Wheelchair Accessibility at Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth cave is the largest cave in the United States and also considered the longest cave in the world. There are 365 miles of explored caverns, but it’s estimated that there could be as many as 600 more miles that are not yet explored. Surprisingly, this cave and the national park that surrounds it are wheelchair accessible. Here is my full accessibility report.
Where to Stay
There are several campgrounds in the area and the national park itself has two campgrounds that have ADA sites. Check ahead if the sites include electric. We stayed at a nearby campground.
There is also a lodge withing the park that has accessible rooms available.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do
There are a wonderful variety of activities within the park that are wheelchair accessible.
Cave Tour
There is a completely wheelchair accessible cave tour available. This ½ mile tour takes place via a paved path throughout the cave. On this tour you will see the remains of an old restaurant that was once used in the cave, formations and learn a bit of history as well.
The Frozen Niagra Cave Tour is an option for people with some even limited mobility. This ¼ mile tour takes you deeper into the cave. There are 14 steps along this tour. The tour lasts about 1 ¼ hours and requires a bus ride to the entrance.
Visitor Center
The visitor center is fully accessible with handicap parking and restrooms. The doors are push button powered. Exhibits have been lowered to make them more accessible and there is a short film available to watch. Here you will learn how the cave was formed, the history of its early use and so much more.
Accessible Trails
Echo River, Heritage, Sand Cave and Sloan’s Crossing Pond Trails are all wheelchair accessible. Each trail offers a different and interesting look at the park.
When I visited, we took the Echo River Trail and it was lovely. This trail shows where the water comes out of Mammoth Cave and flows into a stream. It’s a beautiful blue due to the limestone sediments from the cave.
We visited in April, so the plants were just starting to get buds on them. I would love to see it during the summer or even fall. I bet it’s incredible. If I go back, I’d also like to try the other accessible trails.
Check out the Natural Entrance.
The natural entrance to the cave is HUGE. So big in fact, that you could stack two big buses on top of each other in the entrance. Unfortunately, this entrance to get into the cave is not wheelchair accessible and has about 98 steps.
The paved path to get to the entrance is doable however. There is an extended incline on the path, but I was able to manage it on my mobility scooter. Manual wheelchair users may want some assistance.
Ranger led programs.
As with most national parks, there are ranger programs throughout the day. These programs allow you to ask questions and get a unique perspective on the park. They are also generally wheelchair accessible. Check at the visitor center for times and locations.
Final Thoughts on Wheelchair Accessibility at Mammoth Cave National Park
I really enjoyed my day at this park. There was beautiful scenery, interesting history and I got to go into a cave! Although I would’ve loved to see even more of this giant cave, I was happy that the accessible tour had some interesting things to see and learn. The ½ mile tour is longer than some of the other accessible caves I’ve been to.
If you are ever traveling through Kentucky, I highly recommend a visit to this amazing park. For other things to see in Kentucky, check out my blog post here .
Share this:
I'm Kristin and I was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, which impacts my mobility and breathing. Despite this challenge, I have travelled across the United States and abroad and want to share my accessible travel information with others.
Atlas Obsession
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.
Leave A Comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
DIAMOND CAVERNS
Discovered 1859 – rediscovered daily, cave – gift & rock shoppe – gem mining, 1900 mammoth cave parkway, park city, ky, 270-749-2233.
For over 160 years Historic Diamond Caverns has offered tours of Kentucky’s most beautiful cave. Intricate drapery deposits line the halls with thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone deposits throughout the entire tour. Knowledgeable guides explain the unique geology and fascinating history of the cave during the one hour long guided tour. The cave is presented by a state-of-the-art lighting system with modern concrete trails and safety hand railings throughout. Browse the caverns gift shop featuring Kentucky Collection crafts, rocks, minerals, fossils, souvenirs, books and more.
Open year-round. I-65 at Exit 48
http://diamondcaverns.com
ONYX CAVE & ROCK SHOP
93 huckleberry knob road, 270-773-2323, seasonal hours: march through december.
