Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not far from Cave City, Mammoth Cave National Park sits nestled in the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Kentucky. Cedar trees dominate the landscape around the park, broken only by grazing cattle, small tobacco fields, and immense limestone outcroppings.
Limestone is what makes this area special-a 600-foot thick slab of the stuff. Looking at the many road-cuts along the highway, one can see the layers, each possessing its own characteristics and each named after the location where these characteristics were identified: St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Paoli, Aux Vases, Karnak. Each layer is incredibly older than its sibling just above. And limestone is where Kentucky caves are formed.
Once inside the park, the scenery changes from touristy to natural beauty. Well-groomed roads with wide, grassy shoulders wind through deep forest. Whitetail deer browse the edges of ancient cemeteries and wild turkey are everywhere. Mammoth Cave is one of the most beautiful in our national park system. Sprawling over more than 52,000 acres (most of it dense hardwood forest) the park features a diverse community of plants and wildlife; from the smallest insects, to birds, to aquatic life, to cave life. It is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species.
In spite of hosting two million visitors a year, the roads through Mammoth Cave National Park are surprisingly free of traffic. But near the visitor center, there is a constant bustle of activity, where campers, picnickers, and cave tourists crowd through the visitor center and ticket office. Every few minutes, loudspeakers announce the beginning of the next tour and groups of strangers form lines to become fellow travelers through a section of the cave.
During the summer, the park offers tours into several different entrances and family groups huddle around descriptive signs planning this portion of their summer vacation. The most popular is the Historic Tour. Starting every 40 minutes, over a hundred people herd through the historic section of the cave. The Lantern Tour, Frozen Niagara, and Half-Day tours are sold out every day throughout the tourist season. Occasionally the park gives tours into Great Onyx Cave, but those arriving too late in the day, or those that choose not to go on a guided tour can opt for the Discovery tour - a self guided walk through the historic section near the entrance.
Of the hundreds of caves that pock the hills and valleys of the park, many are worthy of the tourist dollar. Crystal Cave, Colossal, Bedquilt, Lee, White, and others-now, all gated. The park no longer shows these caves. And when hiking the 73 miles of surface trails in the park, one must be mindful to stay on the established trails. Poking around in one of the little caves along the way is strictly forbidden. There are plenty of tours to keep even the most adventurous of tourists busy.
Of all the parks protected by our national park system, Mammoth Cave is certainly one of the most beautiful and one of the most popular. A great vacation destination.
Norm Rogers is the author of Underground Legacy, a Fellow of the National Speleological Society, and member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. You can visit his website at http://www.normrogers.8m.com/
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareCamping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Block Island is a seaside jewel lying 12 miles off... Read More
When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
Outdoors |