Buffalo Creek Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

---

If you plan to hike in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park, do not rely on the map that comes with the free park brochure. Purchase the weatherproof map by National Geographic that is available in the Visitor Center book store (it is also available from various online retailers). This map has more detail, and it is going to last much longer than the paper map. I hiked most trails in the backcountry using the National Geographic map, and it’s nearly as good as new.

---

Length:  4.4 miles (one way)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty:  Easy with a few moderate hills
Suitable for Horses: Yes

The Buffalo Creek Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park is a 4.4-mile trail that is open to both hikers and horseback riders (no bikes). It runs between the Maple Springs Trailhead and the Collie Ridge Trail. In between these two points it intersects with the Turnhole Bend, Dry Prong (twice), and Sal Hollow trails.

Buffalo Creek Trail map (click to enlarge)

I did not hike the entire Buffalo Creek Trail, and I did not start at either of the trailheads. Instead, I started in the middle at the western intersection with the Dry Prong Trail (yellow dot on the above map) and hiked back to the Maple Springs Trailhead. This review is written from that perspective, so keep it in mind.

The routes of all trails in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave are marked with blue blazes, which are paint splotches or colored markers on trees that you follow like Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs. In addition, mileage markers are attached to the trees so that you can keep track of your progress. They are supposed to be every quarter mile, though many are missing. According to the mileage marker near the Dry Prong Trail intersection, it is a 2.25-mile hike back to the Maple Springs Trailhead.

Blue blazes mark the route of the Buffalo Creek Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

The Buffalo Creek Trail—at least the section I hiked—is an old dirt road, so it is easy to hike compared to the traditional, narrow hiking trails in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park that are often overgrown (i. e. the CERTIFIED ROTTEN Dry Prong Trail).

Typical terrain on the central section of the Buffalo Creek Trail in Mammoth Cave National Park

I can’t say for sure what sort of trail lies between the Dry Prong and Collie Ridge trails because the Buffalo Creek Trail is certainly an old road at the Dry Prong intersection. In contrast, at the Collie Ridge Trail intersection it starts off as a traditional hiking trail. It is possible that it quickly becomes a dirt road, but it is also possible that it is a traditional hiking trail for most of the way, and that it is as overgrown as the Dry Prong Trail. Unfortunately, it is one of the few trail segments in the backcountry that I did not get around to hiking.

Buffalo Creek Trail at the intersection with the Collie Ridge Trail, Mammoth Cave National Park

Like all trails in the backcountry, the Buffalo Creek Trail is hilly, but most hills will barely register with the typical person who sets out on long hikes in the backcountry—outdoorsy and in good shape. There are no hills on the trail that have an average grade over 10%, which is just moderate in difficulty (15% is considered the starting point of strenuous hiking).

While not very difficult, the hike along the Buffalo Creek Trail is not carefree. Mudholes created by horse hooves churning up the dirt in perpetual wet areas are commonplace. Why these areas are wet, I have no idea. Despite the name, there is no creek anywhere within eyesight of the trail. To remedy the situation, the National Park Service dumped truckloads of rocks that range anywhere from golf ball to fist size on the mudholes. Walking across them is like walking across a dry creek bed, and it’s easy to twist an ankle. On top of that, since the rocks are loose, they can slide out from under your feet, so you have to be extra careful. And after all that, the mudholes are still there, so when you fall because of the rocks, you still end up covered in mud.

Mudhole and rocks on a section of the Buffalo Creek Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

After 1.3 mile, the Buffalo Creek Trail comes to a four-way intersection with the Turnhole Bend Trail and the eastern end of the Dry Prong Trail. The only directional sign is one identifying the Turnhole Bend Trail, so if you don’t have a map, you might be a little confused. Both the Turnhole Bend and the Buffalo Creek trails are dirt roads, whereas the Dry Prong Trail is a traditional hiking trail. Therefore, to continue, take the dirt road that isn’t the Turnhole Bend Trail.

The rest of the Buffalo Creek Trail is uneventful. It continues as a dirt road for another 1.1 mile. There are a few long, gradual inclines but nothing any more difficult than before.

Typical terrain on the eastern end of the Buffalo Creek Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

Just before the end of the hike at the Maple Springs Trailhead parking lot, the Buffalo Creek Trail comes to a gate that keeps vehicles off the trail (except for National Park Service vehicles). It is another 500 feet to the parking lot from here along a narrow hiking trail that is a little hard to find.

Gate across the Buffalo Creek Trail near the Maple Springs Trailhead, Mammoth Cave National Park

The gate is at a bend in the Good Spring Church Road, a gravel road that is still in use. You can take a left or keep walking straight ahead on this road, but that won’t get you back to the parking lot. Instead, look for a narrow hiking trail on the right. There is one before and after the gate. They both merge together, so take either one. This is the way back to the parking lot.

Trail from the gate across the Buffalo Creek Trail to the Maple Springs Trailhead parking area, Mammoth Cave National Park

Back at the Maple Springs Trailhead after hiking the Buffalo Creek Trail from west to east, Mammoth Cave National Park

Back to the Top