Best Short Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park
Best hikes in Mammoth Cave NP
Did you know that in addition to being the home to the world’s longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park also offers visitors more than 52,000 acres of natural wilderness above the cave? Keep reading for our recommended best hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park!
With over 60 miles of trails, including backcountry trails and horseback riding, Mammoth Cave allows explorers to see the natural wonder of south-central Kentucky.
Our home base is about 90 minutes north of MCNP, so we enjoy this National Park frequently.
Even though Mammoth Cave NP offers so many amazing exploring opportunities, many are short distances with amazing natural features. This guide will help you have a fabulous visit to Kentucky’s National Park!
TL;DR – The Quick Run Down on Easy Hikes in MCNP
- Mammoth Cave National Park: Home to the world’s longest known cave system and over 52,000 acres of natural wilderness.
- Trail Highlights:
- Cedar Sink Trail: 1.5-mile easy trail with natural sinkholes and picnic spots.
- Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk: Family-friendly boardwalk around a picturesque pond, great for wildlife spotting.
- Echo River Spring Trail: A short, paved trail perfect for connecting to other trails and learning about local ecology.
- Sink Hole Trail: 2.4-mile loop offering forest walks and a chance to see wildlife.
- Kid-Friendly Cave Tours: Includes the Historical Tour, Self-Guided Discovery Tour, and Domes & Dripstones Tour. Tickets required!
- Backcountry Trails Caution: Advises against short day hikes in backcountry due to rough conditions.
- Park Ranger Programs: Seasonal, ranger-led programs are available; check with the visitor center for details.
- Practical Tips: Bring plenty of snacks and water, check for picnic areas, and ensure you have appropriate gear for cave tours.
- Getting There: Mammoth Cave is accessible from nearby cities like Louisville and Cave City, which offer additional accommodations and attractions.
- Stay Informed and Prepared: Subscribe to Our Campfire Unplugged for exclusive content, detailed guides, and the latest updates on family-friendly hikes and activities in national parks.
Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park: Short & Easy Hikes That Are Perfect for the Family
The hiking trails near the MCNP visitor’s center offer the best hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park!
Click HERE for the Trailhead locations of the Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park!
Cedar Sink Trail
We hiked the 1.5-mile Cedar Sink Trail in the evening after setting up camp at Diamond RV Resort. The trail is well-traveled and easy to follow. Cedar Sink is an out and back trail, with a short loop at the end near the giant sinkhole and large rock overhang.
The trail offers several places to stop and take a quick rest, eat a small snack, or enjoy a picnic lunch!
Except for the metal stairs, our dog, Finn, enjoyed the trail!
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk is a simple walk around a lovely bond on an elevated wood boardwalk. A great place to spot turtles or birds from the observation deck is along the boardwalk.
Along the backside of Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk, the boardwalk weaves among the forest trees, making for a lovely walk.
We recommend hikers arrive early for a beautiful sunrise over the pond and enjoy the early morning’s solitude.
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk trail is a popular place for a picnic lunch with several picnic tables near the trail head!
Pro Tip: The Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike Trail passes Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk. The Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail allows visitors to hike or bike nearly 16 miles from Diamond Cavern to the Mammoth Cave Visitors Center. We recommend exploring short sections unless you want a long hike or bike ride!
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Echo River Spring Trail
We joined the Echo River Spring Trail at the parking lot near the Green River Ferry. Echo River Spring Trail starts along a paved path through the forest. Several interpretive signs are located along the path to share details about the trees, animals, and natural habitats around this beautiful trail.
Our total distance hiked on the trail was about a quarter mile out and back along the paved trail.
We used this as a connector trail to the Sink Hole Trail.
Mammoth Dome Sink Trail
This 2.4-mile loop trail travels past a rock shelter and Mammoth Cave’s Sunset Point. Our hike was in the morning, so we missed out on the beauty of Sunset Point!
The Mammoth Dome Sink Trail has a trailhead near the visitors center, but we joined it from the Echo River Spring Trail. This trail has less than 400 feet of elevation gain and is an easy-to-moderate walk in the forest.
Pro Tip: Bring plenty of snacks and water!
We saw a few deer and some birds on this trail. The Sink Hole Trail can be busy depending on the time of year. Arrive early to enjoy a quiet day hike before the crowds arrive!
Backcountry Trails Warning!
We hiked part of the First Creek Trail for nearly 4 LONG miles. This is a shared-use trail, meaning horseback riding is permitted on the Frist Creek Trail. We found the trail to be very “rutted” and lots of piles of horse poo to avoid stepping in.
Along the 2 miles we hiked out, we really didn’t see any cool overlooks, sinks, caves, waterfalls, arches, or anything worth seeing.
Another downside to the backcountry trail area is its location. The ferry across the Green River was not operating during our visit, and we drove nearly 45 minutes each way for this hike.
Mammoth Cave’s backcountry trails may be nice if you want to make a long overnight hike, but for an easy hike or day hike, we don’t recommend this section.
Kid-Friendly Cave Tours Inside Mammoth Cave
Plan ahead! If you want to go into the cave, you must have a ticket!
And tickets sell out, so plan in advance!
As “regular” visitors, we have taken several kid-friendly cave tours at Mammoth Cave. Here are some of our favorite easy cave tours:
Historic Tour
This 2-hour tour takes visitors throughout the cave. From huge cavernous rooms to tight passages like “fat man’s misery,” the Historic Tour highlights the features of the world’s longest-known cave system!
On a summer staycation, we took this tour when both kids were young. The tour was informative, but with really young kids (both were under 10) we found 2-hours in the cave was a very long time.
The Historic Tour covers about 2 miles.
Self-Guided Discovery Tour
Sara and I visited Mammoth Cave one summer day. We did not expect large crowds and failed to plan ahead. We arrived without tickets. At this time, we could take the Self-Guided Discovery Tour for Free and without a ticket.
Now, ALL visitors must have a ticket for every tour that enters the cave!
This tour enters the Historic entrance of Mammoth Cave, covers about three-quarters of a mile, and takes about thirty minutes. This may be perfect if you are passing through Kentucky and want to stop quickly at the National Park to stretch your legs!
Domes & Dripstones Tour
The Domes and Dripstones Tour was our latest exploration in Mammoth Cave. The tour passes the area known as Frozen Niagra.
Sara and the kids really enjoyed this tour. They learned about the formation of stalactites and stalagmites and thought the Frozen Niagra was beautiful. When the ranger shut off the lights inside the cave, total darkness made a huge impression on the kids!
This tour covers about 0.75 miles and last nearly 2 hours. Visitors will climb several hundred stairs on this cave tour!
What NOT to Bring on Mammoth Cave Tours
The following is a list of prohibited items to ensure safety and cave preservation.
- No flash photography
- No child carrying backpacks. Front-facing baby carriers are permitted
- Strollers are not permitted. Would you really want to carry a stroller on hundreds of stairs? Didn’t think so!
- Metal framed backpacks
- Weapons (knives, guns, nun-chucks, Chinese stars, you get the picture)
- Pets. Dogs are allowed on most trails above ground, but not on cave tours!
Be sure to confirm the latest list of prohibited items on the NPS website.
All cave tours include some walking up and down stairs. Sometimes hundreds of stairs, so be prepared! If your knees are bad, it might be best to stay above ground!
Pro Tip: The air temperature inside the cave is about 52 degrees Fahrenheit. A sweatshirt is a good idea!
Getting to Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave NP is located HERE.
The Mammoth Cave Visitors Center is located about 20 minutes from Cave City, KY. Cave City offers several hotels and dining options.
Visitors can also choose to stay in nearby Bowling Green, KY, about 45 minutes south of the visitor’s center.
If you’re planning a trip to Louisville, KY, our home base!, plan on a quick day trip down to Mammoth Cave. From Louisville, the visitors center is about 90 minutes south.
Park Ranger Led Programs
The National Park Service provides ranger-led programs throughout the year. Programming varies by season, so check the official NPS website for all the current details.
Here are examples of Park Ranger led programs:
- Ranger Talk – Short 10-minute program to share information about the plants, animals, and history of this amazing National Park
- Coffee with a Park Ranger – Grab a cup of coffee and start your day off with a ranger. These sessions last up to 30 minutes and offer visitors a chance to ask all their questions to an expert on Mammoth Cave National Park!
- Sand Cave Almanac – This 2-hour driving tour (in your own car) takes visitors to different sections of the park where Park Rangers share details about the park and its history.
Whether you join an official ranger-led program or not, check in at the NPS desk in the visitors center to get the latest updates about the park. The rangers will share information about trail closures or the status of the Green River Ferry, which is important if you plan to visit the backcountry and back trail sections of MCNP!
Mammoth Cave Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the best family-friendly hikes? Cedar Sink Trail and Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk are two of the best family-friendly hikes!
- What gear should I bring on day hikes? We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and carrying hiking boots. Water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, etc., are also suggested. Most of the hikes we recommend are short, but these items may make your hike a little more enjoyable.
- Are there picnic areas near trails? Most trailheads in Mammoth Cave National Park have picnic areas. Picnic areas fill up fast, so arrive early to snag the best spot.
- Are there camping areas nearby? Campers have many options for camping near Mammoth Cave, from the National Park Campgrounds, which offer electric-only sites. Full-service RV resorts like Cave Country RV Campground and Jellystone are a few miles from the park entrance.
- How close is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace? Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace is located less than an hour from Mammoth Cave. This makes for a perfect day trip from Louisville!
- Must-see non-cave attractions – In nearby Park City, KY, visitors can enjoy a round of golf at Diamond Caverns Golf Course. Or take a private cave tour at Diamond Caverns. Onyx Cave is another option in nearby Cave City. Kayakers take to the Green River to float through the heart of Mammoth Cave National Park! Or travel 45 minutes to Bowling Green, KY, to check out the National Corvette Museum. Maybe visit nearby Nolin River Lake for a fun day at the lake. Nolin River Lake State Park offers a wonderful sandy beach for swimming from the shore.
- Our family enjoys hiking. What other resources do you recommend? We’re glad you enjoy hiking! Hiking provides so many benefits beyond physical exercise. Hiking allows our family to spend time together and create lasting memories. Check out our 52 Hike Resource guide!
Wrapping Up: Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park isn’t just a marvel for its extensive cave system, which holds the title of the world’s longest; it’s also a sanctuary for surface explorers with its lush 52,000 acres waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re pulling on hiking boots for a trek on the Cedar Sink Trail or gearing up for a journey through the historic passageways underground, this park offers an array of adventures suitable for all ages and interests.
From the serene mornings at Sloan’s Crossing Pond to the educational trails that unpack this National Park’s history, each path offers more than just a walk—they provide the best hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park and a doorway to south-central Kentucky’s natural and historical treasures. For those looking for more structured exploration, the ranger-led programs offer an insider’s look into the park’s diverse ecosystems and history, enhancing your visit with expert insights.
Remember, planning is key, especially when exploring the caves, so book your tours in advance to secure your spot. With so many trails to choose from and countless stories to hear, Mammoth Cave National Park is truly a gem that promises enriching experiences each time you visit. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Kentucky’s natural wonder never fails to inspire.
Join us at Our Campfire Unplugged as we continue to explore and share the best of what this magnificent park has to offer!
