel before your tour time and date. There will be $1 per ticket charge regardless the reason for the cancellation. Customers who cancel any tour after the reservation time and date or no-shows will forfeit the tour fee. EXCEPTIONS : Introduction to Caving Tour and Wild Cave tour may be cancel at no cost until midnight 10 days prior to the tour date. Within 10 days prior to tour date, a cancellation fee of $6 will be applied to an Introduction to Caving Tour ticket and a $12 cancellation fee will be applied for a Wild Cave Tour ticket.  

*Customers with reservations that arrive after your tour departure time without cancelling your tour will forfeit your tour fee. These tickets cannot be exchanged for other tours after your scheduled tour time and date. Schedule tours leave on time, so if you are not here, you will miss your tour.*

DISCOUNTS: The Park only accepts American The Beautiful Senior Lifetime/Annual or ADA Access Pass and the discount will only be applied for the cardholder only. Please bring the card and identification to apply your discount. The Park does NOT accept any of the other discount passes.

Contact Information

Mailing address.

P.O Box 7 Mammoth Cave KY 42259

Phone Number

270-758-2180

Available Tours and Tickets

• Star Chamber Tour
• Historic Tour
• Domes and Dripstones Tour
• Great Onyx Lantern Tour
• Grand Avenue Tour
• Violet City Lantern Tour
• River Styx Tour
• Frozen Niagara Tour
• Mammoth Passage Tour
• Discovery Self-Guided
• Gothic Avenue Tour
• Cleaveland Avenue Tour
• Accessible Tour
• Extended Historic Tour

Photo Gallery

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Love Exploring

Check Out the World’s Most EPIC Caves

Posted: November 9, 2023 | Last updated: November 9, 2023

Subterranean spectacles

Some of the most amazing spectacles in this world are hidden deep underground, beneath rocks, sea and even ice. Here are 29 of the world's most incredible caves and caverns you can visit.

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA

Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park is the world’s longest known cave system. It’s at least 400 miles (644km) long (an additional eight miles/13km was added in 2021), but there’s so much more that hasn’t even been explored. It’s easy to visit and free to enter the park, but you must pay for the cave tours (book in advance in summer).

Grotta Palazzese, Italy

Postojna Caves, Slovenia

Postojna Caves is Slovenia’s largest cave system, which spans over 12 miles (19km), with a quarter of that open to the public. You can walk the route, but there’s also a miniature train (opened in 1872) for a relaxing exploration of 2.2 miles (3.7km). Look out for the creepy, almost translucent olms, or “baby dragons", in the exhibition aquarium.

See more reasons to love Slovenia

Hotel Marhala, Tunisia

Want to sleep on a Star Wars set? Then make like R2D2 and head to Hotel Marhala in Matmata, southern Tunisia. Some people in the Berber-speaking town still live in these traditional 'troglodyte' caves. Don’t expect luxury accommodation, this is the very definition of basic.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

Luray Caverns, Virginia, USA

While there are plenty of reasons to visit Luray – huge caverns, an incredible lake, ceilings 10-stories high – the main reason is to hear the world’s largest musical instrument. The Stalacpipe Organ makes music by gently tapping stalactites. Buy your tickets in advance.

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

It’s not exactly a top tourist attraction, but Turkmenistan’s Door to Hell is pretty fascinating. Officially called the Darvaza crater, it was caused by a Soviet oil rig drilling into a natural gas cavern in 1971 and has been burning ever since. Take an off-the-beaten-track tour to visit while you still can, as it's been reported that the Turkmenistan president wants to extinguish the fire (natural gas is an important resource for the country).

Discover more of the most mysterious places on Earth

Marble Caves, Chile

The Shell Grotto, Kent, England, UK

Mendenhall Ice Cave, Alaska, USA

Ice caves appear and disappear each year in Alaska's retreating Mendenhall Glacier and are notoriously difficult to reach. You can take a six- to eight-hour overland trek on a dangerous, unmarked trail or you can kayak across the ice lake (only for experienced cold water paddlers) and take a shorter hike. The glacier is around 13 miles (21km) from the town of Juneau.

