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. — nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park at a glance
- State
- Kentucky
- Established
- July 1, 1941
- Size
- 72,042 acres
- 2025 visits
- 660,734
- Busiest-park rank
- #34 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is Mammoth Cave quiet?
Mammoth Cave is busiest in July and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 660,734 recreation visits, the #34 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Mammoth Cave open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave National Park charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Mammoth Cave National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Mammoth Cave
- Attend a Ranger-led Program10-60 Minutes · All year
Attending a ranger-led program in the park is a great way to discover new things and learn more about the Mammoth Cave National Park.
Pets OK - Take a Ridge-top Walk to Sunset Point30-60 Minutes · All year
Visitors to Mammoth Cave National Park Marvel over the Green River Valley while visiting the popular overlook, Sunset Point.
Pets OK - Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink45-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Stunning rock faces, cave springs, and geological panoramas, you will experience a wide array of seasonal wildflowers and biodiversity.
Pets OK - Cave Tours1-6 Hours · All year
Join a ranger as you discover the complex history and intricate geology of the worlds longest cave system.
Reservation/permitFee - Houchin Ferry to Brownsville90-120 Minutes · Summer
This short trip travels along the Green River from Houchin Ferry inside Mammoth Cave National Park to the former site of Lock and Dam #6 or the Brownsville boat ramp.
Pets OK - Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry150-240 Minutes · Summer
This popular river trip takes paddlers from the Dennison Ferry Day Use Area to the Green River Ferry.
Pets OK - Green River Ferry to Houchin Ferry4-6 Hours · Summer
This longer section of the Green River is less traveled then the popular Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry trip.
Pets OK - Nolin River Dam to Houchin Ferry4-6 Hours · Summer
This trip starts at the Tailwater Recreation Area below the Nolin River Dam north of the park.
Pets OK
Show all 17 things to doShow fewer
- Pets OK
- Explore the park on HorsebackAll yearPets OK
- Pets OK
- Planning Your River TripSummerPets OK
- Ride the Big Hollow TrailAll yearPets OK
- Pets OK
- Road BikingAll year
- See the StarsAll yearPets OK
- Viewing Park WildlifeAll yearPets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Boating27
- Camping60
- Canoe or Kayak Camping20
- Canoeing19
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Caving7
- Dining20
- Fishing41
- Food46
- Freshwater Fishing19
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also camping)14
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Kayaking23
- Paddling32
- Picnicking34
- RV Camping28
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking22
- Stargazing39
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Mammoth Cave
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).
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Mammoth Cave
DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS! 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. 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.
1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY, 42259-0007 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Mammoth Cave
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park183 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Gateway Arch National Park242 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve285 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Indiana Dunes National Park311 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park372 mi~9 h drive (est.)
- Congaree National Park383 mi~9 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Louisville (72 mi) · Nashville (80 mi) · Cincinnati (161 mi) · Indianapolis (178 mi)
Road trip
Great Smoky Mountains & Mammoth Cave
2 parks, about 183 miles between them (~4 h of driving, estimated).
Mammoth Cave is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Mammoth Cave National Park
FAQ
Mammoth Cave, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Mammoth Cave National Park?
- Mammoth Cave National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for Mammoth Cave National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Mammoth Cave National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 17 things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park, including Attend a Ranger-led Program, Take a Ridge-top Walk to Sunset Point, Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink, Cave Tours, Houchin Ferry to Brownsville. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Mammoth Cave National Park become a national park?
- Mammoth Cave National Park was established as a national park on July 1, 1941.
- What is the closest national park to Mammoth Cave?
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 183 miles away in a straight line (roughly 4 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Mammoth Cave National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Mammoth Cave National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/maca.
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