Onyx Cave offers 30-minute cave tours, your underground experience includes views of beautiful cave coral, a wall of cave bacon, and a 40′ tall column. Cave tours are led by experienced, knowledgeable guides that will point out the many cave formations. There are few stairs and the cave stays at a cool 60 degrees year-round! Photography is allowed and encouraged. Browse the Onyx Cave Rock Shop for a variety of minerals, rocks, fossils, jewelry, home décor and paintings by local artists. Don’t forget to purchase bag of gems for gem mining in our unique sluice.
www.onyxcave.com
OUTLAW CAVE
Jesse james riding stables & outlaw cave, 3057 mammoth cave rd, 270-773-2560.
OUTLAW CAVE offers a 35-minute non-strenuous, guided tour filled with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and other breath taking formations. Area legend has it that famous outlaws such as Jesse James, hid out in OUTLAW CAVE and as well as other area caves. A tour in OUTLAW CAVE is perfect for the whole family, where its short length, few stairs, and affordability makes it easily accessible to all. OUTLAW CAVE offers a lantern tour daily as well as normal tours. Outlaw Cave is part of Jesse James Riding Stables and Mini-Golf. Open Seasonally – For rates or reservations please call 270-773-2560.
CRYSTAL ONYX Cave
Show cave, gift/rock shop, gem panning, picnic area, 425 prewitt’s knob rd, 270-773-3377.
Crystal Onyx offers 2 separate 1 hour, 1/2 mile, unscripted guided tours of one of the regions most beautiful formation filled caves. Focusing on family, fun, education & entertainment. Crystal Onyx is family owned and operated with a unique ‘route 66’ above ground theme. Many photo ops are available with statues & oddities nestled in a secluded woodland setting, high atop the knob. The caves meandering trails have recently been renovated with groomed crushed limestone, new stairs, bridges, handrails and are exceptionally well lit. Reservations are available but not necessary. Crystal Onyx Cave is a seasonal attraction, Trip Advisor calls us Cave City’s #1 Tourist Attraction several years in a row! I-65 exit 53, 3 miles east, come see us at CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, established in 1960. Open Seasonally – call 270-773-3377.
www.crystalonyxcaveky.com
HIDDEN RIVER CAVE
Cave – american cave museum – gift shop – gem mining, 119 e main st, horse cave, ky, 270-786-1466.
Guided tours descend 150′ underground. View the remains of a turn of the century hydroelectric system, walk above the Hidden River and witness awe-inspiring chambers. Walk across the longest swinging bridge to see Sunset Dome!
Cave tours last 45-60 minutes and are scheduled upon visitation; roughly 45 minutes apart. Reservations not required. Visitors descend and climb 230 stairs and navigate an outside trail. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. The American Cave Museum is a self-guided museum with two floors of exhibits dealing with caves, groundwater and pollution. OPEN YEAR-ROUND
www.hiddenrivercave.com
MAMMOTH CAVE
World’s longest cave – over 400 miles, 270-758-2180.
Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve the cave system, including Mammoth Cave, the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and and hilly karst terrain typical of south central Kentucky. Beneath the sandstone-capped ridges of Mammoth Cave National Park lies the most extensive cave system on earth, with over 400 miles of passageway mapped and surveyed. And yet after 5,000 years of intermittent exploration, the full extent of this water-formed labyrinth remains a mystery. Join us on this journey. You do need advance reservations for Cave Tours. Exit 48 off I-65. Open Year-Round.
http://www.nps.gov/maca
LOST RIVER CAVE
Kentucky’s only underground boat tour, 2818 nashville rd, bowling green, ky, 270-393-0077.
Lost River Cave has one of the largest cave openings in the Eastern United States. The cave has a long rich history including Native American Indians, Civil War encampment, power generation, milling and an “Underground Nite Club”.
A Tour of the Cave and Valley includes a 20-minute Historical River Walk to the Cave opening emphasizing history, geology/hydrology, and folklore; followed by a 20-to-25 minute Boat Tour into the cave. The boat tour enables the visitor to view the large rooms of the cave and its other interesting features. Open Year-Round – I-65 at Exit 22
www.lostrivercave.org
- Skip to global NPS navigation
- Skip to this park navigation
- Skip to the main content
- Skip to this park information section
- Skip to the footer section
Exiting nps.gov
Alerts in effect, fees & passes, picnic shelter reservation fees.