Explore more of Alaska's incredible sights here

Tham Khao Luang Cave, Thailand

This huge and peaceful mountain cave temple filled with statues of Buddha is in the Phetchaburi province of central Thailand. It's only around a hundred years old and was built in the reign of King Chulalongkorn. When the sun is shining, the light beams onto the stone and makes for a colorful sight. Just watch out for the pesky monkeys on the steep walk there.

Here are more of the world's most beautiful temples

Reed Flute Cave, China

Aptly named Reed Flute Cave near Guilin in southern China is so-called because of the reeds that grow in the area that are used to make flutes. The caverns are lit with brightly colored rainbow lights and collectively is otherwise known as the 'palace of natural art'. There are inscriptions here from as far back as the Tang Dynasty (AD 792).

Neptune’s Grotto, Italy

The Ape Cave, Washington, USA

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, USA

Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico is home to the “Hall of Giants”. It’s 4,000 feet (1,219m) long, 625 feet (190m) wide and 350 feet (106m) high, and it's the second-largest cavern in the world. You can explore the Natural Entrance Trail and the Big Room Trail on your own, but to explore further you need to join a ranger-led tour. Wear footwear suitable for hiking and while COVID-19 is still an issue, reserve your time slot in advance.

Discover more of America's underground attractions you didn't know existed

Blue Grotto, Italy

Fingal’s Cave, Scotland, UK

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

You visit Waitomo Caves for one reason: the glowworms. You have to queue for a long time to get into the caves, but the boat trips are worth the wait, or if you're happy to get wet and climb through the caves you can explore on a rubber tube. Photos and taking videos is prohibited, so sit back and take in the luminescent light.

More glow-in-the dark attractions from around the world

Batu Caves, Malaysia

Only a few miles outside of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are an important part of Malaysian history and culture. There are four caves to explore but the Temple Cave is the largest and most popular. They're also rumored to have trapdoor spiders in them – a species that literally creates trap doors in the ground using soil – so watch your step. The caves are set up for tourists so you're better off making your own way there instead of paying for a tour. 

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA

Antelope Canyon in the Navajo Nation is the work of hundreds of years of sandstone erosion. There are two canyons to explore (Upper and Lower) and they're accessible by guided tour only. Go early to get the best photos and book your tour in advance – while the COVID-19 pandemic rumbles on, tours are running at 50% capacity.

Carnglaze Caverns, Cornwall, England, UK

Phraya Nakhon Cave, Thailand

Phraya Nakhon Cave in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is spectacular in its own right, but it's the little pavilion bathed in light inside which really makes it special. Want to visit? You've got quite the trek ahead of you: a boat ride, 1,450 feet (442m) of uneven and steep steps, then a slippery pathway into the cavern. Start early, the light in this beautiful cave looks best in the morning.

Vatnajökull, Iceland

A result of the geothermal heat that Iceland is famous for, the Vatnajökull ice caves are a spectacle that wouldn't look out of place on a film set. Each summer, new crystal blue ice caves are formed in Europe's largest glacier and in the winter months they can be safely explored.

Get off the tourist trail in Iceland with these tips

Ik Kil, Mexico

Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Germany

Remouchamps, Belgium

Remouchamps in the province of Liège in Belgium is hiding an incredible secret. This is where you'll find the world's longest subterranean river. After a half-a-mile (0.8km) walk exploring the passageways and cathedral cavern, you'll hop in a rowboat for a peaceful trip along the water. The caves were used in the Second World War as a shelter.

Gran Cenote, Mexico

Cenotes (pronounced 'sey-no-tes') are natural sinkholes of various sizes – some are subterranean but others are flooded with sunlight because the roof has long since caved in. Gran Cenote is on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, a limestone landscape famous for its cenotes. Here you pay an entry fee and you can swim, snorkel or go scuba diving. It gets crowded, so come early.

Check out more of the world's most incredible sinkholes

Indian Echo Caverns, Pennsylvania, USA

Nerja Caves, Spain

In Spain's province of Málaga, these caves are home to famous rock paintings from the Paleolithic period (not open to the public), as well as the largest stalagmite in the world. You can visit on a self-guided tour – walk, drive or take the little 'train' from Nerja – or book an exclusive evening access tour.

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

The world’s largest cave, Son Doong, was only discovered and first explored in 2009. If you’re lucky enough to visit the cave in remote Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, you’ll find the longest stalactites in the world, limestone cave pearls and an underground rainforest. You can visit the cave on a four-day expedition from February to August, but tours must be booked well in advance.

Now read on for the world's eerie abandoned places that lie underground

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The great outdoors are closer than you think. How to find hiking, camping, more near you.

There are more federal lands and waters than you can explore in a lifetime.

And there’s a free tool to help find the best ones for you. Recreation.gov is a one-stop shop for planning adventures in the great outdoors. 

“Our job with Recreation.gov is to set people out to have the best experience they can, and when they know what to expect, they know how to prepare, they know what passes they might need, if their entry fees, if they need time, reservations, anything like that,” said Janelle Smith, who works for the U.S. Forest Service and Recreation.gov Public Affairs.

Here’s how to use the site to plan your next getaway or level up your next road trip .

Is Recreation.gov a real website?

Yes. Fourteen federal agencies , ranging from the National Park Service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, use Recreation.gov as a “centralized travel planning and reservation platform,” according to the website.

“All of our federal agencies that participate in Recreation.gov share their data with us, even if it's not a reservable location,” said Smith. Travelers can use that data to find points of interest across the country. “Today, there are about 5,000 recreation areas and 121,000 individual sites available to reserve on Recreation.gov .”

Where is a good place to camp? 

To find highly rated campgrounds near you, use the map tool in the middle of the homepage or select the Camping & Lodging thumbnail near the top. Either can help you search Recreation.gov’s database of campgrounds and other accommodations, which you can narrow by rating as well as distance, price, availability, and even mobile coverage. You can click on each location to find additional details like rules, activities and nearby attractions.

You’ll need to create an account on the website to make a reservation.

“There's many reasons for that, the most important being those local managers, who manage the locations where you're going to visit, need to be able to communicate with you for things like maybe a fire emergency or flooding or anything that could impact your stay,” Smith explained.

How do I plan where to stop on a road trip? 

Recreation.gov's Trip Builder can help you find all sorts of scenic places to stop, whether for a picnic or a full park day. 

From the homepage, click on Plan Your Vacation with Trip Builder. From there, you can enter a starting point and destination and filter what you’d like to do along the way. Do you want to go hiking or snorkeling? Are you interested in historical and cultural sites or simply driving around and looking at scenery? You can indicate how far out of the way you’re willing to go for these destinations.

“I can set this buffer zone right here to, say, 50 miles outside of my route,” Smith said. “It will show me then all of the different recreation opportunities along that route … that I wouldn't have known about otherwise just driving along the road.”

From Acadia to Zion: What travelers should know about each of America's national parks

Can you just show up to a national park?

Sometimes. Most national parks do not require reservations for entry. Of those that do, most only require reservations for certain areas, during certain times, like summit sunrises at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii. 

Some may require reservations or fees for specific activities, like cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Others may require activity permits or lotteries, like hiking Angels Landing at Zion National Park in Utah.

“If a location requires a permit, it's typically a location that is extremely popular and the demand is greater than the capacity of that experience,” Smith said. She encourages travelers to consider less visited destinations.

“All the participating agencies of Recreation.gov, beyond the big national parks, have hundreds and thousands of amazing locations that people may not know about,” Smith said. “By venturing out just beyond sort of the known areas, I think you can discover parts of this country that are really surprising, and they have so much to offer.”