Hike Above Ground at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky for an Unforgettable Adventure

There are many Mammoth Cave trails winding for miles underground, and rightfully so, what many people think of when they hear about this amazing cave. I have also spent a weekend enjoying Mammoth Cave, but there is more to explore above ground than you would expect. If you want to add to your trip to the national park and do more than a little spelunking while you are there, then bring your hiking boots because here are some of my favorite topside trails.

While exploring Mammoth Cave National Park, I would highly recommend going on a tour of the cave. After all, it is the longest cave system in the world, and they are still finding more. They found an additional six miles while we were there! But what you might not think of are the trails on top. We had a lot of fun exploring the topside trails, and the first thing I noticed upon entering the park was how beautiful it was. Lush greenery is everywhere you go, and a dense forest is ready to explore. Each time we entered the park, we saw deer, so keep an eye out for wildlife while taking in the sights.

The trails are a mixed bag, and many of them intersect, but almost all of them have very interesting points of interest along the way. The first one we explored was the short boardwalk trail to Sand Cave. There are plenty of cave entrances throughout the park, and this one has a sad story attached to it. In 1925, there was a well-known cave explorer, Floyde Collins, who got his foot caught, which trapped him 60 feet underground. After a week of rescue attempts, the cave collapsed, and all contact was lost. It was a little surreal to see the entrance, knowing it was an early grave for this cave explorer. 

Most of the trails can be found right around the visitor center. These will wind throughout the park's forested wilderness which is weird to think is all situated above a massive cave system. We ended up exploring most of it throughout one afternoon and I have a few must-see spots for you when you travel to Mammoth Cave. The first one is Sunset Point where you will see the rolling hillside and snakes around the Green River. 

Along the trails, enjoy the sinkholes and interesting rock formations. They are easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled. The next stop I would suggest is the River Styx Spring. This large cave opening has running water, and you can hear the trickling steam flowing deep within.

The last stop is Dixon Cave. This cave is now closed but was once tied into the underground labyrinth of Mammoth Cave. A sinkhole has collapsed it, cutting it off from the rest of the cave, but bats make this place a lovely home. The interpretive sign at the lookout into this cave entrance will teach you all about bats.

This national park was a big bucket list item for me and I would highly recommend that everyone should visit this park. Cave tours won’t take you all day, so if you are looking to make the most of the park, then keep these Mammoth Cave trails in mind for when you visit the park. One of the best tools to use in the park to navigate the intersecting trails is my favorite hiking tool, AllTrails. This will help steer you in the right direction while in the woods; I know it did for us. Another helpful tool is to see it yourself before you go, so I made a little video to help you know what the best spots are in Mammoth Cave. Feel free to check it out.