There are two picnic shelters located in the picnic area near the visitor center. Each picnic shelter has ten picnic tables and the open shelter includes a working fireplace. The picnic area also has fire grates, restrooms, fresh water, and a garbage dumpster. Reservations for the picnic shelters can be made on Recreation.gov .
Camping Fees
There are three developed campgrounds within the park. Camping fees vary depending on the site. Reservations are recommended and can be made through Recreation.gov . Backcountry camping permits are $10 and available online through Recreation.gov or in person at the Mammoth Cave Campground Kiosk.
Mammoth Cave Campground
Mammoth Cave Campground is located on Mammoth Cave Parkway, 1/4 mile from the visitor center.
Maple Springs Group Campground
Maple Springs Group Campground is located on the park's north side on Maple Springs Loop, six miles from the visitor center and three miles north of Green River Ferry. All sites are group sites. pe
Houchin Ferry Campground
Houchin Ferry Campground is located on the park's west side on Houchin Ferry Road, 15 miles from the visitor center and one and a half miles from the town of Brownsville, Kentucky.
Forms of Payment
Acceptable forms of payment for Mammoth Cave National Park’s fees and passes include cash, all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, personal checks, business checks, and traveler checks.
Fee Free Days
Several days throughout the year have been designated as entrance fee free days at your national parks. On these days, entrance fees will not be charged, however, camping and other use fees will still be collected. At Mammoth Cave, a select list of cave tours are offered free of charge on these days. Check the current cave tour schedule for more information. For more information on entrance fee free days in the national parks, visit the Free Entrance Days website .
Educational Group Fees
Educational programs are eligible for discounted group rates on cave tours. Contact the park at (270) 758-2180 for more information.
Commercial Use Authorization
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service. It authorizes you to conduct commercial activities and to provide specific visitor services within a national park. For more information about CUAs, visit our Commercial Use Authorization page.
Cave Tour Cancelation Policy
All changes of tour reservation will be considered a cancellation and charged $1.00 per ticket. Cancellations made fewer than 24 hours in advance of the tour will not receive a refund. 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
Last updated: December 21, 2023
Park footer
Contact info, mailing address:.
P.O. Box 7 Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007
270 758-2180
Stay Connected
World of Caves
UnderGround Cave Adventures Await
The Best Caves for Adventure Seekers with a Disability
We may have been compensated for this post. Please keep in mind that it affects you in no way financially. If an item is being reviewed, we are not obligated to give a positive review and always use our own words. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you would like a review done contact Dannelle at [email protected]
Sharing is caring!
- Pinterest 1
Do you enjoy caving but have a physical disability? If so, this post is for you! We will provide the list of accessible caves for disability friends in North America. Most of them are near major cities and offer easy access to fresh air and beautiful views!
There are numerous caves around the world that the outside world can access, and they have a lot to offer those who visit. Not all caves are the same, and they do not offer the same features you will encounter as you journey around the world. Want to know some of the best caves around the world to explore? Let’s take this smooth journey to find out…
List of Accessible Caves (ADA)
This is a list of what we could find – if you know of others to add, please let us know in the comments!
Windcave National Park
Wind Cave National Park was the first to be given the title of a national park as it features some of the world’s largest boxwork formations found in a cave. It features 33,970 acres of forestry region, which serves as a wildlife sanctuary. You can visit the park between 8 am to 4:30 pm daily.
However, due to the pandemic, the Elk Mountain Campground is closed and will remain this way until further instructions are given. In addition, the cave is not accessible during the pandemic either, but the trails are open just the same.
The cave was first discovered by white Americans back in 1881 when Tom and Jesse Bingham heard weird wind rushing from a hole in the ground. There are also reports that the rush of the wind was powerful enough to the point it blew Tom’s hat from his head.
As the years passed, more and more people thought it would be a great adventure to explore. From that year onward, many people found interest in venturing further into the cave, and over time, the cave was developed, and more tourists started to visit.
