Camping Near Mammoth Cave National Park
Kentucky | Established 1941
About Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park protects 52,830 acres of karst landscape and the world's longest known cave system, with over 420 miles of surveyed passages and new sections still being discovered. The cave maintains a constant 54°F year-round, making underground tours comfortable in any season. Above ground, the Green River winds through 30 miles of parkland, offering canoeing, kayaking, and fishing among hardwood forests.
Mammoth Cave Campground operates March through November with 111 sites at $25/night, located within walking distance of the visitor center. Sites accommodate tents and RVs up to 38 feet with flush toilets, showers, and laundry but no hookups. Houchin Ferry Campground offers 12 year-round tent-only sites at $20/night in a quieter riverside setting. Maple Springs Group Campground serves organized groups and equestrian parties with seven sites at $50/night. All campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov. The park also maintains 13 backcountry campsites accessible by hiking or paddling, available with a $10 permit.
Camping Tips for Mammoth Cave
- Book cave tours on recreation.gov up to six months in advance. Summer tours sell out four to eight weeks ahead. The Historic Tour ($24, 2 hours) is the most popular. Wild Cave Tour ($79, 5 to 6 hours) is the most adventurous.
- Pack warm layers for cave entry regardless of surface weather. The cave stays 54°F with high humidity year-round. Wear non-slip shoes since cave passages include wet, uneven surfaces.
- Reserve Mammoth Cave Campground by April for June through August stays. All 111 sites fill by early June for peak season. The campground is the only one with showers and laundry facilities.
- Houchin Ferry Campground (12 tent-only sites, $20/night) operates year-round and sits near the Green River for paddling access. It fills slower than the main campground and offers a quieter experience.
- Do not bring outside firewood due to Kentucky's invasive insect quarantine. Purchase firewood from the camp store or gather only dead and downed wood found within the park.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Mammoth Cave National Park
11.Sugar Maple RV Park
Sugar Maple RV Park is an extended stay RV park located in Cave City, Kentucky, specializing in monthly accommodations for guests traveling for work or those house shopping and...
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12.Glendale Campground
Glendale Campground is a family-owned and operated RV park located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, just 1.5 miles from the BlueOvalSK Battery Park construction site. The newly...
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13.Bourbon Springs RV Resort
Bourbon Springs RV Resort is a modern campground located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, just six miles from I-65 (Exit 102) on KY Hwy 313. The resort features spacious full hookup RV...
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14.Barefoot Republic Camp & Retreat Center
Barefoot Republic Camp & Retreat Center is a Christ-centered camp organization operating in Kentucky and Tennessee that serves over 2,000 campers annually. The facility offers a...
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15.Country Roads RV Park
Country Roads RV Park is a pet-friendly campground located in Irvington, Kentucky, near Brandenburg, offering a comfortable home base for both short and long-term stays. The park...
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16.Deep Valley Campground
Deep Valley Campground is a recreational facility offering camping accommodations in a valley setting. The park provides a natural outdoor experience for visitors seeking a...
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17.Green County RV Park
Green County RV Park is a 10-site RV park located in Greensburg, Kentucky at 1071 Legion Park Road. The park offers both long-term and short-term rental options for visitors...
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18.ETown RV Park
ETown RV Park is a welcoming RV campground located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for all visitors. The park features spacious...
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19.Dino Valley RV Park
Dino Valley RV Park is a state-of-the-art facility located in Cave City, Kentucky, conveniently situated off Interstate 65 at Exit 53. The park features 70-foot pull-through sites...
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20.Royal Oak RV Park
Royal Oak RV Park is a pet-friendly and affordable RV park located in Glendale, Kentucky, near Louisville. The park offers 62 back-in RV sites with full hookups (water, 30/50 amp...
Show moreShowing 11–20 of 123 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation to visit the park or explore the cave?
Park entry is free with no reservation required for surface activities. However, all cave tours require separate tickets purchased through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Summer tours sell out four to eight weeks ahead. Campground sites also require advance reservations through recreation.gov.
Self-guided cave access is not available. All underground exploration requires a ranger-led or ticketed tour. The visitor center has a small number of same-day tickets, but these sell out early on summer mornings. Book the Historic Tour for a classic two-hour experience or the Wild Cave Tour for an intensive five to six-hour crawling adventure. Senior and Access pass holders receive 50% discounts on tour tickets.
Which campground should I choose?
Mammoth Cave Campground suits most visitors with 111 developed sites near the visitor center ($25/night, March to November). Houchin Ferry works for tent campers wanting solitude near the Green River ($20/night, year-round, 12 sites). Maple Springs serves groups and equestrian parties ($50/night, 7 sites).
