Fun Mammoth Cave tours to do in Kentucky

Hi there!

The specific cave tours that are offered at Mammoth Cave National Park when you are there will depend on when you go.

There may be over 10 Mammoth Cave National Park tours that you can choose from!

It is worth it to do at least one Mammoth Cave tour.

And park rangers will also say that doing 2 or more cave tours can be worth it to give you a different experience in Mammoth Cave.

So if you want to do a lot of exploring of Mammoth Cave, it’s possible to mix and match to get a more well-rounded experience to see different aspects of Mammoth Cave!

There is also some overlap of the offered cave tours, so they are not all 10 completely unique tours.

But it’s possible to take more than one cave tour without feeling like you are seeing the same thing you saw in a previous tour.

If you want to do more than one cave tour, you will just want to be sure to read the cave descriptions carefully, because they do note the overlap that there may be.

And no matter which Mammoth Cave tour you choose, you will likely get a tour guide with great passion for Mammoth Cave!

 

Best Mammoth Cave tours

According to a Mammoth Cave park ranger, if you want a well-rounded Mammoth Cave experience, there are 4 types of Mammoth Cave tours you can do.

 

Here are the basic types of Mammoth Cave tours:

• Historic tour
• Formations tour (think stalagmites and stalactites)
• Geology tour
• Lantern tour

So these are the kinds of things you can look out for as you read through the descriptions of the cave tours.

 

If you want to do 2 solid cave hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park, then I would have said to check to see if there is availability for the River Styx Tour and Domes and Dripstones Tour.

These are the 2 Mammoth Cave tours I did, and I thought it was a perfect combination.

I didn’t feel like I was doing the same tours at all.

But unfortunately… neither are offered in summer 2023!! 😒

As of spring 2022, the River Styx Tour is listed as not being available at all in 2023, and the Domes and Dripstones Tour is listed as being available only in fall 2023.

So if you do see these Mammoth Cave tours offered, book tickets sooner rather than later since apparently they are rare!

So if you can’t do the River Styx Tour or Domes and Dripstones Tour… what then?!

 

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1. Mammoth Cave historic tour

Is a historic tour is best Mammoth Cave tour?!

 

 

I was at the shelter waiting for a later departing tour when the Historic Tour was gathering around.

The park ranger leading that tour said that the historic tour was his favorite and went on to say that you haven’t really been to Mammoth Cave if you haven’t been on a historic tour!

 

 

If anything, this says that you will at least want to go inside Mammoth Cave through the historic entrance, whether that’s through a tour or on your own!

 

 

There are Mammoth Cave historic tours:

• The Historic Tour is $20 per person. (2 hours, 2 miles, 540 steps, moderate)
• The Extended Historic Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 2.25 miles, 540 steps, moderate)

There are other cave tours that start from the historic entrance, but these are the basic historic tours of Mammoth Cave.

If your cave tour does not enter through the historic entrance, then you can go inside Mammoth Cave on your own through the historic cave entrance by doing the self-guided Discovery Tour.

 

 

 

2. Frozen Niagara of Mammoth Cave

Is a cave formations tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

 

 

One of the most popular underground sections of Mammoth Cave is an area called the Frozen Niagara.

While most of Mammoth Cave is wide open passageways (which is why you should experience the cave from the historic entrance!), the section of the cave called the Frozen Niagara is where you can go to see more classic cave formations that you learn about in school. (aka stalagmites and stalactites.)

 

 

When you get to the Frozen Niagara of Mammoth Cave, you can see it without taking any stairs.

But you do also have the option of taking the stairs down into the Drapery Room, which is very much worth it to see more cave formations!

 

 

There are several Mammoth Cave tours that pass through the Frozen Niagara area:

• Frozen Niagara Tour (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.25 miles, 12 steps, easy)
• Domes and Dripstones Tour (2 hours, 0.75 miles, 500 steps, moderate)
• Grand Avenue Tour (4 hours, 4 miles, 1313 steps, difficult)

 

The Frozen Niagara Tour is the shortest and easiest way to see the “Frozen Niagara” of the Mammoth Cave.

The Domes and Dripstones Tour starts off by going down down down the stairs!

There are a lot of stairs to go down as soon as you enter the cave.

This part is fun!

There are parts where you’ll be going down narrow stairs with the cave walls literally right next to you.

 

 

And then you continue walking along a cave trail, and towards the end is where you’ll see the Frozen Niagara.

 

 

 

3. Mammoth Cave geology tour

Is a geology tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

 

 

When my River Styx tour started gathering around, the park ranger leading my tour said that the River Styx tour was her favorite because of the geology aspect.

She is a geologist and likes talking about rocks and water, which is what the River Styx tour was about.

 

River Styx: Underground water in Mammoth Cave

This is described as a “geology” tour, with a focus on learning more about the geology of Mammoth Cave.

One of the highlights is also seeing an underground river in Mammoth Cave.

 

 

You also have a chance to see eyeless cave fish, although they didn’t show themselves during my tour.

 

 

Fat Man’s Misery of Mammoth Cave

 

The River Styx tour goes through a section of Mammoth Cave called Fat Man’s Misery.