The Boxwork formations are a honeycomb-like formation that is structured along the cave walls, and those found at this cave are among the most intriguing the world will ever see. You can do lots of activities at the park, like going for wildlife tour encounters where you get to see some amazing animals like elks, oxen, bison, prairie dogs, deer, and so much more. You will have no regrets taking a tour of this national park as there is so much that awaits you.
Windcave National Park is located in southern New Mexico. The area around the cave has a lot of beautiful scenery, making it a great place to go hiking when you are not exploring the caves, and is great for our list of caves for disability people.
Caves for Disabilty: Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park has a rich and strong history as the world’s longest known cave system. Taking a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park will leave you encountering years of rich connection to human history as well as its diverse link to wildlife. This gave it the edge it needed to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
Even though many people see the cave as a “haunted spot,” there is so much more to explore and learn about the region. Touring the cave is also a flexible journey as there are smooth and rough roads, and these missions can last anywhere between one to six hours. Interestingly, too, the trails might be decked with electrical lights and some that are so dark that explorers have to take their own lighting.
Stepping inside the cave will leave you breathless at the number of formations that are located all over. Entering the drapery room, you will come across some fine drapery that sits so well along the limestone walls and roof in a pleated fashion.
Then, as you journey to the Snowball Room, there you will see loads of “snowballs” that vary in size. There is also the unique “Frozen Niagara,” which resembles a frozen waterfall. Sure enough, this is just a small taste of the many formations that lie await in this historical cave for you to experience.
ADA Caves: Fantastic Caverns
Journey down into the depths of Fantastic Caverns and see beautiful formations like Mystic Falls, Crystal Dome, and more! The tour guide will give you a rundown on what to expect as they take you through various levels of difficulty.
Fantastic Cavern truly lives up to its name as it is one of the many amazing caves worldwide that is worth every minute of its visits. It was discovered back in 1862 by a farmer and his dog, who sniffed his way through a tiny hole he saw while he walked with his owner.
However, 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 answered that call five years after the initial discovery. To this day, their names are still etched on the walls of the cave.
Fantastic Caverns do have some amazing features that you will enjoy every minute you spend inside. However, seeing the formations and texture of the cavern is quite delicate, the tours are not the same as many other caves . Walk-through tours are not allowed, and as such, Jeep-drawn trams are used to take visitors around the cavern.
Riding through will give you a taste of some awesome wonders that nature has to offer. Fantastic Caves, located in Missouri, have been nicknamed America’s Ride-Thru Cave.
Handicap Access Caves: Kartchner Caverns
Being Arizona’s largest and most visited cavern, we had to add this t our list. Yes, this is a strenuous tour, but well worth it! Kartchner features an unusual natural light show that you can’t see anywhere else. It also has the most accessible VIP area in the nation for people with disabilities (ADA).
Kartchner Caverns is one of the most intriguing and historical as it is said to be well over 300 million years old. It is also recorded as the cave with some of the world’s most unique and standout formations, such as one of the longest soda straws .
It features a myriad of speleothems, and with a relatively cool temperature all year round, you will love the whole idea of a tour. In addition, some of the formations in this cave are found in no other caves around the world. Ever heard of cave columns? Well, you will come across the largest one known in Arizona and one of the largest around the cave. You can visit this cave daily, and rest assured, there is a lot to learn from each visit. Connect with the cave official touring team today, and you will have no regrets.
Caves for disabled: Mystery Cave
Mystery Cave has been given that name for many reasons, as there are still many questions and strange happenings that have people intrigued to find out more. There are loads of sinkholes in and around the cave as hundreds of thousands of years ago; floodwaters would be dissolved in the limestone surface. This would eventually lead the holes to develop into the ground.
The temperature in the cave is usually 9 degrees Celcius and has passages that cover over 13 miles. The cave features thousands of stalactite and stalagmite formations that will allow you to see the best of nature. The cave is open daily for tours, and some amazing experiences await you.
Bat Cave of Texas
This is the only dry cave that you can tour in Texas and it features a variety of gorgeous formations. They also have ADA-compliant facilities, so everyone will be able to enjoy this adventure!
OK – these are NOT local but ARE ADA compliant if you find yourself in Australia
Tantanoola (australia).
