Tour the world’s largest cave with 426 miles of passageways and marvel at the Frozen Niagara at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
We took part in cave tours along with taking a few hikes to see springs and a small cave on our own.
The cave system is 426 miles so there are quite a few tours you can choose from that even start at different entrances.
OVERVIEWS OF CAVE TOURS
All tours begin at the Visitor Center located in the Central Time Zone.
Tickets must be picked up 30 minutes prior to tour time. No refunds for no-shows or late arrivals.
The Historic Entrance is near the Visitor Center and you reach other cave tour entrances by taking buses from the Visitor Center.
Make sure to check the Mammoth Cave National Park website where you can make reservations at least a month in advance or sooner. Tours do sell out. I would have done the Frozen Niagara Tour, but it had already sold out, so we did the Dome and Dripstones Tour which is a longer version of this tour including this feature.
Ticket Ages
Children 5 and under do not require a reservation or ticket.
Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older on all tours.
Tour’s End
At the end of each cave tour, you walk over a rubber mat that is soapy, which helps stop the spread of white-nose syndrome among bats.
DOMES AND DRIPSTONES TOUR
The main cave tour we did was the Domes and Dripstones Tour. This tour visits areas of Mammoth Cave that begin in a sinkhole, pass through huge domes, and amazing breakdowns, and end in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara.
NOTE: It was the only tour still available, other tours had already sold out and we even booked in advance.
You can book the Self-Guided Tour on the day you are there, although it is based on availability and it is not always offered. Call 270-758-2180 or check the website for more information. (I review this tour further below).
Start of the Tour
We took the bus to the New Entrance. Once we got off the bus the tour began.
A tour guide will talk about what you will encounter along the walk which includes some slippery areas, and narrow passageways where you might need to duck and stay with the group so you don’t get lost.
The tour guide opens a door and you start to descend many stairs down a sinkhole. The tour has a total of 734 stair steps with 96 optional.
Descent Down
As you descend it can be narrow in places so you need to watch where you are going so you don’t bonk your head on the hard cave wall as you descend. I am short and thin which works in my favor. If you were tall this might be a bit harder.
This descent was the hardest part of the tour.
Bottom Area
Once you are finally at the bottom you walk through the Big Break to the area called Grand Central Station. The wall above you almost seems built.
Along the walk, there are breaks where the ranger provides more information on the cave.
From Grand Central Station you head to the star attraction which is the Frozen Niagara at 130 feet below the surface.
Along with this rock formation is a waterfall that seems to be a large leak from the cave ceiling.
Frozen Niagara Formation Section
Here you have the option to do the steps to see more of the Niagara Formation by going up and down stairs for a total of 96. We did that and it is worth checking it more.
After this formation, you come to the best part of the walk with lots of stalactites and stalagmites.
Next, you come to Crystal Lake.
The tour guide said there used to be boat rides offered on the lake. Not sure how they got way down there for it.
Next, we pass by more cave formations.
Then I saw an insect. This part of the cave is filled with cave crickets although my son thought they looked like spiders.
Finally, you leave the cave through the Frozen Niagara entrance.
Final Thoughts
I liked entering and leaving the cave through two separate entrances which I have never done before. My son liked descending down to the bottom, just be careful here since it can be slippery and narrow in places. My favorite part was the Frozen Niagara with the huge formations and the waterfall coming out of the middle of the ceiling.
DETAILS
Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. Focusing on the natural formation of the cave, this tour is ideal for people interested in science and wanting to see stalactites and stalagmites.
This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.
The tour includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour route and a small portion of the Grand Avenue Tour route. (Mentioned Below)
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
Total Stairs: 640, including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96
Difficulty: Difficult
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: No
Tickets available for each tour time: 110
Fees: $30 Adults, $25 Youth, $15 Senior Pass Holder, $15 Access Pass Holder.
Discovery Tour- Self-Guided
Many people visiting Mammoth Cave ask, “May we visit the cave without a guided tour?” The answer is yes! This self-guided tour requires a ticket and proceeds into the Historic Entrance.
Focusing on the early history and prehistory of the cave, this section of the cave houses many great artifacts. This tour is ideal for people wanting to move at their own pace or are looking for a cave experience without much time commitment.