And while it is called this, the park ranger did indicate that a “fat man” can get through just fine.

No matter what size you are, you might be side stepping at times as you walk through this section of Mammoth Cave.

It’s fun!

 

 

 

It was also noted that all the paths we went through were naturally made.

So even the Fat Man’s Misery section, while it may seem like it was carved out, it was all naturally formed.

 

 

4. Mammoth Cave lantern tour

Is a lantern tour the best Mammoth Cave tour?!

 

 

There was yet another park ranger who said the lantern tour is one of his favorite ways to explore Mammoth Cave!

This park ranger was hesitant to specify any individual cave tour as his favorite.

But he basically said that he likes any of the lantern tours because he likes the experience of walking through the cave by the light of a lantern only.

 

 

There are several Mammoth Cave lantern tours:

• The Violet City Lantern Tour is $25 per person. (3 hours, 3 miles, 160 steps, difficult)
• The Star Chamber Tour is $25 per person. (evening lantern tour, 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles 160 steps, moderate)
• The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 1 mile, 82 steps, moderate)

While the Great Onyx Lantern Tour is offered by Mammoth Cave National Park, the tour does not take place in Mammoth Cave itself. You will be exploring another Kentucky cave called the Great Onyx Cave.

And while you won’t be walking most of Mammoth Cave by lantern, the River Styx Tour has a small portion in which you will use only a lantern to light your way too.

 

👇 Most of the River Styx Tour is without a lantern. But nearing the actual River Styx area of Mammoth Cave, it’s a lantern tour to go the final portion to River Styx! 

 

I did a full “lantern tour” at Jewel Cave National Monument, and it was fun! See about my Jewel Cave lantern tour.

 

 

What is the most popular Mammoth Cave tour?

Among the most popular Mammoth Cave tours are the Historic Tour and the Extended Historic Tour.

A historic tour takes you through the wide open Mammoth Cave passages that Mammoth Cave is known for!

It is worth noting that the Frozen Niagara Tour is also very popular, but unfortunately this is also not offered until fall 2023. (The Domes and Dripstones Tour goes to the same exact spot as the Frozen Niagara Tour, and then some.)

If you are going to Mammoth Cave National Park in the fall 2023, then you can do a historic tour and Frozen Niagara Tour in one day.

And although not as popular, I would also recommend considering the Violet City Lantern Tour.

You get to walk through Mammoth Cave with the light of a lantern only! So fun!

At 3 hours long though, the Violet City Lantern Tour is on the longer side, so you will want to consider that.

Another less popular tour that you should consider is the Cleaveland Avenue Tour so that you can learn about the geology and history of the Mammoth Cave! This is another tour on the longer side at 2.5 hours.

 

Mammoth Cave tours not offered for some or all of this year.

According to the National Park Service as of spring 2023:

The River Styx Tour and Star Chamber Lantern tour are “not currently available.”

The Frozen Niagara Tour and the Domes and Dripstones Tour, which both go to the Frozen Niagara section of Mammoth Cave, will not be offered until fall 2023.

The Grand Avenue Tour will not be offered until fall 2023 or summer 2024.

See currently offered tours.

 

 

How much does it cost to go on a Mammoth Cave tour?

The cost of a Mammoth Cave tour will depend on which tour you decide on.

The cost of tickets for the regular Mammoth Cave tours is around $20 per person.

The adult prices are listed below, and there is a discounted rate for kids.

Number of reviews are at the time I updated this list, also indicating the most popular tours.

 

Here are the best Mammoth Cave tours based on popularity:

• The Historic Tour is $20 per person. (2 hours, 2 miles, 540 steps, moderate, 1,955 reviews)
• The Extended Historic Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 2.25 miles, 540 steps, moderate, 1,109 reviews)
• The Domes and Dripstones Tour is $21 per person. (2 hours, 0.75 miles, 500 steps, moderate, 774 reviews)*
• The Frozen Niagara Tour is $18 per person. (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.25 miles, 12 steps, easy, 330 reviews)*
• The Gothic Avenue Tour is $19 per person. (2 hours, 1 mile, 160 steps, moderate, 245 reviews)
• The River Styx Tour is $22 per person. (2.5 hours, 2.5 miles, 574 steps, moderate, 225 reviews)
• The Cleaveland Avenue Tour is $22 per person. (2.5 hours, 2 miles, 400 steps, moderate, 223 reviews)
• The Grand Avenue Tour is $35 per person. (4 hours, 4 miles, 1313 steps, difficult, 197 reviews)*
• The Mammoth Passage Tour is $11 per person. (1 hour 15 minutes, 0.75 miles, 125 steps, easy, 163 reviews)
• The Great Onyx Lantern Tour is $23 per person. (2 hours 15 minutes, 1 mile, 82 steps, moderate, 144 reviews)
• The Violet City Lantern Tour is $25 per person. (3 hours, 3 miles, 160 steps, difficult, 105 reviews)
• The Wondering Woods Tour is (1.5 hours, 1 mile, 194 steps, moderate, 46 reviews) 
• The Star Chamber Tour is $25 per person. (evening “experience” lantern tour, 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles 160 steps, moderate, 37 reviews)
• The Grand Historic Tour is $35 per person. (4 hours, 4 miles, 640 steps, difficult, 36 reviews)

 

*At the time of this update, these tours were unlisted so information is based on last year. Hopefully they will be added back!

