Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping

Show on map 270-758-2180 maca_park_information@nps.gov

Mammoth Cave National Park, PO Box 7
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

Estimated location

No source publishes exact coordinates for Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping. Its map marker is estimated from the surrounding area and can be miles from the actual site — don't navigate to it. Its official page may have the detail needed to find it on the ground.

Overview

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, with 13 designated peaceful and scenic campsites available. Riverbank and island camping are also options for adventurers. Permits for both Backcountry Camping and Riverbank Camping can be purchased online in advance at www.recreation.gov or obtained at the park (please see * for details). Note that Riverbank Camping permits are only available for purchase up to 7 days in advance and are not issued if the river level is 20 feet or higher. For more information, please call the Visitor Center at 270-758-2180.

*Please Note: Your camping permit must be downloaded and printed from your Recreation.gov account up to 14 days prior to your arrival. Once printed, reservations cannot be modified. If you are unable to print your permit or save it to your phone, you can visit the Mammoth Cave Campground Kiosk from March 1st through November 30th. During the closed season (December 1st through February 28th), please go to the Visitor Center to obtain all camping permits.

Please Note: There is a $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee regardless of number of nights booked, specific to backcountry and/or floodplain/riverside camping. No discounts are applied towards the $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee.

During the closed season December 1 through February 28 please go to the Visitor Center for all camping permits. All permits must be registered as walk-ups at the Visitor Center during this time.

Recreation

The parks backcountry, 37 square miles of this rugged, inviting landscape await you along 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.

Facilities

Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping is NOT a physical campground located at one location. There are 13 designated sites that are located within the north side of Mammoth Cave National Park, where you hike to the reserved site. This is primitive, backcountry camping in tents. Visitors must park at a designated trailhead and backpack to all locations and carry all their gear, food, and water. Campsites are equipped with a campfire ring and tent pad.

Riverbank Camping is another option which requires a permit. You may purchase this permit online or at Mammoth Cave Campground or Visitor Center. Permits are not issued if river level is 20 feet or above. You must kayak or canoe to camp along the riverbank of Green River.

Natural Features

Backcountry camping offers opportunities to find solitude and appreciate the beauty and diversity of Mammoth Cave National Park's rugged hills, majestic woodlands, and scenic rivers. Soluble limestone, sinkholes, sinking streams and cave create a landform called Karst Topography.

Nearby Attractions

Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park. Commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/canoeliveries.htm

Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding. Commercial liveries outside the park rent horses and some may provide organized excursions. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/horseback.htm

Mammoth Cave offers tours, check the park website for schedules and reservations. www.nps.gov/maca

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below:

https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Camp site features

Across 94 camp sites:

Fire pit: 13 of 94 sites
Pets allowed: all 94 sites
Largest party: 8 people
Equipment: SMALL TENT

Fees

A $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee applies regardless of number of nights booked. Pass discounts do not apply for backcountry camping,

Directions

Please click the link for "Driving Directions" under the addition links tab on the right hand side of the page for detailed directions.

Stay Limit

Check in from 8 AM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

147 reviews

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1 stars

Amber G

Loop:Sal Hollow

Site:

Reviewed 23 days ago

Nice site. Would have been better with a reliable water source so that we didn't need to carry it all.

regina h

Loop:Bluffs

Site:

Reviewed 23 days ago

We enjoyed our backpacking trip into Cave national Park. We were supposed to stay at the Bluffs campsite, but we’re not able to find it feared off the path as it was getting dark and had to camp in the woods. Which was pretty interesting because in the middle of the night, another group had also weirded off the same path in the dark as they were trying to go down to our campsite at the Bluffs because they could not find their campsite at sal Hollow campsite. Very interesting trip. But very rewarding at the same time.

Walker H

Loop:First Creek 2

Site:

Reviewed 24 days ago

Great day for a hike. The trail was easy for me and my wife to find. The trail was dry for the most part. One spot where horses had been on the trail made it muddy. One annoying thing is we seen 3 people on horses on the trail after we got to our campsite. There were several signs that clearly stated "No Horses". A few fallen trees, nothing you couldn't just walk right over or around. The trail does have some elevation to it. On the way down its downhill, so the way back is obviously up. It had been very dry with no rain when we went and we were still able to find a stream nearby and filter some water. We had AT&T and surprisingly had good service. Overall a fun and great camping/backpacking experience.

Christopher A

Loop:Ferguson

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

The camp site was great for backpacking. There is a stream close by to filter water. The tent pad is level and there is plenty of wood laying around for a fire. I would suggest camping at a different site if you're on horseback. The hitching post is blocked by fallen trees that have been there awhile.

Samuel C

Loop:Raymer Hollow

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

I came in for a one-night stay at Raymer Hollow, and it was amazing! It was my first backcountry backpacking trip, and the length and conditions were perfect for getting into backpacking. The hike was only about 3.7 miles from the Lincoln Trailhead to Raymer Hollow, with very little elevation gain. Once you arrive at the campsite, there is a pad/bin area for your tent and a post with hooks to keep your bags/gear off the ground. The site is a single campsite (not sure if this is standard), and there is a clear trail (right before the fire pit) to get down to the creek for water collection. Everything went great, and while you will likely need downloaded maps to reach the site, I had cell service via T-Mobile for most of the hike.

Justin N

Loop:White Oak

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Pros - easy to reach and no navigation skills required (out and back trail, 2.5 miles each way). The trail and campsite and fairly well maintained. Quiet and peaceful at night. Cons - the campsite is directly on the trail and the trail is open to the public so you might have one or two groups show up at your site. The day use area across the river is really noisy from about 7 AM to 6 PM from all the kayak launches.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve