Pack some hiking gear because we’re going spelunking in Mammoth Cave National Park! 

Travel back in time on your Mammoth Cave National Park RV camping adventure. Explore the winding passages of the park’s vast cave system and learn about the land’s unique history. 

Ready to soak up nature’s beauty in the heart of Kentucky? Check out this guide to RV camping in Mammoth Cave National Park before hitting the road!

Mammoth Cave National Park Facts 

Mammoth Cave National Park is more than a cave. The park has welcomed visitors for over 200 years, making it rich with culture and history. Check out some of these interesting Mammoth Cave National Park facts to learn more about the park before your visit! 

• The park gets its name from Mammoth Cave, which is located within the park grounds.

• Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world! Currently, more than 412 miles of the cave have been surveyed. There are also 200 additional caves in the park, which have become disconnected from the main cave over time. 

• Mammoth Cave National Park was founded in 1941 to preserve its cave system, the surrounding landscape and the Green River Valley. 

• Scientific discoveries are still being made at the park! In October 2020, scientists found fossils of six previously unknown ancient shark species within Mammoth Cave. 

• Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the endangered Kentucky cave shrimp, a sightless albino shrimp. 

• One of the greatest explorers of Mammoth Cave was Stephen Bishop. He explored parts of the cave no one had ever seen before. His discoveries beyond the cave’s Bottomless Pit opened the gateway for modern exploration of Mammoth Cave!

Photo Credit: Instagram User @ninajoyyy

Best Mammoth Cave National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds 

If you’re itching for a truly immersive experience in the great outdoors, nothing beats RV camping! Check out these awesome Mammoth Cave National Park RV parks and campgrounds to start planning your trip. 

Mammoth Cave Campground

Amenities: Mammoth Cave Campground is one of the best RV campgrounds in Mammoth Cave National Park. This campground is just ¼ of a mile from the park’s visitor center! So, Mammoth Cave Campground is ideal for campers looking for an authentic camping experience near the park’s amenities. Mammoth Cave Campground features include laundry services, a dump station, and a nearby camp store. 

Campground Kiosk Hours:

MARCH 1–NOVEMBER 30

Sunday 7:00 AM–6:00 PM

Monday 7:00 AM–4:30 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Thursday 7:00 AM–6:00 PM

Friday 7:00 AM–6:00 PM

Saturday 7:00 AM–6:00 PM

Holiday Closures:

New Year’s Day - January 1, 2024

Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. - January 15, 2024

Washington’s Birthday - February 19, 2024

Christmas Day - December 25, 2023

Firewood Quarantine: Firewood originating from multiple states has been placed under quarantine due to the presence of harmful insect pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, which pose a significant threat to certain tree species. In order to safeguard the park's trees from infestation, the transportation of firewood into the park is strictly prohibited. Instead, you are encouraged to gather fallen or dead wood within the park or purchase firewood from the Caver's Campstore situated at the Service Center.

Capacity: There are 111 campsites available. These sites are a mixture of tent or RV sites, group sites and tent-only sites. 

More information: Mammoth Cave Campground

Diamond Caverns RV Resort

Amenities: One of the RV parks near Mammoth Cave National Park to consider is Diamond Caverns RV Resort. This resort’s unique charm is the southern hospitality that visitors experience when RV camping near Mammoth Cave National Park. Visitors can explore the campground’s amenities by participating in various activities like golfing, swimming or biking on the campground’s trails. Other amenities at Diamond Caverns include full hookup sites, shower facilities, and laundry facilities. 

Capacity: There are 68 campsites available. There are full hookup sites with 30 or 50 AMP hookups as well as water and electricity only sites. 

More information: Diamond Caverns RV Resort

Singing Hills RV Park & Campground 

Amenities: Located in Kentucky’s cave country is Singing Hills RV Park. This campsite offers campers with some much-needed relaxation after a busy day exploring nearby attractions. Surrounded by the best of Kentucky’s natural landscape, Singing Hills offers plenty to its visitors. The campground’s amenities include a volleyball course, on-site fire pits, and even a free catch and release fishing pond! 

Capacity: There are over 40 campsites available at Singing Hills, with 37 sites being RV accessible. 

More information: Singing Hills RV Park

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Amenities: Among the Mammoth Cave National Park RV sites that promise tons of fun is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park! Located close to Mammoth Cave National Park, this is Kentucky’s only Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. While staying at the campground, families can enjoy its newest addition: Karst Beach. Other amenities to take advantage of include two on-site pools, enjoying a delicious Pic-A-Nic Basket at the park’s ranger station, and more. 

Capacity: The campground offers 300 campsites for visitors to choose from. 

More information: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Cave Country RV Campground

Amenities: Cave Country RV Campground is another one of the nearby Mammoth Cave National Park Campgrounds to consider. This campground is five miles away from Mammoth Cave National Park and other local attractions in Cave City. The spacious RV sites at Cave Country make the park big-rig friendly. Some amenities at the park include full hookups, a game and fitness center, a full bathhouse and more. 

Capacity: The park offers 51 campsites for visitors to choose from. 

More information: Cave Country RV Campground

Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park for RV Camping 

Once you’ve found the campsite of your dreams, it’s time to plan when to take your trip! Thankfully, Mammoth Cave National Park is open all year-round. Let’s dive into what each season offers in the park to discover the best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. 

