mammoth cave river styx tour

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River Styx and the Old Mammoth Cave Underground River Boat Tour

The River Styx is an underground river flowing through Mammoth Cave that exits the cave system and flows into the Green River.

The Echo River boat tour of the River Styx was once one of Mammoth Cave National Park most popular attractions. It involved an underground boat tour through the cave system. Highlights of the tour was the ability to see the translucent blind fish and the Kentucky Cave Shrimp. However, the tour was stopped in the early 1990s because it was prohibitively expensive to keep the passage open to the public and human traffic was causing harm to the aquatic creatures living there. You will occasionally see historic postcards in Mammoth Cave National Park showing a boat traveling underground on the river in order to commemorate the boat tour

The Kentucky Cave Shrimp is currently an endangered species because of contaminated groundwater running through the cave. They were once thought to be extinct, but they have recovered to a population that numbers in the thousands. The entire known population lives in or near Mammoth Cave.

Th River Styx is discussed briefly on the Historic Tour, which is the popular tour that travels closest to the underground river, when it reaches River Hall. During periods of heavy rain, River Hall has been known to flood from the water running through the cave system to the River Styx.

The River Styx tour is occasionally offered when the conditions are right to take visitors down to the underground river. However, according to the park rangers during our tour, it is usually pretty muddy down the passage and visitors would usually have difficulty reaching it. The mud was described to us as so bad that you would sink in to it up to your knee.

You can still experience a part of this wonder. If you walk down the trail from the historic entrance toward the Green River, you can find where the River Styx meets the Green River and then walk back toward its exit from the Mammoth Cave system. It is a fairly easy downhill hike to see the river’s cave exit. However, it is a mildly strenuous uphill return to the Lodge from the Green River. We found this trail to be a pleasant hike after our last cave tour of the day.

If you have your heart set on an underground boat tour, consider the Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Located southwest of Mammoth Cave National Park, it advertises itself as Kentucky’s only underground boat tour. Lost River Cave is a seven mile cave system located outside of the national park.

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Mammoth Cave National Park | RIVER STYX TOUR

Not all tours of Mammoth Cave are offered year-round, and the schedules of what tours are available changes often. Be sure to check the National Park Service’s official  Cave Tours  web page for the current schedule.

The River Styx Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park covers the same route as the Historic Tour (which covers nearly the entire route of the Extended Historic Tour ), but it adds a side trip to see the River Styx. However, the Historic tours cover the history of Mammoth Cave and the River Styx Tour covers geology, so while you will be walking by the same historical features—remnants of a mining operation, graffiti on the walls and ceiling—the Ranger give the tour will not stop to talk about this. Thus, you aren’t exactly wasting time by take both the River Styx and Historic (or Extended Historic). If you have time for only once, choose based on your interests:  history or geology.

If you can handle a 4-hour tour and are more interested in history, the Grand Historic Tour covers both of the other historic tours, the Gothic Avenue Tour , plus the River Styx side trip. Thus, with this one tour you wipe out the need to do four other tours. The only problem is that the Grand Historic Tour isn’t given that often.

There are no lights along the trail to the River Styx, so lanterns are used to light the way. This gives visitors a chance to experience touring the cave just as all early tourist did—by lantern light. There is not a lantern for every person, so you don’t have to be bothered with carrying one if you don’t want to. Also, only participants 16 and older can carry a lantern.

The tour last 2.5 hours and covers 2.5 miles of Mammoth Cave It is not overly strenuous, but there are 600 steps to climb, nearly all the same steps covered on any tour of Mammoth Cave that begins at the Historic Entrance. The tour also passes through a section of cave with very low ceilings, so you will have to bend over at the waist, and not everyone is able to do that for an extended amount of time. The worse part is just walking down and up the paved path from the Visitor Center to the Historic Entrance. For a young person or those in great shape, the hill is probably inconsequential. But for those who are older, drastically overweight, or have problems walking down steep hills, it’s no picnic. There are benches along the way, and there is no shame in sitting down and resting.

Walking up from the historic entrance to Mammoth Cave to the Visitor Center

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Giant’s coffin.

While just about all tours that enter Mammoth Cave through the Historic Entrance pass by the Giant’s Coffin, most discuss it in terms of its historical aspects, particularly how it relates to tourism. On the River Styx Tour, the geology of the large rock is discussed. The slab is 40 feet long and 20 feet tall, and it fell from the ceiling above it. If it were possible to lift it up, it could be matched to the spot where it was originally located.

Before it fell, the water in the cave was running underneath it. After it fell, the water was diverted to behind it, and this eventually created the passageway that many of the tours take. This leads down to the coolest part of the cave, the Fat Man’s Misery.

Bottomless Pit

A passage on the left side of the Giant’s Coffin leads to the most interesting part of the cave, passing a number of geological features such as the Bottomless Pit before entering into a narrow and sometimes very short passageway called Fat Man’s Misery. Most of Mammoth Cave is exactly that—mammoth. You could land a passenger airplane in much of it, and it doesn’t not fit most people’s perception of what a cave it. This is why the cave passage next to the Giant’s Coffin is so much fun. You won’t be crawling through the dirt on your hands and knees, but it is more of what people expect from a cave—narrow passages that you have to twist and turn to get through.

Getting there first requires descending a staircase. The ceilings even here are often low, and adult tour participants must constantly duck to avoid hitting their heads. Once at the bottom of the stairs, the tour continues down a passageway with a very low ceiling called Dante’s Gateway.

The first points of interest are Sidesaddle Pit and the Bottomless Pit, with the Bottomless Pit being the more photogenic of the two. In the early days of cave tourism, guides would toss rocks or even a lighted torch into the pit so that customers could watch it disappear. It wasn’t really bottomless, and explorers eventually figured out it was 105 feet deep. When done, the group would turn around because there was no way to proceed past this area.

In the 1840s, Stephen Bishop, a guide, cave explorer, and slave, rose to international prominence as an expert on Mammoth Cave. He guided geologists and other scientists through the caves, and he learned from each of these people until he knew as much as they did. He was the first to cross the Bottomless Pit by placing a ladder across it (horizontally) and crawling across with his lantern handle in his teeth. Today there is a bridge across the pit. Later a passageway was discovered that leads to the bottom and enters into the Bottomless Pit.

The the River Styx Tour eventually gets to the river, the elevation is just slightly above the bottom of the Bottomless pit. Keep in mind that while the passageways in Mammoth Cave are underground, they are not a negative elevations based on sea level.  Mammoth Cave is actually inside a mountain. True ground level is the Green River, so when you are at the Green River you are at a lower elevation than anyone walking around inside the cave.

Fat Man’s Misery

After the Bottomless Pit comes Fat Man’s Misery. At this point you are approximately 260 feet below the surface. This section of Mammoth Cave is a winding, keyhole-shaped passageway that runs for only 100 feet but feels like a mile due to the all the twisting and bending you must do. It is narrow from a typical person’s hips down and wider above the waist, giving in a keyhole-shape. At the very end the floor comes up two feet, which means if you were barely walking straight up prior to this, the ceiling is now two feet lower. In all other sections of Mammoth Cave, visitor are asked not to touch any parts of the walls or ceilings. Here it is allowed, as there is no way to make it through without touching the rock.

The narrow passageway comes up into the aptly named Great Relief Hall where, believe it or not, there is a modern restroom facility.

River Hall and River Styx

Once emerging from the Fat Man’s Misery section of Mammoth Cave, the tour continues down a much wider and taller passageway to River Hall, 283 feet below the surface. This area has seating, and most every cave tour that passes through Fat Man’s Misery stops here for a lecture of some sort. In plain view is a staircase that leads to the fire tower inside Mammoth Dome that tour participants must climb in order to get back to the historic entrance.

Less obvious at the seating area is a dark passageway to the rear that leads to the River Styx. There is no electricity in the passageway, so the tour guides had out battery operated lanterns.

What most people do not realize is that everything in Mammoth Cave is higher up that the Green River that flows outside the cave through Mammoth Cave National Park. When inside the cave, you are essentially inside a mountain. Any underground rivers within the cave, such as the River Styx, are at the lowest levels of the cave, very close to the level of the Green River. At River Styx, you are 360 feet below the surface, and only X feet above the elevation of the Green River. In fact, at extreme high water levels on the Green River, water backs up into Mammoth Cave. In 2021, River Hall was a few feet underwater.

A staircase leads from the River Styx through a passageway that circles back to the lecture area of River Hall.

Mammoth Dome

All tours that reach the River Hall lecture area eventually proceed out of the cave by taking a staircase through a passageway known as Sparks Avenue.

Sparks Avenue connects to the Mammoth Dome, which was created when sinkhole on the service formed and allowed water to seep into the limestone, eventually eroding a hollow tower approximately 190 tall. Other than Fat Man’s Misery, the dome offers the best photo opportunities on the tour. The formations are know as the Ruins of Karnak.

The stairs continue at the Ruins of Karnak, and there are a few landings on the way up where you can get different views of the formations.

The stairs eventually end at the fire tower, which is just more stairs, except these head straight up. It’s like climbing a lighthouse, if you’ve even done that.

Once at the top of the fire tower, the tour continues down Auburn Avenue, and large and uneventful passageway, and comes out at the saltpeter mine. From there, take a left to get back to the historic entrance.

© 2014-2024 Copyright Steven L. Markos . All Rights reserved. Designed by National Park Planner

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River Styx Tour Mammoth Cave National Park

As the longest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Caves National Park isn’t the kind of destination that can be fully explored in a single tour. As such, numerous tours lead by park rangers explore different sections and subjects around Mammoth Caves. The River Styx Tour dives deep into the geologic forces that have and continue to shape the Mammoth Caves.

A Note About Accessability

The tour roughly follows the same route as the Historic Tour. Both enter through the historic entrance and wind deep below ground. Though the River Styx Tour delves a little deeper to catch a few peeks of the River Styx. While much of the route is along evenly graded gravel, the deeper the tour travels, the narrower and more uneven the path gets. Sections such as Fat Man’s Misery squeeze hikers between narrow rock walls. And low-hanging rocks can result in a few bumped heads.

