Mammoth Cave National Park



Mammoth Cave National Park is a United States national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kentucky's Caves and Lakes region. It preserves the world's longest known cave system, with over of caves, visitable only by guided tour. While the caves are the highlight of the park, there are also extensive hiking trails and other outdoor activities. The park was established in 1941 and draws nearly two million visitors annually.

History
The cave is approximately 15 million years old. Humans have been visiting the cave for approximately 4,000 years, although it was only discovered by Europeans in 1797. Through 1816 the cave was mined for nitrates, used in gunpowder, but after the War of 1812 ended, it was sold and cave tours became popular. With nearly 200 years as a tourist attraction Mammoth Cave is one of North America's oldest tourist destinations.

Landscape
Mammoth Cave, by far the world's longest known cave system, is the heart of the South-Central Kentucky karst, an integrated set of subterranean drainage basins covering more than 1,050 square kilometers – 400 square miles. Atop this labyrinth is a biologically diverse set of ecosystems inextricably interlinked with the ecosystems underground. This physiographic province, with Mammoth Cave National Park at its core, was declared an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.

Flora and fauna
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to over 70 threatened, endangered or state listed species. More than 130 species are regular inhabitants of the caves. These species are divided almost equally among three classes of cave life: obligate cave dwellers known as troglobites, facultative species which can complete their life cycle in or out of caves (troglophiles), and those that use caves for refuge (trogloxenes). The park has cave species and biotic cave communities that are among the most diverse in the world.

Because of its diverse array of landscapes and habitats, the park contains an extraordinary 1300 species of plants.

Climate
Kentucky has a moderate climate, characterized by warm, yet moist conditions. Summers are usually warm, and winters cool. An average 46 in (116 cm) of precipitation falls during the year, with spring being the rainiest season.

The inside of the cave typically stays moderately cool year-round, about 54°F (12°C) in the summer.

Get in
Most visitors access the park from two roadways which have interchanges with Interstate 65, one near Park City, Kentucky (KY 255) and the other near Cave City (KY 70). KY 70 also enters the park from the west side of the park, near Brownsville. No entrance fee is charged.

No public transportation is available. The nearest commercial airports are in Louisville and Nashville.

Fees and permits
There are no fees to enter the park, but all cave tours require a paid ticket.

Get around
Cave tours depart from the park visitor center.

No public transportation is available in the area, including taxi service.

Cave tours
During the summer it is possible to explore a tiny part of the cave without a ranger, but all other areas of the cave require a ranger guide. Besides the year round tours, there are many others that are offered seasonally. It is best to check the park website, or contact the park directly for exact tours offered during your planned visit. In the summer, reservations are strongly recommended as tours sell out quickly, but at other times of year it is usually possible to sign up for a tour when you arrive at the park. Remember that the park is on Central Time (same as Nashville, one hour behind Louisville).



Other activities
The park offers a tremendous number of hiking trails, as well as options for boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and general recreation.

Buy
Within the park there is a gift shop at the visitor center, and a store at the hotel offering gifts, snacks and basic supplies.

Eat
A restaurant is at the Mammoth Cave Hotel. This is the only public food service within the park. Outside of the park, fast-food restaurants are found in Cave City (McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Long John Silver's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen), and family-style restaurants. More dining options are available in Glasgow 25 miles east of the park and in Bowling Green 40 miles south of the park.



Drink
Edmonson county is "dry," although Barren County have voted to allow liquor sales county wide. Cave City, Glasgow, and Bowling Green are the nearest cities to the park where full liquor sales are permitted.

Sleep
Motel and camping facilities are available in the park. National chain motels can be found in nearby Cave City and Park City. There are cabins available and bed and breakfasts minutes from the park.

Camping
Mammoth Cave National Park has several camping options.







Backcountry
Backcountry camping is permitted in thirteen designated campsites and within 100 feet (30 m) of the Green River. A free backcountry permit is required and can be picked up at the park headquarters. The maximum group size is limited to 8 people and the length of stay cannot exceed 14 days.

Stay safe
In the warm weather months the ticks can be ferocious in the backcountry. If camping overnight during this period, consider using permethrin treated clothing or bring along some DEET based insect repellent at the very least.

Go next

 * Nashville, the home of country and gospel music (including the Grand Ole Opry), is about 75 miles (120 km) south of the park on I-65.
 * Louisville is the home of the Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race. 80 miles (130 km) north of the park on I-65.
 * Bowling Green is the home of the factory where the Corvette sports car is manufactured, the nearby National Corvette Museum, and the Lost River Cave. 28 miles (45 km) south on I-65.
 * Barren River Reservoir State Resort Park features extensive boating and fishing on a man-made reservoir. A lodge and large campground are in the park. From Mammoth Cave, take KY 70 to Cave City, KY 90 to Glasgow, then south on U.S. 31-E to the park, about 20 miles (32 km) from Mammoth Cave. The park is home to the annual Glasgow Highland Games, one of the largest Scottish athletic evens in the nation.
 * Lexington, the "Horse Capital of the World" and home to many Thoroughbred horse farms. 100 miles (160 km) northeast; take I-65 north to Elizabethtown, then the Martha Layne Collins Blue Grass Parkway east to Lexington.