Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
Hosted by National Park Service
New listing
Mammoth Cave National Park spans 52,830 acres in south-central Kentucky, preserving the diverse geological, biological and historical features of the world's longest known cave. Backcountry camping is a popular outdoor activity here, with 13 designated peaceful and scenic campsites. Riverbank and island camping are also options for adventurers. This is not a physical campground at one location. The 13 designated sites lie within the north side of the park, and you hike to the site you have reserved. This is primitive, backcountry camping in tents: visitors must park at a designated trailhead and backpack to all locations, carrying all their gear, food and water. Campsites are equipped with a campfire ring and tent pad. Riverbank camping is another option, and you must kayak or canoe to camp along the bank of the Green River. Permits are not issued if the river level is 20 feet or above. The park's backcountry is 37 square miles of rugged, inviting landscape, with more than 66 miles of trails and the winding turns of the Green and Nolin Rivers. Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, birding and photography. Backcountry camping offers opportunities to find solitude and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the park's rugged hills, majestic woodlands and scenic rivers, where soluble limestone, sinkholes, sinking streams and cave create a landform called karst topography. Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park, and commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment. Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding, with commercial liveries outside the park renting horses and some providing organized excursions. Mammoth Cave also offers tours.
- Pet friendly
Location
Bluffs
Bluffs · HIKE TO · Overnight
- Max Num of People
- 8
- Pets Allowed
- Yes
- Capacity/Size Rating
- Single
- Campfire Allowed
- Yes
- Shade
- Yes
Campsites94
Mammoth Cave, KY
Approximate location
To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
ZIP code data © GeoNames (CC BY 4.0); population and land area: U.S. Census Bureau.
Amenities
Boat ramp
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Shade
Site features
Proximity to water
Riverfront
Hike-in distance
Up to 3 ft
Boat
Small tent
Backpacking
Birding
Camping
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Horse Camping
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Wildlife Viewing
Rules & policies
Check-in
8:00 AM
Check-out
11:00 AM
People per site
Up to 8
Pets allowed
Reviews
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