As the tour reaches its deepest point, the route drops below the seasonal flood level. Here, the electrical lights that illuminate the rest of the cave cease. The tour continues by lantern light which can be difficult for those with poor eyesight. Along with the light, gone is the gravel walkway. The silty path that remains can be incredibly slippery. Finally, the end of the tour means a long climb to the surface via a winding spiral staircase. While the tour guides are lenient with those who may need to pause to take a breath, there is no elevator to bypass this final challenge. Overall, the route is doable for most visitors. But for those with limited mobility, there are other tours that have been designed to be more accomodating.

A Landscape Made For Caves

The River Styx tour begins above ground, just behind the Visitors Center. Tour groups meet with park rangers to get an overview of their route. With those formalities completed, we take a short hike to the historic cave entrance. As we first descend to the entrance, we encounter sandstone: a gritty rock that acts as a roof 50 to 60 feet thick over Mammoth cave. As we enter the cave, we sink into limestone. Here, slightly acidic water dissolves minerals in the limestone and slowly creates the channels that form Mammoth Cave. The sandstone cap keeps water from entering above. So, that the only dissolving action comes from water traveling horizontally, allowing the caves to be so long.  

This type of cave is known as a Solution Cave. The wide chambers and rock formations that we will encounter are all the product of water dissolving limestone. We traveled up a ridgeline to reach the Visitors Center over the Mammoth Caves. Thus, we start high above the table water line and the nearby Green River. The water in Mammoth Caves flows with the tilt of the rock towards the Green River. At some point, the passageways we are hiking were flooded and worn away by a subterranean river. But now that river is much lower though not too low for us to reach. It is, after all, the name of our tour: the River Styx. The subterranean water emerges as springs that feed the river. They are technically tributaries of the Green River.

The Law of Superposition

Traveling through Mammoth Cave, we travel down into the geologic history of the region. This is the Law of Superposition: in any body of undisturbed rock, the oldest strata will be at the bottom with newer rock deposited on top, over time. Limestone is collected in the beds of warm shallow seas. Sandstone is found in ancient deltas. Mammoth Caves exemplifies the geological history of the area. While the surface landscape is full of green rolling hills, this was once a warm shallow sea that eventually shifted into a delta during the Mississippian period.**

Our tour covers three distinct formations in the caves. The uppermost formation is the Gerkin followed by Saint Genevieve and Saint Louis. Each comes from a warm shallow sea but is distinct from the others. Each layer is named after rock formations first encountered in those respective locations. St.louis is rather self-explanatory: this sandstone deposit was first encountered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The same body of rock stretches to the Mammoth Caves. Saint Genevieve is also a location in Missouri while Gerkin is a little closer to the caves. We can see the contact between the Gerkin and saint Genevieve formations as we travel down into the cave. And we will encounter the beginning of the Saint Louis layer when we reach the River Styx. 

From Broadway to Misery

The initial descent in the cave is through the Rotunda Room and Broadway, both impressively large subterranean spaces. These represent a long and relatively stable period of geologic history. The subterranean river continued to carve out these large openings over extended periods of time.

When the tour shifts into a narrower passage and descends more steeply, we enter a route that represents a shorter period of time and erosion. The river flowed through these passages and dissolved the limestone enough for us to hike through. Yet, it continued to drop before it could carve out large passageways as encounter above. This marks a time when the sea level was unstable.* It accounts for the smaller passages between the 2nd through the 5th levels of the cave. These are typified by narrow squeezes at Fat Man’s Misery, low-hanging rock in Tall Man’s Misery, and lots of quick drops that we rely on stairs to traverse.

We have been accustomed to cave tours highlighting columns, stalactites, stalagmites, and other dramatic rock features such as Ruby Falls . But these are the product of vertical water flow, depositing minerals as the water travels down. As noted before, the sandstone cap over Mammoth Caves prevents water from entering above. Thus, most of the water here flows horizontally. This is what made the Mammoth Caves the longest known cave system in the world. But it also means that there are few notable rock formations. The Bottomless Pit is an exception to the horizontal flow. This vertical passage once marked the end of the tour. Until 1835 when cavers laid a ladder over the pit and descended to the River Styx. 

Like rivers above ground, the River Styx seasonally floods. While most of the tour is conducted through well-lit passages, the cave is not wired below the seasonal flood line. Instead, we rely on lanterns. The soft and muddy trail that descends past the flood zone warrants a heavy tread. Before handrails were installed, the narrow ledge skirting the Dead Sea would make one feel even closer to literal peril. On one particularly slick steep stretch, our guide unintentionally demonstrated his skiing prowess. A misstep has him skidding down slick cave silt, a significant reminder of this unstable terrain. 

Back in the day, guides gave boat tours on the River Styx. Today, we stay at a distance, catching glimpses of the river from the trail. The route continues past our stopping point of the River Styx tour. But worn-away boardwalks and the unstable ground have us turning back after a River Styx overlook.  Even so, we have seen more of the subterranean River Styx than any other tour in Mammoth Cave.

Mammoth Dome

After the River Styx, the tour has reached its deepest point. So, it is time to hike back to the surface. Luckily, there is very little backtracking and the new sections cover some of the most remarkable parts of the tour. Mammoth Dome is a vertical shaft over 190 feet tall. Despite the relatively large chamber that we are in, it’s hard to capture the sheer scale of this rock formation. The rippling rock walls leave tour guests staring up with mouths agape.

Ruins of Karnak 

Within the eyesight of Mammoth Dome is another remarkable chamber known as the Ruins of Karnak. The pillar-like formations do bear a notable similarity to the rows of columns found in the ancient temple complex of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt. Instead of carved and weathered freestanding columns of Hypostyle Hall, however, Mammoth’s ruins are naturally formed by the same water erosion as the rest of the cave.

A Living Cave

As we leave this massive cave system, it’s hard to imagine that something as simple as water could create something so grand. People look to explain these dramatic places in catastrophic events. An earthquake fault shifting mountains. A volcano burying the landscape. A flood displacing boulders. But Mammoth Caves is evidence of the slow nature of time: uniformitarianism. Only 300 years ago did science recognize this process. And even today, visitors are witness to the same processes that created the cave and will continue in the future. 

* So the wider passage is carved during a time when the sea level was stable. But the narrower passages represent a period of unstable sea levels with younger narrower caves

**In recent news, 60 different species of sharks tooth fossils have been identified in the saint Genevieve limestone deposits.

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Lexi GoForth

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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10 Best Mammoth Cave Tours Worth Your Time

This post is all about the best Mammoth Cave tours in Mammoth Cave National Park! You’ll find an overview of the different tours, travel tips, effort level listings, and estimated times based on our personal experiences hiking Mammoth Cave National Park.

In the beginning of autumn, I went on my first Mammoth Cave tour. I sat – legs pressed tight against a bench, feet clacking the ground – under the wide awning of Shelter A, waiting for a ranger to herd me (and a hundred or so other tourists) into the belly of the longest cave in the world. We walked and walked and walked some more. We climbed up and down thin, platformed stairs. We paused and gasped as the cave curved and snarled and dropped and twisted. Mammoth Cave’s pathways are serpentine; its walls are textured. And I was enamored by it all.

I returned to Mammoth Cave National Park often after, each time with the intention of taking one guided trip (sometimes two, much to the misery of my calves) through the cave itself. On those ranger-led tours, I chatted with travelers and staff, die-hard cave lovers and new-to-the-cave-scene visitors. Tour-by-tour, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Kentucky’s karst landscape.

Now, having been on almost all the Mammoth Cave tours (with the exception of their crawling tours), I feel ready to share my favorites.

Here are Passport To Eden’s top picks for the best cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park!

Editor’s Note: Mammoth Cave tours are seasonal and not necessarily offered year-round. The best places to check what tours are available right now are the National Park website ( I’ll link it here ) and Recreation.gov (the official website for purchasing Mammoth Cave tickets). I also tried to include a list of phobia warnings based on my own personal experiences on each of the cave tours. If you experience any cave-triggered phobias, I highly recommend talking with one of the rangers at Mammoth Cave National Park (you can reach them at 270-758-2180) before booking a tour. They can help you decide which tour (if any) might suit you best!

Table of Contents

Historic Tour

Mammoth Cave has long been a place for the curious. Even before it became integrated into the National Park system in 1941, tours were being led down and through its hidden alleys and layered passageways. The Historic Tour is the oldest, continually operated tour at Mammoth Cave . It’s also the most popular .

Go for the atmosphere: the gaping, moss-laden Historic Entrance; the vaulted, limestone ceilings; the remnants of 19th century century saltpetre vats . Go for the route too. You’ll stroll through wide and thin areas of Mammoth Cave. You’ll pass a coffin-shaped rock that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of an old vampire novel. You’ll duck and twist and shimmy through Fat Man’s Misery (though I’d personally call this portion of the cave Anybody’s Misery). And by the end of your tour, you’ll be left with no doubts as to how Mammoth Cave got its name.

General Info

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours (Allot 2.5 hours) STAIRS: 540 EFFORT: Moderately Strenuous COST: $24.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Frozen Niagara Tour

Quick, short, and low-in-effort , The Frozen Niagara tour is hands-down the easiest tour offered at Mammoth Cave National Park. Don’t be fooled by the sketchy looking entryway: this is one of the most beautiful sections of Mammoth Cave . Within a small, dark, fourth-of-a-mile stretch, you’ll see wrangled beards of limestone, spirals of stalactites, and ice-like distortions of flowstone. Your tour guide will brief you on the geology of Mammoth Cave , the story behind the Frozen Niagara entrance, and some of the keystone species you might see at Mammoth Cave National Park (this part of the cavern is usually crawling with cave crickets).

ESTIMATED TIME: 1.25 Hours (Allot 1.5 hours) STAIRS: 64 With Optional 96 Stairs To The Drapery Room EFFORT: Easy COST: $26.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Arachnophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Cleaveland Avenue Tour

The Cleaveland Avenue Tour is one of the most underrated Mammoth Cave tours. If you’re visiting Mammoth Cave for the first time and want to get a feel for the length of Mammoth Cave without the stress of a large group size, this is the tour I’d recommend the most! Be warned: there are lots of steps up front and towards the end. But the path in-between is nice and gentle and compact . It’s a hike that’s strenuous in bursts, more tiring than difficult . And the reward is floral gypsum , white petals of calcium sulfate that choke cracks and crevices. You’ll amble and ramble and snap photos. And as you stroll through Cleaveland Avenue, your tour guide will introduce you to Mammoth Cave’s geology, topology, and history .

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours STAIRS: 400 EFFORT: Moderate COST: $30.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Nyctophobia, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia

Grand Avenue Tour

The Grand Avenue Tour is intense. It’s stair after stair, incline after incline. You’ll trek through sparkling passageways and squeeze into slot canyons and amble past rich tapestries of flowstone. You’ll experience Mammoth Cave to the fullest – its highs and lows, its dimness and darkness, its emptiness and too-muchness. Grand Avenue’s variation alone it makes it one of the best mammoth cave tours, but it’s also one of the most difficult . The pace tends to be slow and unhurried ( there are even restroom breaks) to accommodate, but the length will absolutely test your legs. This tour is long. You’ll spend half-a-day in a cool, dark, seemingly endless underground . At times, the landscape will feel (and look) hellish. But if you love caves and enjoy Stairmaster challenges, you’ll feel right at home in this tour.

ESTIMATED TIME: 4 Hours (Allot 4.5) STAIRS: 1521 EFFORT: Strenuous COST: $42.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Arachnophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Violet City Lantern Tour

Whilst at Mammoth Cave National Park, I tried asking as many park rangers as I could find what their favorite tour was. The overwhelming response? The Violet City Lantern Tour . This is one the most dramatic Mammoth Cave tours. Here’s what I love about it: Violet City swoops you back in time to an era of early exploration , an era where your eyes depended on the soft, intimate glow of lantern-light . So as you hold up your lantern to Mammoth Cave’s water-cut nooks and crannies, you’ll tap into the past. But you’ll also focus on the little details – the here-and-now, the what-was and what-could-be.

ESTIMATED TIME: 3 Hours STAIRS: 160 EFFORT: Moderate COST: $32.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

Gothic Avenue Tour

One of my favorite Mammoth Cave tours was the Gothic Avenue Tour (which to me felt a lot like The Historic Tour without the severe claustrophobia moments). The Gothic Avenue tour is dark and moody . It’s theatrical in its form and shape. Spheres of light are cast onto historic graffiti burned into Mammoth Cave’s walls. Monuments (old Jenga-ed stacks of rocks) are strewn along the edge of the trails. You’ll see broody stalactites and stalagmites droop down below blackened shadows. You’ll crescent moon around a dramatic ring of formations (known as The Bridal Altar), which devilishly drips down to hard, compact ground. The atmosphere of Gothic Avenue is gloomy and eerie. Go in October if you can (this is the perfect tour to take during spooky season).

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours STAIRS: 160 EFFORT: Easy COST: $23.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Nyctophobia, Agoraphobia

River Styx Tour

I was told by a park ranger that the River Styx Tour is often touted as one of the most underwhelming tours at Mammoth Cave. “It’s because people expect to go down to the water,” he said. And while you do see water on the River Styx tour , you see it from above . You catch a small glimpse of it (just a glimpse). Know that this is less of a river tour, and mostly a mashup of many other Mammoth Cave tours . The River Styx trek (which is slick and muddy and wet in some areas) covers the entire Historic Route (truth be told, I was not looking forward to walking through Fat Man’s Misery again). It also injects some elements of the Violet City Lantern Tour and the Mammoth Passage Tour.

ESTIMATED TIME: 2.5 Hours (Allot 3) STAIRS: 600 EFFORT: Moderately strenuous COST: $26.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia

Domes & Dripstones Tour

Like Frozen Niagara, Domes & Dripstones walks you through some of the prettiest sections of Mammoth Cave. It’s a lot more strenuous than Frozen Niagara though (according to the ranger who led our tour, this is the hike he’s seen the most people end up in need of medical evacuation – eeeep ). And after negotiating the steps past the entrance, I could see why. On the Domes & Dripstones tour, you knock out 280 stairs in the initial descent . The steps get smaller and smaller as you go farther and farther down. At the choke points, my feet were barely covered by the stairs. But wow, oh wow, once the stairs taper off, you’ll see one of the most beautiful sides to Mammoth Cave. This portion of Mammoth Cave isn’t dry and clean-cut. It’s moist and layered and filled with formations .

Side Note: I definitely felt like I gained the most knowledge from this tour. There were two ranger-led “Ask Me Anything” moments where our group got an opportunity to sit down on a handful of benches (arranged classroom-style right in the cave) and shoot questions. Y’all, I learned so much from the open-ended style of these portions, so if you’re looking to grasp more of the history and geology of Mammoth Cave, I highly recommend this tour!

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 Hours (Allot 2.5) STAIRS: 638 With Optional 96 Stairs To The Drapery Room EFFORT: Strenuous COST: $30.00 Per Adult PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia

Self-Guided Tour

For a quick in-then-out jaunt into Mammoth Cave, opt for the self-guided tour . You still need a ticket (first come, first served), but once you’ve strode down past the Historic Entrance, you can walk around and read the placards at your own pace . This is a popular option for those planning a last-minute stopover at Mammoth Cave.

The self-guided tour showcases a large , wide open, level snapshot of Mammoth Cave, making it more accessible to people who might experience claustrophobia, acrophobia, and agoraphobia. There is a guided version of this tour too ( The Mammoth Passage Tour ), but if you get a chance, try booking one of the other Mammoth Cave tours on this list instead (for a more in-depth Mammoth Cave experience)!

ESTIMATED TIME: 20-30 Minutes STAIRS: 125 COST: $12.00 Per Adult EFFORT: Easy

Wild Cave Tour

While I do not intend on going on any of the crawling tours at Mammoth Cave (I looked at one of the holes you have to squeeze whilst on another tour and no, just no), I do still want to mention one crawling tour in this guide. Here’s why: everyone I spoke to who has done the Wild Cave Tour in the past has absolutely loved it. Apparently, you crawl on your hands and knees and push your body through small gaps in the ground. You don’t just get to see Mammoth Cave, you get to feel it. The Wild Cave tour offers a tactile way to experience Mammoth Cave. It’s supposed to be fun and challenging and adventurous .

ESTIMATED TIME: 4 Hours EFFORT: Very Strenuous PHOBIA WARNINGS: Claustrophobia, Nyctophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia COST: $79.00 Per Adult

General FAQ

The tours at Mammoth Cave feel like a workout, so I’d recommend just one. But you can absolutely complete two tours in one day if you feel up for it physically! Just give yourself a few hours in between to rest. 😊

Good walking shoes ( these shoes got me through every tour in Mammoth Cave) and a long-sleeved breathable sweater (Mammoth Cave tends to be a bit cold. Think mid-50 degrees).

I went solo, but I noticed the most families on the Frozen Niagara Tour and the Historic Tour!

Personal FAQ

I used a Sony Alpha a6400 ! If you’re using an iPhone to take photos, I recommend turning on Night Mode (the little moon icon in the top left corner of the camera app) and holding your phone as still as possible while you snap a picture.

Mammoth Cave Tours Ranked: (1) Domes & Dripstones, (2) Cleaveland Avenue Tour, (3) Gothic Avenue Tour.

I brought a comfy little crossbody rucksack (this is my favorite day hiking bag). In it, I kept my phone, tickets (I asked for printed tickets at the information desk), camera, and a Hydroflask (technically, only clear water bottles are allowed on Mammoth Cave tours, but I didn’t feel like buying a new one, and no one commented on my bottle being opaque ☺️). No food was allowed in the cave, so I left a nut mix in my car and snacked on it after each tour.

Did you find this guide to the best Mammoth Cave tours helpful? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below! As always, I love hearing from you.

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

You describe places in a way that inspires me to travel and see the world. Thank you very much for that! Greetings from Canada.

Your firsthand info and perspective of each cave tour was very helpful, thanks!

Thank you so much for these reviews and assessments the physical demands of them. So very helpful!!!

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These Tours Of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave Are Worth Taking, Ranked By Difficulty

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Frozen niagara tour, domes & dripstones tour: very easy to moderate, historic tour: easy, grand avenue tour: moderate to difficult, violet city tour & star chamber tour: moderate, river styx tour: moderate, wild cave tour: difficult, accessible cave tour.

Mammoth Cave is one of the most well-known landmark features in Kentucky. The cave has a long history within the state and has kept many travelers intrigued by its slightly unusual and captivating caverns, which span 400 miles underground. It's also known as the world's largest cave system , and this, alone, spurs a fascination that is rarely seen with other, smaller caves.

Related: Krubera Cave Is The World's Deepest, And Getting To The Bottom Isn't Even The Half Of It

What's perhaps even more peculiar about this cave system is that its above-ground surroundings are just as intriguing. Some tours allow visitors to wind their way through one of many hiking trails that wind through the woodland forests in the region, making for a very full-on adventure. Visitors must sign up for a tour in order to see the caves and trust us when we say it's worth it. Not only will guests be able to navigate the caverns with a pro leading the way, but they'll also gain an interesting insight into the history of Mammoth Cave.

UPDATE: 2022/05/26 12:21 EST BY LIANNA TEDESCO

Mammoth Cave continues to be one of the most fascinating underground cavern systems in the world. While tours are ongoing throughout the year and change according to cave conditions and availability, one thing remains the same: It's entirely worth visiting. We've updated this feature to include relevant information such as tour prices, detailed difficulty levels, walking distance, and any other details one might need to know prior to choosing one. The hope is that this will make planning a future trip easier, and will provide visitors with an idea of what to expect whenever they do.

Both of these tours are ranked as being fairly easy since they don't encompass as many steps as the others. The Frozen Niagara Tour is great for those who are still unsure about how deep they want to go into Mammoth Cave, and it's only a quarter-mile tour. Additionally, this tour is much shorter than the others, taking only about an hour and 15 minutes to complete. Visitors have the option to complete the full 98 steps but are only required to take 12. The shuttle bus takes roughly a half-hour to the site of the tour, and visitors have the chance to see formations in the Frozen Niagara section of the cave as well as the Drapery Room.

