Directions & Transportation

 

Directions

How do I get to Mammoth Cave?

PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Google Maps™, or similar automated navigation system to get you to the park Visitor Center in time for your cave tour. Numerous visitors trusting in navigation devices have reported that the device or service has taken them the long way around by way of the park's north side and required a river crossing by ferry, or backtracking over many miles, to reach the Visitor Center. In some instances, travelers have arrived too late to participate in their scheduled cave tour. In other cases drivers of large commercial vehicles have followed automatic navigation onto park roads that are prohibited and/or too narrow for them to traverse safely. When planning your trip to or through the park, take a few moments to review your route before you travel so that you will be able to confirm your navigator's instructions on the road, and arrive on time for the adventure you intended to have.

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.

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.

Physical Address
Mammoth Cave National Park
1 Mammoth Cave Parkway
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

GPS Coordinates
Lat/Long: N 37° 11' 13.115'' ¦ W 86° 06' 05.197''
Decimal Degrees: +37.186976 ¦ -86.101444
UTM (Zone 16N, NAD83): 579779.491 ¦ 4115977.605 m

 

Green River Ferry

Transportation

Mammoth Cave National Park's diverse landscape is accessed by a network of parkways, roads, and river crossings.

Green River Ferry operates year-round with the exception of Christmas Day (December 25), 6:00am-9:55pm central time.

Houchin Ferry is currently out of service. Houchin Ferry Road in the park, along with First Creek and Temple Hill Trailheads, can be accessed via highway 259 to 728 and Ollie Road north of the park.

Ferry operations are subject to water levels on the Green River, and operations may be affected by high or low water. You may call the Ferry Hotline at [phone] for current information. In the event of ferry closure, the nearest crossing is in Brownsville.

Vehicles boarding the ferries must not exceed 8 tons, and have a length no more than 16 feet. Low water conditions often restrict trailer traffic on the ferries; you may wish to call the Ferry Hotline prior to departing with your trailer-length vehicle to ensure that the ferries can accommodate your vehicle.

NOTE: Commercial vehicles are prohibited on the park's roads.