mammoth-cave | KY | Find park

A cascade of water pours over a rock ledge. Green foliage is in the background.

The sound of falling water welcomes visitors into the natural entrance of Mammoth Cave.

A long staircase travels down a slope into the dark cave opening.

The Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave has welcomed explorers for centuries.

The network of cave passages in the Mammoth Cave system stretches over 400 miles.

A small white church building with yellow flowers in the foreground.

Three historic church structures still stand, shedding light on the pre-park communities that once existed here.

A wooden boardwalk leads into the forest.

The half-mile Heritage Trail leads to panoramic views of the Green River.

A view of a river valley with hills covered in trees. A blue sky with white clouds stands above.

Rolling hills and valleys can be seen from many of the overlooks in the park.

A large stacked stone pillar reaches the flat ceiling containing signatures in a cave passage.

Over two hundred years of guided tours leads to the history of Mammoth Cave.

Physical Address:

1 Visitor Center Parkway

Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 7

Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007

contact-details

Phone Number: 2707582180 Voice

Email Address: maca_information@nps.gov
Description: Primary email contact for Mammoth Cave National Park visitor information

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

park designation:National Park

Directions:

DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS! From the North: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center. From the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park. Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway; turn left. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Park Hours

Mammoth Cave National Park is open 24-hours a day, although services such as cave tours and the visitor center are limited after-hours (generally the visitor center closes at 4:30 pm in winter or 6:00 pm in summer). There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds or backcountry campsites with a valid reservation or permit.

Weather Information:

Kentucky has a moderate climate with warm, yet moist conditions. Summers average in the high 80s; winters average in the low 40s. Southern Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave is located, receives the highest average precipitation for the state, about 50 inches per year, mostly in spring. Winter can bring mild to moderate snow and ice. Storms happen year-round, and can include tornadoes and flooding in low-lying areas, but severe weather is infrequent. The temperature deep in the cave is a constant 54°F (12°C).