Similarly, Domes & Dripstones takes visitors on a limited tour, but this one goes a bit deeper, with a total length of three-quarters of a mile and a time span of two hours. Visitors will see the same cavern sections with the addition of unique formations they'll be walking past as opposed to taking the shuttle straight to Frozen Niagara.

Frozen Niagara Tour Details

• Duration: 1.25 hours
• Distance: 0.25 miles (0.4 km)
• Total Stairs: 12, plus an optional 98
• Difficulty: Easy
• Ages: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Restrooms: No
• Fees: $18 Adults, $14 Youth, $9 Senior Pass Holder, $9 Access Pass Holder.

Domes & Dripstones Tour Details

• Duration: 2 hours
• Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
• Total Stairs: 500, including 280 on the initial staircase descent
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Fees: $21 Adults, $16 Youth, $10.50 Senior Pass Holder, $10.50 Access Pass Holder.

When choosing any tour, one that includes a ton of history is always the best bet. The Mammoth Cave Historic Tour is by far the most popular and one of the mid-length tours (some take up to six hours!), with a length of two hours covering a span of two miles. This is a great tour for newcomers to cave systems as well as Mammoth Cave; starting at the main entrance of the cave, guests will take 440 steps down into the cave itself to explore several major features.

Included are stops at Mammoth Dome, Bottomless Pit, Fat Man's Misery (squeezing in tight spaces required), Tall Man's Misery (crouching required), and some saltpeter mines. A 200-year history will be discussed throughout the tour, and it's by far one of the most beginner-friendly treks offered by the cave.

The Grand Avenue Tour comes in at a moderate ranking because it is four hours long, and covers a distance of four miles. There are bathroom stops included on this tour, and, along the way, visitors will see Cleveland Avenue, Boone Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, and Mt. McKinley before ending in Frozen Niagara and the Drapery room. This is a great option for those who want to see the lesser-explored parts of the cave.

Grand Avenue Tour Details

• Duration: 4 hours
• Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
• Total Stairs: 1313
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Ages: 6 years and older. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Restrooms: Yes
• Fees: $35 Adults, $27 Youth, $17.50 Senior Pass Holder, $17.50 Access Pass Holder.

The Violet City Tour takes travelers down into the cave by lantern light to see some of the most famous and notable signatures that have been left on the walls throughout history. Along the way, the tour overlaps parts of Gothic Avenue, the Historic Tour, Star Chamber, and Mammoth Passage Tours. The tour lasts about three hours over a span of three miles.

Alternatively, the Star Chamber Tour covers many of the same features, but it is shorter at a length of two and a half hours, covering a distance of one and a half miles.

Violet City Tour Details

• Duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
• Total Stairs: 160 and numerous hills with no handrails.
• Tickets available for each tour time: 38
• Fees: $25 Adults, $20 Youth, $12.50 Senior Pass Holder, $12.50 Access Pass Holder.

Star Chamber Tour Details

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)
• Total Stairs: 160
• Tickets available for each tour time: 40

For anyone interested in the cave's water features, the River Styx Tour is the way to go. This tour takes two and a half hours, covering two and a half miles through the cavern's most impressive lakes and flowing waters.

The Dead Sea, Lake Lethe, and River Styx are all included.

River Styx Tour Details

• Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km)
• Total Stairs: Approximately 600, including 155 at Mammoth Dome.
• Restrooms: No, restrooms are temporarily unavailable on this tour.
• Tickets available for each tour time: 30
• Fees: $22 Adults, $16 Youth, $11 Senior Pass Holder, $11 Access Pass Holder.

The longest and most strenuous hike is the Wild Cave Tour which takes visitors through the experience as though they were cave explorers, themselves.

The tour is six hours long and traverses a distance of six miles, feeling much more like an underground hike. Belly crawling, rock scrambling, climbing, and narrow passageways are all part of this tour for the truly adventurous. Visitors receive knee pads and a hard hat, and it should be booked in advance to avoid choosing a sold-out date.

This tour is open to anyone who has mobility issues and features elevators rather than stairs throughout the tour. Guests will see the Grand Avenue route of the cave over the span of two hours, covering a total distance of half a mile.

No matter which tour one chooses when visiting Kentucky's famous Mammoth Cave, it's certain to be an experience that they'll remember. As one of the most unique cave systems on earth, it's worth the price of a tour - and worth the effort it takes to get there.

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Hike the River Styx Spring Trail

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Elevation Gain

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Elyse Clark

Hike one of the surface trails at Mammoth Cave National Park to see a spring in which groundwater emerges out of a cave. This trail also brings you by the Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave and has views of the Green River.

Starting from the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center, take the "Historic Entrance" trail that descends down the hill between the Visitor's Center and the Mammoth Cave Hotel. After 0.2 miles you will reach the historic entrance of Mammoth Cave on your right side. You cannot go in the cave without a guided tour, but you can walk down and look at the entrance. 

The trail splits into two trails at the historic entrance. Take the wider trail on the left side which has a sign stating the River Styx Spring Trail. You will descend for 0.4 miles.  When you level out near the Green River, take the boardwalk to your left to view the River Styx Spring, which is where groundwater is discharging from Mammoth Cave to the Green River. 

There is also a small area where you can view the Green River.  When finished, walk back the way you came up the hill to the Visitor's Center to complete this short and easy hike.  

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Hike the River Styx Spring Trail Reviews

Amelia Walker

Part of the complete Mammoth Cave Experience

My husband and I went on this trail after a cave tour!  Starting from the visitor center, you'll pass by the Historic Entrance to the cave - you can stop here if you haven't yet and see the very front end of the cave without a tour guide.  With the Historic Entrance to the cave to your back, keep heading down the hill on the wider path through the woods.  The signage at this park is great, so just follow them!  The "river styx' is at the down a short boardwalk, and offers a good view of the main attraction.  It's cool to see how many entrances there are into this huge cave system!  If you don't want to go out and back, I'd highly suggest adding on the Green Bluffs Trail that starts where the River Styx Trail stops!  Offers beautiful views and a different scenery back to the visitor center.

Lucas Bremer

Great side hike

A great hike to kill time while waiting on a cave tour. Trail is well marked, some of it paved and it will lead to a spring that bubbles up from the cave itself.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Mammoth Cave National Park – Which Tour Should You Do?

“My God… That’s spectacular.” On our final tour at Mammoth Cave National Park, the man directly in front of us said this exact line every single time we turned a corner. No, I’m not exaggerating. While I didn’t share his same enthusiasm, I will say that Mammoth Cave is pretty cool. Some of these rock formations are incredible and it’s worth a visit to tour this cave system.

Table of Contents

About Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the worlds largest cave system, with over 400 miles of cave discovered and mapped so far (and still many miles of cave that still need to be explored). The cave is massive and until you visit, it can be difficult to really understand how the true scale of these caves.

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in central Kentucky, just outside of Cave City. A visit here is a little different than most of your national park experiences. Rather than just jumping in your car and exploring on your own, you must sign up for guided tours of the cave. There is a self guided tour option for those who don’t like the idea of a group tour. However, a ranger led tour will give you so much more information about the area you’re exploring.

We took three tours: The Star Chamber Tour, The Historic Tour, and the Domes and Dripstones Tour. All three were great and all taught us something new about the cave system. But there are still several others to choose from.

Mammoth Cave National Park Tours

The star chamber tour.

This tour at Mammoth Cave is a bit different than most. The cave is filled with artificial lights which are turned on during most tours so everyone can see where they are going. But during this tour, these artificial lights are turned off. You follow your guide through the cave by oil lantern, just like the early tourists who visited here. Because of the limited light, it can be difficult to truly grasp how big the cave really is. Still, it is a great experience. You’ll travel down through the main entrance and down Gothic Avenue before reaching the Star Chamber, at which point you’ll turn around and retrace your steps.

If you’re going to do this tour, I recommend making this your first tour. It’s a great introduction to the cave. The cave feels big, but the lanterns don’t really let you see the true scale. The next day, when we took the Historic Tour, my mom and I were in awe of how big the cave really was. I don’t think you’ll get that same experience if you do the Star Chamber Tour at the end.

It’s such a unique experience that I have to recommend doing this tour.

Total Distance: 2 miles Length of Tour: 2.5 hours Number of Stairs: 160 Cost: $30 per adult

Historic Tour

This tour is a classic and leads you down into Mammoth Cave. You’ll enter through the main entrance and retrace some of the steps you made on the Star Chamber tour. However, now you have the artificial lights turned on and you can really get a sense for how massive this cave system is. It’s amazing how much different and bigger the cave feels with those artificial lights.

There are two big things to be aware of before signing up for this tour. There can be low ceilings and narrow passage ways. At a few points in the tour, you may need to crouch down and walk along the passage way for an extended period. For reference, I’m 5 feet 4 inches and I occasionally had to crouch down, while my mom at 5 feet 7 inches had to duck more often.

My mom was a little nervous about this, but said that the rangers over exaggerated how bad it was going to be. Still, you know your limits. If you are concerned, talk to rangers before you book your tickets. They will also reiterate all of this information at the safety briefing before starting your tour.

Total Distance: 2 miles Length of Tour: 2 hours Number of Stairs: 540 Cost: $24 per adult

Domes and Dripstones

This is the tour that I think of when I think of Mammoth Cave. It was on this tour that we heard “My God… That’s incredible!” at least 25 times in the course of the two hour tour.

From the visitor center, you’ll board a bus and travel to another entrance to the cave. At this second entrance, you’ll descend a narrow staircase down into the cave. Once you’re down here, the rangers will lead you to some of the most incredible rock formations of the cave system. The highlight for me was the Frozen Niagra area toward the end of the tour.

This tour had more narrow spaces than the Historic Tour, but I found myself having to duck less on this tour than on the Historic Tour. You will get a safety briefing before your tour that will outline exactly what you’re going to go through.

Total Distance: 1 miles Length of Tour: 2 hours Number of Stairs: 500 Cost: $30 per adult

More Tour Options

The above three tours are the tours that I have first hand experience with. But those aren’t the only tours available at Mammoth Cave.

