Mammoth Cave National Park

Overview

This lush campground is located 15 miles from the park's Visitor Center, along the south bank of the Green River. Houchin Ferry Campground offers 12 primitive, tent-only campsites with beautiful riverfront views. Serving as a day-use area, it's an ideal spot for birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, and picnicking. If you're looking to explore more, take a short drive to the Visitor Center to plan your tour of Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave system.

Recreation

A must-do activity in the park is exploring Mammoth Cave. Walking tours of the caverns leave from the visitor center daily. There are also miles of bike trails and hiking trails within the park.

Facilities

The 12 primitive campsites are nestled among aromatic trees, offering a peaceful experience with the Green River just steps away. Potable water and portable restrooms are available at the head of the campground. This is a primitive, tent-only campground and also serves as a day-use area. The picnic tables and shelters are available for public use, and the boat launch is open for public access.

Natural Features

This campground is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, a 52,800-acre park that includes the Green River Valley, rolling Kentucky hillsides, and the expansive Mammoth Cave with grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways.  

This remote campsite is quiet, peaceful and ideal for those who want to be immersed in nature. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and coyotes.

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

Contact Info

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below: 

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

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

Overview

Please review "Need to Know" for the campground and additional "Need to Know" information for individual sites.

Clicking on the site number link will provide more details about the site's conditions. Be sure to check the 'Need to Know' section for each site to gather additional information on specific conditions. 

Mammoth Cave Campground offers campers a prime location to explore both the depths and surface treasures of Mammoth Cave National Park. 

Mammoth Cave is an underground passageway with over 400 miles of naturally sculpted limestone and sandstone, making it the longest recorded cave system in the world. The grand-scale chambers and winding passageways were the inspiration for the park’s name. 

The campground also serves as an entry point to 14 miles of hiking and biking trails, and is just a five-minute walk to the Visitor Center, where cave tours begin

All wheels must remain on the pavement within the campground, as varying conditions can cause muddy ruts and erosion.

Recreation

Facilities

The 109 primitive campsites are arranged around 4 paved loops, surrounded by fragrant trees. Fill and dump stations are located in the Camp Store parking lot.

Water and restrooms are conveniently located inside each loop, with the park’s Visitor Center just a short five-minute walk away. 

Restroom Locations:

Restrooms are situated within each loop.

• Loop A: Restroom near the main campground road.

• Loop B: Two restrooms located near Site 12 and Site 51.

• Loop C: One restroom located near Site 82.

• Loop D: One restroom located near Site 108.

Additional amenities; coin-operated showers are available adjacent to the campground, behind the Caver's Camp Store, next to the Post Office. Please inquire at the Camp Store for current shower fees.

Natural Features

Contact Info

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.
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.

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below:

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

Overview

Please review the updated summer and new winter hours for the enclosed shelter below:

• Enclosed Shelter (Shelter G001): Available by reservation on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the summer season. Visitors can pick up the key at the Campground Kiosk starting at 10:00 AM. A driver’s license is required when picking up the key, a copy will be made and returned. The key must be returned no later than 6:00 PM.  

• Open Shelter (Shelter G002): Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The picnic area includes fire grates, charcoal grills, restrooms, potable water, garbage dumpsters, and access to hiking trails. The open shelter can be reserved only during the summer season.

*** New, Winter Enclosed Shelter Hours: From December 1st through February 21st, the enclosed shelter will be available every day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Key and information will be picked up and returned to Visitor Center during Winter Hours.***

Recreation

Picnicking, enjoying the outdoors, and exploring the caves are of primary interest to visitors. The site has trailheads to the Green River Bluffs Trail and the Dixon Cave Trail. Both hiking trails are about a mile long.

Facilities

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below:

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