Best Things To Do in Cave City KY, Written by Locals

We’ve outlined the best things to do in Cave City KY while you’re visiting Mammoth Cave!

Whether you’re visiting the Caveland area for a family vacation or just looking for a staycation, this should help with planning. We’ve outlined the best things to do in Cave City KY on your next trip!

Fun activities and things to do in Cave City range fromlife sized dinosaurs, gift shops, zip line tours, horseback riding, mini golf, fossil digs and gem mining, petting zoos, and of course cave system fun. This is Cave City Kentucky after all, so there are lots of options for subterranean things to do in Mammoth Cave. If you’re looking for retail adventures specifically, we’ve also outlined the best Cave City, KY Shopping.

Mammoth Cave

Cave City, Kentucky is home to the only National Park in the Bluegrass State. This small town in Barren County is the gateway to Cave Country. Touting the longest cave system in the world, more than 2 million visitors arrive annually to see this unique attraction. Lest we say, if you’re in town and didn’t come to explore this natural wonder, it should be atop your to-do list!

SEE ALSO: Best Cave City KY Hotels

There are tons of options however, and some of those are not officially part of the National Park National Park system. There are several private options too which have a long history dating back to the Cave Wars in the early 1900s.

Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Hours: 8:20AM – 4:30PM CT
Phone: (270) 758-2180
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– Private Cave Attractions:

Diamond Caverns

Diamond caverns has offered visitors cave tours for more than 160 years. This is a private cave tour which features intricate drapery deposits in cascades of naturally colorful calcite. These cathedral light chambers host thousands of formations decorating the halls.

General admission includes a one hour guided which is $22 admission, and $11 for kids ages 4-12. The tour is rated as strenuous and is the equivalent of a half mile round trip.

Address: 1900 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Park City, KY 42160
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 749-2233
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Crystal Onyx Cave

Crystal Onyx Cave is one of private cave tours in the area, located on Prewitts Knob. You will be walking amongst a vast array of cave formations on this one half mile tour. This cave tour allows photography, which isn’t always the case. This tour led by experienced guides features formations and stairs but is fun for the whole family. It also stays a cool and comfortable 60 degrees temperature year-round. Therefore, it is mild in the summer or winter, depending on when you come.

Address: 425 Prewitts Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 10:00AM – 6:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-3377
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Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum

Hidden River Cave is located directly underneath the city of Horse Cave, Kentucky. We’re not talking about an adjacent edge on the outskirts of town either. The main entrance is literally addressed 119 East Main Street in the center of downtown! Albeit, this is a small town of 1,700 population, however it’s an unusual setting nonetheless.

Address: 119 E Main St, Horse Cave, KY 42749
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 786-1466
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Dinosaur World Kentucky

Dinosaur World Kentucky is the perfect family fun, especially if you have small kids. Nonetheless, thisprehistoric playground is fun for families of all ages and sizes. Here you wander amongst hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting outdoors. These interactive exhibits capture your kids’ imaginations, and you can even bring your four-legged friends also. Pets are welcomed on leashes, as well as coolers and healthy snacks for those warm summer days.

Address: 711 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-4345
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Karst Beach

Karst Beach is a 2.3 acre lake and beach which features an inflatable sports park. The water park also features a sandy beach for the adults to relax while the kids go wild on the 1,300 square foot wibit section of the park. Inflatable loungers, a small slide, volleyball net, and corcl races are also fan favorites.

Address: 964 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-3840
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Camping

Cave City and the surrounding areas are abundant with camping options. From primitive campsites in Mammoth Cave National Park’s backcountry to modern campgrounds with wifi and water parks, Cave City is a campers dream. We highlight several camping options below.

Mammoth Cave Campground

Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: (270) 758-2424
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Maple Springs Group Campground

Address: Maple Springs Loop, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: (270) 773-3840
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Backcountry Permit/ Along Riverbank

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Horseback Riding

The rural area surrounding Cave City and even the horse trails in Mammoth Cave National Park itself offer plenty of options for horseback riding.

There a couple of businesses that offer options to pay for horseback riding. There’s also horse camp inside Mammoth Cave where you can access trails directly after you chug your cowboy coffee and are rarin’ to go!

Double J Stables

Address: 542 Lincoln School Rd, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Hours: 8:00AM – 9:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 286-8167
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Mammoth Cave Horse Camp

Address: 2578 Ollie Rd, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: (888) 682-3958
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Mammoth Cave Trails (bring your own horse)

Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Phone: (270) 758-2424

Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

Just north of Cave City, nestled away just off Interstate I-65, sits a little piece of Australia. Kentucky Down Under is an Aussie-themed animal park. Did we mention there’s also a cave? Of course there’s a cave, this is Caveland of course!

Mammoth Onyx Cave was purchased by the family in the 1920s, and peacocks and other small animals were added to the property for visitors to enjoy between cave tours. In the 70s a herd of American bison were introduced, followed by other Australian animals in the 90s when the park was renamed.

Today you will find kangaroos and emus roaming in fields, and other animals are featured on the property such as wolves and American alligators.

Address: 3700 L and North Turnpike Road, I-65, Horse Cave, KY 42749
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 786-2634
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Kayak

Kayaking is plentiful with multiple tour options for several levels of adventures on the water. Most kayak trips are self-guided and range from a couple of hours, to overnight trips sleeping on the banks of the river in Mammoth Cave’s backcountry.

