Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky protects the Mammoth Cave system, the world’s longest known cave network with more than 400 miles of mapped passage. The park also preserves surface forests, rivers, and karst features associated with the cave system.

A range of guided cave tours allow visitors to experience different parts of the cave system, from historic walkways to more adventurous routes with uneven passages. Above ground the park provides hiking trails, river access, and backcountry camping opportunities across a mix of forests and limestone karst terrain.

Cave use dates back centuries, with documented exploration and commercial cave tours in the 19th century; the national park was established in 1941 to protect the cave system and surrounding lands. Since designation, the park has supported scientific study, cave mapping, and visitor management to protect fragile underground environments.

The park is located in south-central Kentucky near the small communities of Mammoth Cave and Park City, within driving distance of Bowling Green and other regional centers.

• Tours and access: Guided cave tours vary in length and difficulty - from short, accessible walks to longer, strenuous routes that require climbing and crawling - and many routes require reservations during peak season.

What to See #

• Mammoth Cave system: The Mammoth Cave system is the world's longest-known cave system, with more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways and a complex of mapped routes and chambers accessible via guided tours.
• Surface trails and backcountry: Surface trails and river valleys above the cave include hiking routes and overlooks that connect to the Green River and the park's backcountry camping zones.