Tantanoola Caves got its name from the town of Tantanoola, which is an area rich in natural beauty. Interestingly, it has the power to captivate so many people as it is said to be one of the most-visited spots in South Australia. The caves are known for their capability to engage all nature and adventure lovers as it is one of the only wheelchair-accessible caves in the region.
Even though it stands as one of the smallest caves in South Australia, it features a chamber that measures over 30m wide and 8m tall. There is a wide array of speleothems in the Tantanoola Caves and some helictites – a special type of stalactite that is relatively smaller than the average ones. The caves are perfect for the entire family as there are play areas for kids and some scenic picnic areas.
After getting a rich history from the tour guide at the entrance, you are free to get the most of what the caves have to offer and create as many memories as you desire. A once in a lifetime experience awaits you!
Buchan Caves Reserve
For sure, Australia is where the fun and excitement never stops, especially when it comes to the Buchan Caves Reserve. It is one of the most attractive tourist locations in Victoria, Australia. The caves have so much to offer, including a rich history and numerous geological features.
The stalactites and stalagmites are endless, and you will love every bit of them. You can access daily tours of the Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. The limestone formations made by flowing rivers over 400 million years ago have left an indelible beauty everyone should desire to behold. It is perfect for the entire family. Explore the wildlife and beauty of what Australia has to offer!
Can you think of one we missed?
If you know of a great cave that our limited mobility friends can enjoy and we missed it? Please share! We will be happy to add it to the list and give you credit!
Other articles you may find interesting:
- Ultimate Guide to The Salt Cave, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- The Role of Caves in Ecosystems: A Delicate Balance
- Caves in Literature and Art: Inspiring Creativity for Centuries
- The Unique Fauna and Flora Found in Caves: A Fascinating World of Biodiversity
- Cave Ventilation Systems: Airflow in Subterranean Spaces Explained
4 thoughts on “ The Best Caves for Adventure Seekers with a Disability ”
[…] Crystal Caves are located to the north of the deserts in Nevada. Exploring this cave is an adventure, and it does not take more than an hour to explore this cave fully. It is a large cave that is […]
[…] You will not get huge glacial caverns in New Jersey, but it is home to many caves hidden away in different parts of the state. Some of these caves are easily accessible, while some of these caves can be pretty adventurous. […]
[…] you love cave exploration and other adventures, then you will not be too disappointed in Oklahoma. The state has some decent caves, and it will be […]
[…] other words, Washington is a dream state for adventure seekers. Some of the caves have hiking trails and creeks running right through them, and there is one cave […]
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Reach us by Email:
DannelleGay (at) gmail (dot) com
Recent Posts
Recent comments.
- Uncovering the Mysteries: Exploring Caves in Michigan - Michiganly on Ultimate Guide to Spider Cave, Michigan (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- Tour These Historical Caves Mined By Native Individuals For Hundreds Of Years – Things To Do in Myrtle Beach on Ultimate Guide to Wyandotte Cave, Indiana (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- Majestic Caverns — stunning beauty, amazing history on Ultimate Guide to DeSoto Caverns, Alabama (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- Caver on Ultimate Guide to Airmen’s Cave, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- How Often Do People Get Stuck in Caves? A Comprehensive Overview - Holding Hands Nature on Everything You Need to Know About Cave Safety Tips
- The Best List of Caves in South Dakota
- Ultimate Guide to Wabasha Street Caves, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- Ultimate Guide to Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
- The Best List of Caves in Idaho
- Ultimate Guide to Hall City Cave, California (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
Privacy Policy
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!
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!!!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Notify me of new posts by email.
What are you looking for?
Discovery Self-Guided
Mammoth Cave National Park Tours
Please note that tour is NOT always offered. This tour is typically offered Memorial Day to Labor Day. Please call the visitor center at 270-758-2180 on the day of your visit to check its availability. 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.
Tour will be offered daily between 10:00 and 2:00 for the months of June and July only. These are unlimited tickets only sold the day of.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
All tours begin at the Visitor Center. 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.
No advanced reservations accepted for the Discovery Self-Guided. Offered as visitation warrants. Call the Park at 270-758-2180 the day of your visit to check availability.
Includes a steep outdoor hillside trail to and from the cave’s Historic Entrance.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in the central time zone and observes daylight savings time.
Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Google Maps, or similar automated navigation systems to get to the park Visitor Center in time for your cave tour. Routes can be misleading and incorrect. Directions 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. Directions 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.
Children 5 and under do not require a reservation or ticket. Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older on all tours. Interagency Senior and Interagency Access ticket pricing applies to Interagency Senior and Interagency Access Pass holders only. The Interagency Annual Pass is NOT accepted for tours or camping.
Photo Gallery
Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors
Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!
Get to Know Us
- Rules & Reservation Policies
- Accessibility
- Media Center
Plan with Us
- Find Trip Inspiration
- Build a Trip
- Enter a Lottery
- Checkout our Mobile App
- Get Involved
- Use Our Data
- Add Your Facility
Let Us Help You
- Help Center
- Submit Feedback
- Responsible Disclosure
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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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!
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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
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.
And of course, 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 !
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.
Similar Posts
How to visit george washington’s mount vernon with kids, arches national park hiking: a trail guide for the whole family, taking flight: visiting the wright brothers memorial with kids, sweet beans: all about the jelly belly factory tour, washington d.c. with kids: top picks for a family-friendly trip, kids road trip essentials: 70+ things to carry on a road trip in 2024.
NewsMatch Challenge: Support investigative reporting from LPM, and your gift is doubled.
How a celebrated family legacy continues to impact Kentucky's Mammoth Cave
Jerry Bransford is a fifth generation Bransford cave guide. His great-great-grandfathers were both enslaved men and brought to Mammoth Cave to become two of the park's first African American guides in 1838.
An all-Black Civilian Conservation Corps group helped create cave tour routes, establish roads, and carve out trails at Mammoth Cave in the 1930s.
That’s just one fact that was mentioned during a special ranger-led talk recently offered by Mammoth Cave National Park in honor of Black History Month.
Among the guests taking part in the talk was a man who knows the cave system well, as his ancestors were some of the first enslaved African American cave guides at the park.
Jerry Bransford is a fifth generation Bransford cave guide. His great-great-grandfathers— Materson Bransford and Nicholas Bransford—were both enslaved men and brought to Mammoth Cave from Nashville, Tennessee, to become two of the park's first African American guides in 1838.
“They explored some of the routes and they learned to read and write. It was actually frowned upon or illegal for slaves to know how to read and write, but the record books say they only entertained and had guests that were the best educated from around the world through the cave,” Bransford said on the tour.
“We think that he (Materson) probably couldn’t write a letter, but he was well enough that he could at least write is name, Mat, and we just keep finding further out and deeper down into the cave.”
The Bransford Family history at Mammoth Cave is rich and enduring.
Materson’s son, Henry, became a cave guide in the 1860s. And two of Henry’s sons, Matt and Louis, were guides in the early 1900s.
Before Mammoth Cave became a national park, it was a settlement for over 600 families in southern Kentucky. Enslaved guides were allowed to own land. The Bransford family land was on an area known as Flint Ridge.
“In the 1920s, my daddy used to run barefoot up and down those roads. The homestead was right at the bottom of the hill. He (Jerry’s dad) was born in 1914, and his daddy was born in 1876, and great grandpa born into slavery in 1849,” Bransford explained.
There was a school in the area, a church, the Bransford Summer Resort—which was a hotel for African Americans during times of segregation—and residential homes.
By the time the National Park Service started acquiring Mammoth Cave in 1939, the fourth generation of Bransford guides was giving tours of the cave system.
During the transition, residents had to leave their homes and under new cave operations, there were to be no more Black guides, ending over 100 years of Bransford cave guides.
That was until Jerry Bransford came back, over 60 years later.
Johnny Merideth, a supervisory park ranger for the division of interpretation at Mammoth Cave National Park, says when Jerry came to work at cave in the early 2000s, he already knew a little bit about his family ties to the cave system, but working there provided him with more details and an even closer connection to his ancestors.
“After years of being here, he’s gotten to go into the cave and see where his great great grandfather wrote his name in the 1800s and just various family members and their signatures in the cave,” Merideth said. “I know it’s been a very emotional and moving experience for him as I think it would for any of us.”