Our Tour
In this tour, we were able to check out the cave from the Historic Entrance.
You enter through a large opening which starts with narrow stairs going straight down. Water sometimes flows down near the entrance.
There are 125 steps to go down. Through the cave, you come across signs that relate history of the cave.
A Veteran’s Memorial is located along the path.
Walking through large rooms in the cave.
You can see old cave-clearing equipment.
Final Thoughts
This is not a long walk but gives you a good overview of the Historic Entrance area. Best of all you can do this at your own pace and without a tour.
DETAILS
This tour is not always offered. Please call the visitor center at 270-758-2180 on the day of your visit to check its availability. This tour is typically offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Available daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the months of June and July only. Unlimited First Come First Serve tickets, sold day of the tour at the Visitor Center.
There is a fee for this tour.
When tickets are sold, the time on the tickets will be the last time you can enter the cave. This tour has designated multiple hours that you can enter the cave, between the time you bought the ticket and the last time being the one displayed on your ticket. Please do not wait until the last minute to use the ticket.
This tour is the self-guided version of the guided Mammoth Passage Tour. Includes part of the Historic Tour mentioned below.
Please Note: Advance tickets are not available.
Duration: 0.5 hours
Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
Total Stairs: 135
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: No
Tickets available for each tour time: Unlimited
Fees: $12 Adults, $9 Youth, $6 Senior Pass Holder, $6 Access Pass Holder.
MORE CAVE TOURS
NOTE: (Tour List Comes From the National Park Website—I did not list tours that are currently not available. Cave tours offered changes so check the website for more information.)
Accessible Tour
Utilizing the Elevator Entrance, this tour emerges near the famous Snowball Room. Continuing through historic Cleaveland Avenue, this tour passes through areas of the cave highly decorated with historic signatures and sparkling geological formations. This tour is ideal for people who wish to see the cave and are looking for a tour with no stairs.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
Total Stairs: No stairs
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: Yes
Tickets available for each tour time: 14
Fees: $27 Adults, $21 Youth, $13.50 Senior Pass Holder, $13.50 Access Pass Holder.
Frozen Niagara Tour
The naturally decorated Frozen Niagara section remains one of the most famous at Mammoth Cave and serves as the last stop for a variety of cave tours.
While many tours require long hikes and numerous stairs to reach this point, this short tour offers a chance to visit this area. This tour is ideal for anyone with difficulty walking long distances or negotiating stairs.
This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance.
This section is seen in its entirety on the Domes and Dripstones, Grand Avenue, Introduction to Caving, and Wild Cave Tours.
Duration: 1.25 hours
Distance: 0.25 miles (0.4 km)
Total Stairs: 64, plus an optional 98
Difficulty: Easy
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: No
Tickets available for each tour time: 34
Fees: $26 for Adults, $22 for Youth, $13 for Senior Pass Holder, and $13 for Access Pass Holder.
Gothic Avenue Tour
Named because of its unusual rock formations resembling Gothic architecture, and was the site of some of the earliest 19th century tourism.
Early visitors left behind signatures, artifacts, and monuments in this area of the cave, which also features stalactites and stalagmites.
This tour focuses on 1800s tourism and uses of Mammoth Cave and is ideal for people with a high interest in history.
Portions of this tour are also seen on the Star Chamber, Historic, and Violet City Lantern Tours.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 1.7 miles (2.74 km)
Total Stairs: 170
Difficulty: Moderate
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: No
Tickets available for each tour time: 40
Fees: $23 Adults, $19 Youth, $11.50 Senior Pass Holder, $11.50 Access Pass Holder.
Tickets: 40
Historic Tour
This classic Mammoth Cave Tour visits many of the historic areas that originally made Mammoth Cave famous.
Going through tunnels that humans have used for thousands of years, this tour not only explores huge rooms that gave Mammoth Cave its name but also descends to much tighter places deep inside the cave.
Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes.
This tour is ideal for people with an interest in history and a sense of adventure.
Portions of this tour are also seen on the Violet City Lantern, Star Chamber, and Gothic Avenue Tours. It is seen in its entirety on the River Styx Tour.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)
Total Stairs: 540, including 155 at Mammoth Dome
Difficulty: Moderate
Ages: All ages.
