"Directions to Mammoth Cave National Park," Interstate Highway symbol

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How do I get there from here?
from the: northeast | south | east | west and north
maps: park (pdf 276k) | visitor center area (pdf 72k)
Green River Ferry Restrictions
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Please remember that Mammoth Cave National Park is in the Central Time Zone.

From the Northeast (Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, etc.):

  • Take Interstate 65 south to exit 53, Mammoth Cave.
  • Turn right at the stop sign.
  • Drive 3.5 miles to the Junction of highway 255.
  • Continue straight on highway 255. You will reach the park entrance in 1.2 miles.
  • Continue past the entrance sign for 3 miles until you reach a stop sign.
  • Turn right and proceed 1.5 miles to the visitor center parking area.
  • About 10 miles, 15 minutes from Interstate to parking area.
  • TOTAL: From Louisville, allow at least 2 hours.

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From the South: (Bowling Green, Nashville, etc.)

  • Take Interstate 65 north to exit 48, Park City.
  • Turn left at the stop sign onto highway 255 north.
  • You will pass the park entrance sign after .5 miles.
  • Proceed straight on the Mammoth Cave Parkway/ highway 70 for about 4.9 miles.
  • Turn right at the sign for the visitor center and proceed 3 miles to the visitor center parking area.
  • TOTAL: About 9 miles, 15 minutes from Interstate 65. From Bowling Green allow at least 45 minutes.

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From the East: (Somerset, Lexington, Knoxville, TN, etc.)

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From the West or North: (Owensboro, Paducah, Illinois, etc.)
NOTE: Buses, RV's and trailers are not permitted on the Green River Ferry! See the restrictions below.
There are a few options, depending on where in northern/western Kentucky you are coming from, what the weather is, and how curvy your drivers like their roads.

All Interstate Route: (minimum curves)

  • From Owensboro or from the Blue Grass Parkway (exit 77), take the William C. Natcher Parkway south to Bowling Green.
  • Then go north on Interstate 65, following the directions for south above.

Scenic Option #1: (moderately curvy)

  • From the Blue Grass Parkway, exit at Leitchfield, exit 107.
  • If coming from the East (Elizabethtown), turn right/south.
  • If coming from the West (Paducah), turn left/south.
  • Take highway 259 south toward Brownsville for about 23.6 miles (bearing right at junction with 226 at about 5 miles).
  • Just before Brownsville, Highway 70 will join Highway 259.
  • Turn left when highway 70 does.
  • The entrance to Mammoth Cave will be 4.7 miles from the left turn.
  • Continue on Highway 70 into the park for about 3.8 miles.
  • Turn left at the sign for the visitor center.
  • Continue about 3 miles to the visitor center parking lot.
  • TOTAL: About 38 miles, one hour from Leitchfield to park visitor center.

Scenic Option #2: (more curvy than option #1)

  • From the William C. Natcher Parkway take exit 34: Morgantown/Cromwell/highway 231; there will be a toll at this exit (passenger cars $.40).
  • Turn right to go south on Highway 231 for about 2.3 miles.
  • Turn left on Highway 70, going east.
  • Continue about 25.3 miles toward Brownsville.
  • In Brownsville, Highway 70 will join Highway 259.
  • Turn left when highway 70 does.
  • The entrance to Mammoth Cave will be 4.7 miles from the left turn.
  • Continue on Highway 70 into the park for about 3.8 miles.
  • Turn left at the sign for the visitor center.
  • Continue about 3 miles to the visitor center parking lot.
  • TOTAL: About 42 miles, one hour from Natcher Parkway Exit 34 to park visitor center.

Car-only Scenic Option: (most curvy; see Green River Ferry Restrictions, below)

  • From the Blue Grass Parkway, exit at Leitchfield, exit 107.
  • If coming from the East (Elizabeth Town), turn right/south.
  • If coming from the West (Paducah), turn left/south.
  • Take highway 259 south toward Brownsville for about 17.2 miles, bearing right at junction with highway 226 at about 5 miles.
  • Turn left onto highway 728 towards Nolin River Dam.
  • Drive for about 8.9 miles.
  • Highway 1827 will join highway 728 from the left.
  • Bear right onto highway 1827 when highways 728 and 1827 split.
  • Continue for about .9 miles.
  • Turn right onto highway 1352 toward Mammoth Cave National Park.
  • Continue for 5.7 miles to the Green River Ferry.
  • Follow the directions for riding the ferry (no toll).
  • Proceed up the hill on the other side of the river to the stop sign, 1.2 miles.
  • Turn left onto the main park road and continue .7 miles to the visitor center parking lot.
  • About 35 miles, at least one hour from Leitchfield.

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Green River Ferry Restrictions: Usage of the Green River Ferry is at the discretion of the Ferry Operator; safety is his or her number one concern. The capability of the ferry to carry certain loads depends on the speed and height of the river. At certain times of the year (usually at high water), the ferry may be closed for several hours or even days. At no time are buses, RVs, or tractor trailers permitted on the ferry.

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www.nps.gov/maca/learnhome/directions.htm
Last updated 4/27/01 maca_park_information@nps.gov

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