National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS Photo / J. Cooper · Public domain
Mammoth Cave National Park
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region.
Entrance Fees
No entrance fee. Other fees may apply for tours, camping, or transportation.
Getting There
Roads and entrances can close temporarily. Check current conditions on nps.gov (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Entrances
- Directions to Mammoth Cave Visitor Center (opens in a new tab)
Mammoth Cave Visitor CenterMain
Mammoth Cave, KY · Park open 24 hours; visitor center open daily except Christmas
Airports
- SDF
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport · Louisville, KY
ClosestMajor airport
Distances are approximate road distances; tap a distance for live driving directions.
Activities
Top Hikes
1 mi · 150 ft gain · loop
Descends 295 stairs into a stunning sinkhole rich with wildflowers in spring and summer.
Starts at: Cedar Sink Trailhead
1.3 mi · 200 ft gain · out & back
Best views of the Green River as it winds through the park with overlook benches.
Starts at: Picnic Area near Visitor Center
1 mi · 100 ft gain · loop
Wheelchair-accessible loop along the Green River featuring natural springs where underground water resurfaces.
Starts at: Green River Ferry
1 mi · 100 ft gain · loop
Winds through forest past numerous sinkholes revealing the karst geology underlying Mammoth Cave.
Starts at: Heritage Trail
Upcoming Events
This classic tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years. This tour begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, amazing breakdown, and ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites.This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.This tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and a small portion of the Grand Avenue Tour route.Duration: 2 hoursDistance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)Total Stairs: 640 , including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96Difficulty: StrenuousAges: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.Restrooms: NoTickets available for each tour time: 110
This classic tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years. This tour begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, amazing breakdown, and ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites.This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.This tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and a small portion of the Grand Avenue Tour route.Duration: 2 hoursDistance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)Total Stairs: 640 , including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96Difficulty: StrenuousAges: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.Restrooms: NoTickets available for each tour time: 110
Discover the fascinating story of Mammoth Cave on this extended version of our classic Historic Tour. Explore the immense chambers that gave Mammoth Cave its name before descending into much tighter passageways deep inside the cave. Be prepared for a physically challenging experience, as this tour involves hundreds of stairs and steep inclines without alternative routes. This tour also includes a visit to the site of an 1840s-era underground tuberculosis hospital experiment. Ideal for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike, this tour is a great option for those wanting to delve deeper into the cave’s rich history!Portions of this tour are also seen on the Violet City Lantern, Star Chamber and Gothic Avenue Tours.Duration: 2.25 hoursDistance: 2 miles (3.2 km)Total Stairs: 540, including 155 at Mammoth DomeDifficulty: ModerateAges: All ages. Individuals under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older.Restrooms: YesTickets available for each tour time: 60
Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave
Best time to visit: April–May, September–October
The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is April–May and September–October. The weather is pleasant for surface trails and the Green River; the cave stays near 54°F year-round, so tours work any month.
In those months, average highs are 70–82°F at Mammoth Cave Visitor Center. Visitor numbers peak in July, so these months are usually less crowded.
Monthly averages at Mammoth Cave Visitor Center (740 ft). Climate normals (1991–2020): PRISM Group, Oregon State University.
Weather & Climate
Kentucky has a moderate climate with warm, yet moist conditions. Summers average in the high 80s; winters average in the low 40s. Southern Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave is located, receives the highest average precipitation for the state, about 50 inches per year, mostly in spring. Winter can bring mild to moderate snow and ice. Storms happen year-round, and can include tornadoes and flooding in low-lying areas, but severe weather is infrequent. The temperature deep in the cave is a constant 54°F (12°C).
