Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park in south-central Kentucky protects the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 426 miles of mapped passages. Most people come for the guided cave tours, which last from one to six hours.
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Mammoth Cave National Park covers about 52,007 acres, mostly in Edmonson County, with small areas in Hart and Barren counties. The Green River runs through the park. The mapped cave system is over 1.5 times longer than the second-longest, Mexico's Ox bel ha underwater cave. The cave formed about 330 million years ago in Mississippian limestone capped by sandstone. The park became a national park on July 1, 1941, and is also a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
Lighted tours last from one to six hours and pass features such as Grand Avenue, Frozen Niagara and Fat Man's Misery. Several wild tours leave the developed paths for muddy crawls and dusty tunnels, so wear clothes you can get dirty. The visitor centre sits on Mammoth Cave Parkway, reached directly from Interstate 65 at Exit 48. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park, so its night skies suit stargazing.
Mammoth Cave National Park in five
- Reserve cave tours before you driveEntry to the park is free, but cave tours are paid and advance reservations are recommended on Recreation.gov or by phone. Popular times sell out.NPS fees and tours
- Match the tour to your fitnessSome tours are short and easy, while the Wild Cave Tour involves crawling and climbing. Read each tour's description for length, stairs and difficulty.
- Dress for about 54°F (12°C) undergroundThe cave stays cool all year, and surfaces can be damp. Wear closed shoes and layers, even in summer.
- No $100 nonresident fee hereMammoth Cave is not one of the 11 parks that charge non-US residents the extra $100. Cave tours cost the same for everyone.The $100 parks fee
- Base in Cave City or drive from Louisville or NashvilleLouisville and Nashville are each about 1.5 hours by car. Cave City and Bowling Green have the nearest lodging.Louisville
Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park
See all attractions in Mammoth Cave National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- No park entrance fee; cave tours are ticketed Read more
- Permits
- Tour tickets; advance reservations recommended on Recreation.gov
- Season
- Open all year; the cave stays about 54°F (12°C)
- Nearest town
- Cave City; Bowling Green is larger
- Getting there
- Drive: about 1.5 hours from Louisville or Nashville
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold
- MarchMild, spring break
- AprilMild, green
- MayWarm, busy
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberMild, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, holidays
Right now in Mammoth Cave National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 16%
Mammoth Cave National Park
06:51 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°12°16%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Tue24°13°27%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed23°13°94%Wednesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Thu21°11°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri19°9°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat16°5°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun16°6°8%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 04:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Mammoth Cave National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Mammoth Cave National Park, checked
- There is no entrance fee for the park, but cave tours require tickets; the Mammoth Passage Tour is $15 for adults and the Wild Cave Tour $79.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Advance reservations for cave tours are recommended on Recreation.gov or at 877-444-6777; senior and Access pass holders get 50% off tours.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Mammoth Cave is not on the NPS list of 11 parks that charge non-US residents the extra $100 per person.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Mammoth Cave National Park
Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guide$100 national parks feeWhich parks charge non-US residents
Read the guideLouisvilleBourbon and Derby city, about 1.5 hours north
Read the guideNashvilleMusic city, about 1.5 hours south
Read the guideGreat Smoky MountainsAppalachian park, a longer drive east
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideMammoth Cave National Park FAQ
Do you need to reserve Mammoth Cave tours?
Advance reservations are recommended, according to the NPS. Book on Recreation.gov or by phone before you travel, especially for weekends and holidays.
Is there an entrance fee for Mammoth Cave?
No. The park itself has no entrance fee, but cave tours are ticketed. Check the NPS page for current tour prices.
How many days do you need at Mammoth Cave?
One day covers one or two tours. Spend two days if you want a longer tour or surface trails and camping.
Do non-US visitors pay extra at Mammoth Cave?
No. It is not one of the 11 parks that charge the $100 nonresident fee, and the tours cost the same for all visitors.
What should you wear in Mammoth Cave?
Closed shoes and a layer. The cave stays about 54°F (12°C) all year, so it feels cool in summer and mild in winter.