Best trails in Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is a U.S. National Park in central Kentucky is home to the longest cave system known in the world with over 400 miles of cave. There are also 53,000 acres of forests with 70 miles of above-ground trails and 11 miles of cave trails. Cave animals include five bat species, the Kentucky cave shrimp, cave fish, and cave salamanders. Above ground there are rivers, hiking trails, sinkholes, and springs. The park was established as a national park on July 1, 1941, a World Heritage Site on October 27, 1981, and an international Biosphere Reserve on September 26, 1990.
Top trails
Visitor info
There is no fee to enter Mammoth Cave National Park. However, there are fees associated with cave tours, camping, and shelter rentals. For detailed information related to the fees for these activities, please visit our Fees and Passes webpage.
The park accepts the America the Beautiful Interagency Senior LIfetime and Senior Annual Passes, as well as, the Access Pass. These passes will provide a 50% discount on cave tour tickets for the cardholder only. The passes will also provide a 50% discount for camping provided the reservation is in the cardholder's name. No discounts are provided for shelters.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
Mammoth Cave National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.
The Visitor Center and Caver's Camp Store are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available. Some ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call (270) 758-2417 at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Mammoth Cave National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Visitor Center and Caver's Camp Store are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Lodge at Mammoth Cave has wheelchair accessible rooms.
The Mammoth Cave, Echo River Springs Trailhead, and Sloan’s Pond Crossing Trailhead Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.
Mammoth Cave Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (#37 and #38).
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for Mammoth Cave National Park
Very easy trail that's well maintained. Leads to an overlook of a cave. This trail is probably one of the easier trails in the park but that doesn't mean it isn't worth the stop. Come check it out and read the signage provided to learn about the trail and Mammoth Cave National Park.
Post cave tour walk at Mammoth Cave National Park. Nicely maintained trails with a lot of stairs. I didn't see a single person the entire hike.
This is in Mammoth Cave national park which is in central Kentucky, so definitely download the map before you head out. Review: This is an easy walk throughout the above ground portion of Mammoth Cave and had some good views of the Green River. Let’s be real here: no one is coming to Mammoth Cave national park and thinking “hmmm nah I won’t step foot in the largest known cave system in the world let me go HIKE outside instead.” As such, it’s clearly not the biggest, most complex trail you’re ever going to walk. That being said there are some very neat above ground features you can see when you’re there: the Green River is stunning, the small springs that are formed from Mammoth Cave and some sink holes in the area. Overall a not complex, easy trail that you can definitely knock out before you stop by the true allure of Mammoth Cave national park… the actual cave.
Did a combo of self guided historic tour of the mammoth cave and around the visitor center. There are many stairs and you should be somewhat in shape.
Great trail to Mammoth Cave, just stay aware of the trail. I had hiked 2/3rds before hand so I knew the trail was ok for me to e bike as I’m fairly new.