Within Mammoth Cave National Park, Maple Springs Campground serves equestrian and group campers on the less-traveled side of the Green River. Reaching this National Park Service facility requires either crossing the Green River Ferry or driving around the park's perimeter, as RVs cannot use the ferry crossing.
The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, with sites offering electric and water hookups. "Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded," reports Carrie J.. Sites spread out through wooded terrain, though not all provide shade coverage. Each includes two fire pits and picnic tables, with pit toilets and water stations serving the campground.
Horse activity defines much of the campground's character. Riders use the roads for morning warm-ups, and the facility provides direct access to mountain bike and hiking trails. Bounding Around notes they "could ride straight from the campground" to reach the trail system. The shared-use trails accommodate horses, hikers, and mountain bikers heading into the backcountry.
Campers consistently mention the area's quieter atmosphere compared to the main park facilities. Cell service works reliably for Verizon users, though the campground lacks shower facilities. The dump station sits on the main park side, requiring a 45-minute drive around for RV users. Tick populations can be heavy during warmer months, with multiple reviewers noting persistent issues despite protective measures.
For those seeking additional options beyond the equestrian focus, Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park provides a more traditional camping experience closer to cave tour access points.
Description
Overview
At Maple Springs, visitors can enjoy the serenity of the campground and surrounding backcountry trails, or spend their days exploring Mammoth Cave. Campers can explore up to ten miles of the cave through a variety of tours available at the Visitor Center. With more than 400 miles (644 km) of mapped passageways, Mammoth Cave ranks as the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave is named for its grand size and scale. Visit the Rotunda for an idea of just how large this underground world is. The World Heritage Site was explored by Native Americans more than 2,000 years ago, and Europeans discovered its existence at the turn of the 19th century.
Recreation
Avid horseback riders head to Maple Springs to explore the lush backcountry trails. Hikers will also find these trails enjoyable.
Facilities
Access to the primitive campground is best via ferry, located six miles from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center. The ferry accommodates up to two cars, and the ride is free, taking just a few minutes. Taking the ferry is the quickest route to the campground. If the ferry is unavailable, you will need to drive around, which takes about 45 minutes. For information on ferry schedules and trailer standards, call (270) 758-2166. These sites offer electric and water hookups. Sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 are recommended for equestrian use and feature a horse tie-up area. Please consider sites 5, 6, and 7 before booking the others, and prioritize those with horses for the equestrian sites. Note that there is no sewer or dump station at Maple Springs. A small amphitheater is available on-site, and a large fire pit is provided for groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
Natural Features
This campground is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, a 52,800-acre park that includes the Green River Valley, rolling Kentucky hillsides, and the expansive Mammoth Cave with grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways. This remote campsite is quiet, peaceful and ideal for those who want to be immersed in nature. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and coyotes.
Nearby Attractions
Take a tour of Mammoth Cave and see landmark cave areas like the Cathedral Domes and Mammoth's famous formation, Frozen Niagara. Or hike above the caverns to explore sinkholes like Cedar Sink.
Charges & Cancellations
Group Facilities - Overnight -$10.00 cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's use recreation use fee if cancelled less than 14 days before the arrival date (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Green River Ferry has closed due to structural damage caused by flooding. While the Ferry is down it can take 45 minutes to get from the Visitor Center to the Maple Springs Campground and Backcountry trail heads by going through Brownsville.
Location
Public CampgroundMaple Springs Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky
Directions
Directions from the North: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway towards the Visitor Center. Turn left on the Green River Ferry Road. Cross the ferry and follow the signs to Maple Springs. Turn left onto Maple Springs Loop. Maple Spring Campground will be on the left. For trailers or large vehicles, use alternate directions. Vehicles boarding the ferry must not exceed 8 tons and have a length no more than 16 feet. Alternate Directions from the North:Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park. Turn left on HWY 70 to Brownsville. Make a right on HWY 259. Turn right onto HWY 728 which becomes HWY 1827. Then turn right onto HWY 1352 and follow signs to Maple Springs Group Campground. Turn right onto Maple Springs Loop. Maple Spring Campground will be on the left. Directions from the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park. Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway; turn left. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway towards the Visitor Center. Turn left on the Green River Ferry Road. Cross the ferry and follow the signs to Maple Springs. Turn left onto Maple Springs Loop. Maple Spring Campground will be on the left. For trailers or large vehicles, use alternate directions. Vehicles boarding the ferry must not exceed 8 tons and have a length no more than 16 feet. Alternate Directions from the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park. Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway; turn left. Turn left on HWY 70 to Brownsville. Make a right on HWY 259. Turn right onto HWY 728 which becomes HWY 1827. Then turn right onto HWY 1352 and follow signs to Maple Springs Group Campground. Turn right onto Maple Springs Loop. Maple Spring Campground will be on the left.
Address
P.O. BOX 7
Mammoth cave, KY 42259
Coordinates
37.2072222 N
86.1316667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/16/26
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/16/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/16/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/16/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 51 min from Bowling Green, KY
- 58 min from Elizabethtown, KY
- 1 hr 31 min from Louisville, KY
- 1 hr 31 min from Owensboro, KY