Restrooms: Yes
Tickets available for each tour time: 110
Fees: $24 Adults, $18 Youth, $12 Senior Pass Holder, $12 Access Pass Holder
MAMMOTH CAVE PARK DETAILS
Drive: From St. Louis Take Interstate 64 to Evansville then take Exit 29 A and go south on Interstate 69 then take Exit 7A and go east on Indiana Highway 66. Then go south on Indiana Highway 161 which becomes Kentucky 2262 and in Owensville JR Miller Boulevard.
Next, make a left onto Kentucky Highway 81 which becomes Kentucky Highway 54 then exit onto U.S. Highway 60 going south and then take Exit 17 for Interstate 165.
Then take Exit 1A and go north on Interstate 65. Next, take Exit 48 and go north on Kentucky Highway 70 then make a right onto Mammoth Cave Entrance Road to the parking lot for the visitor center.
Hours: Park is open 24 hours. Visitor Center hours are seasonal – Winter- 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer, check the website for exact times depending on the season you are there.
Address: 1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007
Hotel Stay: Hampton Inn Cave City
We stayed at the nearby Hampton Inn Cave City which has a pool and a stay includes breakfast.
Address: 803 Sanders St, Cave City, KY 42127
Dinner: Mazatlan Bar and Grill #4
Near the hotel is a popular Mexican restaurant where we had dinner.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Monday- Thursday; 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., Friday – Saturday; 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., Sunday
Address: 105 Gardner Ln, Cave City, KY 4212
Dessert: Cave City Coffee & Creamery
Within walking distance of the hotel is where you can have an ice cream treat, shake, or coffee.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday; Closed, Monday; 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday-Friday
Address: 201 Hubbard Ln, Cave City, KY 42127
Wigwam Village No. 2
Also, in Cave City is the Wigwam Village No. 2 which are wigwams that you stay the night in.
Address: 601 N Dixie Hwy, Cave City, KY 42127
NEXT DAY: Hiking in the Park
Before heading back to St. Louis we decided to do two hikes, the Sand Cave Trail and the Echo River Spring Trail. Many more hikes can be found in the park, some are near the Visitor Center, and others are in more remote places. Some trails close for maintenance or road closures so check the website for up-to-date information. Check the national park website for more information.
SAND CAVE HIKE
Explore the entrance to Sand Cave and learn about the tragic death that happened here.
This is a .3-mile out-and-back natural surface hike with 29 feet of elevation gain or .4 miles if you go down closer to check out the cave.
Start of the Hike
Park in the small lot right off Cave City Road. Near the lot is a large sign for Mammoth Cave National Park which is a popular photo spot.
Along the trail are signs sharing the sad story of Floyd Collins. He was a cave explorer and was checking out the cave when as he was heading back he crawled through a tight squeeze and kicked a rock loose behind him which pinned his legs.
For sixteen days in February of 1925, the world focused its attention on this remote corner of Kentucky, as hundreds of people labored day and night to reach cave explorer Collins. Trapped in a narrow passage of Sand Cave, 60 feet below the surface.
Short Walk
Next, we headed down the wooded trail to a lookout.
Another sign shared more information. For 12 days volunteers labored 24-hour shifts under the tip of this rock ledge to sink a rescue shaft 60 feet to reach Collins. No contact with Floyd had been possible since a collapse on Feb. 3. It was a slow process since they could not use explosives or heavy machinery which may cause a bigger collapse. On the morning of Feb. 16, a 12-foot lateral tunnel broke through to Floyd. Sadly he was found dead.
By the Cave
First, you come to a lookout above Sand Cave.
My son and I took a small trail down to the cave entrance. This trail can be wet so if you go further be careful. On wet days there is a small waterfall to cross that drips down above the cave.
Once down below we explored the entrance and the sandy area below the huge rock ledge.
Then we headed back up.
Going Back
On the return trip, I noticed another trail sign that talked about how popular Floyd’s predicament had become with thousands coming out to see the rescue operations. Even moonshiners showed up to sell liquor to the crowds.
