What's on in Mammoth Cave National Park, United States through the year

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Rule

  Cave tours by ticket only

  1 Jan – 31 DecBook early

  Every trip underground is a ticketed ranger tour, released six months ahead and sold out weeks in advance in summer. There is no way to see the cave without booking one. Source ↗

• Rule

  Bio-security screening on exit

  1 Jan – 31 DecClosures

  Everyone leaving the cave walks over decontamination matting, and clothing or footwear worn in another cave is not allowed underground. It is the white-nose fungus in the bat colonies the rangers are keeping out. Source ↗

Still on: Winter tour schedule (1 Dec – 28 Feb (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Closure

  Spring high water

  1 Feb – 30 Apr · usually

  The Green River rises through the wet months and the ferry crossing inside the park shuts whenever it does, which puts a long detour on the drive to the north side. The riverside trails go under with it. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Winter tour schedule (1 Dec – 28 Feb (usually))

Busy — Spring break in United States

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Spring high water (1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Spring wildflowers

  1 Apr – 10 May · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  Trillium, larkspur and Virginia bluebells through the hardwood above the cave in April, before the canopy closes. The surface trails here get a fraction of the traffic the tours do. Source ↗

• Hazard

  Tick and chigger season

  1 Apr – 15 Oct · usuallyInsect season

  The surface trails run through hardwood and long grass and carry ticks and chiggers from spring to the first frost. None of it touches the cave tours; all of it touches everything above ground. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Spring high water (1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Green River paddling season

  1 May – 15 Oct · usuallyTrail season

  The Green and Nolin rivers through the park are canoeable once the spring high water drops, roughly May to mid-October. The park closes river use whenever the gauge hits 20 feet, which is what puts an end to a paddling day with little warning. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Spring wildflowers (1 Apr – 10 May (usually)), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States

• Season

  Summer peak

  1 Jun – 15 AugSchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  School holidays fill every tour slot and the visitor centre car park with them. The cave stays at the same cool temperature all summer, which is exactly why everyone comes. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Green River paddling season (1 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Green River paddling season (1 May – 15 Oct (usually)), Summer peak (1 Jun – 15 Aug)

Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Green River paddling season (1 May – 15 Oct (usually)), Summer peak (1 Jun – 15 Aug)

Busy — Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Green River paddling season (1 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Fall colour

  5 Oct – 5 Nov · usuallyAutumn colour

  The Kentucky hardwood above the cave peaks in the first half of October, which the park itself calls the best time to be here. The surface is the reason to come in autumn, not the cave. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Tick and chigger season (1 Apr – 15 Oct (usually)), Green River paddling season (1 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Fall colour (5 Oct – 5 Nov (usually))

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Closure

  Winter tour schedule

  1 Dec – 28 Feb · usually

  The park runs a reduced winter timetable with fewer tours and fewer routes. The cave holds the same temperature all year, so the only thing winter changes is how many people are in it with you. Source ↗

Still on: Cave tours by ticket only (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bio-security screening on exit (1 Jan – 31 Dec)