Mammoth Cave Campground at Mammoth Cave National Park

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Mammoth Cave Campground is the main campground at Mammoth Cave National Park. It is located within walking distance of the Visitor Center, which is where all cave tours begin.

CAMPING SEASON

Mammoth Cave Campground is open from March 1st through November 30th. If you wish to tent camp at other times of the year, the Houchin Ferry Campground is open year-round.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Mammoth Cave Campground can accommodate tents, RVs up to 38 feet in length, vehicles with trailers up to 26 feet in length, and other types of self-contained sleeping vehicles.

Campsite 14 in Loop B of the Mammoth Cave Campground

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

The campground is comprised of four loops with 111 campsites in total. All are open to tent camping, and most can also accommodate RVs. Four campsites are for group camping. Individual campsites allow up to eight people, while group campsites can hold up to 16 people.

Group campsite at Mammoth Cave Campground

LOOP A

Loop A is for tent camping only. It has six individual campsites and four group campsites.

Group campsite in Loop A of the Mammoth Cave Campground

The Loop A individual campsites are huge. Other than having only one picnic table, I had trouble distinguishing them from the group sites. On the surface, this appears to be a great place to tent camp until you realize there might be dozens of kids next to you in the group sites. As temping as this loop is, I suggest staying here only during the week when school is in session. Also, since this area is for tents only, no generators are allowed.

Standard campsite in Loop A of the Mammoth Cave Campground

LOOP B

Loop B is for tents and RVs. There are 43 campsites, two of which are for disabled visitors.

Most campsites have back-in driveways, but there are a few pull-throughs: 11, 13, 17, 21, 22. 34, 36, 51. There are also some campsites with short driveways. Driveway length is given on the reservation website, Recreation.gov.

Campsite 13 in Loop B of the Mammoth Cave Campground

All but one campsite in Loop B are large enough for two tents, and there is plenty of level ground. The exception is campsite 27, which has enough level space for only one tent.

Campsite 42 in Loop B of the Mammoth Cave Campground

As far as driveways for RVs are concerned, unless you want to level your vehicle, avoid sites 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29, 31, and 46. The rest of the driveways are much better, but depending on your tolerance, you may still have to do some vehicle leveling.

Campsite 17 in Loop B of the Mammoth Cave Campground

Campsite 31 in Loop B of the Mammoth Cave Campground

Hikers and bikers can access the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail between campsites 22 and 23.

LOOP C

Loop C has 37 campsites for tents and RVs. Some of these are as large as any at the Mammoth Cave Campground, but there are definitely more smaller sites here than in the other loops.

Campsite 58 is one of the larger campsites in C Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

The best two campsites for RVs and tents are 76 and 82, so grab these if available. Both could be group campsites, that’s how large they are. If camping with a small tent, sites 54, 56, and 88 will do. Avoid campsites 57, 77, 78, 80, 83, and 85.

Campsite 76 in C Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

There are more level driveways for RVs in Loop C than in the other loops. Avoid campsites 78, 79, and 83 if you do not want to be leveling your RV.

Campsite in C Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

LOOP D

Loop D has 21 campsites for tents and RVs. Most have a large yard for multiple tents.

Campsite 108 in D Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

Campsite 100 in D Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

Pull-through driveways are at campsites 94 through 100 and 106, 107, and 108. However, some of these are quite sloped and should be avoided if you are adverse to leveling your RV. Driveways to avoid include 92, 94, 95, 96, 98, 101, 102, 103, 109, 110 and 111. The worst of the bunch are 94, 95, and 96. These sites aren’t even suitable for tents.

Sloped driveway and camping area of campsite 95 in the D Loop of Mammoth Cave Campground

For those in tents, avoid campsites 92, 94, 95, and 96 as mentioned, plus 102 and 111. These are sloped and / or have room for only a small tent.

CAMPGROUND TERRAIN

Mammoth Cave Campground is a wooded campground with a dirt camping surface. Tent stakes go into the ground very easily. I camped in three different sites and never hit a rock or root when hammering in my stakes.

Most campsites are large, and there is plenty of space between them. However, there is no vegetation blocking the view between sites, so there is still no real privacy.

AMENITIES

All campsites have a cement picnic table that cannot be moved and a grill / fire ring.

Picnic table and fire ring / grill are standard at all campsites in Mammoth Cave Campground

There is no electricity or water hook ups at any of the campsites. Generators are allowed between 8 AM and 8 PM as long as they are properly muffled and do not make a lot of noise. There are pump-style water spigots placed throughout the campground.

Modern restrooms with sinks and toilets are located in each loop. Larger loops have multiple facilities.

Coin-operated showers are located on the right side of Caver’s Camp Store. There is a change machine that takes $1 and $5 bills only. You can break larger bills at the store up until it closes at 7 PM. The showers are open 24 hours a day, but if all you have is a $20 bill, you are out of luck for late night showers.

In addition to showers, the camp store has a small restaurant that serves hot sandwiches, wraps, pizza, etc. You can purchase firewood, convenience store food, and camping supplies. There is also a United States Post Office at the back of the building by the showers.

Caver’s Camp Store in Mammoth Cave National Park

FEES AND RESERVATIONS

Campsites at Mammoth Cave Campground can be reserved up to six months in advance at Recreation.gov. Reservations are not required but are recommended. You can also get a campsite on the day of your arrival during business hours at either the Visitor Center or the Campground Office at the entrance to the campground. Because the Visitor Center is usually packed with people trying to get cave tours, the Campground Office is the better place to get your campsite.

Camp office located at the entrance to the Mammoth Cave Campground

Those arriving after hours must reserve and pay for their campsite at Recreation.gov. Cell service is not that great other than outside the Visitor Center or the Campground Office, as both places have Wi-Fi connection.

CAMPGROUND RULES

• Check-out time is 11 AM. Check-in time is after 1 PM.
• Maximum of 8 people per standard campsite and 16 at the group campsites.
• Maximum 14 day stay per calendar year.
• Only one RV per site. Two tents per site.
• Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.
• Generators are permitted from 8 AM to 8 PM as long as they are properly muffled and do not create unreasonable noise.
• Articles left unattended at an unpaid campsite for 24 hours may be impounded.
• Do not dig, trench, or level ground at your campsite.
• Please deposit refuse in dumpsters and recycling bins by the A Loop restroom.
• Do not wash dishes or clothing at water hydrants.
• Catch your drain water in buckets and empty into toilets in the restrooms.
• Store your camp food inside a vehicle to prevent wildlife access.

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