Ranger-led Programs

PLEASE NOTE

In response to COVID-19 and following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Mammoth Cave National Park is offering a reduced schedule of ranger-led programs.  

 

Learn More About Each Ranger-led Program Navigation

 

Attending a ranger-led program in the park is a great way to discover new things and learn more about the Mammoth Cave National Park. The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs such as cave tours and programs on the surface like talks, walks, and junior ranger activities. All surface programs are offered free of charge, however, there is a fee for cave tours. Be sure to check the current program and event schedule for the dates of your visit to the park to see what programs are available.

 

Current Ranger-led Program Schedule

 

   June 6, 2021 - August 14, 2021

Activity	Program Time
Ranger Talk	10:15 am, 2:30 pm, Daily
Evening Program	7:30 pm, Daily

   August 15, 2021 - August 28, 2021

Activity	Program Time
Ranger Talk	10:15 am, Daily
Ranger Talk	1:00 pm, Saturday
Echo River Springs Hike	4:00 pm, Daily
Heritage Walk	4:00 pm, Daily
Evening Program	7:30 pm, Saturday

   August 29, 2021 - September 19, 2021

Activity	Program Time
Ranger Talk	10:15 am, Daily
Ranger Talk	1:00 pm, Daily
Echo River Springs Hike	4:00 pm, Daily
Heritage Walk	4:00 pm, Daily
Evening Program	7:30 pm, Daily

   September 20, 2021 - October 23, 2021

Activity	Program Time
Ranger Talk	10:15 am, Daily
Ranger Talk	1:00 pm, Daily
Echo River Springs Hike	4:00 pm, Daily
Heritage Walk	4:00 pm, Daily
Evening Program	6:30 pm, Daily

 

Walks and Hikes

Echo River Spring Hike

Discover where two worlds collide. This walk takes you to Echo River Spring, where the underground Echo River emerges from Mammoth Cave to reach the surface. Rangers will present on the areas rich geologic and biological diversity. Meets at the Green River Ferry Parking Lot.

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 1 mile Duration: 45 minutes Accessible: Wheelchair accessible

Heritage Trail Walk

This easy walk uses the ½-mile Heritage Trail, adjacent to the Mammoth Cave Hotel. Hear the stories of the old Mammoth Cave Estate and the history of both enslavement and freedom. Includes the gravesite of enslaved guide Stephen Bishop. Meets on the back porch of the visitor center.

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Duration: 45 minutes Accessible: Wheelchair accessible

 

Sit beneath the stars while you learn about the park at an evening program.

Talks

Ranger Talk

Join a park ranger at the back porch of the visitor center for a 10-minute presentation on a variety of topics inspired by Mammoth Cave. Program topics may include plants, animals, history, scientific research and more. Meets at the back porch of the visitor center.

Difficulty: Easy Duration: 10 minutes Accessible: Wheelchair accessible

Evening Programs

Spend an evening beneath the stars and join a park ranger to learn about a variety of topics inspired by Mammoth Cave National Park. Program topics are ranger’s choice and could include local stories, history, plants, animals, geology and more! Meets at the amphitheater between the lodge and camp store.

Difficulty: Easy Duration: 30 minutes Accessible: Wheelchair accessible

 

Junior Ranger Activities

There are no ranger-led junior ranger activities scheduled at this time. A self-paced junior ranger activity book is avalible at the visitor center for those wishing to earn their Mammoth Cave junior ranger badge.

 

Cave Tours

Cave tours are offered thorough the year and follow a variety of tour routes inside Mammoth Cave and other caves in the park. For more information about cave tours, ticket reservations and tour schedules visit our cave tour page.