Mammoth Cave National Park is a less crowded, quick and easy get-away for USA readers in the Midwest. How many vacations can guarantee no rain and a constant temperature (54 degrees Fahrenheit)? We did this adventure during a long and rainy spring weekend, immune from the weather! And I’d love to return… to hike the caves and trails, kayak the river and cycle along the bike ways!
Originally posted: April 3, 2009
Spring break usually sends us scrambling for some sunshine. This year we headed for the extreme opposite, a cave.
Not your usual cavern in a cliff, however, Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest cave system in the world. Measured at 367 miles so far, its boundaries extend a little further with each year’s explorations.
While entrance to the park is free, admittance into the cave requires a purchased tour with a park ranger guide. In a labyrinth of Mammoth Cave’s magnitude, no one wanders alone. Every twisting turn reveals new geology with passages and crevices opening in multiple directions. Standing in one place and doing a slow spin around can reveal just as many surprises.
On our Grand Avenue tour, we hiked for four and a half hours climbing up and down to an eventual depth of 267 feet. It’s rated a “difficult” route with 670 stairs and hills that climb (and fall) more than 60 feet in places. The surface can be slick and the light is kept as dim as possible in an effort to maintain the cave’s natural conditions. Algae doesn’t require much light to grow and compromise the natural rock surfaces in these moist conditions.
Mammoth Cave National Park Map and Visitor Information
Passages varied from cavernous rooms and climbs that reminded me of the “National Treasure” and “Indiana Jones” movies to narrowed trails that felt similar to Utah’s slot canyons -but with eventual ceilings this time. My mind was in a constant state of “wow”.
Midway through our adventure, the group stopped for an optional lunch in the Snowball Room named for the globular knobs on its ceiling.
Once snow white, the orbs were discolored long ago by the oil lamps of early visitors. Side passages still contain unspoiled formations. It was slightly surreal, sipping hot soup at a picnic table far beneath the rolling Kentucky woods we’d hiked the previous day.
Our guide on the Grand Avenue tour, Jerry Bransford, is the great-great grandson of one of the 
original slave guides, Mat. Cave history includes tales from the previous four generations of Jerry’s own family. Riveting. He shined a flashlight on a tribute to Mat’s brother Nick, written with candle smoke more than 150 years ago.The spectacular geology of Mammoth Cave was no real surprise; the stories of slaves and kings and Archaic Indians were unexpected, fascinating and will be shared in a future posting.
*Ultra low lighting and a “no tripod/monopod rule made photography a challenge! My human “duopod” Matt lent his head and shoulder when necessary to steady my camera.
Mammoth Cave National Park Map and Visitor Information
The largest cave system in the world; 367 miles so far…!
Miles of trails both above and below ground.
Hiking, biking, kayak/canoe, horseback riding, hunting/fishing, camping…
“Yes” for pets (not in Cave; kennel available within park)
Park Fees: None for park entry. Cave tours range from $5 – $48.00 with discounts for youth and senior citizens.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7; Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: 270-758-2180
Directions: Travel south on I-65 from Louisville, KY. Take Mammoth Cave/Cave City exit 53 and follow the signs to Mammoth Cave NP.
View Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky in a larger map
even in Britain, I know well of Mammoth Cave.
I hear it is an awesome place. Never been but it’s on the ‘list’.
I’ve been in several caves, but nothing so extensive. Sounds like a truly unique adventure.
Found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later …
Graham: I love that the outer limits of Mammoth Cave are yet to be discovered. It’s a pretty unique place.
Tony: You HAVE to go. You’re so close. Easy weekend for you and Karen and perfect road trip in the purple Challenger!
NothingProfound: Some of the rooms and passages are massive! Of course you can crawl your way into more claustrophobic niches as well!