News Release

Mammoth Cave National Park Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule for Bicycle and Horse Use

Date: February 9, 2026

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. — The National Park Service invites public comments on a proposed rule that would amend special regulations for riding bicycles and horses within Mammoth Cave National Park.

The proposed rule would allow the superintendent to authorize:

• Bicycle use on approximately 37 miles of multi-use trails, including existing trails and new trails that will be constructed.
• Horseback riding on the 5.4-mile Houchin Ferry North/Ollie Ridge Road.

The Land and Rivers Trails Management Plan identified these changes as the preferred alternative and an assessment found no significant impact to the changes.

In addition to the proposed rule, the park signed a written determination stating that bicycle use on trails identified in the rule and certain administrative roads that would open to bicycle use under the selected alternative is consistent with protecting the park’s natural, scenic and aesthetic values, safety considerations and management objectives. The determination also confirms that these uses would not noticeably disturb wildlife or park resources.

The comment period is open from Feb. 9 to April 10 through the Federal Register website.

www.nps.gov

Mammoth Cave National Park encompasses 52,830 acres in south central Kentucky, commemorating the diverse geological, biological and historical features associated with the longest cave in the world. Learn more about the park at www.nps.gov/maca, and on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, and X.