National Park Guide

Mammoth Cave National Park

Kentucky, US

Explore the longest known cave system on Earth, with over 420 miles of surveyed passageways beneath the rolling hills of Kentucky.

54,012

Acres

Trails

1941

Established

2 million

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

Year-round

Entrance Fee

Free

Nearest Airport

Nashville International Airport (BNA), 1.5 hours

Best Months

April, May, October

Highlights

Mammoth Cave guided tours
Green River kayaking and canoeing
Frozen Niagara flowstone formations
Big Hollow Trail
Historic entrance and Rotunda chamber

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Mammoth Cave National Park

Cedar Sink Trail

Moderate

1.8 miles round trip

280 ft gain

Green River Bluffs Trail

Easy

1.0 miles round trip

100 ft gain

Sal Hollow Trail

Strenuous

8.0 miles loop

500 ft gain

Heritage Trail

Easy

0.7 miles round trip

50 ft gain

Big Hollow Trail

Moderate

5.6 miles round trip

400 ft gain

About Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the world's longest known cave system, a vast underground labyrinth of over 420 miles of explored passages. Above ground, the park protects a beautiful section of the Green River valley and the hilly country of south-central Kentucky, offering hiking, horseback riding, and paddling through lush hardwood forests.

In-Depth Guide

Mammoth Cave National Park Guide: Best Cave Tours, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. Top cave tours, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for exploring the world's longest known cave system in Kentucky.

12 min read

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Hotels

3 options near Mammoth Cave National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

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The Lodge at Mammoth Cave

The only lodge inside Mammoth Cave National Park, offering an immersive outdoor experience with a restaurant, snack bar, patios, and convenient access to cave tours.

Inside park$100-170/night

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Comfort Inn & Suites Cave City

Modern hotel near Mammoth Cave offering complimentary full breakfast, indoor pool, gym, free self parking, and RV/bus parking near Dinosaur World.

15 min drive$90-150/night

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Baymont by Wyndham Cave City

Budget-friendly motel within a 10-minute drive of Mammoth Cave featuring on-the-go breakfast, swimming pool, business center, and pet-friendly rooms.

10 min drive$70-120/night

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Compare Mammoth Cave National Park

See how Mammoth Cave National Park stacks up against other national parks

Mammoth Cave National Park vs Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Choose Mammoth Cave for the sheer scale of the world's longest cave system. Choose Carlsbad Caverns for spectacular cave formations, the Big Room, and the unforgettable bat flight experience.

See full comparison

Mammoth Cave National Park vs Wind Cave National Park

Choose Wind Cave for rare boxwork formations and surface wildlife on mixed-grass prairie. Choose Mammoth Cave for the sheer enormity of the world's longest cave and more extensive underground tours.

See full comparison