Cave Tours

 

Ready. Set. Tour!

Getting Started

A journey into Mammoth Cave on a guided cave tour is an essential part of a visit to the park. Whether it is your first time to the park or your tenth, there are several things to consider when planning your trip.

  • To go into the cave, you must purchase a tour ticket.
  • Reservations for cave tour tickets are strongly recommended as they can sell out weeks in advance.
  • Cave tour options range from a fully wheelchair accessible tour to off-trail crawling tours. Be sure to fully read the tour descriptions before purchasing your tour tickets.
  • We are in the Central Time Zone.
 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Welcome to Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest known cave system. Before you embark on your underground adventure, here are some helpful things to know before your cave tour. We highly recommend reserving your tour in advance @recreation.gov. There you can choose from a variety of tours based on distance, time, and difficulty. Be prepared for stairs. Many of our tours require climbing and descending several sets of stairs.

Make sure to know what to expect on your tour. Some cave trails can be uneven. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your step on the rugged pathways. Some areas of the cave are tight and have low ceiling. You may need to duck or walk single file on your tour. It's all part of the underground experience. Cave temperatures are cool, averaging around 54°F.

It's a good idea to bring a light jacket. Lighting in the cave is dim. Be aware if you have difficulty seeing in low light. Some tours require a short bus ride to different cave entrances. Make sure you're ready to board with your guide when your tour is ready to leave. All tours except the self-guided discovery Tour are led by a knowledgeable park ranger.

Make sure to follow your guide and stay with your group. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour to pick up your tickets and prepare for your tour at the visitor center. Only service animals are allowed on cave tours. You cannot bring weapons, flash photography back child carriers or large backpacks. We are excited to see you on your next mammoth cave adventure!

For tours, schedules, and descriptions, visit nps.gov Smack aka see you in the cave.

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Duration:
1 minute, 35 seconds

Ready to discover the hidden wonders beneath the surface at Mammoth Cave National Park? Check out these helpful planning hints to make the most of your visit to world's longest cave system!

Plan Your Underground Adventure

 

Tour Schedule

Tour route availability and times change depending on the season. Before arriving at the park or trying to reserve tickets for a tour, please review the tour schedule for the dates of your trip. The park may not publish the complete schedule or variety of tours until 1 to 3 months prior to tour date. Read more about tour descriptions at the bottom of this page.

 

 

Tour Reservations

Cave tours often sell out and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are the only way to ensure a spot on a tour is available for your party. Please plan accordingly by visiting Recreation.gov or calling 877-444-6777 to secure your tickets in advance. Availability of walk-up tickets for tours is not guaranteed.

 

 

 

Know Before You Go

 
 

Explore All Tours

Mammoth Cave offers numerous cave tours throughout the year. The selection of tours changes seasonally and with staffing availability. You can read descriptions and learn more about these other cave tours before planning your trip to the park. Check back with our cave tour schedule or park calendar to see future offerings of these other cave tours.

 
 

Tour Route Photo Galleries

Last updated: April 20, 2026

Beyond the Cave

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 7
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007

Phone:

270 758-2180

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