It’s emotional and moving because tracing ancestry can be challenging for African Americans , largely due to how records were kept during slavery.
Bransford not only knows his family ancestry, but he knows where those ancestors are located.
The Bransford Family Cemetery
The Bransford family cemetery is in Mammoth Cave National Park, sitting right off Flint Ridge Road, where the Bransford’s originally settled in the 1800s. Visitors walk about a quarter mile on a dirt path to get to it.
“After me coming to work here after retiring from my first job, I came down here and saw this. And I said well you know, this ought to be a place to celebrate instead of a place that makes you feel sad, you know? So, I had the idea of cleaning it up,” Bransford said.
In front of about 40 small stones that indicate a burial site, visitors will find signage with details of the Bransford Family history, a green park bench, and a large black stone with the name Bransford engraved on it with pictures of Materson and Nicholas.
Bransford told WKU Public Radio that being able to connect with his ancestors in this way is powerful.
While walking to the only proper headstones in the cemetery, where his great- grandfather, Henry, is buried, Bransford tells a story.
A legacy started by Materson
During the civil war, Materson and his wife, Parthena, had four children, and one day Parthena’s master told the couple that he was selling three of their children.
“Old folks say my grandma say, ‘Master, please don’t take my children, would you take me instead?’" Bransford said.
“He (Parthena’s master) says, ‘You get back to the cabin or I’ll whip you again.’ She lay in deep despair. Those children were tied to a rider and taken away from Mammoth Cave.”
After the children were taken, a Union soldier visited Materson after hearing what happened.
“He (union solider) says, ‘Matty it seems when you slaves lose your children, it doesn’t seem to bother you they say.’ Mat said, ‘Oh no captain, don’t you believe that. Slaves have feelings just like freed people. But what can I do about ol' master selling my child?’”
The Union soldier then told Materson that the war would be over soon and that he could go back to Nashville a free man.
But Bransford said that Materson rejected the idea of leaving the area.
“He said, ‘Ol' master stole my children. I’ve been in the cave all my life. The cave is in my blood.’”
Materson told the Union soldier that if he went back to Nashville, his children wouldn’t know where to find him, so he stayed at Mammoth Cave.
“We think that’s how come we stay here. This became our home. Never to leave, this became our permanent home,” Bransford said.
"A true American story"
After working at Mammoth Cave for almost 20 years and giving his family cemetery the care it needed, Jerry Bransford retired. He said the years spent at the cave were in honor of the Bransford’s who came before him.
“My ancestors left here and shortly after they left here, it was though they were never here. I just want to do what I can to recreate their story and tell you, tell America what happened. That’s what I’ve tried to do,” he said.
“I worked for someone else for a lot of years, but I’ve given my all working here at Mammoth Cave and trying in a decent way to share with America a true American story. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”
There hasn’t been another Bransford on the guide roles since Jerry Bransford retired in 2022.
But there’s a hope that this tradition will continue after Jerry Bransford, a legacy started by Materson in the 1800’s, when he decided to stay at Mammoth Cave for his children.
There’s a hope that a Bransford child will return to the cave and continue the work of their ancestors who will be waiting for them to come home.
Can we count on your support?
Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – readers like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.
- Skip to global NPS navigation
- Skip to this park navigation
- Skip to the main content
- Skip to this park information section
- Skip to the footer section
Exiting nps.gov
Alerts in effect, mammoth cave map & guide.
Last updated: April 27, 2022
Park footer
Contact info, mailing address:.
P.O. Box 7 Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007
270 758-2180
Stay Connected
Mammoth Cave celebrates Black History Month
B OWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Mammoth Cave is giving a historical info session on the American American slaves who gave tours of Mammoth Cave in the 1800s.
To commemorate Black History Month, the National Park is hosting coffee with a ranger, ranger-led talks, ranger-led walks, and a special evening presentation to gain additional insight into former African American cave guides and explorers.
This past weekend they talked about Stephen Bishop, Materson Bransford, and Nicholas Bransford, all of whom were American slaves, who made a name for themselves as tour guides of Mammoth Cave in the 1800s.
Ranger Dave of the Mammoth Cave National Park stated, “Slaves were rarely mentioned by name. It was just numbers, gender, now we have people talked about by name.”
