Mammoth Cave National Park - General Park Information

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest cave system, with more than 365 miles explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name: Mammoth.

Since 1816, visitors have toured the subterranean labyrinths of Mammoth Cave. Discover what adventures await you on our many Cave Tours. Mammoth Cave National Park contains more than 70 miles of backcountry trails through forested Kentucky hills for hikers, horseback riders, and bicyclists. Several frontcountry trails lead to special places like Cedar Sink, Sand Cave, and Turnhole Bend.

However rough you "rough it", Mammoth Cave National Park has dozens of campsites for your adventure - in three campgrounds, in the backcountry, and along the rivers. There are few better ways to discover the pleasures and curiosities of the sunlit side of Mammoth Cave National Park than to camp among the trees or by the waters. The park offers camping in three developed campgrounds and in more than a dozen primitive sites in the backcountry and along the Green and Nolin Rivers. Use the links to find out about the different campgrounds. The table below will help you choose the one that's best for you. Also be sure to check out the Campground Regulations.

No matter the season, you'll love Kentucky's mild climate. Summers can be very warm with average temperatures in the upper 80s (upper 30s Celsius), but cool evenings are not unusual. For spring and fall, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket. In the winter, we get a moderate amount of snow, and highs average in the low to mid 40s (4°-7° Celsius). The wettest seasons are spring and summer, and the driest is the fall. Annual average precipitation 48 inches, including an average snowfall of 13.7 inches

Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave. In fact it is so long that if the second and third longest caves in the world were joined together, Mammoth Cave would still be the planet's longest cave and have nearly 100 miles left over!