Mammoth Cave National Park
In A Nutshell
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Entrance Fees
Entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park is free, although there is a fee for cave tours. The park is open year-round, except for December 25. Activities and programs vary by season. Call (270) 758-2180 for current information. See " HYPERLINK "Activities&Programs.doc" Activities & Programs" for more information on cave tours.
Permits & Reservations
Reservations are strongly recommended for cave tours. Those wishing to camp overnight in the backcountry must obtain a backcountry use permit (no charge) at the visitor center information desk. No permit is required for fishing in the park.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting to Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in central Kentucky, about 35 miles northeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky, approximately 90 miles southwest of Louisville, Kentucky; and about 90 miles northeast of Nashville, Tennessee.
Car: From the north, take I-65 South from Louisville, Kentucky, (about 80 miles away) to Exit 53, turn right. Another 15 minutes of driving will bring you to the park visitor center.
From the south, take I-65 North from Nashville, Tennessee (about 90 miles away) to Exit 48, turn left. Another 15 minutes of driving will bring you to the park visitor center.
From the east, use Bluegrass Parkway, Cumberland Parkway (Louie B. Nunn Parkway), and U.S. 68.
From the west, use U.S. 68 & 80, Natcher Parkway, and Western Kentucky Parkway. Natcher Parkway leads to I-65 for travelers heading east on West Kentucky (Ford) Parkway. Exits at Park City and Cave City are for the park. KY 70 also provides park access through Brownsville, Kentucky.
Air: Louisville International Airport and Nashville International Airport, both about 90 miles from Mammoth Cave, offer daily flights to all parts of the United States and Canada on major airlines including Delta, Continental, Air Canada, and Northwest. There is also a smaller regional airport in Bowling Green, approximately 35 miles from the park.
Bus: Southeastern Greyhound Bus serves Cave City. The bus station is closed on weekends and holidays. Call (270) 773-2200 before you leave to make travel arrangements.
Getting Around Outside of the Park
Cars: All parts of the park are easily reached by car.
Taxi: There is no local taxi service. A taxi service is available from the bus station to the park. The distance is approximately 11 miles.
Rental Cars: Contact airports for rental car information. Bowling Green: (502) 842-1101 Louisville: (502) 368-6524 Nashville: (615) 275-1600
Visitor Center
Located in the middle of the park, on clearly marked roads, the visitor center provides all the information you need to make your trip memorable. The Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center is open every day of the year, except December 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (hours may vary depending on the season; call ahead for exact times). Inside you will find the ticket office, restrooms, a bookstore, water fountains, weather reports, seasonal boat tour concession and an information desk. Check at the information desk about special programs, ranger-led auditorium talks and slide presentations. Call (270) 758-2180 for more information.
Weather
Summers are hot and sultry with highs in the 80s and 90s°F. Winters are mild with highs in the 30s and 40s°F, although temperatures can drop well below freezing. In winter it is very cold just inside the cave entrance. Temperatures in the cave hover around 54°F year-round, so bring a light jacket if you plan to take a cave tour.
Mammoth Cave Hotel
The Mammoth Cave Hotel provides accommodations for park visitors within park boundaries. It is about a one-minute walk from the visitor center. Food is available at Troglobite Snack Shop (open seasonally), at the Crystal Lake Coffee Shop and at the Travertine Restaurant. You can buy limited groceries at the Caver's Camp Store near the Headquarters Campground. The Service Center also features showers, a laundromat and a post office.
Size and Visitation
Mammoth Cave National Park is comprised of 53,000 acres. The park is open year-round with the highest visitation in June, July and August, and the lowest in January. The park had 2 million visitors in the most recent annual figures.
If You Only Have a Day
For suggestions on planning a short visit, please see page 24.
Park Newspaper
Mammoth Cave Guide offers current seasonal information on camping, hiking, backpacking, events, safety, cave tours and other park information. Get your free copy at the visitor center.
Kids
Kid-tailored programs are available at Mammoth Cave. For information, see " HYPERLINK "JustForKids.doc" Just for Kids" .
Mammoth Cave In Depth
News from the Parks
Local Tourism Will Get Boost from Historic Site
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
Visitors Flock to Sandburg Home for Poetry, Goats and Hiking Trails
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
Long Road Ahead
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
Canyon Victim from Scottsdale
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
Funk Search Taking Toll on Family
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
