RV Camping in Mammoth Cave National Park

For a vacation camping trip that includes a variety of outdoor activities and natural beauty and is also a unique experience, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is an excellent choice. The fantastic limestone cave system is over 300 miles in length and is the longest cave in the world – with more discovered each year! The 52,830 acres of forested park provides a haven for wildlife and has some 70 miles of scenic trails.

If you enjoy fishing, the Green River, which flows east to west for 25 miles through the park, contains nearly 100 species of fish. Camping here is great stuff, and the area has many worthwhile attractions.

The Underground Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is located about 10 miles west of I-65, via Ky. Route 70 (exit 53) or Ky. Route 255 (exit 48), and approximately 35 miles north of the city of Bowling Green. The park and cave is open year round; however, some campgrounds are closed during the winter season. The Park Service recommends that visitors make cave tour reservations prior to arrival.

These amazing underground tours range from easy to strenuous and are well worth the time and effort. Stalactites, stalagmites and fascinating formations punctuate these exciting excursions. You can even take a boat ride on Echo River, which flows through the cave – 300 feet below ground! (This was, for sure, the highlight of our cave exploring!)

Energetic tourists (in good physical shape) can arrange tours through newly discovered and off-the-beaten-track passages. There are tours available to suit everyone’s fancy – including the disabled. A kennel is provided for pets while you tour the cave.

Camping Above the Cave

There are four campgrounds within the park. Headquarters Campground, located a couple of miles from the cave’s main entrance, is the largest campground. It has 111 nice, large sites, showers, laundry, camp store, and dump station. White and pink blossoms on the many dogwood trees combined with the greenery to paint a lovely picture. Water is available on each loop, but outlets are few and far between. Houchins Ferry Campground has only twelve sites, no showers and is for tents only.

Mammoth Area Private RV Parks

Campers who prefer full hookups have a number of private parks available that are close to the park. There is the Horse, Cave KOA with 75 sites, and the Mammoth Cave Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, with 150 sites, in nearby Cave City. The city of Horse Cave has its own lovely cave, which offers tours, and a 26-store factory outlet mall.

At Cave City, there is Crystal Onyx Cave and campground, and Diamond Caverns can be toured in Park City. If you have seen one cave, you have not seen them all! Any wonder why they call this area “Cave Country?”

Mammoth Cave Region Attractions

There are so many diverse and interesting attractions in this beautiful region of Kentucky, it is impossible to cover them all. Along with the camping, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, caving, boating and canoeing in and around the park, there is a fascinating museum (Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum) located one mile east of I-65 (exit 53) on Ky. Rt. 90.

Also, Barren River Lake State Resort is located just 25 miles southeast of the National Park, while Green River Lake State Park is south of Campbellville, Kentucky, on Ky. Rt. 55. Ah, yes, so very much to do and see, and so little time to do it! That’s the story of my life.

Mammoth Cave National Park and the surrounding area are a great summer vacation/camping destination. The cave tours are just out of this world and the park is beautiful. The facilities are well maintained and the region’s hospitality is refreshing. If you are in the hunt for a place to camp and vacation this year, Kentucky’s Cave Country will more than please!