Mammoth Cave National Park
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: national park, outdoor adventure
Mammoth Cave National Park, the world’s longest known cave system, offers underground adventures and scenic surface trails. From family-friendly tours to crawling expeditions, this UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals the geological wonders of Kentucky’s underground world.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Take a Cave Tour – Explore the world’s longest cave system on ranger-led or self-guided tours ranging from easy walks to strenuous multi-hour adventures.
- Hike the Surface Trails – Stroll 18 miles of trails showcasing sinkholes, wildflowers, and river overlooks. Don’t miss the 1-mile Cedar Sink Trail for stunning views.
- Try a Headlamp Tour – For a hands-on caving challenge, join the 3.5-hour Introduction to Caving or the kids-only Trog Tour for young explorers.
- Do an Above-Ground Tour – Follow the Beneath Your Feet trail program to learn about the cave’s geology via interpretive signs and ranger-led videos along the paths.
- Visit Nearby Diamond Caverns – Just outside the park, explore this “wet cave” filled with intricate stalactites and stalagmites on smaller, more intimate guided tours.
Sleep Soundly: Make your cave adventure even more memorable with an overnight stay in a teepee at Wigwam Village No. 2, just minutes from the park. Be sure to relax by the fire pit afterward—it’s a fun, nostalgic way to wrap up the day.
Photo Credit: Xiquinho Silva/Flickr