Camping at Mammoth Cave: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations & Rates
Mammoth Cave National Park has two official campgrounds inside the park, plus about a dozen backcountry sites in the woods. Online reservations are required for the main campground, while primitive sites require a permit. The park has no gate that closes at night, so you can reach the campgrounds at any hour.
Campgrounds in the park (3)
- Campground Mammoth Cave Campground see NPS · 111 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Maple Springs Group Campground see NPS · 7 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Houchin Ferry Campground see NPS · 12 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can You Camp Inside the Park?
Yes, camping at Mammoth Cave is entirely possible. Two rules apply: stay at a designated site, either an official campground or a marked backcountry site, and have a valid reservation or permit. Camping outside an authorized site isn't allowed.
Above ground, Kentucky has hot, humid summers, with temperatures around 88 °F, and cool winters, around 39 °F. Spring is the wettest season, with an average of 50 inches of precipitation each year in the area. Thunderstorms can occur in any season. 295 feet underground, the cave temperature stays a constant 54 °F.
To choose when to visit based on weather and crowds, check the guide to the best times to visit Mammoth Cave.
Campgrounds Inside the Park
Mammoth Cave Campground
This is the park's only developed campground, and most campers stay here. It accommodates tents and RVs, with electric and non-electric sites, restrooms, and showers.
Its location is ideal, just a few minutes' walk from the Visitor Center and the starting points for guided cave tours. During the busy season, from June through August, the loops fill up several weeks in advance.
Houchin's Ferry Campground
This primitive campground runs along the Green River, west of the park. There is no electricity and no showers. It's the choice for campers who want more space and quiet. It works well for lightweight tents and small camper vans that don't need power.
The final stretch of the access route follows an unpaved forest road. After heavy rain, check conditions before driving it in a vehicle with low ground clearance.
RV or Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?
At Mammoth Cave Campground, electric sites accommodate RVs and trailers. No site has direct water or sewer hookups, so there are no full hookups. A dump station is available in the park.
For large RVs over 26 feet long, check length restrictions when you book through Recreation.gov. Some loops aren't suitable for them. The Mammoth Cave RV camping guide covers access options for larger vehicles.
Tent campers will find suitable sites in every loop. Sites along the forest edge offer the most shade and privacy.
Camping Nearby: Options Outside the Park
When the park is full, Rock Cabin Camping, listed in search results, is one of the closest private campgrounds. It offers historic cabins, RV sites with hookups, and tent sites.
Cave City and Park City, about 9 miles away, have several other private campgrounds with full hookups. For lodging, the Mammoth Cave accommodations guide lists lodges, motels, and vacation rentals in and around the park.
Backcountry Camping
The park has about a dozen backcountry sites scattered through its wooded areas, away from the developed campgrounds. You need a free permit from the Visitor Center before setting out.
These sites have no amenities: no drinking water and no restrooms. Bring a water filter and plan a waste-management system that follows park rules. Follow Leave No Trace principles. Campfires are subject to seasonal restrictions, so check current conditions on the day you leave.
The access routes and trail logistics are covered in the Mammoth Cave hiking guide.
How and When to Reserve a Campsite at Mammoth Cave
Make reservations through Recreation.gov. The booking window opens on a rolling six-month basis. For example, sites for July 15 become available on January 15. For a peak-season stay, aim for the first day of availability and book as soon as the site opens that morning.
Outside June through August, it is much easier to find a site. Between November and March, sites are often still available a few days before arrival. Mammoth Cave Campground is open year-round.
Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost at Mammoth Cave?
You can check rates on Recreation.gov when you book, and they may change from one season to the next. An electric site consistently costs more than a non-electric site. The primitive sites at Houchin's Ferry are the least expensive. Recreation.gov service fees are added to each reservation.
The good news is that park entry is free. There is no entrance fee at the gate. Guided cave tours do cost extra, and you reserve them through Recreation.gov as well. Our National Parks Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and passes.
Camping Safety and Good Practices
Wildlife and Food Storage
Raccoons and white-tailed deer regularly approach campsites at night. Black bears live in the park. Food-storage rules apply in every case: keep food and scented items in your vehicle's locked trunk or in the storage container provided for that purpose. Leave nothing outside overnight, and never use a picnic table as a pantry while you're away.
Thunderstorms and Weather
Storms develop quickly in Kentucky, sometimes bringing strong winds and hail. As soon as you arrive, find the shelter closest to your site, and check the forecast every evening. In winter, ice can make the park's interior access roads slippery.
Don't Follow Your GPS
GPS devices sometimes direct drivers to the wrong access roads. The main entrance is off I-65 at Exit 53, the Cave City Exit, followed by KY-70 to Mammoth Cave Parkway. Follow the NPS's brown signs. For other ways to reach the park, the Mammoth Cave access guide has all the details.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
Family with a tent: Mammoth Cave Campground, a non-electric site in a wooded loop, within walking distance of the Visitor Center.
RVer who needs electricity: Mammoth Cave Campground, an electric loop. Reserve several weeks ahead between June and August.
Looking for solitude: Primitive camping at Houchin's Ferry Campground, or backcountry camping with a permit.
Last-minute arrival or a full park: Rock Cabin Camping, a nearby private campground, or a full-hookup campground in Cave City.
For everything related to activities in the park, the Mammoth Cave things to do guide and the park guide will help you finish planning your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp in a tent at Mammoth Cave?
Yes. Both Mammoth Cave Campground and Houchin's Ferry Campground welcome tent campers. Backcountry camping also offers about a dozen primitive sites with a free permit.
What state is Mammoth Cave in?
Mammoth Cave National Park is in Kentucky, about 90 miles south of Louisville.
Can you park overnight at Mammoth Cave?
No. Overnight parking outside a campground isn't allowed. Camping is permitted only at designated sites with a valid reservation or permit. The park is open 24 hours a day, but services are limited outside Visitor Center hours.
How do you visit Mammoth Cave?
Reserve guided cave tours through Recreation.gov. Several tours are available, with different lengths and levels of physical difficulty. Some require crawling through narrow passages. Our things to do guide lists the available tours and their difficulty levels.