Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve its remarkable cave system (the longest recorded cave system in the world), the scenic valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a section of south central Kentucky. A very popular destination for families and day-trippers, the land surrounding the caves affords visitors great fishing and day hiking in addition to all that the underground world has to offer.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Patrick H. ReedPhone Number: 270-758-2180
Entrance Fees: Mammoth Passage Tour: $5 (adult), $3.50 (youth), $2.50 (senior); Historic Tour: $12 (adult), $8 (youth), $6 (senior)
Sights: Bottomless Pit; Green River Bluffs Overlook; Nolin River; Fat Man's Misery; Cleaveland Avenue; Mammoth Dome; Old Guide's Cemetery; Turnhole Bend; Rotunda; Engine No. 4; The Big Woods; Chief City; Cave Island; Cedar Sink; Sloan's Crossing Pond; Good Springs Church; Sand Cave; Frozen Niagara; River Styx Spring; Cathedral Domes
Endangered Species: Birds; Crustaceans; Fish; Gastropods; Insects; Mammals; Mussels; Plants; Reptiles
Important Dates
Established as Park: May 25, 1926By The Numbers
Acres: 52,830.00Highest Point: Mammoth Cave Ridge (930 feet)
Annual Visitation: 597,934 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :37.196590 / -86.142050 (map it)
State: KY
Nearby Big City: Mammoth Cave, KY
Gateway Communities: Mammoth Cave, KY; Park City, KY; Cave City, KY; Rocky Hill, KY; Smiths Grove, KY; Horse Cave, KY; Lindseyville, KY; Sweeden, KY
Nearby Airports: Louisville International (SDF); Nashville (BNA); Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX); Evansville (EVV)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Cave Tour
Rob & Ann Simpson
Fox Woods
Gary W. Sargent
Green River Tour
Rob & Ann Simpson
View More Mammoth Cave Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Regardless of the season, there is no limit to activities and programs available in Mammoth Cave and the surrounding area. The following is a partial list of the various recreational activities, class ... read more.
At A Glance From the beginning, underground explorers doubted that they would ever find the end of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave. Currently measuring 350 miles long and 379 feet deep, Mammoth Cave is known as the long ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General Park Information: (270) 758-2180 or http://www.nps.gov/maca Cave tour reservations: (800) 967-2283 or http://reservations.nps.gov Lodging within the park: (270) 758-2225 or http://www. ... read more.
Biking at Mammoth Cave Mountain Biking Grab your helmet and get ready to ride! Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the first national parks to permit mountain bikes on select backcountry trails. It is important to note, h ... read more.
Campgrounds at Mammoth Cave Campground Headquarters Houchins Ferry Maple Springs Sites 109 12 7 Fee $16/night $12/night $30/night Reservations Y N Y RV Sites Y N N RV Hookups N N N Dump Station Y N N Grill & Tables Y Y Y Ca ... read more.
Camping at Mammoth Cave There are three campgrounds located in Mammoth Cave National Park that can accommodate tents, RVs and even horses. Headquarters Campground, Houchins Ferry camping area and Maple Springs Campground ra ... read more.
Caves Beneath the dimpled surface of the park, the splendid sights of Mammoth Cave impress hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Ancient artifacts, fascinating cave critters and breathtaking mineral ... read more.
Earthquakes Mammoth Cave lies 150 miles from a major earthquake fault along the Mississippi River. In 1811 and 1812, a series of three earthquakes with estimated magnitudes of 8.6, 8.4 and 8.7 on the Richter Sca ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Mammoth Cave is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life ranging from rare exotic cave species to more common woodland creatures found in eastern deciduous forest environments. Scientists have ... read more.
Floyd Collins In 1925, Floyd Collins, one of the world's premier cavers, met a tragic and bizarre end in part of Mammoth Cave called, "Sand Cave." Collins, determined to find a "show" cave as a source of family in ... read more.
Geology Beneath the surface of south-central Kentucky lies a world that is virtually unparalleled. It is a labyrinth characterized by mile upon mile of dark, seemingly endless passageways. The geological pro ... read more.
History of Mammoth Cave Indigenous peoples lived and hunted in Kentucky between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago in the Late Archaic Period (3000 — 1000 B.C.). These early explorers traveled miles within Mammoth Cave, using ... read more.
In A Nutshell PLANNING YOUR VISIT Entrance Fees Entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park is free, although there is a fee for cave tours. The park is open year-round, except for December 25. Activities and programs ... read more.
Just For Kids Are you between 6 and 13? If so, do you want to learn all you can about Mammoth Cave National Park? Take the Trog Tour: A fun trip for kids between 8 and 12 years old. You get to go into parts of the ... read more.
Kentucky Cave Shrimp The entire known population of the Kentucky cave shrimp lives in or near Mammoth Cave National Park. Blind and semitransparent, these tiny crustaceans feed on bacteria, protozoa and other minute orga ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Although there are a variety of lodging options in nearby towns, there is only one place to stay within park boundaries: Mammoth Cave Hotel. At Mammoth Cave Hotel, guests can choose from several type ... read more.
Mammoth Cave Park Regulations You can make the most of your visit to Mammoth Cave National Park by planning ahead, and becoming acquainted with some simple precautions, all designed to enhance your safety and enjoyment. Please re ... read more.
Mummy in the Cave Two guides discovered the desiccated body of an American Indian pinned beneath a limestone slab in 1935, two miles from the entrance of Mammoth Cave. The American Indian was working or crawling (prob ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! My love and interest in America's National Parks was kindled in my youth, when my parents began taking me to visit many of our national treasures. I have visited 290 of the 388 national park units, a ... read more.
Only A Day The compact nature of Mammoth Cave National Park means you can pack a lot into just one day. Start the day with a guided tour of the world's longest cave. The tours vary in length, but most are aroun ... read more.
Recent News
- Mammoth adventure August 15, 2008, 11:38 am
- A Park in Kentucky That Shines Brightest below Ground June 26, 2008, 11:06 am
Mammoth Cave In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