Final Thoughts
It is a short hike to see a cave. The walk might be best to do before you go to Mammoth Cave since you don’t enter the actual cave. My son enjoyed walking around the entrance.
Address: Sand Cave Trailhead, Cave City, KY 42127
ECHO SPRING HIKE
This hike takes you to Echo River Spring, where the underground Echo River emerges from Mammoth Cave to reach the surface.
The full trail hike is one mile on a paved path. We did .5 miles as an out-and-back with 20 feet of elevation gain.
Start of the Hike
Since it is a loop trail you can either enter from the north side of the lot near the Green River crossing a bridge.
Or you can enter to the east side of the lot where we entered to see the spring at the start of the hike.
A sign by the trailhead shows the complete trail and shows that you can further explore the area since other trails connect to it.
On the Trail
Along the way, we came to a sign that talked about the different plants that call floodplain home including many different flowers.
At the Springs
Near the spring lookout is a sign that talks about where the water originates. The water journey begins deep in Mammoth Cave flowing from the Echo and Roaring Rivers. A smaller spring connects to this stream, but the water from it might originate from a different source.
You first come to the accessory spring and on closer inspection, you can see the waters flowing into each other.
Looking at the spring the water color is blue and clear.
Returning
Walking back, we noticed a large tree had fallen along a ridge.
Final Thoughts
This is another short easy hike to do with the kid and best of all since it is away from the visitor’s center, we had it all to ourselves.
Right by the trailhead is a ferry and someone was heading across the river when we were there.
The park is huge and there are many more hikes you can do so check the website for more information. Know that the River Styx trail is currently closed.
Address: Green River Ferry and Trailhead Parking, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
STOPS ON THE WAY BACK TO ST. LOUIS
We checked out the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ken., and my son had a chance to use up some energy at Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro, Ken.
National Corvette Museum
On the way home we stopped at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ken.
The museum features over 70 Corvettes, mostly on loan by private donors. Showcased in periodic settings including mint classics, prototypes, rare finds, and racing champs.
Families can enjoy the McMichael Family Education Gallery, a 2,000-square-foot dedicated education gallery that provides state-of-the-art educational experiences geared directly to the next generation of Corvette enthusiasts, engineers, designers, and more. There is also a $10 Corvette simulator that you can do.
Our Time Here
We didn’t have time to see the museum, but you can see some Corvettes in the outer area of the museum.
You can see many of the new models that are coming out in the space.
Then along with some of the classic corvettes.
My son just enjoyed checking out the large gift shop which has plenty of memorabilia along with shirts and toys and many different price points.
Details
Hours: November 1–December 31
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. -5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST
January 1-February 28
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. -5 p.m. CST, Closed Tuesdays
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. -5 p.m. CST
Closed Tuesdays in January and February
Admission: $24, Adults, $34 Guided Tour Adults; $13 Ages 5-12; $23, Guided Tour Kids; $22, Ages 62 and Up; $32, Guided Tour Ages 622 and Up; FREE, ages 4 and Under
Address: 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Smothers Park
Our son had a chance to play at Smothers Park on the drive back as a stop in Owensboro, Ken.
Ranked as the No. 1 Playground in the world in 2015 it is a large park. In summer there is also a spray park. Fountains are also located along the river walk that includes the park.
Details
Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily
Address: 199 W Veterans Blvd, Owensboro, KY 42303
Lunch: Moonlite Bar-b-q Inn
For lunch, we did the large barbecue buffet at the Moonlite in Owensboro. It has lots of choices along with ice cream and pies.
Details
Hours: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday
Address: 2840 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301
MORE KENTUCKY ADVENTURE
See a Louisville Slugger Made and Fossil Hunt
Visit Louisville, KY to search for fossils at Falls of the Ohio State Park or learn about bat construction at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
Exploring ‘Top Chef’s’ Paducah
Paducah, Kentucky is home to Top Chef Sara Bradley’s Freight House restaurant which will be checking out on our Kentucky road trip.
Paducah is about halfway between St. Louis and Nashville and has a vibrant art scene along with a historic restored brick downtown, amazing river wall murals, and restaurants that serve Southern cuisine. You can even find moonshine without going into the backwoods.