Accessible Tour – For those with limited mobility, take a look at this tour. This is 2 hours, 0.5 miles, and has no stairs. Cost: $27 per adult.

Cleveland Avenue – This focuses on Cleveland Avenue and the Snowball Room and you’ll see unique passages and gypsum covered walls. This is 2 hours, 1 mile, and 200 stairs. Cost: $30 per adult.

Discovery (Self Guided) – This is the only self-guided option to explore Mammoth Cave. This is 1.25 hours, 0.75 miles, and 125 stairs. Cost: $12 per adult.

Extended Historic – Unsurprisingly, this the Historic Tour with an extension (to the 1840s Cave Experiment). This is 2.25 hours, 2 miles, and 540 stairs. Cost: $27 per adult.

Frozen Niagara – If you only want to see Frozen Niagara and skip the rest of the Domes and Dripstones tour, look at this tour. This is 1.25 hours, 0.25 miles, and 110 stairs (98 are optional). Cost: $26 per adult.

Gothic Avenue – This focuses on more in depth on Gothic Avenue, which is also seen on Star Chamber, Historic Tour, and Violet City Lantern Tour. This is 2 hours, 1 mile, and 160 stairs. Cost: $23 per adult.

Grand Avenue – This is another in depth tour, but it does a deeper dive on the Domes and Dripstones tour. This is 4 hours, 4 miles, and 1313 stairs. Cost: $42 per adult.

Great Onyx Lantern Tour – This is another lantern tour, but it should be noted that this cave is not known to be part of the Mammoth Cave system. Remember that the cave system is still being mapped and explored, so one day, they may be able to connect it with the Mammoth Cave system. This is 2.25 hours, 1 miles, and 40 stairs. Cost: $31 per adult.

Grand Historic – This is one of the most in depth tours and you’ll visit many of the iconic sites that are also seen on the Historic, Extended Historic, Gothic Avenue, Star Chamber, River Styx, Mammoth Passage, and Violet City tours. This is 4 hours, 4 miles, and 640 stairs. This tour is currently not offered.

Intro to Caving – For those who have an interest in caving and want to get off the beaten path, consider this tour. This tour is 3.5 hours, 1 mile, and 300 steps. Cost: $49 per adult.

Mammoth Passage – This is an introduction to the Historic Tour and is a guided version of the Discovery (Self Guided tour). This is 1.25 hours, 0.75 miles, and 125 stairs. Cost: $15 per adult.

River Styx Lantern Tour – You’ll follow the Historic Tour, but also detour to the underground water level. This is 2.5 hours, 2.5 miles, and 600 stairs. Cost: $26 per adult.

Trog Tour – This tour is for kids age 8-12 only. From the Historic Entrance they’ll learn all about cave exploration. This is 2.75 hours, 1.5 miles, and 200 steps. Cost: $25 per child.

Violet City Lantern Tour – This is another lantern tour option, but is slightly longer than the Star Chamber tour. This is 3 hours, 3 miles, and 160 stairs. Cost: $32 per adult.

Wild Cave Tour – For the most adventurous tour at Mammoth Cave National Park, check out the Wild Cave Tour. This all day tour is very physical as you’ll literally be crawling through holes in the cave. This is 6 hours, 6 miles, and 500 stairs. Cost: $79 per adult.

Wondering Woods – This is more focusing on the surrounding forests, but does feature a short visit to the cave. This is 1.5 hours, 1 mile, and 194 stairs. This tour is currently not offered.

Which Tour Should You Do?

The choice of tours is entirely up to you and you should take your own preferences into account, particularly if you love geology. But for the average person, I think the three tours I did (Star Chamber, Historic, and Domes and Dripstones) is a really good combination. Many tours overlap (at least partially) with another tour and I feel like we really got to see a lot of the cave.

On our trip, we arrived into Cave City at around 3:00pm. We got an early dinner in Cave City and then drove to Mammoth Cave National Park We took the Star Chamber Tour at 6:15 that evening. The next day we took the 10:00am Historic Tour and the 2:15 Domes and Dripstones Tour.

If you’re doing both the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones on the same day, I think this spacing (10am Historic and 2:15 Domes and Dripstones) works well. The Historic Tour finishes at 12:00, so you have plenty of time for lunch (there’s a Camp Store that serves sandwiches just down the road from the visitor center) and time to relax. If you take an earlier tour, you may be rushed during lunch.

Also note, that tour times change based on the season. We were here in early August when there were numerous tours available, but in winter fewer tours are offered. Always look ahead on the NPS website to see what tours are available for your dates.

It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance. We booked our tours online approximately six weeks in advance for a visit in August. At that time, there were still plenty of tickets available. However, by the time we arrived in Cave City, nearly everything was sold out. If there’s a tour you really want to do, buy your ticket in advance.

Booking Your Tour

While you can wait until you’re at Mammoth Cave National Park to select your tours, you run the risk of tours selling out. Despite large groups for some of the tours (there must have been 100 people on two of my three tours), they regularly sell out. This is especially true during the peak travel months.

So, once you know when you’ll be at Mammoth Cave National Park, book your tours through the recreation.gov website.

Additional Helpful Tour Information

Each tour at Mammoth Cave (except the Accessible Tour) contains a lot of stairs. Both the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones state that you will do over 500 stairs. That said, the stairs are not all at once and are spread out throughout the tour, which is anywhere from .75 to 2 miles in length.

Tour groups can get big. The Star Chamber Tour has limited spots since they have limited lanterns. Our group for this tour had approximately 30 people. However, our groups for the Historic Tour and Domes and Dripstones were at least 100 people. To get the most out of your tour (and to maximize your time for photos), stick to the front of the group.

We were at the back of the group for the Star Chamber Tour, but I don’t think we missed much. For the other two tours, had we stayed at the back, we would have gotten the essential information, but we would have missed some more of the “fun facts” and other random tidbits from our ranger. He’d typically give these facts to the front of the group while we waited for the back part of the group to file in.

There are no facilities on your tour. Use the bathroom before you depart and carry anything you might need (although you really shouldn’t need much as food and drinks other than water are not allowed in the cave).

Getting to Mammoth Cave

Look at the map before you go. There is no service and the National Park Service strongly recommends avoiding Google Maps to navigate you to the visitor center. We used Google Maps and had no problems, but it’s something you should be aware of.

When to Visit Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is 52 degrees all year round, so they can be visited at any point. The biggest thing to note is that tour offerings change throughout the year. Summer will have more tours offered than winter.

We visited in early August, so while it was hot and humid outside (with temperatures in the upper 80s), the inside of the cave was cool. I wore leggings and had a light sweatshirt (I only used my sweatshirt on two of the three tours).

Where to Stay

The nearest town to Mammoth Cave is Cave City. It’s a small town with not a lot of options, but you will find a few choices for hotels and restaurants.

Final Thoughts

I’ve visited other caves, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park , but nothing was quite like Mammoth Cave National Park. The sheer scale is hard to imagine and when you’re standing in the cave, you can really feel small. It’s definitely worth a visit to Mammoth Cave National Park just to experience it.

Continue Your Adventure

More Caves : For a similar, but also different, cave experience, check out New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park . Or in South Dakota, visit Wind Cave National Park or Jewel Cave National Monument . And don’t just pay attention to the national parks, Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa is a fun visit too.

Nearby National Parks : Nearby is relative, but if you’re chasing national parks, there’s a few to look into. You have Indiana Dunes National Park to the north, Gateway Arch National Park to the west, and New River Gorge National Park to the east. All are between a five to six hour drive from Mammoth Cave.

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How to Pick the Best Mammoth Cave Tour: from Families to Avid Adventurers

Mammoth Cave National Park is a natural wonder nestled in the heart of Kentucky. We’ll show you all the reasons why you should add this extraordinary national park to your travel bucket list and how to pick the best Mammoth cave tour for you and your family. Uncover the mysteries of the world’s longest-known cave system, boasting awe-inspiring rock formations and captivating underground passages at this underrated family destination!

We visited Mammoth Cave National Park when our kids were 4 and 6. In fact, it was the first time they earned Junior Ranger badges! We asked our friend Amanda Perkins of Life Has Its Perks Blog to break down the best Mammoth cave tours, so you can choose the right tour for you- whether you are a first-timer, a family with small kids, or looking for a more challenging or adventurous tour through Mammoth Cave.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post,  download our Top Ten Tricks for Exploring National Parks with Kids .

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Table of Contents

Is Mammoth Cave Worth Visiting?

Yes, Mammoth Cave is worth visiting! Immersing yourself in the park’s stunning landscapes, from lush forests to picturesque river valleys to the famous cave itself, is a family bucket list experience.

Mammoth Cave National Park offers an experience unlike any other National Park east of the Mississippi River. From the moment you step foot into the cave, you’ll be transported to a world of natural wonder and beauty that will leave you awestruck. Mammoth Cave makes a great stop on a family cross-country road trip .

Mammoth Cave is an incredible feat of nature, with massive chambers, intricate passageways, and bizarre formations that have been sculpted by millions of years of water erosion and geologic activity. But beyond its sheer size and beauty, Mammoth Cave also has a rich history that is woven into the fabric of American culture.

In addition to the cave tours, Mammoth Cave National Park has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. We love hiking and biking as a family and there are plenty of trails to explore here. The Green River also provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. And for those who prefer to stay indoors, the park offers a variety of ranger-led programs and exhibits.

When is the Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave?

The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is during the spring and fall seasons, specifically from April to June and September to October. We visited in September, right after school started, and that seemed like the perfect time to come to Mammoth Cave! During these times, the weather is generally pleasant, with milder temperatures and lower humidity compared to the hot and humid summer months. 

The park’s natural beauty flourishes during spring, as wildflowers bloom and the surrounding landscape comes alive with vibrant colors. Fall offers a picturesque spectacle with the changing leaves, creating a breathtaking backdrop for exploration.

Visiting during these seasons also ensures a more comfortable experience while exploring the cave system. The cave’s temperature remains constant at around 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) throughout the year, making it a refreshing escape from both the summer heat and winter chill.

