There are touring caves in the United States with an interesting stalactite or two . . . and then there's Mammoth Cave. The longest recorded cave system in the world is located northeast of Bowling Green in Mammoth Cave National Park. More than 348 miles of Mammoth Cave have been mapped but geologists estimate there could be 600 additional miles of passageways as yet unexplored. The cave is at least three times longer than any other known cave.
Sculpted from sandstone by water over millions of years, the cave system is home to the world's most diverse cave ecosystem. As a tourist attraction, Mammoth Cave was visited before any national park. To get the total picture of the cave and how it was formed, visitors are encouraged to tour the park's surface trails and waterways.
There are a variety of cave tours available through the park service ranging from the Green Onyx Lantern Tour to the Wild Cave Tour, available through the park service. Call ahead to reserve space if you are visiting in summer. Over 2 million visitors come to the park each year.
Park activities include backpacking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing and horseback riding. Educational programs are available for all ages.
Located in south central Kentucky, 100 miles south of Louisville, KY off I-65.
