Mammoth Cave National Park

Nestled in the rolling green hills of central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest known cave system in the entire world, with more than 400 miles of explored caverns and even more still waiting to be discovered. Sections open to public visitation include the Frozen Niagara area, with cascading flowstone formations, as well as the historic entrance leading to vast chambers such as the Rotunda and Gothic Avenue -- a tunnel whose ceiling is covered with 19th-century signatures.

Central Kentucky has a relatively mild climate, although atmospheric humidity means both summer and winter temperatures can feel uncomfortable. However, the caves themselves are always dark, moist, and chilly, with the air temperature hovering near 54 F -- so visitors are encouraged to bring a light jacket for their tour.

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in quite a rural part of Kentucky, though there are a number of small communities in the vicinity which offer basic facilities like gas, food, and lodging. Park City, Cave City, and Brownsville are all within a twenty minutes’ drive of the visitors center, and the larger town of Bowling Green can be reached in less than an hour.

Although visitors are not permitted to explore the cave on their own, the park offers a wide variety of cave tours for every interest and fitness level, including an accessible tour for guests in wheelchairs. Don’t like small spaces? No problem -- there’s plenty of outdoor adventure to be had on the surface. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing and boating in the area’s rivers are all popular diversions for those who don’t fancy a subterranean adventure. The Park Service also administers special events on occasion; check the park calendar for full details.