More importantly, spring and fall attract fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. This means shorter lines for the best Mammoth Cave tour, easier access to hiking trails, and a quieter overall ambiance.

Mammoth Cave National Park is a popular destination year-round, and each season offers its own unique charm. However, for those seeking pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and a more relaxed atmosphere, spring and fall are the ideal times to experience the park’s wonders at their best.

The Best Mammoth Cave Tours

Tours are required when visiting Mammoth Cave. They offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the cave’s history and geology from knowledgeable rangers who will guide you through the cave system and point out interesting features along the way. There is one option for a short, self-guided tour of the cave, which is only offered in the summer. All other tours are guided tours.

There are a variety of tours available to suit every interest and level of ability, from easy strolls through well-lit sections of the cave to more challenging explorations of remote areas that require crawling and climbing. The cost of most tours ranges from $10 – $30 a person. Many cave tours require a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.

We took the Domes and Dripstone Tour which was a perfect fit for us. There are quite a few stairs and some tight spaces, but we were up for the adventure. The views were incredible and not something I will soon forget. 

No matter which tour you choose, you’ll be treated to a one-of-a-kind experience that you will never forget. And with so much to see and do at Mammoth Cave National Park, you’ll want to plan a return trip before you even leave.

Top Tip: Make sure to book tours well in advance- not all tours are available year-round.

Best Mammoth Cave Tours for Families

Exploring Mammoth Cave with kids can be lots of fun! There are lots of fun things to see and do in the park, including many cave tours that are suitable for families with kids. Here are some of the best Mammoth cave tours for families.

1. Frozen Niagara Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 1.25 Hours ✅ 1/2 mile, Great for young children

The Frozen Niagara Tour is a great option for families with young children. This tour is an easy, half-mile walk through the cave, and it’s filled with all kinds of cool sights to see. You’ll get to explore the Frozen Niagara Formation which looks like a big, frozen waterfall. Your guide will tell you all about how the cave was formed and answer any questions you might have. This is one of the most popular tours at Mammoth Cave.

2. Domes & Dripstones Tour

🌟 Difficult ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ Great for older children

For families with slightly older kids who are up for a bit more adventure, the Domes & Dripstones Tour is a fantastic choice. We loved this tour that took us on a 2-hour journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the cave. We saw massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll even get to climb up a spiral staircase to a lookout point that offers a stunning view of the cave.

3. Mammoth Passage Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 1.25 Hours ✅ Educational

If you’re looking for a tour that’s both fun and educational, check out the Mammoth Passage Tour. This tour is led by a park ranger who will teach you all about the history of the cave and the animals that live inside. You’ll get to see some amazing cave formations, like the Giant’s Coffin and the Bottomless Pit. This tour is perfect for families with kids who love to learn new things.

4. Accessible Tour

🌟 Easy ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ No Stairs

Mammoth Cave National Park offers an accessible tour designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges. The Accessible Tour is the only tour with no stairs . This tour provides an inclusive experience, featuring wheelchair-accessible routes and audio descriptions. It allows everyone to marvel at the cave’s wonders and learn about its fascinating history, ensuring that no one is left behind in experiencing this incredible natural treasure.

5. Best Mammoth Cave Tour for History Buffs: Historic Tour

🌟 Difficult ⏳ 2 Hours ✅ Focus on History and Usage

If you love history, you’ll love the Historic Tour , which explores the cave’s role in the War of 1812 and the Civil War, as well as its use as a source of saltpeter for gunpowder during both conflicts. This tour involves a lot of stairs and some tight spaces. You can also do the Extended Historic Tour for a slightly longer, more in-depth experience.

6. Best Mammoth Tour for First-Time Visitors: Domes & Dripstones Tour

The Domes & Dripstones Tour is a fantastic choice for first-time visitors who want to experience a mix of history and beauty inside Mammoth Cave. We loved this tour that took us on a 2-hour journey, which includes massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll even get to climb up a spiral staircase to a lookout point that offers a stunning view of the cave.

Best Mammoth Cave Tours for Hard Core Adventurers

If you are looking for an exciting adventure during your visit to Mammoth Cave National Park, look no further! Here are some of the best Mammoth Cave tours for hard-core adventurers and adrenaline junkies like you.

7. Wild Cave Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 6 Hours ✅ Ages 16+, Includes crawling

The Wild Cave Tour is not for the faint of heart and you must be at least 16 years old to take part. This tour takes you on a 6-hour journey through the cave that includes crawling through tight spaces, wading through underground streams, and climbing up steep rocks. You’ll get to explore parts of the cave that most visitors never get to see, and you’ll feel like a true explorer. This tour is definitely not recommended for anyone who is claustrophobic or has mobility issues.

8. Grand Avenue Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳4 Hours ✅ Beautiful Areas, ages 6+

If you’re looking for a tour that’s both challenging and awe-inspiring, check out the Grand Avenue Tour. You must be at least 6 years old to do this tour. This tour takes you on a 4-hour journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the cave. You’ll get to see massive domes, towering stalagmites, and sparkling dripstones. You’ll also get to climb up and down several sets of stairs, so be prepared for a workout!

9. Violet City Lantern Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 3 Hours ✅ Tour by Lantern Light, Ages 6+

For a truly unique and thrilling experience, try the Violet City Lantern Tour. This tour takes you on a 2-hour journey through the cave by lantern light and you must be at least 6 years old to go. You’ll get to explore the darker corners of the cave and learn about the history and geology of Mammoth Cave. This tour is not recommended for anyone who is afraid of the dark or has trouble walking on uneven surfaces.

10. Introduction to Caving Tour

🌟 Very Difficult ⏳ 3 1/2 Hours ✅ Includes Crawling and Climbing

For families with older kids ( 10 years or older ) who are ready for a real adventure, the Introduction to Caving Tour is an awesome choice. This tour takes you on a 3-hour journey through the cave that includes crawling through narrow passageways and climbing up steep rocks. You’ll get to see parts of the cave that most visitors never get to experience, and you’ll feel like a real explorer. This tour is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a great way to challenge yourself and make some amazing memories.

Most Underrated Mammoth Cave Tours

If you are looking for a Mammoth Cave tour that’s off the beaten path but still offers amazing views, you are in luck. Here are the most underrated Mammoth Cave tours that offer incredible sights you won’t want to miss.

11. River Styx Tour

🌟 Moderate ⏳ 2 1/2 Hours ✅ Includes Boat Ride, Ages 6+

The River Styx Tour may not be as well-known as some of the other tours, but it’s definitely worth checking out. This tour takes you on a 2.5-hour journey through the cave that includes a boat ride on the underground River Styx. Kids must be at least 6 years old to go on this tour. You’ll get to see some amazing cave formations and even a few bats hanging from the ceiling. And the best part? You’ll get to experience the cave in a completely unique way.

12. Great Onyx Lantern Tour

🌟 Moderate ⏳ 2 1/4 Hours ✅ Unique Part of the Cave

The Great Onyx Tour takes you on a 2-hour journey through a portion of the cave that’s not open to the general public. Kids must be at least 6 years old to go on this tour. You’ll get to see some incredible formations, including one of the largest stalactites in the world. You’ll also get to learn about the history of the cave and the people who have explored it over the years.

No matter which underrated tour you choose, you’re sure to be blown away by the amazing sights and experiences. Don’t forget to bring your camera and be prepared to be amazed!

Booking your Mammoth Cave Tour

To explore the cave, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for one of the guided tours. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the park. It’s a good idea to book your tour in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure you get the tour you want. Tickets tend to sell out fairly quickly. You can book your tickets up to 2 months in advance.

Tickets can be purchased at the recreation website . Be aware that not all tours are available year-round. 

How to Get to Mammoth Cave

Getting to Mammoth Cave National Park is easy! The park is located in south-central Kentucky and can be reached by car, bus, or plane. If you’re driving, the park is located off Interstate 65, about 90 miles south of Louisville and 35 miles north of Bowling Green.

The closest airport to Mammoth Cave National Park is Louisville International Airport (SDF) , located approximately 90 miles north of the park. From the airport, visitors can rent a car or arrange for a shuttle service to reach the park. Interstate highways, such as I-65 and I-165, provide a straightforward route from the airport to Mammoth Cave.

To reach Mammoth Cave National Park from Nashville International Airport (BNA) , you can rent a car and drive approximately 95 miles north via I-65. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, offering scenic views of the Kentucky countryside.

Need a rental car to visit Mammoth Cave? We recommend Discover Cars , they always have easy, straightforward pricing. No last-minute surprises!

Book a Rental Car with Discover Cars

Don’t forget to stock up on road trip essentials and of course the best road trip snacks as well!

Where to Stay to Visit Mammoth Cave

When visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, there are various accommodation options available to suit different preferences and budgets.

Remember to book your accommodations well in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your preferred choice. Here are some suggestions for places to stay near the park.

Recommended Budget Hotel: Days Inn Wyndham Cave City

This Days Inn hotel is a clean, and no-frills motel, with a pool that our kids quite enjoyed. It is also very close to Dinosaur World if that is also on your itinerary.

Book Now: Days Inn Wyndham Cave City

The Lodge at Mammoth Cave

The only lodging within the park, you’ll find The Lodge at Mammoth Cave just next to the visitors center. This historic lodge offers comfortable rooms and cabins with modern amenities. Staying here provides easy access to the cave tours and other park attractions.

Campgrounds in Mammoth

Mammoth Cave National Park offers several campgrounds, such as the Mammoth Cave Campground and Maple Springs Group Camp, which provide opportunities for a more immersive and budget-friendly experience. These campgrounds offer both tent and RV camping facilities, along with amenities like restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.

Tips for Taking a Tour of Mammoth Cave

Here are some tips for visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, including what to bring and what is allowed in the park.

-Dress appropriately. The cave stays a constant 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so bring a light jacket or sweater regardless of the season.

-Wear comfortable shoes with good traction, as some of the tours require climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces.

-Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

-Photography is allowed as long as there is no flash.

-Strollers are not allowed, and neither are backpack child carriers. Front packs are allowed.