 

See the current list of tours and fees.

 

 

How to buy tickets for a Mammoth Cave tour

The important thing to know is that Mammoth Cave tours do sell out.

So planning may be required!

The best way to book your ticket for Mammoth Cave tours is through the official National Park Service reservation website.

When you are on the national park reservations website for the individual tours, you can go to the calendar availability.

If you click on a certain date, it will tell you how many tickets are left for each tour time. So this can let you know how soon you should book.

If there is still availability of the cave tours, then you can also buy tickets to the Mammoth Cave tours when you show up at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

In 2022, the only way to buy Mammoth Cave tickets to walk inside Mammoth Cave on your own is to show up at the Mammoth Cave visitor center.

But this can always change, so it’s important to check for updated Mammoth Cave ticket info from the National Park Service website.

You may also try calling the Mammoth Cave visitor center to speak with a park ranger to ask about how the availability of any of the cave tours for the day is looking.

The listed phone number for the Mammoth Cave visitor center is 270-758-2180.

 

If you buy your Mammoth Cave tour ticket online, screenshot your ticket.

Once you buy your ticket for a Mammoth Cave tour, a ticket will be emailed to you.

You will want to screenshot this e-ticket, as this will be what you will show to go on the tour!

You likely won’t have service in most of Mammoth Cave National Park, but there is wifi at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center if you forget to screenshot the ticket.

 

How long does the Mammoth Cave tour take?

Most of the Mammoth Cave tours are 2 hours long.

 

Where do Mammoth Cave tours start?

All things to do with Mammoth Cave tours will begin at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

The starting point of the cave tours is at a shelter located right outside the visitor center.

There is Shelter A and Shelter B. There is a sign posted at the shelter with the cave tours that start at each location.

There is no separate “check-in” area. You can just show up here.

 

 

From the meeting area, there are some tours (like the Frozen Niagara Tour) that will shuttle you by bus to another area of the park to enter Mammoth Cave.

 

 

The National Park Service tells you not to rely on GPS or google maps to get to Mammoth Cave National Park.

I believe the problem may be if you just click on a random “Mammoth Cave National Park” on google maps, as it may not be a specific location within the park.

But if you navigate specifically to Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center then you should be fine. (map)

I navigated to Mammoth Cave Campground (which is near the visitor center), and it took me to the right place. (map)

Still, if you want the National Park Service directions for confirmation, these are the directions to get to Mammoth Cave National Park.

The directions to the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center will be emailed to you if you book a cave tour.

 

How to get to Mammoth Cave National Park from the north:

Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit).

Turn right onto KY-70.

Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park.

Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center.

 

How to get to Mammoth Cave National Park from the south:

Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit).

Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park.

Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway.

Turn left.

Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center.

 

Other than that, you may be driving through rural areas, so it’s best to download offline google maps for Kentucky before you go!

 

Mammoth Cave National Park is in central time zone!

Well, the good news is that if you are not already in the central time zone, then if you mess up the time, it just means you will be an hour early for your tour! Better than being an hour late!

Some of Kentucky is in central time zone, and some of Kentucky is in eastern time zone.

 

What to wear in Mammoth Cave

How should you dress for Mammoth Cave?

You will want to dress for cooler temperatures for Mammoth Cave.

It is said that inside Mammoth Cave is consistently in the mid-50s.

You will also want to wear shoes good for walking so your feet can be comfortable as you walk through the Mammoth Cave!

So, you will likely want to wear a sweatshirt or light jacket inside Mammoth Cave.

Also because you will be walking a lot, you will want to wear good walking shoes inside Mammoth Cave.

Also while we are talking about what to wear, we will also talk about what not to wear on your next cave trip after Mammoth Cave!

Take a full-body picture of yourself when you are inside Mammoth Cave!

This way, you will know what NOT to wear the next time you go inside a cave!

There’s a disease that’s deadly to bats that is known to exist in Mammoth Cave called white-nose syndrome. (This doesn’t affect humans at all.)

White-nose syndrome is thought to have been mostly spread from cave to cave by humans who have entered a cave with the fungus and then tracked it into another cave.

This is why it’s best not to wear the same shoes (or even clothes) that you wore into Mammoth Cave into any other cave in the world.

The most serious park I went to, Craters of the Moon National Monument, didn’t want you wearing ANYTHING into the Craters of the Moon caves that you wore into any cave in the last 15 years!

It was literally a question that was asked upon entry to the park!

So, by taking a picture of yourself, you’ll know what you wore into Mammoth Cave so you’ll know what not to wear to another cave!

Save the bats!

Why save the bats?!

 

And that’s a little bit about doing a Mammoth Cave tour!

I did Mammoth Cave tours in May 2022. Your experience may vary!

Above ground: Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park

 

HAPPY DOING A CAVE TOUR IN MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK!