The wind tunnels are impressive, but the continent's largest cave system is actually deep in the rugged hills of south-central Kentucky. Mammoth Cave National Park includes some of the most touristy parts of this sprawling complex. There are more than 400 miles of exploration caves, but visitors can only access a fraction of them,sports fitness .
Unlike many cave systems, mammoths are known for huge caves, some several stories high. Due to the difficulty and danger of exploring the caves alone, you may want to sign up for a tour to get a full understanding of the beauty of the caves. But if you enjoy the hiking and rock climbing associated with a traditional outdoor getaway, the rugged forest landscape above the cave is perfect for exploring and camping.
Admission: There is no entrance fee to the park, but cave tours cost between $7 and $55, depending on length and location.
Best Time to Visit: Southern Kentucky has four seasons of climate, with cold and sometimes snowy winters and sweltering summers. The mild transition seasons (April-May and September-November) are the most comfortable times to visit, although the foliage season in late October can draw crowds. Accommodation also tends to be cheaper during these months. Tour bookings are recommended at any time of the year, especially during the busy spring and summer periods.
How to get there: Mammoth Cave is about an hour and a half drive from Nashville and Louisville. If you live in states surrounding Kentucky, driving in may be the best option. Otherwise, both Nashville and Louisville have international airports with direct or one-stop flights to many major cities in the US for less than $200 round-trip. Where to Stay: Accommodation near the entrance to Mammoth Cave is cheap and plentiful. For cheap hotels and motels, check out the Sleep Inn or Super 8 in Cave City ($55-$65 per night and up). If you want to camp or take Mammoth as part of a long hike, there are two main campsites available for drive-in or walk-in campers: Mammoth Cave ($20 per night) and Hou Chin Ferry ($12 per night) Dollar).
What to do: Unsurprisingly, the focus of Mammoth Cave National Park is the cave itself. The Mammoth Passage Tour ($7) provides a rough look at this vast subterranean world, but the Dome and Dripping Stone Tour ($15) and Onyx Lantern Tour ($18) offer a more comprehensive look at reasonable prices.
Special Events and Attractions: Just outside the park, the American Cave Museum is a legal attraction, featuring Native American artifacts and exhibits showing subterranean wildlife and geology. It is open year-round, although warmer seasons have more programming.