-Pets are not allowed in the cave or on the cave tours, and they must be leashed at all times in the park.

-Smoking is not permitted in any buildings or on any trails.

-Always remember to stay on designated trails and respect the park’s wildlife.

FAQ: Best Mammoth Cave Tours

The “best” tour at Mammoth Cave National Park depends on personal preferences and interests. Ultimately, the best tour depends on factors such as fitness level, desired level of adventure, and interest in specific cave features or history. The park offers a variety of cave tours, each providing a unique experience. The Domes and Dripstones Tour is popular for its stunning formations, while the Historic Tour delves into the cave’s rich history. The Frozen Niagara Tour showcases the magnificent Frozen Niagara formation. The Grand Avenue Tour is the longest and most strenuous, offering a comprehensive exploration. For an adventurous experience, the Wild Cave Tour is recommended.

The most popular tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Domes and Dripstones Tour . This tour takes visitors through the cave’s awe-inspiring formations, showcasing the breathtaking domes and intricate dripstone features. It offers a glimpse into the natural wonders and geological history of Mammoth Cave. The Domes and Dripstones Tour is suitable for a wide range of visitors, providing an engaging and informative experience without being overly strenuous. Due to its popularity, it is advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure a spot on this highly sought-after tour.

The hardest tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Wild Cave Tour . This tour is designed for the adventurous and physically fit, as it involves crawling, climbing, and navigating through tight spaces within the cave system. Participants wear helmets, headlamps, and kneepads as they explore lesser-traveled sections of the cave, experiencing the raw and rugged aspects of underground exploration. The Wild Cave Tour requires a high level of stamina, agility, and a willingness to challenge oneself physically and mentally. Due to the demanding nature of the tour, participants must meet certain age and health requirements and should be prepared for a thrilling and strenuous adventure.

The easiest tour at Mammoth Cave National Park is the Frozen Niagara Tour . This tour offers a relatively accessible and leisurely exploration of the cave. Visitors can experience the beauty of the Frozen Niagara Formation, a magnificent display of stalactites and flowstone. The tour involves minimal walking on well-maintained paths, making it suitable for individuals of various fitness levels and ages. It provides a captivating introduction to the wonders of Mammoth Cave without requiring strenuous physical exertion or navigating challenging cave passages. The Frozen Niagara Tour offers a convenient option for those seeking a more relaxed and accessible cave experience.

No, you cannot explore Mammoth Cave without a tour, although one self-guided tour is available for part of the cave. The cave is a complex and delicate natural environment, and for conservation and safety reasons, access to most of the cave system is restricted to guided tours. The National Park Service offers a range of tours led by knowledgeable guides who provide valuable information about the cave’s geological features, history, and environmental significance. These tours ensure that visitors can safely navigate the cave while minimizing any negative impact on the delicate ecosystem.

A tour in Mammoth Cave National Park ranges from 30 minutes to more than 6 hours depending on which tour you choose. The shorter tours, such as the Frozen Niagara Tour or the Historic Tour, typically last around one hour, providing a condensed but still captivating cave experience. Longer tours like the Domes and Dripstones Tour or the Grand Avenue Tour can last two to three hours or more, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the cave’s features and passages.

The cost of touring Mammoth Cave National Park varies depending on the specific tour chosen. The prices range from approximately $8 to $30 per person, depending on the tour. The shorter tours, such as the Frozen Niagara Tour, generally have lower prices, while longer and more extensive tours, like the Grand Avenue Tour, are more expensive.

While Mammoth Cave does not have a boat tour, however, The River Styx Tour includes a boat ride. This 2 1/2-hour tour is the only one that includes a boat. Mammoth Cave primarily offers walking tours, allowing visitors to explore the stunning underground passages and formations on foot.

Yes, you can visit Mammoth Cave in the winter. The cave remains open year-round, allowing visitors to explore its wonders even during the colder months. The cave retains the same cool temperature all year. However, some tours and facilities may have adjusted schedules or limited availability during the winter season.

It is very helpful to have a car when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. Public transportation options are limited, and having a car provides flexibility and convenience for accessing the park, touring the area, and exploring nearby attractions. We recommend using Discover Cars for your car rental- you’ll find an easy interface and upfront pricing.

There You Have it: Best Mammoth Cave Tours

Mammoth Cave National Park is a truly fantastic place, and with a little planning, you can enjoy the best Mammoth Cave Tour for you and your family. From exploring the cave’s depths to hiking through the park’s beautiful forests, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the beautiful National Park.

With so many cave tours to choose from, ranging from family-friendly to extreme adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The park also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and water sports, as well as ranger-led programs and exhibits. 

From the stunning cave formations to the beautiful natural scenery, there is so much to see and do at this incredible park. So, pack your bags, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready to explore the best tours of Mammoth Cave!

Interested in National Parks? Don’t miss our posts of family favorites like Glacier National Park , Yellowstone National Park , or Yosemite . We also like more under-the-radar parks like Craters of the Moon and the Wright Brothers Memorial ! For a wonderful autumn destination, check out Acadia National Park in Maine .

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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The Adventures of Trail & Hitch

Two geeks, two cats in an airstream., best cave tours of mammoth cave.

Travel Adventures , Washington DC - Trail (Anne) - July 10, 2021

After writing a lengthy article on “ How to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park ,” I feel that I should make suggestions as to which cave tours to go on. We spent two weeks in the Mammoth Cave area and got to go on many of the major tours.

Historic Tour or River Styx Tour

I enjoyed the Historic Tour the most, out of all that we attended. We started at the Lodge Rotunda for a quick orientation before hiking down to the Historic Entrance. Our rangers guided us at an even pace, stopping every so often to tell a story or to point out a classic Mammoth Cave landmarks, which were visited by historical figures of the 1800s and early 1900s.

Highlights include crossing bridges over both Sidesaddle Pit and Bottomless Pit, squeezing through Fat Man’s Misery, crouching down into Tall Man’s Agony, and finally climbing up The Tower to view Ruins of Karnack and the great Mammoth Dome. Overall a fantastic tour featuring both history and cave decoration viewing.

At the time, I really wanted to take the River Styx Tour, which also includes the Historic Tour but then takes a side path down to an underground river. As much as I love history, I would have also enjoyed learning about the geology of Mammoth Cave. Sadly during our visit NPS closed the River Styx area due to a recent flood.

Up The Tower to Mammoth Dome

Violet City Lantern Tour

If you love history and wish to explore Mammoth Cave as they did in the past, then Violet City Lantern Tour is perfect.

A German mining engineer by the name of Max Kämper discovered a passage in 1918, along with his cave guide, Edwin Bishop. Together they crawled through a narrow passageway connecting Ultima Thule and Kämper’s Hall, which he named after himself. Today that passage area is known as Violet City, named after the cave owner’s wife, Violet Blair Janin.

From the shelters outside the visitor center, our ranger gave out lanterns before hiking down to the Historic Entrance. We passed landmarks we’ve seen on other shorter tours, such as the Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, and Giant’s Coffin.

Along the Main Cave just past Giant’s Coffin, we ventured into new territory. We saw the remains of old underground huts which housed Turburciolsis patients. Further down, we enter an underground canyon known as the Star Chamber, where the roof seems to rise about 20 or 30 feet above the ground and mimics a starry night. At a place called the Cataracts, we passed a subterranean waterfall pouring out of a hole in the ceiling.

Violet City Lantern Tours

At one point, after passing a 2000-year-old petroglyph, we end up at a spot where a 1935 work crew found the mummified remains of a Palio-Indian. Nicknamed “Lost John,” the National Park Service considered the 5-foot-3-inch man a major archaeological find and exhibited his body until 1976 when federal law prohibited the display of Indian human remains. The Rangers re-interred Lost John in a hidden location near where he was found.

Violet CIty

Near Ultima Thule, we climbed up and through the Grand Portal, a 60-foot wide and 50-foot high passage leading to Kämper’s Hall and Violet City. Sadly our lamps lacked sufficiency to illuminate the huge hall, but we saw dripstone formations, stalactites hanging down from the dark, and curtains of calcite. If you ask nicely, maybe your ranger will let you shine a flashlight on the Marble Temple, which is a flowstone wall decorated by stalactites on either side. We also passed several domes and Bishop’s Pit before climbing up and out a man-made tunnel to Violet City’s Exit.

Important Cave Touring Tip: Do not tailgate the person before. Since the cave path is dark and only lit by lanterns, keep an eye out for when the person before you stops or slows down. If you are a fast walker, I suggest going to the back of the group. That way you can pause longer, and catch-up quickly. If you are slow, move up front with the ranger who sets the pace for the group.

We pause for a rest and a history lesson

Grand Avenue Tour

Grand Avenue demands endurance from any hiker, but you’ll be rewarded with fascinating cave decorations and a wealth of stories as told by your ranger. Thankfully, our rangers were kind enough to go at an even pace and provide frequent stops along the way. We enjoyed this tour for its exceptional overview of the size and intricacy of the Mammoth Cave System.

After our orientation at the visitor center shelters, we took a short bus trip to the Carmicheal Entrance. This man-made passageway goes downward and into an area known as Cleaveland Avenue. The low ceiling tunnel felt long and unending, especially in low light. Here the walls showed evidence of an underground river now long gone.

Snowball room in Mammoth Cave – courtesy of NPS.gov

Snowballs & Grapes

After about a mile, we ended up in the Snowball Room. In this cavern, the ceiling is dotted with mineral lumps similar to snowballs in shape. These gypsum “blisters” formed as the mineral pushed outward into the cave by more gypsum forming in a layer just behind the surface. Beneath the faux snow roof, rows of tables stand ready to serve those who need a break. Our ranger tells us during certain times of the year, the Snowball room serves food. Just passed the Snowball Room, we entered an area called Mary’s Vineyard. Here the cave displays grapelike formations in the limestone deposits on the cave ceiling. As water carrying calcium carbonite drops downward, the water precipitates clusters of minerals, suspended in grape-like formations from the ceiling.

