Maple Springs Group Campground at Mammoth Cave National Park

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Maple Springs Group Campground is located on the north side of the Green River just up the road from the Green River Ferry. If the ferry is operating, those in passenger vehicles (without trailers) can get to the campground in 15 minutes or so from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center where all cave tours begin. If it is not running due to low water—which happens all the time—it is at least an hour drive from the Visitor Center.

While called a Group Campground, having a group is not a requirement. Individuals and families can camp here as well. All group means in regards to the campground is that each campsite can accommodate up to 24 people.

Those with horses can also use the Maple Springs Group Campground. In fact, it is promoted as an equestrian campground. Keep in mind that you cannot use the ferry when pulling your horse trailer.

The Maple Springs Group Campground is tempting due to the fact that it is the only campground at Mammoth Cave National Park with electrical and water hook-ups, but the ferry is closed as often as it is open. Furthermore, when it is actually running, it shuts down at 4 PM, and many of the cave tours end at or after this time. Some even begin after 4 PM. If you can’t take the ferry, it’s going to be a two-hour round trip drive to your cave tour. Because this, I don’t recommend this campground to anyone other than those camping with their horses or spending their entire time in the backcountry hiking the trails. If you are visiting Mammoth Cave for the cave tours, you should be staying at the Mammoth Cave Campground, which is within walking distance of the Visitor Center. This campground has group campsites as well.

CAMPING SEASON

The Maple Springs Group Campground is open from March 1st through November 30th. If you wish to camp at Mammoth Cave National Park in the winter, the Houchin Ferry Campground is open year-round.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Tent campers and RVs up to 50 feet long are welcome at the campground. Two vehicles are allowed at each campsite.

RV at the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

There are seven large campsites at the Maple Springs Group Campground. Campsites 1 through 4 are equestrian sites, though it is not a requirement to have a horse to use these campsites. Horses are not allowed at campsites 5, 6, and 7.

Campsite 1 at the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

CAMPGROUND TERRAIN

The Maple Springs Group Campground is situated on a large, semi-wooded field. Some campsites are not very level. If it were to snow, you could go sledding at Campsite 4, so don’t pick that one if you are tent camping. It may well be the most lopsided campsite I have ever seen. Campsite 5 isn’t much better. The rest of them are fine for tents, with 6 and 7 being the most level.

Campsite 4 at the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

Campsite 3 at the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

AMENITIES

All campsites at Maple Springs have electrical (20 / 30 / 50 amp) and water hookups. There is no dump station, but there is one at the Mammoth Cave Campground that is available to anyone camping in the park. Multiple picnic tables are at each site plus two grills / fire ring.

The restrooms are fancy outhouses, which is what Jed Clampett would call a portable toilet in a permanent building. Many campers report that these are often very dirty. It is somewhat odd that there would be water hookups but no plumbing in the restrooms, but that’s the way it is. Pay showers are located at the camp store near the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center.

Fancy outhouse at the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

All campsites have a standard back-in driveway plus a large driveway parallel to the main campground road that can accommodate a large RV, bus, or horse trailer.

Large parallel driveway at Campsite 6 of the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

RESERVATIONS

Campsites at Maple Springs Group 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 Mammoth Cave 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 and 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 24 people per campsite
• Two vehicles per campsite
• Maximum 14-day stay in a calendar year.
• 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.
• Store your camp food inside a vehicle to prevent wildlife access.

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