A Family-Friendly Weekend Adventure in Mammoth Cave National Park

Book a tour of Mammoth Cave

Most tours of Mammoth Cave itself are guided and should be booked ahead of time as they do sell out, especially in the summer. I highly recommend booking a tour because the National Park Service guides are very knowledgeable and you get to experience parts of the cave you are not allowed to access by yourself. Tours range in length from 30 minutes to many hours and have different points of interest such as history, geology and lantern guided tours. Be sure to pay attention to the stated difficulty of each tour and choose the right one for you as there are quite a lot of stairs. No matter which tour you choose, you will want to pack layers because it is a constant 55 degrees below ground, perfect for a break from the heat if you’re there in the summer. All tours depart from the visitor center at Mammoth Cave National Park, and they will leave without you, so don’t be late!

Go for a hike

While definitely known for its below-ground attractions, Mammoth Cave National Park also offers excellent hiking options for every type of hiker. There is a wheelchair-accessible loop trail that leaves from the visitor center. There are many easy-to-moderate 1–2-mile loop trails that can be done individually or strung together to make a longer hike. There are also many miles of backcountry trails further into the park that could easily satisfy the needs of the most intrepid adventurer. My favorite is the Green River Bluffs Trail over to the Overlook. This is a 1.3 mile trail that starts from the picnic area and offers a moderate hike with stunning views of the forest and the river below. There are lots of benches to pause and rest along the way, perfect for a hike with kids!

Visit other caves in the surrounding area - Onyx Cave and Rock Shop or Diamond Caverns

There are so many beautiful caves in the area surrounding the national park itself. They are typically privately owned, much smaller, but still very much worth visiting. These two are my favorites. They both offer 30–45-minute tours on a first-come, first-served basis for a reasonable fee. Each cave offers its own unique geology. In contrast to Mammoth Cave, which is cavernous and dry, these two are wet caves, meaning water is still shaping them to this day. This makes for unique rock formations and a totally different experience.

Rent a canoe or kayak from Adventures of Mammoth Cave

Explore the gorgeous Green River by canoe or kayak. The rental includes transportation for yourself and the boats to and from the river, leaving from just outside Mammoth Cave National Park. The staff there do a great job preparing you for your 3–4-hour trip down the river, even giving pointers for where to look to spot wildlife.

Go horseback-riding

The backcountry trails at Mammoth Cave National Park are open to horse riding. You can bring your own horse or go on a guided tour with Double J Stables, the only ranch with permission to use the national park trails. Kids over six years old, experienced riders and first-time riders alike will have a blast! Reservations are required and made only by phone, so give them a call.

Travel the Bourbon Trail

On the way to or from Mammoth Cave, be sure to stop at one of Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries. There are distilleries in all directions from Mammoth Cave, approximately 1-1.5 hours away. This makes for a great stop on the way in from the airport to kick off your vacation. Maker’s Mark is my favorite as their grounds are beautiful to walk around and the tour is a fascinating blend of historical facts and whiskey tasting. At the end, you get the chance to dip your own bottle in the iconic red wax to take home! Be sure to call ahead or check the distillery’s website for tour.

Green River Grill

This is the restaurant in the park, right at the lodge and just across a small pathway from the park’s visitor center. We only ate breakfast here, but it was delicious and we ended up eating here every morning before exploring the park. In addition to excellent food, the staff were so kind and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

Cave City Pizza - 210 Broadway Street, Cave City, KY 42127

A casual establishment that serves excellent pizza. They also have subs and pasta dishes. This is just outside the park and really hits the spot after a day of hiking!

Cave City Coffee & Creamery - 201 Hubbard Lane, Cave City, KY 42127

Delicious spot to grab coffee before a big day in the park, or ice cream after. They have so many flavors there is definitely something for everyone.