Gypsum Flowers & Flowstones

Our ranger then lead us to steep-walled Boone’s Avenue, a good example of one of the cave passages formed by water. Along the walls, there is past evidence of fast moving water, working its way down along a mild slope into deeper portions the cave. Through the winding channels, we arrived at Kentucky Avenue where the most fantastic gypsum crystals and needles can be found. Then at Grand Central Station, where at least five passages converge, we pause for our ranger to explain how this intersection of joints came to be. Our group then moved into the upper cave levels, where we finally got to see a fascinating variety of dripstone and flowstone formations such as the Frozen Niagara, Drapery Room, and Onyx Colonnade. All of it made a fine reward for the longest trip in Mammoth Cave.

Gypsum Flowers on Kentucky Avenue

Great Onyx Cave Lantern Tour

In 1915, Edmund Turner discovered Great Onyx Cave just after agreeing to be a shareowner with Flint Ridge landowner L. P. Edwards. As soon as Edwards agreed, Turner showed him where to dig, and resulted in the Great Onyx Cave, so named because of its cave onyx formations. Together, Turner continued to explore the cave while Edwards rushed to commercialize it.

At first, the owners of Great Onyx Cave refused to sell their land when the federal government in the 1930s, when it was making land purchases for the formation of Mammoth Cave National Park. When the National Park was established in 1941, Great Onyx Cave remained a privately held “island” within the Park’s borders. In January 1961, the owners finally sold Great Onyx Cave to the National Park Service. Today, you can take tours to the Great Onyx Cave depending on the season.

Great Onyx Cave Entrance

Despite search efforts, cave explorers have yet to find a connection between Great Onyx Cave to the rest of the Flint Ridge Cave System and Mammoth Cave. In fact, passages in the Flint Ridge Cave System pass beneath surveyed passages of Great Onyx Cave. During the cave’s commercialization, the owners most likely piled rocks and sand against the walls during their trail construction. During construction, it’s possible that they blocked off passages which might have connected to Mammoth Cave.

Although there are 8 mapped miles of Great Onyx Cave, you’ll only see a fraction of it. For those who love cave decorations, Great Onyx Cave is the tour you’ll want. Sadly, you’ll have to examine this geologic attraction by lantern light, putting a shadowy backdrop for an amazing yet abundant volume of dripstone gypsum, helictite formations, and travertine flowstones.

Great Onyx Cave

Mammoth Self-Guided Discovery Tour

If you have only time for a short visit to Mammoth Caves, I suggest the self-paced Discovery Tour. They usually offer this tour during the summer months and on weekends during spring and fall. You’ll visit the Rotunda, one of the largest rooms in the cave, and explore a Houchins Narrows and Audobon Avenue. Visitors will learn about 19th-century saltpeter mining operations and the geologic origins of Mammoth Cave from one of the many rangers stationed about the cave. Sadly you cannot reserve this tour online, the NPS only sells tickets daily and on a first-come-first-served base.

Saltpeter Sites

Wild Cave Tour

If you are up for an adventure, take the “extremely strenuous” Wild Cave Tour. They offer this tour daily in the summertime for adults only. After you pass the “42-inch-diameter-narrow-fit” test, they go through a detailed orientation on gear and safety. You’ll get overalls, gloves, and a hardhat with a headlamp. You’ll be crawling a majority of the 5-miles that this tour covers, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. At one section, you must traverse a slippery ledge while leaning across the chasm to put your hands on the far wall to balance yourself, then sidestep down the slope. Important: If you’re don’t like heights, super enclosed spaces or darkness, do not go on the Wild Cave Tour! Those who are relatively fit, and little to no fears of such things, will thoroughly enjoy this amazing experience.

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About author / trail (anne).

An attentive wife, lover of geekish things, avid blogger, amateur photographer, and a freelance web developer & desktop publisher for hire who is seeking wisdom through the passions of adventure.

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We’re planning a trip to Mammoth Cave in early April. We love the idea of the violet city lantern tour. However I’m a little claustrophobic and wanted to ensure that the trails, paths, etc had plenty of overhead headspace. Please advise. Thanks

I would advise against it. There are a few places where we had to duck and squeeze through passages. If you want a cave tour that has plenty of overhead space I suggest visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.

You can’t help NOT love the park & caves! Enjoy them both & treat them with respect- for all our families& friends-You won’t regret it! Thanks-A Friend From Michigan! You all are GREAT!

I know! You’re totally right: respect nature — especially if you wish them to last through the generations to come. National parks are a fantastic legacy that America has to offer.

Amazing pictures and wonderful overview of the tours.

Thanks! Spending two weeks at Mammoth allowed us to take nearly all the tours. With the exception of a few tours only run certain seasons.

Very, very cool. I love that the NPS reinterred Lost John, too. I think they’ve done a pretty good job handling things like that.

I think everyone can learn a thing or two about the graceful way rangers respect historical artifacts and nature. I really admire them for that.

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Mammoth Cave National Park – Kentucky’s Underground Labyrinth

Published: August 12, 2024

by Hyacinthia Galloway

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of Kentucky? Mammoth Cave National Park holds the answer. This incredible place is home to the world's longest cave system, stretching over 400 miles. Imagine walking through winding passages, vast chambers, and underground rivers. The park offers guided tours that cater to all levels of adventure, from easy strolls to challenging crawls. Above ground, enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting. Whether you're a seasoned spelunker or just curious about caves, Mammoth Cave has something for everyone. Ready to explore this underground wonder? Let's dive into what makes Mammoth Cave so special.

Discovering Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is a wonderland of underground passages, stunning rock formations, and rich history. This park, home to the world's longest cave system, offers a unique adventure for nature lovers and history buffs alike. Let's explore some of the must-see spots within this subterranean marvel.

Historic Entrance

The Historic Entrance is the gateway to many of Mammoth Cave's most famous tours. This natural opening has welcomed visitors for centuries, offering a glimpse into the cave's vast network.

• Frozen Niagara : Named for its resemblance to a frozen waterfall, this stunning formation is a highlight of the Frozen Niagara Tour. The flowstone drapery and stalactites create a breathtaking scene.
• Rotunda : One of the largest rooms in the cave, the Rotunda is an awe-inspiring space with a rich history. Early explorers used this room as a meeting place, and it still impresses visitors today.
• Mammoth Dome : This towering chamber, reaching over 192 feet high, showcases the immense scale of the cave system. The dome's height and grandeur leave a lasting impression.

Gothic Avenue

Gothic Avenue offers a journey through time, with its historic signatures and unique formations. This section of the cave is known for its Gothic-like arches and fascinating history.

• Gothic Avenue Signatures : Visitors from the 19th century left their mark on the cave walls, signing their names with candle smoke. These historic signatures provide a glimpse into the cave's past.
• Bridal Altar : This natural formation resembles an altar, and legend has it that couples once exchanged vows here. The Bridal Altar adds a touch of romance to the cave's mystique.
• Giant's Coffin : A massive rock formation that looks like a giant stone coffin, this eerie feature adds to the Gothic atmosphere of the cave.

Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue is one of the most extensive and impressive sections of Mammoth Cave. This area showcases the cave's grandeur and geological diversity.

• Snowball Room : Named for its unique formations that resemble snowballs, this room is a favorite among visitors. The white, round formations create a whimsical scene.
• Mt. McKinley : This towering formation, named after the highest peak in North America, stands as a testament to the cave's geological wonders. Its height and structure are truly remarkable.
• Frozen Niagara Tour : This tour takes visitors through some of the most beautiful sections of the cave, including the stunning Frozen Niagara formation. The tour offers a comprehensive look at the cave's natural beauty.

River Styx Spring

River Styx Spring is an enchanting spot where the underground river emerges from the cave. This area offers a serene and picturesque setting, perfect for a peaceful escape.

• Green River Bluffs Trail : This trail offers stunning views of the Green River and the surrounding bluffs. It's a great way to experience the park's natural beauty above ground.
• Echo River Spring : Another beautiful spring, Echo River Spring, is known for its crystal-clear waters and tranquil surroundings. It's a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation.
• River Styx Overlook : This overlook provides a panoramic view of the River Styx as it flows out of the cave. The sight of the river emerging from the darkness is truly magical.

Mammoth Cave Wildlife

Mammoth Cave National Park is not just about the caves; it's also home to diverse wildlife. Exploring the park's surface trails offers a chance to encounter some of its unique inhabitants.

• Bat Cave Trail : This trail takes visitors through habitats of the park's bat population. Bats play a crucial role in the cave ecosystem, and this trail offers a chance to learn more about them.
• Sand Cave Trail : A short but scenic trail, Sand Cave Trail leads to a historic cave entrance. The trail is rich in flora and fauna, making it a delightful walk for nature enthusiasts.
• Cedar Sink Trail : This trail features a dramatic sinkhole and diverse plant life. It's a great spot for birdwatching and enjoying the park's natural beauty.

Why Mammoth Cave Should Be on Your Bucket List

Mammoth Cave National Park offers a unique adventure. With its vast underground passages, it’s a place like no other. Exploring the world's longest cave system is both thrilling and educational. Above ground, the park's trails and rivers provide endless outdoor activities. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, or simply enjoying nature, there’s something for everyone.

The park’s rich history and diverse ecosystem make it a must-visit. From ancient Native American artifacts to rare wildlife, there’s always something new to learn. Guided tours cater to all levels, ensuring everyone can experience the cave's wonders.

Plan your trip to Mammoth Cave National Park soon. It’s an unforgettable experience that combines natural beauty, adventure, and history. Don’t miss out on this Kentucky gem.

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Mammoth Cave National Park

Easy hikes and walks in Mammoth Cave National Park

Exploring Mammoth Cave National Park on foot is a delightful way to connect with nature. To help you make the most of your adventures, we’ve compiled the top easy hikes and walks in Mammoth Cave National Park. Perfect for short hikes, kid-friendly excursions, and family-friendly outings, these routes offer something for everyone.

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Dixon Cave and River Styx via Green River Bluffs Trail — Mammoth Cave National Park

Cedar sink trail — mammoth cave national park.

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Sand cave — mammoth cave national park, echo river springs and sinkhole trail loop — mammoth cave national park, sloan's crossing pond trail — mammoth cave national park.

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Attractions in Mammoth Cave National Park