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A journey into Mammoth Cave on a guided cave tour is an essential part of a visit to the park. Whether it is your first time to the park or your tenth, there are several things to consider when planning your trip.
To go into the cave, you must purchase a tour ticket.
Reservations for cave tour tickets are strongly recommended as they can sell out weeks in advance.
Cave tour options range from a fully wheelchair accessible tour to off-trail crawling tours. Be sure to fully read the tour descriptions before purchasing your tour tickets.
Welcome to Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest known cave system. Before you embark on your underground adventure, here are some helpful things to know before your cave tour. We highly recommend reserving your tour in advance @recreation.gov. There you can choose from a variety of tours based on distance, time, and difficulty. Be prepared for stairs. Many of our tours require climbing and descending several sets of stairs.
Make sure to know what to expect on your tour. Some cave trails can be uneven. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your step on the rugged pathways. Some areas of the cave are tight and have low ceiling. You may need to duck or walk single file on your tour. It's all part of the underground experience. Cave temperatures are cool, averaging around 54°F.
It's a good idea to bring a light jacket. Lighting in the cave is dim. Be aware if you have difficulty seeing in low light. Some tours require a short bus ride to different cave entrances. Make sure you're ready to board with your guide when your tour is ready to leave. All tours except the self-guided discovery Tour are led by a knowledgeable park ranger.
Make sure to follow your guide and stay with your group. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour to pick up your tickets and prepare for your tour at the visitor center. Only service animals are allowed on cave tours. You cannot bring weapons, flash photography back child carriers or large backpacks. We are excited to see you on your next mammoth cave adventure!
For tours, schedules, and descriptions, visit nps.gov Smack aka see you in the cave.
Ready to discover the hidden wonders beneath the surface at Mammoth Cave National Park? Check out these helpful planning hints to make the most of your visit to world's longest cave system!
Tour route availability and times change depending on the season. Before arriving at the park or trying to reserve tickets for a tour, please review the tour schedule for the dates of your trip. The park may not publish the complete schedule or variety of tours until 1 to 3 months prior to tour date. Read more about tour descriptions at the bottom of this page.
Cave tours often sell out and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are the only way to ensure a spot on a tour is available for your party. Please plan accordingly by visiting Recreation.gov or calling 877-444-6777 to secure your tickets in advance. Availability of walk-up tickets for tours is not guaranteed.
By Phone: (877) 444-6777 TDD (hearing impaired): (877) 833-6777 Online:www.recreation.gov Call Center Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Central Time
Refunds will be processed if you cancel before your tour time and date. There will be $1 per ticket charge regardless the reason for the cancellation. Customers who cancel any tour after the reservation time and date or no-shows will forfeit the tour fee.
For Wild Cave, Introduction to Caving, and Trog tours:
Cancellations made 10 or more days prior to the Tour Date will be no charge.
Cancellation made 10 days or less prior to the Tour Date will be charged the following amount per ticket:
Wild Cave Tour: $12.00
Introduction to Caving Tour: $6.00
Trog Tour: $4.00
Know Before You Go
To ensure the safety of all visitors and the continued protection of Mammoth Cave the following items are not permitted on cave tours:
Flash photography (photography is allowed if the flash is turned off)
Child backpack carriers (front packs are permitted)
Strollers,Tripods/Monopods, Walking sticks (except canes used to assist visitors who would otherwise have difficulty walking)
Metal framed backpacks and backpacks that are higher than the shoulder or that are of a length that extends below the hips (i.e. large trekking backpacks)
Firearms or other weapons
Pets (Day use kennels at the Lodge at Mammoth Cave are available for rent. Proof of vaccination must be provided upon entering the kennel. Learn more about pets in the park.)
During the spring and fall seasons the park is a very popular destination for school trips and other parties. As a result, your tour may include other group(s) of various ages.
You may wish to bring a light jacket during your tour. Cave temperatures can vary widely near entrances (especially in winter), deep cave temperature is 54ºF (12ºC) while surface temperatures in the summer can exceed 90ºF (32ºC).
Visitors with limited mobility may find some cave tours too strenuous. Please review cave tour descriptions and consider your limitations when choosing a tour.
For members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, assisted listening devices and sign language interpreter services are available with advanced arrangements.
The park is committed to providing accessible options for all visitors. Learn more about accessibility in the park.
When traveling to the park for a cave tour, plan for adequate travel time to the visitor center to arrive around 30 minutes before the start of your scheduled tour. This will allow for time to find parking, pick up your physical paper tour tickets and time to use the restroom.
Do not rely on your mobile GPS or web based mapping applications. These services often lead visitors off track onto routes requiring river crossings via ferry or onto narrow winding roads not suitable for large vehicles. More information about travel directions to the park are available.
Explore All Tours
Mammoth Cave offers numerous cave tours throughout the year. The selection of tours changes seasonally and with staffing availability. You can read descriptions and learn more about these other cave tours before planning your trip to the park. Check back with our cave tour schedule or park calendar to see future offerings of these other cave tours.
Historic Tour
Extended Historic Tour
River Styx Tour
Gothic Avenue Tour
Mammoth Passage Tour
Discovery Tour
Frozen Niagara Tour
Domes & Dripstones Tour
Wondering Woods
Great Onyx Lantern Tour
Accessible Tour
Intro to Caving
Trog Tour