Historic Tour
Past old saltpeter mining works and through Fat Man's Misery.
Mammoth Cave National Park
The world's longest known cave system, with over 400 miles mapped beneath Kentucky's hills, a World Heritage Site.
People have explored Mammoth Cave for 4,000 years. Stephen Bishop, an enslaved guide, mapped much of it in the 1830s and 1840s.
Ranger-led tours range from easy walks to crawling expeditions.
- Best Time
- Year-round
- Time Needed
- 1 day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Every day except December 25
- Getting There
- About 90 minutes from Nashville or Louisville.
What to See
1 of 3 are freeDomes and Dripstones
A tour of the cave's beautiful formations.
Green River
Canoeing and quiet hikes above ground.
Know Before You Go
- The cave is a cool 54°F all year, so bring a jacket.
- Tours sell out in summer.
- There's a shoe wipe to protect bats from white-nose syndrome.
Where to Stay
Stay at the park's lodge, or in Bowling Green.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Something wrong or out of date?
Traveler Reviews
Sign in and mark Mammoth Cave National Park as visited to write a review.
Go Next
If You're NearbyLouisville
Kentucky
Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the gateway to bourbon country.
Full Guide
Worth a Detour
Must-SeeGreat Smoky Mountains
North Carolina and Tennessee
America's most visited national park: misty ridges and old-growth forest.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Southeast list.