Maple Springs Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

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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.

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Length:  1 mile (one way)
Time:  20 minutes on foot, 10 minutes on bike
Difficulty: Somewhere between easy and moderate
Suitable for Horses: Yes

The Maple Springs Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park is a 1-mile trail that begins at the Maple Springs Trailhead parking lot and dead ends at the intersection with the Big Hollow and Mill Branch trails. It is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. It is particularly appealing to mountain bikers, for it connects to the only substantial mountain biking trail within the park, the Big Hollow Trail. I rode my bike, but the description and photos will give everyone a good idea of what to expect.

Maple Springs Trail map (click to enlarge)

The Maple Springs Trailhead is located on the north side of the Green River just up the road from the Green River Ferry. If the ferry is operating, you can get to it in 15 minutes or so from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center or the Mammoth Cave Campground. If it is not running due to low water—which happens all the time—it is an hour drive from the Visitor Center.

The Maple Springs Trail starts to the left of the restroom facility. It is a gravel path, so road bikes are not going to fare well on it. Hybrid or mountain bikes are recommended.

Start of the Maple Springs Trail in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

While the Maple Springs Trail is hilly, no hills have grades steeper than 10% (15% is considered the start of strenuous hiking). I had to stand up and peddle to put a little oomph into it only once. I’m not an avid biker, and this trail was very easy for me. That’s all you need to know.

Typical terrain of the Maple Springs Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park

There are a couple intersections on the way to the Big Hollow Trail. The first is with a narrow trail that leads to the Maple Springs Group Campground. It comes just a few minutes from the start. The second intersection, this one with a trail to the Maple Springs Research Center, comes .4 mile from the start.

Intersection of the Maple Springs Trail and a connector to the Maple Springs Group Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park

The Maple Springs Trail ends after a mile at a fork with the Mill Branch Trail (left) and the Big Hollow Trail (right). I continued onto the Big Hollow Trail, which is open only to hikers and bikers. The Mill Branch Trail is for hikers and horseback riders. No bikes.

Intersection of the Maple Springs, Mill Branch, and Big Hollow trails in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park

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