Winter

From November to early February, Mammoth National Park is mostly uncrowded and quiet. Visitors who stop by during the winter months can enjoy a less crowded tour of the caves. Plus, the temperatures within Mammoth Cave itself tend to stay in the mid-50s. The park’s temperatures in the winter are slightly cooler than the caves, ranging from the high 40s to the mid-30s. Winter-time also brings different types of tours to the park. One tour you should try out is the Mammoth Passage tour, which gives a bit of historical and geographical information about the caves. 

Additionally, you should know that the park is open 24 hours. However, most of the park services will be limited after official staff hours. In the winter and spring, this tends to be around 4:30 pm. If you’re unsure what the park hours will be on the day you visit, feel free to check out the park’s operating hours online! 

Spring

As temperatures begin to rise, so do the number of tourists who visit Mammoth Cave National Park. Starting in mid-March, the cave tours become more crowded. This is especially true on the weekends and any major spring holidays like Memorial Day. One fun activity you can try in the soothing spring weather is fishing! Luckily, you don’t need a license to go fishing when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. Just make sure you follow the park’s fishing regulations while you’re there! 

Summer

Summer is one of the most popular times to go RV camping in Mammoth Cave National Park. Most visitors to the park tend to plan their trips for July. Summer is popular in Mammoth Cave for many reasons, one of which being the cooler summer weather! In the summer, Mammoth Cave National Park sees average temperatures of 76 degrees. This means your family can enjoy the splendor of the park without worrying about the heat. 

One of the great activities you’ll want to try in the summer is stargazing. Visitors are welcome to stay until nighttime to gaze at the night sky without any light pollution. Plus, there are ranger-led stargazing programs offered throughout the year, so keep a lookout for those opportunities! 

Fall

Crowds begin to decrease in Mammoth Cave National Park once the fall season begins. While fall isn’t as quiet as winter, this is still a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. 

Thanks to the smaller crowds, tours of the park cave are less likely to be full. So, if touring the Mammoth Cave National Park’s namesake cave is a can’t-miss activity, plan a fall visit! It’s also recommended you book your tour ahead of time even if you’re visiting in the less popular seasons. 
 

Things to Do in Mammoth Cave National Park

A Mammoth Cave National Park visit isn’t complete without an itinerary packed full of amazing things to do! Fill your trip with fun by checking out these things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park. 

• Try your hand at horseback riding! You can even bring your horse to the park. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring a horse along for the ride. Mammoth Cave National Park offers guided horseback riding through authorized park operators. 

• There are tons of educational ranger-led talks, walks, and hikes scheduled throughout the year. Check out the park calendar to see if there’s one scheduled during your upcoming trip. 

• Your kids might be interested in earning their very own Mammoth Cave junior ranger badge. If so, head to the park’s visitor center for a self-paced junior ranger activity book! 

• Not a fan of enclosed spaces but still want to see the wonder of the caves? Try out the Frozen Niagara Tour! This tour explores the decorated part of Mammoth Cave, which still gives you an amazing view of history. 

• Explore the scenic trails. Mammoth Cave National Park offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for all levels of hikers. From easy strolls to more challenging hikes, you can immerse yourself in the park's natural beauty and unique landscapes.

• Take a cave tour. While not a fan of enclosed spaces, you can still experience the awe-inspiring underground world of Mammoth Cave with one of the park's guided cave tours. These tours vary in length and difficulty, so you can choose one that suits your comfort level.

• Go wildlife watching. Keep an eye out for the park's diverse wildlife. You might spot deer, turkeys, and a variety of bird species during your visit. Consider bringing binoculars and a camera to capture these moments.

• Have a picnic. Enjoy a leisurely picnic in one of the park's designated picnic areas. It's a great way to relax and soak in the natural surroundings with your family or friends.

• Take photos! Whether you're an amateur or professional photographer, Mammoth Cave National Park offers countless opportunities for capturing stunning landscapes, wildlife, and cave formations. Don't forget your camera!

• Go canoeing or kayaking. Explore the Green River, which winds through the park, by renting a canoe or kayak. Paddling on the river is a peaceful and scenic way to experience the park from a different perspective.

• Go on a geocaching adventure. Join the treasure hunt by participating in geocaching activities within the park. It's a fun and interactive way to explore different areas while searching for hidden caches.

 

Tips for Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park

Before you make your way through Kentucky’s Cave Country, check out these tips on RV camping in Mammoth Cave National Park!

• Dress comfortably! It’s recommended that you bring a light sweater or jacket for any cave tours. Plus, wear shoes you’re comfortable walking around in, especially if you go on a walking tour. 

• Respect park rules and don’t remove anything from park grounds. This includes rocks or any artifacts you might find during your visit.

• Enjoy the cave writing but don’t add to it! This is considered vandalism, and it is difficult for park staff to clean. 

• If you’re bringing your furry friend with you, make sure they’re on a leash at all times. 

RV Rental for Mammoth Cave National Park

Want to know the best part about RV camping, besides the trip itself? Picking out your dream RV rental for your Mammoth Cave National Park adventure! 

At Cruise America, you can find an amazing RV rental for Mammoth Cave National Park that’s affordable and luxurious. Plus, each RV comes with must-have amenities like gas cooktops, air conditioning and much more. 

There’s an adventure at Mammoth Cave National Park waiting for you! Head over to Cruise America or give us a call at (480) 464-7300 to find the best RV rental today.