Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
See the Backcountry Camping web page here on National Park Planner for information on permits, how to make a reservation, and other backcountry camping rules.
The Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park is located at the end of Collie Ridge Trail, a 4.6-mile dirt road that is easy to moderate in difficulty. From the four-way intersection with the Collie Ridge, Wet Prong, and Buffalo Creek trails, the campsite is .7 mile. However, the road ends halfway, and campers must proceed to the campsite on a traditional hiking trail.
Typical terrain of the Collie Ridge Trail in Mammoth Cave National Park
Hiking trail to the Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
For those on horseback, there are hitching posts at the end of the road, and this is where horses must be tied. This is a third of a mile away from the camping area.
End of the dirt road portion of the Collie Ridge Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
The routes of all backcountry campsite trails are marked with orange blazes. These are typically paint splotches or colored markers on trees that serve as Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs. Some campsite trails are hard to follow, but the one to the Collie Ridge Campsite is pretty straightforward.
Orange blazes mark the route of the hiking trail to the Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
The road portion of the Collie Ridge Trail heads downhill from the Wet Prong / Buffalo Creek intersection, but it is a mild descent that won’t raise any eyebrows. However, the terrain gets much steeper once on the hiking trail, and the last tenth of a mile is very steep with an average grade of -15% (which is where strenuous hiking begins). The last 150 feet is like dropping off a cliff and has an average grade of -28%. This is among the steepest hills within Mammoth Cave National Park. (The photo below is looking up the hill from the campsite.)
Steep hill down to the Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
The trail has some washed out areas and a few overgrown sections, but it is in pretty good shape considering that not many people hike it. The forest is thick, and even though the sun was out and the sky blue, it was pretty dark at the campsite.
Typical terrain on the trail to the Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
The campsite itself has a fire pit / grill, some rocks to sit on, and a level tent area. There are no toilets, so you must head off into the forest for restroom purposes. The best practice is to bring a shovel to dig a hole for all human waste.
Collie Ridge Campsite in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park
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Last updated on October 1, 2024
