In the Area: Mammoth Cave pt. 2
Let’s jump right in.
Starting where I left off last week. There are tons of fun things to do In Mammoth Cave National Park. But there are lots of fun things in teh area as well which aren’t always within the bounds of the park.
Last week I mentioned three, including a Dinosaur Adventure, another beautiful cave opportunity, and a fun activity which, admittedly I’ve never done. (If you want to read more about those, check out last weeks blog.)
This week I’m keeping up, in the same fashion.
New recommendation: Lodging - Through the Mammoth Cave Lodge.
“They also operate the only restaurant and cafe in Mammoth Cave National Park.” - Justin Case
“They have Ice Cream at the camp store.” -Rudy Scheer, “And laundry services if you need to wash ghost blood out of your jacket.” (read the book Specters of Mammoth Cave to learn more.)
Could this have been the J.R.I.C. home base during The Specters of Mammoth Cave? (picture taken before recent renovations)
I was fortunate, my family lives near enough to Mammoth Cave that it’s a day trip. (When I’m not out and about in other countries, or researching other parks for future J.R.I.C. Novels. ) For most of the Parks visitors that is not the case. You’re going to need some place to stay.
Camping is definitely an option! Check out the park’s website for more information on that. And I would highly reccomend staying in the park if possible! There are some opportunities only, or best, available to people who are nearby. Some of my favorite tours have early start times. Also, there are ranger -led programs at night, including but not limited to stargazing, night programs, bat night, and many more. Plus it puts you in close proximity to take advantage of as many part activities as possible. (I have it on good word that one of the park rangers knows a lot about astro-archeology, so they star programs are highly recommended.) “If you are camping, I recommend the campground North of the Green River for the hiking. I recommend the campground near the visitor center for the park programs and access to early cave tours.” - Bethany
However, if you are a wimp like me, but still want to make the most of your time in and around the park, there are other options each provided by Mammoth Cave Lodge. These include rooms more like a modern motel and air conditioned cabins near the visitor center, and literal steps away from the historic trail, and next to sunset point. (Amelia’s note: The Sunset Terrace has wi-fi)) It also included woodland cabins, which sit across the parking lot from the visitor center. While these cabins are not air conditioned, they are shaded by tall trees, and some of these cabins can host a lot more people. (Bethany’s Note: this is where we stayed during the events of The Specters of Mammoth Cave.) In general Mammoth Cave Lodge offers a lot of things within the park including bike rentals so you can
2. Bike in Mammoth Cave
Not in the cave. That’s silly. But above the cave. You can rent bicycles from Mammoth Cave Lodge. Or you can bring your own. There’s a bike trail which runs alongside the main road into Mammoth Cave. It’s a bike and hike trail, so both are possible. (It’s 9 miles long.) It will take you along the old Mammoth Cave Railroad line. (with a little variation from that route.) So, dawn your helmets and head out!
Doesn’t this look like a fun road to bike?
You will find bike-able trails on the north side of the park as well. Including Big Hollow Trail, and the Maple Springs connector trail. You can also bike the roads around Mammoth Cave, including the Flint Ridge Road, and the road down to the ferry and across the Green River. But you must be careful along the roads, because there are no bike lanes, cars and trucks may be traveling fast, and there are lots of twists and turns. (there are also road crossings on the bike trails, so be mindful then as well.)
Things to keep in mind. There are lots of hills! When possible, I recommend staying on the bike trail. Not every trail is for bikes, so make certain that your trail is a shared biking/hiking trail before hoping on. There are no bike only trials, so be mindful of hikers. When there is no bike trail, you can bike on the roads, but do be careful, follow the road rules, and if you are a Junior Ranger, only do this with parents. Check out the park webpage about biking in Mammoth Cave for more information.
“There are too many hills!” - Rudy.
“Biking was a great way to get around the park!” - Lucy, “And a good way to get my exercise since I couldn’t swim.”
3. Adventures beyond Mammoth Cave
Maybe you want to zipline, maybe you want to ride horses, or maybe you want a little help when biking up-hill. Just outside of the Sand Cave Entrance into Mammoth Cave (My name for the entrance beside Sand Cave Trail,) sits Adventures of Mammoth Cave. They have a lot more going on than just Kayak rentals. They offer all of the activities listed above. So if you want an adventure outside of the park service’s usually offerings, check them out.
4. Another (not Mammoth) Cave.
“One of my favorite caves in the area!” Bethany
“I wonder if the Specter Detectors will film a ghost special here too.” - Amelia
There are some steps, the trip is still well worth it. Hidden River Cave. (Also, maybe I’m too proud. I feel this picture turned out much better than I’d expected.)
I may be biased. I am Biased. Another location outside of Mammoth Cave will soon be selling The Specters of Mammoth Cave. And if you check them out, you should buy my book from them.
However, even if you already own my book, you should still check out Hidden River Cave in nearby Horse Cave, Kentucky. Even if you have no interest in my book, you should check them out! Hidden River Cave sits right in the heart of Horse Cave, Kentucky. At one point it was “The most polluted” cave on Earth. The odors emmitted from the cave were so noxious that the towns people suffered. The American Cave Conservation Association was founded to fix that. Taking over management of Hidden River Cave, helping to modernize our understanding of Karst geology, and helping improve our care for cave environments the ACCA helped to to vastly improve the environment of Hidden River Cave, and several of the other caves in the area.
In addition, they contributed, and still contribute to efforts to conserve, preserve, and educated the public about Caves. Today they have free cave museum in Horse Cave Kentucky, and they offer tours of Hidden River Cave and Hicks Cave. (I have not been to Hicks Cave) The museum is a great way to learn more about spelunking and speleology (cave exploration and caves.) Hidden River Cave itself is a bit of a workout. Lots of steps down, which you will have to take again on the way back out. But very much worth it. You get to hike down into a very large cave, and follow along hidden river, which is an underground river. Along the way you will see relics of early exploration of the cave, walk over a few suspended bridges, and, hopefully, some of the cave wildlife. * I saw the a cave crawfish here, which I had tried to see on my River Styx tour in Mammoth Cave.
The tour is fun, exciting, and informative. The guides are awesome, and well informed.
Also, if you have an interest in the paranormal, this is a great place to check out, as the several of the guides shared ghost stories, both historical and personal with me. (More about this in a future article or 2.)
The history of the cave is great! The Museum is very informative. The tour is one of the best cave tours I’ve been on, and the ghost stories are fascinating. Just parking in the lot behind the museum and walking up to it and seeing the massive sinkhole which spills into the cave entrance surrounded by the town of Horse Cave is worth it. But if you are going to go for that view, you might as well also check out the museum and take the tour.
As previously mentioned, more about this not so Hidden, Hidden Gem later. When you are in the area, definitely check Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum, take the tour and ask the guides about their ghost stories, then come back in a few months to see how I’ve written even more about them.
There are all kinds of adventures waiting in and around Mammoth Cave, hopefully this blog, and the blog before this one will help you figure out what else you can do in the area!
Next week, something different. More words, which I have written.