Soundscapes

From singing birds in the forest to complete silence in the cave, Mammoth Cave National Park invites you to experience a variety of soundscapes. Natural sounds are an integral part of the unique resources that the park strives to protect. Park managers do this through simple measures like implementing quiet hours in the campgrounds and through planning efforts that limit development and concentrate activity in certain areas of the park so that the majority of the landscape is less impacted by artificial sound.

Minimizing artificial sounds not only adds to the experience of visiting a national park, it’s also vital for wildlife. Many animals rely on sound for activities such as finding habitat, protecting young, avoiding predators and finding prey.

Sound is also important to some of the work we do.

 

 

Listen to Sounds of the Park

 

• Crunching Leaves

  
  

  Leaves crunching beneath the boots of a hiker as they walk along a trail in the park.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Ashley Decker

  Audio Transcript

  The sound of dry leaves crunching beneath a persons feet.

 

• Waterfall at the Historic Entrance

  
  

  The waterfall at the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave flows year-round and is one of the first sounds to greet you as you enter the cave.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Ashley Decker

  Audio Transcript

  The sound of a cascading waterfall as the water falls onto rock below.

 

• Birds

  
  

  The sounds of birds in the forest near the park visitor center.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Ashley Decker

  Audio Transcript

  The sounds of several bird species calling.

 

• Frogs and Coyotes

  
  

  Sloans Pond provides a unique habitat in the park. At night the area comes to life with the sound of frogs and the distant calls of coyotes.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Jonathan Rager

  Audio Transcript

  The sound of frogs at night and the distant sound of coyotes calling.

 

• Green River Ferry

  
  

  The Green River Ferry transports cars and park visitors across the river to access the north side of the park and backcountry trails.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Jonathan Rager

  Audio Transcript

  The sound of a mechanical engine.

 

• Music in the cave

  
  

  “My Old Kentucky Home” performed in the halls of Mammoth Cave by former Cave Guide Dr. Janet Bass Smith on piano, accompanied by Klaus Kaemper (descendant of Max Kaemper) playing cello. This recording was made inside Mammoth Cave during the annual Cave Sing in 2008.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/ Chuck DeCroix

  Date created:

  12/07/2008

  Audio Transcript

  The song “My Ole Kentucky Home” on piano and cello. The song ends in applause from the audience.

 

Sounds of Your Park

Listen to sounds in an immersive audio experience of the planet’s protected places.

Explore Sounds

 

Discover More Sounds

• 

  Natural Sounds

  Learn more about Natural Sounds in National Parks.

• 

  Sound Gallery

  Explore sounds from other parks, such as bison in Yellowstone, or the singing sands of Great Sand Dunes.

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  Audio Tour of Mammoth Cave

  Join a park ranger as they take you on a audio tour of Mammoth Cave.