An NPS ranger stands near a square stone hut inside a large cave passageway.

Extended Historic Cave Tour

Mammoth Cave National Park

  • Every day at 8:45 AM from September 21, 2025 to November 01, 2025
  • Fees apply

Register

Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Discover the fascinating story of Mammoth Cave on this extended version of our classic Historic Tour. Explore the immense chambers that gave Mammoth Cave its name before descending into much tighter passageways deep inside the cave. Be prepared for a physically challenging experience, as this tour involves hundreds of stairs and steep inclines without alternative routes. This tour also includes a visit to the site of an 1840s-era underground tuberculosis hospital experiment. Ideal for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike, this tour is a great option for those wanting to delve deeper into the cave’s rich history!

Portions of this tour are also seen on the Violet City Lantern, Star Chamber and Gothic Avenue Tours.

Duration: 2.25 hours
Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)
Total Stairs: 540, including 155 at Mammoth Dome
Difficulty: Moderate
Ages: All ages. Individuals under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older.
Restrooms: Yes
Tickets available for each tour time: 60

More information

Fees

$27 Adult, $21 Youth, $6.75 Child

Location

This tour departs from the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center.

Latitude and Longitude 37.187022, -86.101071

Schedule

Days:

Every day

Dates:

September 21, 2025 to November 01, 2025

Time:

8:45 AM

Duration:

2 hours and 15 minutes

Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your tour time.

Event Type

  • Guided Tour
Tags: mammoth cave, cave tours, mammoth cave national park, ranger-guided tours, cave