Mammoth Cave Campground has showers, laundry, flush toilets, and a camp store within walking distance. Sites accommodate RVs up to 38 feet but have no hookups. Houchin Ferry is 20 minutes from the visitor center with vault toilets and no showers. Maple Springs includes horse tie-up areas and paddock space. All three require recreation.gov reservations. Mammoth Cave Campground fills fastest, so book by April for summer dates.
What cave tours are available and how much do they cost?
Tours range from $12 to $79 per adult. Mammoth Passage ($15) is an easy 45-minute walk. Historic Tour ($24) covers two hours of main passages. Grand Avenue ($42) takes four hours through remote sections. Wild Cave Tour ($79) involves five to six hours of crawling, climbing, and squeezing.
The Wild Cave Tour requires participants to be 16 or older and able to fit through a 9-inch-tall opening during a qualification test. Long pants, boots, and kneepads are recommended. Cave temperature is 54°F on all tours. The Domes and Dripstones Tour ($20, 2 hours) focuses on vertical passages and active formations. Accessibility tours are available for visitors with mobility limitations. Book multiple tours for different perspectives on the cave system.
Can I go canoeing or kayaking on the Green River?
Yes. Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers flow through the park, supporting canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Several outfitters near Cave City rent canoes and kayaks for half-day and full-day trips. Riverside backcountry campsites allow multi-day paddling expeditions.
Spring and early summer typically provide the best water levels for paddling. The Green River is generally calm and suitable for beginners. Private boats are welcome with no launch fee. River hazards include occasional low-head dams and submerged rocks after heavy rain. Combine paddling with backcountry camping by securing a $10 permit and reserving a riverside campsite through recreation.gov. Check river conditions at the visitor center before launching.
Is backcountry camping available?
Yes. The park maintains 13 backcountry campsites accessible by hiking, horseback, or paddling. Permits cost $10 per trip (up to 14 days) and are available through recreation.gov. Each site includes a fire ring, and most are near water sources that require boiling and filtering.
Backcountry sites limit parties to eight people maximum. Only 13 groups can camp in the backcountry per night park-wide. Hiking distances to sites range from two to eight miles. No portable toilets, picnic tables, or developed water sources exist. Carry all waste out following Leave No Trace principles. The backcountry is best suited for experienced campers comfortable with self-sufficient wilderness travel. Reserve up to six months ahead on recreation.gov.
Can I bring horses to Mammoth Cave?
Yes. The park maintains 60 miles of horse-friendly trails and welcomes equestrian camping at Maple Springs Group Campground ($50/night). Seven group sites include designated horse tie-up areas and paddock space. Backcountry sites also have hitching posts but no paddocks or water troughs.
Pack all feed and water for your horses since no troughs are provided at backcountry sites. Maple Springs accommodates groups of 8 to 30 people with vehicle access and enough space for horse trailers. Reserve through recreation.gov up to six months in advance. Trail maps and equestrian route information are available at the visitor center. All horse waste in backcountry areas must follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
What should I pack for camping at Mammoth Cave?
Bring warm layers for cave tours (54°F underground), non-slip shoes, rain gear for Kentucky's frequent showers, insect repellent for warm months, and a reliable headlamp. Do not bring outside firewood due to the emerald ash borer quarantine. Purchase wood locally or gather only dead and downed wood found in the park.
Kentucky averages 50 inches of annual rainfall, with spring (March through May) being the wettest season. Quick-dry clothing and waterproof tent fly are essential. Summer humidity is high, so moisture-wicking fabrics outperform cotton. Bug spray is critical from May through September. The camp store at Mammoth Cave Campground sells firewood, ice, and basic supplies. Bowling Green (30 miles south) has full grocery stores and outdoor gear shops.
When is the best time to visit Mammoth Cave?
September and October offer the best combination of mild weather (highs 65 to 80°F), lower humidity, fall foliage, and smaller crowds than summer. May and June bring warm temperatures and longer daylight hours but higher rainfall and peak visitation.
The cave is comfortable year-round at 54°F, so surface weather drives the best camping season. Summer (June through August) averages 86°F with high humidity and regular thunderstorms. Winter (December through February) brings lows near 27°F with occasional snow. Spring wildflowers bloom April through May along the park's 84 miles of hiking trails. Fall colors peak mid-October in the Green River valley. Cave tours run year-round with reduced schedules in winter.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (cave tours $12 – $79)
- Best Time to Visit
- May – October
- Nearest Town
- Cave City, KY, Horse Cave, KY, Bowling Green, KY
- Elevation
- 656 – 912 ft
- Park Size
- 52,830 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.7 million