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Caving in Mammoth Cave

Kentucky·United States

Caving in Mammoth Cave

Photo: James St. John · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Epic~3 daysGuide required

Why go

Mammoth Cave's limestone passages run for over 680 km, far longer than any other known cave, and new sections are still being mapped. The national park offers everything from the historic tour past 1800s saltpetre works to the Wild Cave Tour, six hours of crawling and squeezing off the tourist trails.

When

In season: Year-round · Peak: Year-round

Who it’s for

Skill
Beginner–Advanced
Effort
Moderate
Suitable from
6+ · Kid+
Crowds
Busy
Cost
$$

Caving specifics

UNESCO
Yes
Guided only
Yes
Cave length
680,000 m
Temperature
12 °C

What to expect

Ranger-led tours only, from easy walks through huge passages to tight belly crawls on the wild tours. The cave stays around 12 degrees all year.

Systems

What the difficulty bands mean
easy
Accessible with basic fitness; no technical skills or exposure.
moderate
Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.
hard
Long, technical or serious — experience and the right conditions required.
  1. Historic Tour

    easy

    The route walked since the 1800s, saltpetre works and all

  2. Grand Avenue

    moderate

    Four miles through the deep passages

  3. Wild Cave Tour

    hard

    Six hours crawling in the longest cave system on earth

How to start

Book tours on the park's reservation site, especially in summer. Take the Historic Tour first, then the Grand Avenue tour, and join the Wild Cave Tour if you are fit and happy in tight spaces.

What else is in Kentucky

Caving elsewhere

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