The Mammoth Cave is hosting another tour next Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, to educate the public on the contribution African Americans have to Mammoth Cave.
The event is open to the public free of charge and welcomes everyone to come.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Accessibility. Mammoth Cave National Park is a place for all people, with activities for every level of ability. We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for everyone. We will continue to update existing infrastructure and programs as we strive for inclusivity for all. If you have questions or suggestions please let ...
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)
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. Directions 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 ...
The Frozen Niagra Cave Tour is an option for people with some even limited mobility. This ¼ mile tour takes you deeper into the cave. There are 14 steps along this tour. The tour lasts about 1 ¼ hours and requires a bus ride to the entrance. Visitor Center . The visitor center is fully accessible with handicap parking and restrooms.
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.
We toured the Mammoth Cave National Park and camped at the National Park campground. A definite stop on your road trip.
Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour. Duration: 120 minutes. Distance: ½ mile maximum, no stairs. This tour is the only accessible tour offered at Mammoth Cave but offers visitors who require assistance with the ability to enjoy the caves via an elevator entrance. The tour is ideal for visitors who require wheelchairs, scooters, or other special ...
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.
Tour Limit: 30. If you want to see stalactites and stalagmites and don't want to go on a long tour or do a lot of walking, this is a great option for you. The 1.25 hour tour time includes 30 minutes on a shuttle bus (included with the tour) to and from the entrance, with roughly 45 minutes spent inside of Mammoth Cave.
A tour in OUTLAW CAVE is perfect for the whole family, where its short length, few stairs, and affordability makes it easily accessible to all. OUTLAW CAVE offers a lantern tour daily as well as normal tours. Outlaw Cave is part of Jesse James Riding Stables and Mini-Golf. Open Seasonally - For rates or reservations please call 270-773-2560.
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. Directions 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, margaret river region Mammoth Cave is the most easily accessible of all the show caves in the region, with the first chamber actually accessible by wheelchair. It is a self-guided cave, where you explore on your own while listening to an informative 'audio tour' through the MP3 player and headset provided.
Cave Tours Fees . Cave tour offerings change by season. Before arriving to the park for a cave tour, check the current cave program schedule. Advanced reservations are recommended and can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Children under five years are free. Youth under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or ...
Thursday Open 24 hours. Friday Open 24 hours. Saturday Open 24 hours. Description. Mammoth Cave National Park is open 24-hours a day, although services such as cave tours and the visitor center are limited after-hours (generally the visitor center closes at 4:30 pm in winter or 6:00 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance.
Windcave National Park. Wind Cave National Park was the first to be given the title of a national park as it features some of the world's largest boxwork formations found in a cave. It features 33,970 acres of forestry region, which serves as a wildlife sanctuary. You can visit the park between 8 am to 4:30 pm daily.
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.
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 ...
Please call the visitor center at 270-758-2180 on the day of your visit to check its availability. 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 ...
6. 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.
Go for a Trail Ride on Horseback. At Jesse James Riding Stables in Cave City, ages 6 and up can ride the trails for $30/person (prices accurate as of July 2023) and ages 2-5 can ride double with a parent for an extra $5. At the same parking area, you can also play a round of mini golf as well as tour the Outlaw Cave.
The Bransford Family history at Mammoth Cave is rich and enduring. Materson's son, Henry, became a cave guide in the 1860s. And two of Henry's sons, Matt and Louis, were guides in the early 1900s. Before Mammoth Cave became a national park, it was a settlement for over 600 families in southern Kentucky. Enslaved guides were allowed to own land.
The best Mammoth Cave tour for kids is the Historic Tour, which my family and I loved. On this tour, your ranger guide will show you many fascinating features of the cave, including the Bottomless ...
Mammoth Cave Map & Guide. The park brochure is available in a variety of formats: Braille, audio description, text-only and print. Printed paper brochures are available in person at the visitor center or one can be requested by calling (270) 758-2180 or by emailing us. A printed copy of the brochure in Braille is available at the visitor center ...
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Mammoth Cave is giving a historical info session on the American American slaves who gave tours of Mammoth Cave in the 1800s. To commemorate Black History Month, the ...