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1. Historic Tour
This cave has been used by humans for many years in many different ways! Travel through this historic area and learn about fascinating local characters and their connection to this underground world.
What You Need to Know
If you traveled all the way to this park, then you probably want to see the inside of the cave! The rangers at Mammoth Cave offer a lot of different tours — and it can get a little confusing.
I recommend taking at least two tours through the cave, starting with one that focuses on history. Check out the tour descriptions, schedules, and prices to see what’s available during your visit.
To help you choose which one will be best for you, here are some options. The tours that focus on the history of the cave are:
- Historic – this popular tour offers a great overview of the beauty and history of the cave. It is a fabulous and exciting tour!
- Gothic Avenue – this tour showcases the early tour guides, the heavy black writing on the walls, and the monuments that were built.
- Violet City Lantern/Star Chamber – these tours are taken in small groups with only lanterns to light the way.
- Mammoth Passage/Discovery – this tour doesn’t cover much ground but is an option if you don’t have much time to spend in the cave.
Reservations are highly recommended as the cave tours often sell out in advance.
Getting Here
All cave tours begin at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.
2. Frozen Niagara Tour
Explore a rocky wonderland with huge open domes and waterfalls frozen in time! This decorated section of the cave highlights how the power and persistence of water can create something spectacular.
What You Need to Know
Although Mammoth Cave isn’t known for its formations, the Frozen Niagara area of the cave is home to numerous dramatic dripstones and flowstones.
After taking a tour through the historical section of the cave, it’s time to explore a place that is heavily decorated for the second tour of your trip! Check out the tour descriptions, schedules, and prices to see what’s available during your visit.
Enjoy views of Frozen Niagara, the Rainbow Dome, and the Drapery Room during a tour that travels through this section of the cave. Tours that take this route include:
- Frozen Niagara – this is the basic tour through the areas thick with beautiful formations.
- Domes and Dripstones – this tour includes all of the Frozen Niagara tour but gives you a few bonus stops through exciting rooms with domes and hills.
- Grand Avenue – this tour is strenuous and covers a lot of ground including Grand Avenue, Mount McKinley, and Grand Central Station before traveling through the Frozen Niagara section.
Reservations are highly recommended as the cave tours often sell out in advance.
Getting Here
All cave tours begin at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.
3. Sloan’s Crossing Pond
Admire the lovely Kentucky woods with a short stroll along this boardwalk trail! Take your time, sit on a bench, and look for wildlife on this quiet and peaceful walk.
What You Need to Know
This trail is great for hikers of all ages and abilities because it’s only 0.4 miles roundtrip, completely flat, and ADA accessible.
Keep an eye out for wildlife as you circle the pond. There is a viewing platform over the pond where you can often find frogs swimming in the water!
Getting Here
From the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center, drive south on Mammoth Cave Parkway for 3.1 miles until you see the Sloan’s Crossing Pond Trailhead on your right.
4. Green River Ferry
The Green River cuts right through the national park boundaries, making a river crossing necessary if you want to get to the other side of the park. Instead of using a bridge, a little ferry has been operating here since 1934. It is one of the last remaining rural ferries in America!
What You Need to Know
A ride across the river using the ferry is a fun and unique experience! To learn more about its history, stop at the parking area just before reaching the ferry and read the interpretive panels.
The ferry usually runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Christmas, weather and water levels permitting. Call the ferry hotline at (270) 758-2166 to make sure it’s running before you go. Shorter hours and temporary closures are common!
Vehicles heavier than 8 tons and longer than 16 feet are not permitted, but we drive a passenger truck that is a little longer than 16 feet and had no problem getting on. Trailers are often not permitted on the ferry, but a call to the ferry hotline will provide you with any information regarding what is permissible given the current conditions.
Getting Here
From the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center, drive south on Mammoth Cave Parkway for 0.7 miles. Turn right onto the Green River Ferry Road and continue driving for 1.3 miles. Stop at the stop sign and wait for the gates on the ferry to open before slowly driving onto the ferry.
Click NEXT to see sights 5-8 (including an underground river!)
Is Mammoth Cave good to visit in December? Should we expect several closures during that time?
They run cave tours year-round, and the cave stays a consistent temp all year, so December would be fine for that! You can see what to expect here: https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/visiting-in-winter.htm
(2) Q’s. Is there an illuminated underground kayak tour you would recommend ?
March travel: how much snow is on the ground and what should we expect for conditions to hinder the planned hiking ? (mid-march, 16th thru 22nd) thanks,
I’m an expert on the national parks, not really the surrounding areas. They don’t run tours like that in the national park, so I don’t have any recs for that, sorry! Spring gets a lot of rain, but not necessarily snow (though it can happen on occasion). I hope you have fun!
