Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Mammoth Cave National Park
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Mammoth Cave Campground ↗
The Mammoth Cave Campground is ideal for visitors seeking an authentic national park experience while still having easy access to amenities, cave tours, and other park activities. This developed campground is located within ¼ mile from the visitor center and contains 111 primitive campsites with a mixture of tent only sites, group sites, tent or RV sites, and accessible sites. Rangers on duty in the campground kiosk are happy to provide information to make your stay a special adventure.
Reservations: Reservations are available from March 1 - November 30.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs can be accommodated at selected sites, although there are no electric or water hookups except at the two VIP sites. A dump station is available at the adjacent service center. Check on recreation.gov or call the park to inquire before reserving a site for your RV. NPS lists an RV maximum of 38 feet. Trailer maximum: 26 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Keep fires within provided fire rings. Fires must be extinguished when campers leave the campsite. Only dead and down wood may be used. Observe posted fire condition warnings and regulations. Ensure that fires are extinguished fully at checkout.
Site rules: • Camp only in designated sites. • Pay the camping fee at the entrance kiosk. • Or reserve a site on Recreation.gov. No refunds. • Check-out time is 11 am. Check-in time is after 1 pm. • Maximum of 8 persons per site. Maximum 14 day stay in calendar year. • Only one RV per site. Two tents per site. • Quiet hours: 10 pm - 6 am. • Generators are permitted from 8 am to 8 pm as long as they are properly muffled and do not create unreasonable noise. • Articles left unattended on an unpaid campsite for 24 hours may be impounded. • Do not dig, trench, or level ground at your campsite. • Please…
Maple Springs Group Campground ↗
Maple Springs Group Campground lies on the park's north side, six miles from the visitor center and three miles north of Green River Ferry. This campground offers more secluded sites ideal for larger groups of campers and their horse companions. All sites have electric and water hookups for RVs. This campground is a natural launching-point for forays along the more than 70 miles of backcountry trails in Mammoth Cave National Park.
Reservations: All sites in this campground may be reserved from March 1 - November 30.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and/or trailers up to 40' are accommodated. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 26 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Keep fires within provided fire rings. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Observe all posted fire condition warnings and regulations.
Site rules: • Camp only in designated sites. • Reserve a site on Recreation.gov, or call 1-877-444-6777. No refunds. • Check-out time is 11 am. Check-in time is 1 pm. • Maximum of 24 persons per site, 8 horses per equine site. Maximum 14 day stay in calendar year. • Quiet hours: 10 pm - 6 am. • Mark your occupied campsite when you leave. • Articles left unattended on an unpaid campsite for 24 hours may be impounded. • Do not dig, trench, or level ground at your campsite. • Do not hitch horses to trees. Use a picket line or provided tie-offs. • Deposit refuse in dumpsters or carry it out with you when you…
Houchin Ferry Campground ↗
The Houchin Ferry Campground lies next to the Green River at the former location of the Houchin Ferry. This campground is operated year-round and is located 15 miles from the Visitor Center and two miles east of Brownsville, KY. For campers who like it simple, these 12 tent-only campsites afford a quiet visit with drive-up access.
Reservations: Campsites are through reservations only.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs are not permitted at this campground. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Keep fires within provided fire rings. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Observe posted fire condition warnings and regulations.
Site rules: • Camp only in designated sites. • Reserve sites through Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. No refunds. • Check-out time is 11 am. Check-in time is 1 pm. • Maximum of 8 persons per site. Maximum 14 day stay in calendar year. • Quiet hours: 10 pm - 6 am. Generators are permitted from 8 am to 8 pm as long as they are properly muffled and do not create unreasonable noise. • Mark your occupied campsite when you leave. • Articles left unattended on an unpaid campsite for 24 hours may be impounded. • Do not dig, trench, or level ground at your campsite. • Deposit refuse in dumpsters or carry it out…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Mammoth Cave Campground. RVs can be accommodated at selected sites, although there are no electric or water hookups except at the two VIP sites. A dump station is available at the adjacent service center. Check on recreation.gov or call the park to inquire before reserving a site for your RV.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Boating, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Group Camping, RV Camping, Caving, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Food, Dining, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hands-On, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horse Camping (see also camping), Horseback Riding, Paddling, Canoeing, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Kayaking, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Park Film, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS! 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. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Kentucky has a moderate climate with warm, yet moist conditions. Summers average in the high 80s; winters average in the low 40s. Southern Kentucky, where Mammoth Cave is located, receives the highest average precipitation for the state, about 50 inches per year, mostly in spring. Winter can bring mild to moderate snow and ice. Storms happen year-round, and can include tornadoes and flooding in low-lying areas, but severe weather is infrequent. The temperature deep in the cave is a constant 54°F (12°C).
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave
Two worlds, one aboveground and the other below, collide at the largest natural entrance to Mammoth Cave.
Credit: NPS Photo / J. Cooper. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Autumn at Sloans Pond
Autumn arrives at Sloans Crossing Pond Trail, an accessible boardwalk path.
Credit: NPS Photo / J. Wheet. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.