Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park · Kentucky

Closure Information See 4 current alerts

Looking out from a large cave entrance with falling water and green trees shown over the entrance.
Photo: NPS Photo / J. Cooper

Current alerts (4)

  • Closure

    Green River Ferry Temporarily Out of Service

    The Green River Ferry has temporarily suspended operation due to low water levels. Ferry service will resume once water levels rise and conditions are safe. A river forecast is available at: water.noaa.gov/gauges/03309000

  • Closure

    Elevator for Accessible Tour Out of Service

    Due to mechanical issues with the cave elevator, the Accessible Tour is currently unavailable. Please check back for updates or call the visitor center at (270) 758-2180.

  • Information

    Temporary Closure of Select Trails for Rehabilitation Project

    The Old Guides Trail, Heritage Trail, Sunset Point Trail and areas of the Sinkhole Trail are currently closed due to a trail rehabilitation project.

  • Information

    Tickets are required to enter Mammoth Cave

    Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are the only way to ensure a spot is available for your party. Please plan accordingly by visiting Recreation.gov to secure your tickets in advance. Availability of walk-up tickets is not guaranteed.

    More from the park: Tickets are required to enter Mammoth Cave

Hours

Park Hours

Standard hours: Park Hours
Every dayAll Day

Mammoth Cave National Park is open 24-hours a day, although services such as cave tours and the visitor center are limited after-hours. There is no gate at the park entrance. Please note that camping is only possible either in designated campgrounds or backcountry campsites with a valid reservation or permit.

Visitor centers

Mammoth Cave Visitor Center

Mammoth Cave Visitor Center

Standard hours: Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Every day8:30AM - 4:30PM

Hours for the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center vary by season, with expanded hours during the peak summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Mammoth Cave Visitor Center

Events in the next few days

  • Domes and Dripstones Cave Tour

    · 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 12:45 PM – 02:45 PM, 02:15 PM – 04:15 PM, 02:45 PM – 04:45 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Domes and Dripstones Cave Tour

  • Domes and Dripstones Cave Tour

    · 01:15 PM – 03:15 PM, 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Domes and Dripstones Cave Tour

  • Extended Historic Cave Tour

    · 08:45 AM – 11:00 AM, 04:00 PM – 06:15 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Extended Historic Cave Tour

  • Frozen Niagara Cave Tour

    · 08:45 AM – 10:00 AM, 04:15 PM – 05:30 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Frozen Niagara Cave Tour

  • Gothic Avenue Cave Tour

    · 03:45 PM – 05:45 PM, 01:45 PM – 03:45 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Gothic Avenue Cave Tour

  • Grand Avenue Cave Tour

    · 09:45 AM – 01:45 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Grand Avenue Cave Tour

  • Great Onyx Lantern Tour

    · 11:15 AM – 01:30 PM, 03:30 PM – 05:45 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Great Onyx Lantern Tour

  • Historic Cave Tour

    · 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Historic Cave Tour

  • Historic Cave Tour

    · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 12:15 PM – 02:15 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Historic Cave Tour

  • Mammoth Passage Cave Tour

    · 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM, 01:15 PM – 02:30 PM, 03:00 PM – 04:15 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Mammoth Passage Cave Tour

  • Discovery Tour [Self-guided]

    · 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM, 12:30 PM – 01:00 PM, 01:00 PM – 01:30 PM, 01:30 PM – 02:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 02:30 PM · This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

    Event details: Discovery Tour [Self-guided]

About this park

Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region.