I see you have said no child backpack carriers, is that any child carrier or just metal framed ones? I have an all cloth soft structured carrier that can be worn on the front or the back, would that be aloud?
You can wear on the front, but not on the back :)
I’m planning to visit the Cave in early July. I really want to see the Frozen Niagara, but the spots for the shorter Niagara Tour are sold out on the website. Can you tell me if the Historic Tour include the Frozen Niagara? Or possibly Extended Historic Tour include this? Thank you!
No, you’ll need the Domes and Dripstones or Grand Avenue!
I’m a amputee I can hike for miles but stairs are a little difficult . I can do them just rather slow and wouldn’t want to slow up a group. What trips should I avoid.
If you go to this site and scroll down to the photos of the cave tours, you’ll see underneath each photo it says how many stairs are on each tour. There are a few with 200 stairs or less, like Gothic Avenue, Mammoth Passage, Discovery, Frozen Niagara, etc. I would avoid the tours with many stairs (500+), but the tours with 200 or less should be ok for you!
Do I need special shoes for the mammoth passage tour?
No, just comfy shoes that are good for hiking will work just fine!
When visiting mammoth cave and after a 4 hour tour what do you suggest is the best plan for lunch?
We like to either eat at the lodge, bring a picnic, or head out to Cave City and eat at Bucky Bees!
I would like to know the Mammoth Cave tour with the most light and space. My friends all want to tour, but I hate the dark and am claustrophobic…I know they won’t go if I don’t go…thanks for your help!
The Mammoth Passage or Discovery Tour are good options for that!
Are there any cave tours that are toddler (2yr old) friendly? We are scheduled to visit Labor Day Weekend in 2023.
I’ve found for little kids, it’s better to keep to the shorter tours such as the Discovery or Mammoth Passage. If you think your toddler can handle being in the cave a little longer, I suggest the Historic or Frozen Niagara!
We went to Mammoth Cave in March 2023 and had a great time! We forgot that it was around the time of lots of spring breaks, and we didn’t purchase tour tickets in time. In fact, they were all sold out for a solid two weeks. Gah! We went anyway, and we learned that sometimes a tour is added day-of. The Visitor’s Center opens at 9am, and we were able to easily get spots on the Historic Tour day since they’d just added some times. (I don’t recommend banking on this strategy! We lucked out!) The Wondering Woods Cave Tour was also super fun and had some rock formations that we didn’t see in the main cave. Highly recommend!
Thanks for the tip — I’m so glad you were able to get in the cave!!
Is there a way to print this article so I can take it with me? I don’t want to rely on internet when in the park.
thx
You can contact me here to get a printable version.
Thanks for the interesting article. I was a seasonal interpreter at Carlsbad Caverns a very long time ago and know that rangers have the best inside information.
Very cool!
A hike to Cedar Sink is a MUST. It’s an easy trail, to a viewing area for an enormous sinkhole containing several cave entrances. It’s a geology lesson in a short walk and is lovely any time of year.
That’s a great one too! So many cool things to do in this park!
We are thinking about visiting this summer. Are there any CCC Lodges or sites in the area?
The CCC was definitely in this area, but I don’t think there are any lodges you can stay in. You can read more about the CCC at Mammoth Cave here. Have a great trip!
Just curious, I’m an avid hiker and have recently been told of a ghost town accessible from mammoth state park. I can’t find anything about Edmondson online. Is it a myth?
I’ve not heard about that! If you find it, you’ll have to let me know!
There use to be an abandoned amusement park called Gun Town Mountain that was a wild west town. It had a sky lift that ran up the side of the “mountain”. A couple of years ago someone bought it and opened it back up.
Edmondson is not in mammoth cave.. its in Smoky Mountains..
Our trip to see mammoth cave is in Aug. Ever since Covid, my energy and strength level has diminished quite a bit. Could you recommend the best tour for us to see that doesn’t require miles of hiling?
I believe that the Frozen Niagara has the least amount of stairs. Have a great visit!
My friend and I are planning on coming in June from Michigan for a day and half maybe then heading to Grayson Kentucky. What do you recommend and where to stay
I’d try to take a few different tours through the cave and stay in Park City or Cave City. Have fun!
How many days does it take to complete all the items on the itinerary? Love the blog, it’s my go to for all my national Park Trips!
Thanks Caroline! If you can get on multiple cave tours, I’d plan a day for the tours and then another half day or full day for the hiking trails. Have a great time!
How did you become a park ranger? I’m interested in this profession..
I was hired while I was in college under a program called STEP. That program went away, but I recommend volunteering somewhere near you to get your foot in the door. They like to hire people that they know if possible!
How is this park in December?
They run cave tours year-round! You may not be able to complete some of the hiking trails due to weather, but the cave is open. Enjoy your trip!