Mammoth Cave National Park
Located in Kentucky is the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave. Mammoth Cave National Park has also been named a World Heritage Site, an international Biosphere Reserve and most recently in 2021, an International Dark Sky Park. Within the cave you’ll find geological formations and a rich history. However our day began above the surface.
We started our day at Mammoth Cave at the Visitor Center. We arrived at the park at 8:05 a.m. on a weekday and there was already a line at the ticket counter. After realizing the day prior we would be required to have tickets to enter the cave, we called ahead they assured we would still be able to get a spot on the 9:00 a.m. tour.
If I was to visit Mammoth Cave again, I would book tour tickets far in advance. There are over 400 miles of caves and we only got to see a small portion because we didn’t reserve our spots months in advance.
As we approached the cave’s opening on the ranger led tour the temperature immediately dropped. No matter that the weather is doing outside, inside the cave is a crisp 50 – 54 degrees. Bringing a jacket, especially if you plan on a longer tour, is a must.
We followed our guide down into the cave system after being warned of the safety hazards awaiting visitors to the caves. Basically, don’t go down if you aren’t convinced you can get yourself back out. Keeping to the front of the group allowed Skylar and I to have the best views of the caves vast rooms. I expected more of a narrow tunnel system but Mammoth Cave is, as the name would suggest, much roomier than I anticipated.
Above ground
After getting a healthy dose of cave intel, the tour came to an end and we made our way back to the forest above. Sky and I took off on a mini hike, the Mammoth Dome Sink Trail.
There are signs posted around the park showing you the connection between what you saw below and the forest above
Above the ground
Inside the Cave
Mammoth Cave was an unexpected National Park and I think one that would be worth visiting again. More sections within the cave are being discovered each year, meaning there will always be more to learn about the area.
On our drive to the park we listened to this National Parks After Dark podcast which covered the park’s history and potential hauntings. So hit the road and go see a cave! The next park we will visit is the Indian Dunes National Park. Keep up with my latest travels by subscribing to the blog.
