“Road Ends in Water” (Mammoth Cave NP, KY)

Green River Ferry caution sign

 
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A sign reading “Road Ends in Water” might alarm someone if she weren’t expecting it, but we drove along the Green River Ferry Road for that very reason. Two of the country’s few rural ferries operate within Mammoth Cave National Park, and we were intrigued enough to seek out one of the river crossings.Ferry ride

Mammoth Cave National Park Map and Visitor Information

We pulled up to the stop sign to wait our turn, watching river water spray sideways as the boat glided nonchalantly across the few yards of river splitting the road. It appeared that a slip of that same road, flanked by a Porta John and operator’s booth, was extending toward us -giving a whole new spin to the Irish Blessing: “May the road rise to meet you…”

Ferry crossingWe drove on board, and one more car squeezed in behind us. There was just enough time to snap a couple of photos before the safety arm lifted, releasing us to explore the other side of the Green River. We honked a “thank you” as we drove off. The ferry captain tooted his horn in reply, loaded up with his next vehicle and began edging back toward the other side.


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.

Park Website

View Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky in a larger map

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It Grew! Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Matt and Hannah descending a passage; Mammoth Cave NP, KY

 
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Mammoth Cave National Park Map and Visitor Information

The washer and dryer have been humming along all morning, one of the measures of a truly great vacation. We were limited to a shorter get-away this time but found a great adventure within a mere five hour drive from Columbus: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.

My childhood memories of the cave area lacked the wonderful details we discovered this time around. ~And this is perhaps the first time that a place was actually larger than I remembered.

Massive-sized memories of our elementary schools or family home backyards usually shrink a few sizes upon a revisit, seldom measuring up to the vision captured in our youth. Not this time. Mammoth Cave had actually grown since my last visit. More correctly, the discovered areas of the cave have grown now to a remarkable three hundred sixty seven miles, around ten of which are available to tour with a park ranger.

We hiked six or seven of those hidden miles.We also enjoyed hiking the above ground terrain of Mammoth Cave National Park. Even the rain seemed to accommodate us, occurring mostly during the times we were underground, making Mammoth Cave an ideal non-weather dependent get-away!

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.
Park Website

View Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky in a larger map

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