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Best trails in Mammoth Cave National Park

Best trails in Mammoth Cave National Park

4.2(13,021 reviews)

·

United States
#39 of 60 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Mammoth Cave National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 40 great trails for hiking, walking, and birding and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 18 easy hiking trails in Mammoth Cave National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 13 to 1,866 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Mammoth Cave National Park.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Open 24 hours
Passes & fees
No fee required
Accessibility
General park hours
Every day • Open 24 hours
Phone
(270) 758-2180
Entrance fee

There is no fee to enter Mammoth Cave National Park. However, there are fees associated with cave tours, camping, and shelter rentals. For detailed information related to the fees for these activities, please visit our Fees and Passes webpage.

Entrance pass

The park accepts the America the Beautiful Interagency Senior LIfetime and Senior Annual Passes, as well as, the Access Pass. These passes will provide a 50% discount on cave tour tickets for the cardholder only. The passes will also provide a 50% discount for camping provided the reservation is in the cardholder's name. No discounts are provided for shelters.

Annual pass
All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80
Purchase pass
Overview

Mammoth Cave National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.

The Visitor Center and Caver's Camp Store are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.

Assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available. Some ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call (270) 758-2417 at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.

Additional information about accessibility at Mammoth Cave National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Facilities

The Visitor Center and Caver's Camp Store are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.

The Lodge at Mammoth Cave has wheelchair accessible rooms.

The Mammoth Cave, Echo River Springs Trailhead, and Sloan’s Pond Crossing Trailhead Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.

Camping

Mammoth Cave Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (#37 and #38).

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Trail reviews for Mammoth Cave National Park

15,474 trailgoers Busiest in May
Mar 8, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkDog-friendlyGreat conditions

Very easy trail that's well maintained. Leads to an overlook of a cave. This trail is probably one of the easier trails in the park but that doesn't mean it isn't worth the stop. Come check it out and read the signage provided to learn about the trail and Mammoth Cave National Park.

Sand Cave Trail
Oct 1, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Post cave tour walk at Mammoth Cave National Park. Nicely maintained trails with a lot of stairs. I didn't see a single person the entire hike.

Heritage Trail Loop [CLOSED]
Jul 15, 2024Hiking

Mammoth cave national Park

Dixon Cave, Green River Bluffs, and River Styx Spring Loop
Oct 17, 2024Hiking
Good conditionsGood views

This is in Mammoth Cave national park which is in central Kentucky, so definitely download the map before you head out. Review: This is an easy walk throughout the above ground portion of Mammoth Cave and had some good views of the Green River. Let’s be real here: no one is coming to Mammoth Cave national park and thinking “hmmm nah I won’t step foot in the largest known cave system in the world let me go HIKE outside instead.” As such, it’s clearly not the biggest, most complex trail you’re ever going to walk. That being said there are some very neat above ground features you can see when you’re there: the Green River is stunning, the small springs that are formed from Mammoth Cave and some sink holes in the area. Overall a not complex, easy trail that you can definitely knock out before you stop by the true allure of Mammoth Cave national park… the actual cave.

Parking: Free, Large lot
Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail
Jun 2, 2025Mountain biking
Not crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditions

All the mammoth cave area trails overlap, so you can get in plenty of hiking miles. Saw a deer, turkey, and squirrel up close.

Conditions: Obstructions
Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail
May 28, 2025
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditions

Nice lil deck walk! We had time to kill before checking into the campground. Why not a lil deck walk hike to kick off Mammoth Cave!

Sloan's Crossing Pond Trail
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Mammoth Cave National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Mammoth Cave National Park is Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail, which has a 4.6 star rating from 2,612 reviews. This trail is 4.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 557 ft.

What is the longest trail in Mammoth Cave National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Mammoth Cave National Park is First Creek, McCoy Hollow, and Wet Prong Loop. This trail is estimated to be 16.1 mi long.

How many trails are in Mammoth Cave National Park?

There are 40 trails in Mammoth Cave National Park. These trails have an average 4.2-star rating from 13,021 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Mammoth Cave National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Mammoth Cave National Park has you covered. First Creek, McCoy Hollow, and Wet Prong Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 1,866 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Mammoth Creek First Creek Trail, which will get you 1,656 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Mammoth Cave National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 camping trails in Mammoth Cave National Park and the most popular is Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 2,612 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Mammoth Cave National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 23 running trails in Mammoth Cave National Park and the most popular is Green River Bluff, Echo River Springs, Sinkhole and Heritage Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 2,612 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Mammoth Cave National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 biking trails in Mammoth Cave National Park and the most popular is Mammoth Cave Rail Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 450 community reviews.

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