You must be ready to go and explore the wonder of Mammoth Cave.  It’s an incredible experience for all, but with so many tour options, which one is for you.  Below, you’ll find brief descriptions for every tour Mammoth Cave offers.  Please note that not every tour is always available.  It’s important to check the TOUR SCHEDULE for current offerings before your trip.  Another important thing to do, make a RESERVATION for a tour.  Some of the most popular tours can fill up very quickly so be sure to make a reservation, which you can do up to 6 months in advance.

WHICH TOUR IS FOR YOU?

< 1 Mile Tours

ACCESSIBLE TOUR

This tour is designed for anyone with a disability or limited mobility as it has NO STAIRS .  It is an easy, 2 hour tour for all ages.

DISCOVERY (SELF-GUIDED)

This tour is the self-guided version of the Mammoth Passage Tour and is great for anyone who isn’t a big fan of tours.  It’s an easy, 30 minute tour for all ages.

DOMES & DRIPSTONES

This tour has 500 total stairs and is a very popular tour at the park.  It includes the entire Frozen Niagara Tour as well as parts of the Grand Avenue.  It’s a moderate, 2 hour tour for all ages.

FROZEN NIAGARA

This is one of the most famous areas of the cave.  If you would prefer a short hike and only 12 stairs, this is the tour for you.  It’s an easy, 1 hour and 15 minute tour for all ages.

FOCUS ON FROZEN NIAGARA

Want more time for the perfect photo of Frozen Niagara? Take this tour after the Visitor Center closes.  It’s an easy 1 hour and 30 minute tour for all ages.

MAMMOTH PASSAGE

This tour enters through the Historic Entrance and goes to some of the largest rooms in the cave.  If you’re not a big fan of tight spaces, this would be a good tour for you.  It’s an easy, 1 hour and 15 minute tour for all ages.

1 - 2 Mile Tours

BROADWAY TOUR

This tour is for the history lovers.  It begins at the Historic Entrance and offers additional sites from the Historic Tour.  It is an easy, 2 hour tour for all ages.

CLEAVELAND AVENUE

This tour has geology and history with its sparkling walls and unique passageways.  It does have 200 stairs both at the beginning and end so keep that in mind.  It’s a moderate, 2 hour and 30 minute tour for all ages.

GOTHIC AVENUE

Do you like architecture?  You’ll see some unique formations on this tour that focuses on history.  It’s a moderate, 2 hour tour for all ages.

GREAT ONYX

Experience a different cave on this lantern tour.  You’ll see unusual rock formations with the help of the glow from your lantern and learn about early Kentucky cave tourism.  This is a moderate, 2 hour and 15 minute tour for those 6 years and older.

HISTORIC TOUR 

The classic, original tour of Mammoth Cave.  Experience lots of stairs and some tight spaces as you make your way to the room that gave Mammoth Cave its name.  This is a moderate, 2 hour tour for all ages.

EXTENDED HISTORIC TOUR

Want to see a little more of the cave?  Take the extended tour if you have extra time.  This is a moderate 2 hour and 15 minute tour for all ages.

INTRODUCTION TO CAVING

Crawl and climb through the cave and learn about caving safely on this tour.  Hiking boots are required.  This is a strenuous, 3 hour and 30 minute tour for those 10 years and older.

STAR CHAMBER

This is a lantern lit tour in the evenings and goes to some of the historic areas of the cave. No flashlight use on this tour.  It is a moderate, 2 hour and 30 minute tour for those 6 years and older.

TROG TOUR

An off-trail crawling adventure for kids ages 8 to 12 years old.  Climb, slide, and belly crawl your way around the cave.  Parents must attend the beginning and end of the tour.  This is a moderate, 2 hour and 45 minute tour for those 8 to 12 years old.

2+ Mile Tours

GRAND AVENUE

For all the geology lovers our there, this tour is for you.  Canyons, tube passageways, and tunnels await you on this tour.  This is a strenuous, 4 hour tour for those 6 years and older.  

RIVER STYX

Want more geology experiences? Take this in-depth tour.  It is a moderate, 2 hour and 30 minute tour for all ages.

VIOLET CITY

Are you looking to combine hiking and caving?  This tour is ideal for those who enjoy that!  It’s a strenuous, 3 hour tour for those 6 years and older.

WILD CAVE

Take an all day, extreme adventure through the cave as you make your way through the challenging obstacles of the cave. This is a strenuous, 6 hour tour for those 16 years and older.

I would highly encourage you to take deep dive into the cave tour descriptions which you can find by clicking on any of the tour names above or heading to the Mammoth Cave National Park Cave Tours WEBSITE.  Read the descriptions carefully and know what you’re getting into.  Most of tours have stairs, tight spaces, and crowds.  Check all the details so you can make the best decision for yourself.

If you have time while at the park, we would encourage you to take the self-guided DISCOVERY TOUR or the MAMMOTH PASSAGE TOUR to start and then choose an additional tour to experience more of the cave.  If you go on 2 or even 3 of the short tours, you can really experience all that Mammoth Cave has to offer.  It’s a beautiful thing to see.

Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations.  These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.

Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Mammoth Cave National Park or the National Park Service.

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