See a full guide on Mammoth Cave Kayaking.

Go Fishing

The general area provides access to lakes, tailwaters, streams, rivers, and a pay lake. The waters of Mammoth Cave National Park themselves are called home to over 80 species of fish. This includes 18 different families of the wildlife such as darters, shiners, minnows, gar, bass, and crappie.

Is there fishing at Mammoth Cave National Park? Absolutely there is fishing, and you won’t even need a license to do so! In a refreshing twist of wildlife management, if you are inside the park boundaries you do not need a fishing permit.

Ridgetop Pay Lake

Ridgetop Pay Lake offers an easily accessible fishing opportunity for the family. This is an option for all ages, and you pay per pound of fish that is caught.

Location: 4083 Mammoth Cave Rd.Cave City KY 42127 (Get Directions)

Green River

Green River is the longest river in Kentucky spanning 384 miles snaking through the Bluegrass State. Averaging 10 feet in depth and a width of 200 feet, the river traverses river miles 188 through 210 within Mammoth Cave National Park.

Big Mike’s Rock & Gift Shop

Big Mike’s Rock & Gift Shop is located four miles outside Mammoth Cave National Park. It is a local gift shop which sells general souvenirs but more uniquely rocks, minerals, and gems from around the world. You can also find a real dinosaur skull and Mystery House. If you enter the park from the north side, you will pass this shop on Mammoth Cave Road.

Address: 566 Old Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 9:30AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-5144
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Mammoth Cave Adventures

Mammoth Cave Adventures offers is an action park with canopy style tours over 60 acres of rolling hills. They feature zip lines zooming at 20 to 40 mph through lush open meadows and deep green canopies just outside the national park. An aerial challenge course and horseback riding are also available.

Location: 1994 Roy Hunter Rd. Cave City, KY 42127 (Get Directions)

Address: 1994 Roy Hunter Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-6087
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Bike Trail Through Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail spans from one entrance near Park City, KY to the Mammoth Cave Visitors Center deep inside the park. This trail is 9 miles long and is well maintained.

The trail was originally formed in 1886 for the Mammoth Cave Railroad, which brought in tourists from neighboring areas. This trail line was in service for 45 years from 1886 through 1931 when it was discontinued.

Along this trail, cyclists can stop along historic sites,interpretive waysides which highlight waypoints and their history, as well as scenic overlooks.

Local Events

Local events could provide a unique opportunity for things to do in Cave City, Kentucky. The Cave City Convention Center is home to local events and conventions of a wide variety.

Upcoming events in 2022 range from the NFTH Mammoth Cave Hunting Heritage event, Cave City Cars and Coffee, Redneck Rave 2022, The Mammoth Cave Aquarium Expo, and more.

Check for a full schedule of Cave City Events.

Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum

Since 1969, Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum has featured exotic animal exhibits including big cats such as lions, tigers, ultra-rare snow leopards, in addition to bears, birds, insects, and other marine life.

This is Kentucky’s first wildlife museum, and also remains the largest of its kind in the state with over 14,000 square foot to explore. On rainy days or sweltering heat, you can stroll through the air conditioned exhibits where you can see animals in a natural-like environment.

This is a museum, not a zoo.

Address: 409 E Happy Valley St, Cave City, KY 42127
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM CT
Phone: (270) 773-2255
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Wigwam Village Cave City, Kentucky

Since 1937, theHistoric Wigwam Village No. 2 in Cave City, Kentucky has provided a unique hotel experience for travelers. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s a perfect roadside stop for a photo-op or Instagram shot.

The teepees and their distinct neon sign out front that states,“Sleep And Eat In A Wigwam,” provides a peek back in time.This Wigwam Village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was even covered by Eleanor Roosevelt, who wrote about it in one of her daily newspaper columns.

Guests can choose from twotypes of wigwams, a single which sleeps two or a double which sleeps four.Either way, your wigwam features the original hickory bed frames, caned chairs, night stands and vanities created nearly a century ago by the Columbus Hickory Furniture Company.

Address: 601 N Dixie Hwy, Cave City, KY 42127
Phone: (833) 944-9267
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Food and Drinks

Cave City Creamery — Broadway Street Cave City Kentucky

The Dive Bar
Mexican
Buckey’s BBQ
Watermill

Guntown Mountain

Guntown Mountain and its Wild West Town at the hilltop have been a staple in Cave City for decades. However, the souvenir shop is the only portion currently open.

Address: 101 Huckleberry Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Phone: (270) 773-2700
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Over the course of the pandemic this Cave City tourist attraction went idle, and has yet to reopen unfortunately.

Kentucky Action Park & Alpine Slide

Kentucky Action Park offers offers Kentucky’s only Alpine Slide. This alpine slide has been a tourist attraction at this theme park for years, however they’ve added new attraction in the decades since. More recent attractions includezip-lining, horse-back riding, mini golf or putt putt, and a rock climbing wall for a day of fun.

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
Phone: (270) 773-2560

Over the course of the pandemic this Cave City tourist attraction went idle, and has yet to reopen unfortunately.

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Best Things To Do in Cave City KY, Written by Locals