How to Mammoth Cave?
November 12, 2022 12:33 PM Subscribe
What are your tips and tricks for the Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky (US)?
I am hoping to take 2 over 70s, 2 over 40s and two just over 10s to Mammoth Cave for spring break but I cannot figure out the ticketing system to get reservations for the Cave tours. Looking for this information (when are the tickets released, what cave tour would you suggest, etc) and also any tips for the area.
I am hoping to take 2 over 70s, 2 over 40s and two just over 10s to Mammoth Cave for spring break but I cannot figure out the ticketing system to get reservations for the Cave tours. Looking for this information (when are the tickets released, what cave tour would you suggest, etc) and also any tips for the area.
That said, we did the Extended Historic Modified Tour a few years ago and I was the one who struggled the most (two adults, two older teens at the time) because I have asthma and some knee problems. But I know my limits and was able to take the stairs at my own pace. And like I said above, the descriptions are detailed w/r/t steps and duration and difficulty. Definitely take them at their word.
posted by cooker girl at 1:33 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by cooker girl at 1:33 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
A warning that you might not get from official sources is that the cave mouth is downhill from the visitor center. Even if your party can handle the cave tour, that walk back uphill at the end is a joke.
The cave is legitimately cold. I went in July, and didn’t even go inside, just the mouth, and it felt like a walk-in freezer. Dress warmly.
There’s a good-size Amish community in the area, if any of you are interested in Amish food or crafts.
The county around the cave is dry. If you want to drink, you’ll have to BYOB, or just stay in Bowling Green.
posted by kevinbelt at 3:29 PM on November 12, 2022
The cave is legitimately cold. I went in July, and didn’t even go inside, just the mouth, and it felt like a walk-in freezer. Dress warmly.
There’s a good-size Amish community in the area, if any of you are interested in Amish food or crafts.
The county around the cave is dry. If you want to drink, you’ll have to BYOB, or just stay in Bowling Green.
posted by kevinbelt at 3:29 PM on November 12, 2022
I went to Mammoth Cave right after it reopened during COVID. (This was before the vaccine was out and lots of people didn't wear masks, which made me panic and caused me to reschedule my tour to a later time in the day. Fortunately we've got the vaccine and better masks now so that's less of a stress.)
I got tickets at the visitor center and was even able to get a first-come, first-served camping spot (again, it was a different time.) I second Recreation.gov as the most reliable source! They only had one option when I went, which was a self-guided tour with guides stationed around to answer questions. As a national park nerd who has been to so many parks and monuments and more across the US (and therefore not so easily impressed, unfortunately), I gotta say I really loved Mammoth Cave and was quite impressed! The gift shop is also fun but the on-site restaurant and camp shop are super expensive and nothing special. I'd pack lunch then drive elsewhere for better food.
There isn't a ton to do nearby, although I saw Lincoln's Birthplace: it's not exactly a destination but was decent add-on. Renovations should be done by now!
If you are driving and share your route, we can offer more suggestions. It's two hours away but I'm a big fan of Berea. Louisville is cool! I'd love to see the quilt museum in Paducah one day. Simply driving past the Jif peanut butter factory in Lexington was neat. Plus, there is so much beautiful nature and so many cute small towns to stop in all over the state.
posted by smorgasbord at 7:06 PM on November 12, 2022
I got tickets at the visitor center and was even able to get a first-come, first-served camping spot (again, it was a different time.) I second Recreation.gov as the most reliable source! They only had one option when I went, which was a self-guided tour with guides stationed around to answer questions. As a national park nerd who has been to so many parks and monuments and more across the US (and therefore not so easily impressed, unfortunately), I gotta say I really loved Mammoth Cave and was quite impressed! The gift shop is also fun but the on-site restaurant and camp shop are super expensive and nothing special. I'd pack lunch then drive elsewhere for better food.
There isn't a ton to do nearby, although I saw Lincoln's Birthplace: it's not exactly a destination but was decent add-on. Renovations should be done by now!
If you are driving and share your route, we can offer more suggestions. It's two hours away but I'm a big fan of Berea. Louisville is cool! I'd love to see the quilt museum in Paducah one day. Simply driving past the Jif peanut butter factory in Lexington was neat. Plus, there is so much beautiful nature and so many cute small towns to stop in all over the state.
posted by smorgasbord at 7:06 PM on November 12, 2022
I went to Mammoth Cave with my parents a few years ago, and agree that the tour descriptions were spot on for physical ability. We did two and they were significantly different and went to some different places. There are other for-profit cave tours in the area, but I don’t know what those are like. We also walked some trails in the park, which were pleasant.
Other stops were bourbon touring and the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton lived as a monk. The abbey has a small visitors center and gift shop, it’s probably not worth the drive unless you’re a big fan of Merton or have time to do a retreat there. We also visited the Muhammad Ali museum in Louisville, which was extensive and covers his activist working as well as boxing career. I learned a lot!
posted by momus_window at 9:07 PM on November 12, 2022
Other stops were bourbon touring and the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton lived as a monk. The abbey has a small visitors center and gift shop, it’s probably not worth the drive unless you’re a big fan of Merton or have time to do a retreat there. We also visited the Muhammad Ali museum in Louisville, which was extensive and covers his activist working as well as boxing career. I learned a lot!
posted by momus_window at 9:07 PM on November 12, 2022
I just went a week ago as we were in the area, We did the 2 hr historical tour. It was my second time there (the other time was 15 years ago) Buy your tickets in advance, we saw several people turned away because the tours were full. Ours was not but we were the first tour of the day. The details provided on recreation.gov were spot on. I am over 50, chubby and had spinal surgery 3 months ago, the 500 stairs was on point and the last stairway was pushing it for me and the walk back up the hill , well it was a killer. On the plus side, my SO did it all fine and he is doing chemo every two weeks. He loved it.
posted by ReiFlinx at 4:31 PM on November 17, 2022
posted by ReiFlinx at 4:31 PM on November 17, 2022
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posted by cooker girl at 1:28 PM on November 12, 2022 [2 favorites]