Mammoth Cave National Park — Visitor Info

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Mammoth Cave National Park protects the longest known cave system on Earth — more than 400 mapped miles beneath the Kentucky hill country — along with the Green River and surrounding forest above ground. There's no entrance fee, but the caves themselves are only seen on ticketed, ranger-led tours.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Cave tour offerings change by season and popular tours regularly sell out, especially in summer and on weekends — book ahead. Always check the official Mammoth Cave Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
South-central Kentucky
Entrance Fee
None — cave tour tickets required separately
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (but cave tours need reserved tickets)
Permit Needed For
Backcountry/riverside camping ($10)
Lodging
Three frontcountry campgrounds; a lodge near the visitor center
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
The park's single main visitor center — buy cave tour tickets here, view exhibits, and start most tours nearby.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Cave Tours: Fees & Reservations

Mammoth Cave National Park does not charge an entrance fee. Instead, the more than a dozen ranger-led cave tour options are ticketed separately, ranging from about $12 (Discovery Tour, self-paced/short) up to $79 (Wild Cave Tour, a strenuous multi-hour crawling tour for ages 16+). Popular options like the Historic Tour ($24) and Domes & Dripstones Tour ($30) sell out, especially in summer — reserve ahead on Recreation.gov or by phone. All visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass — note this waives entrance fees at parks that charge them; at Mammoth Cave it may apply toward select cave tour tickets. Check with the visitor center for current details.

Permits & Reservations

No permit is needed for day use, hiking, or paddling the Green River. All overnight camping requires a permit:

Backcountry & Riverside Camping

Backcountry and riverside camping (hike-in, horseback, or paddle-in sites) requires a $10 permit, available online through Recreation.gov or in person at the Mammoth Cave Campground kiosk.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Mammoth Cave Campground
A quarter mile from the visitor center. Open March–November, $25/night. 111 sites (tent, group, and RV), no hookups, RVs up to about 38ft, dump station and pay showers on site. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Maple Springs Group Campground
Six miles from the visitor center on the park's north side. Group sites only (including horseback group sites), $50/night, hookups (no sewer), RVs up to about 40ft. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Houchin Ferry Campground
15 miles from the visitor center on the park's west side. Open year-round, $20/night, 12 sites, tent-only — no RVs or trailers.

Firewood quarantine is in effect — do not bring outside firewood into the park; buy it locally or gather dead/downed wood on site.

Good to Know

  • Book cave tours early: the most popular tours (Domes & Dripstones, Historic) can sell out days or weeks ahead in peak season.
  • Cave temperature stays around 54°F (12°C) year-round — bring a light jacket even in summer, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes.
  • The Green River splits the park — a free ferry crossing connects the north and south sides; check current ferry hours before planning a route.
  • Above-ground activities include hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing the Green and Nolin Rivers, in addition to the cave tours.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Mammoth Cave National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions