Summary
$0
Surface entrance fee
Live
Green River gauge
1 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is July, when around 17% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–February.
Plan Your Visit
Cave & Trail SafetyUneven, wet trails▾
Cave Tours & ReservationsBook ahead▾
Tour Options$12 – $79▾
Discovery Tour
Self-guided, shortest and easiest — $12
Mammoth Passage Tour
Ranger-led, beginner-friendly — $15
Historic Tour
2 miles through the original 1816 route — $24
Grand Avenue Tour
4-mile, most extensive route offered — $42
Wild Cave Tour
Strenuous crawling/caving, age 16+ — $79
Green RiverLive USGS gauge▾
Things to Do5 categories▾
Hiking Trails6 trails▾
Green River Bluffs Trail1.3 mi
Visitor Center area trail along the bluffs above the river
Echo River Springs Loop Trail1.0 mi
Wheelchair-accessible loop near the visitor center
Sinkhole Trail1.0 mi
Visitor Center area trail; partially closed — check current conditions
Cedar Sink Trail1.0 mi
South side trail off Mammoth Cave Parkway
Turnhole Bend Nature Trail0.5 mi
South side nature trail along the Green River
Sloan's Crossing Pond Walk0.4 mi
Wheelchair-accessible pond walk, south side
Canoeing, Kayaking & BoatingGreen & Nolin Rivers▾
Dennison Ferry → Green River Ferry7.6 mi · 2.5–4 hrs
Green River paddle route
Green River Ferry → Houchin Ferry12.4 mi · 4–6 hrs
Green River paddle route
Nolin Dam → Houchin Ferry11.1 mi · 4–6 hrs
Nolin River paddle route
Houchin Ferry → Brownsville3.6 mi · 1.5–2 hrs
Green River paddle route, exits the park
PFD RequirementMandatory ≤12
Required for all paddlers age 12 & under at all times on park rivers
Bicycling3 trails▾
Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike & Bike Trail9 mi
Former railroad grade linking Park City to the visitor center area
Big Hollow Trail Loop9.1 mi
Single-track mountain bike trail through woodlands & rocky terrain
Connector Trail1 mi
Links Big Hollow Trailhead to Maple Springs Trailhead
Horseback Riding60 mi network▾
Backcountry Horse Trails60 mi
Wide dirt paths to single-file ridgeline routes, north of the Green River
Trailer Parking5 trailheads
Five day-use trailheads: First Creek, Lincoln, Maple Springs, Temple Hill & Maple Springs Campground
Maple Springs CampgroundHorse camping
Four horse-specific campsites with picket areas
Guided RidesConcessioner
Available through authorized commercial outfitters such as Double J Riding Stables
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Belted Kingfisher
Dives along the Green River
Wild Turkey
Roams the wooded hill country
Great Blue Heron
Wades the Green & Nolin Rivers
Pileated Woodpecker
Drums through the forest canopy
Barred Owl
Calls at dusk near the cave entrances
Camping3 campgrounds▾
Mammoth Cave CampgroundReservation▾
LocationNear the visitor center
Fee$25/night ($12.50 accessible/senior)
Houchin Ferry CampgroundReservation▾
LocationOn the Green River, quieter/remote
Fee$20/night ($10 accessible/senior)
Maple Springs Group CampgroundGroups only▾
Fee$50/night per group site
Park Contact Information