📷 Photo by Luca Micheli on UnsplashMammoth Cave
Cave City, KY
The longest known cave system on Earth, with more than 400 miles of passages mapped.
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky protects the longest known cave system in the world. The National Park Service cites more than 400 miles (over 640 km) of explored and mapped passages; figures vary by source, the exact length is unknown and surveying continues. In 1972 explorers connected it with the Flint Ridge system, creating what was then a 144-mile (232 km) system. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and also preserves the story of enslaved guides such as Stephen Bishop, who drew one of the first maps of the cave in the 1840s.
You can enter the cave only with a tour ticket. Almost all tours are ranger-guided and mostly last 1.25 to 2.5 hours; the shortest, the self-guided Discovery Tour, takes about 30 minutes. Tours often sell out, so book early through Recreation.gov. Underground, the temperature averages about 54°F (12°C), so a light jacket is a good idea. Above ground there are hiking trails and a campground.
- Nearest town
- Cave City, KY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 37.1870, -86.1000
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Joseph Gage from Yorkville, IL, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Maker's Mark Distillery
© Nyttend · Public domainBardstown Historic Downtown
© Deanna Phillips · CC BY-SA 4.0Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
© Brenton Rogers from Cumberland Gap, TN · CC BY 2.0Cummins Falls State Park
Campsites nearby
- Homestead CampsiteCampsite4 mi from Mammoth CaveTents
- Raymer Hollow CampsiteCampsite4 mi from Mammoth CaveTentsDrinking waterDogs allowed
- Sal Hollow CampsiteCampsite5 mi from Mammoth CaveTents
- Collie Ridge CampsiteCampsite5 mi from Mammoth CaveTents
- Diamond Caverns RV ResortMotorhome stopover6 mi from Mammoth CaveCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth CaveMotorhome stopover7 mi from Mammoth CaveTentsMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Kentucky · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave is in Cave City, KY, at GPS 37.1870, -86.1000. It is about 55 mi from Bardstown.
Can you camp near Mammoth Cave?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mammoth Cave Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Kentucky bourbon and caves.
What is there to see near Mammoth Cave?
Places worth a stop nearby: Maker's Mark Distillery (52 mi), Bardstown Historic Downtown (55 mi), Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (56 mi) and Cummins Falls State Park (71 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mammoth Cave?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)