3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park accommodates equestrian campers with facilities separated into specialized areas for both horses and regular camping. Spacious sites feature double grated fire pits, picnic tables, and ample room for horse trailers. Many horse owners use the campground road for morning warm-up rides before heading to trails. The campground provides water access and clean vault toilets. Electric and water hookups are available for RVs, though showers are not provided. Half the sites cater specifically to horses, making the area more barn-like than typical campgrounds. Some areas of the park allow dispersed camping, requiring check-in with the main office first.
Direct trail access from Maple Springs provides riders with connections to the larger trail system within Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground sits on the north side of Green River and requires taking the Green River Ferry or driving around the park for access with larger rigs. Across the ferry is Mammoth Cave Horse Camp, providing additional equestrian camping options within the park. Morning riders frequently exercise their horses on the campground roads before hitting the trails. A handicap-accessible horse loading area is available for riders with mobility needs. Group camping areas accommodate equestrians traveling together with their animals. The ferry crossing adds a distinctive element to the equestrian camping experience, though RV campers should note that the ferry cannot accommodate larger rigs.
"We were very impressed when we stopped on our road trip to visit Mammoth Caves National Park! They even had a nice area for our dog to stay while we were caving!"
"I went to ****Mammoth Cave National Park the first time as a child with my family in the 70’s. I took my children to Mammoth in the 90’s."
Available next weekend
from $25 - $50 / night
"We loved that hiking in Mammoth Cave National park was only 15 min away!"
"Near Brownsville, Ky and a little off the beaten path. But definitely worth a visit or two."
Available next weekend
from $25 - $45 / night
"I visited the Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park for a total of 3 days/2 nights. I chose this site because it was pet friendly."
"Like most, we were here to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. We stayed on the Maple Springs side of the Green River to be closer to the mountain bike trails and are glad we did."
Available next weekend
from $50 / night
"The horse barn is the first building you will see on your left."
from $15 - $25 / night
"Tucked away on the backside of Mammoth Cave NF, Ky, you want to find this Horse Camp."
from $25 / night
"There is a short trail near the boat ramp, more for fisher folk then a good hike. It ends at a small inlet. You have a strip of grass to your uphill side to use, otherwise not much privacy."
"While visiting family in Scottsville we were in need of a close by RV park for our 40’ rig. This was the perfect spot for us."
"A lot of people pull in for the night since it's right off the highway and behind a Pilot/Flying J, but it was still quiet."
from $30 - $45 / night
"Beautiful country farm setting old dairy farm located near Cecilia. There are several mowed areas one is near a fishing pond. Firewood purchasable from the host!"
from $20 - $50 / night
"Campground is surrounded by lake. Has a beach for swimming and playgrounds for the kids."
"Easy check in and nice level sites close to the water. The newer section has very few trees for shade. The older section had plenty of shade and nice sites."
from $23 - $40 / night
"Has horse camping with covered stalls. Great trails on Green River Lake State Park for hiking, biking & horses. Located close to boat ramps. You’ll be glad you chose Green River Stables!"
GuideI came here an early November, and it has been very quiet. There is very little signal for AT&T, and my Starlink is not very helpful because many of the trees still have leaves on, and it makes for a dense canopy. Site C 079 is fine for my 23’ sprinter van, though I had to put two levels of blocks under the front to get close to level.
RangerThe sites are smaller than the photos show. Some are very uneven. Yes you can walk to the visitors center, depending where you are camped its almost a mile one way. (For those who have difficulty walking) The showers are not wheelchair accessible. Coin showers, but definitely hot. I had NO Verizon service at campsite.
GuideIf you want to be near the cave entrances and popular trails this is a great spot. Stayed in loop A and the bathroom was super clean. Can get noisy due to the road right next to the campsite.
TravelerPrioritize money over safety of guests, period. Focus on seasonal money over long-term gas period management has literally said, we don't like these people, we realize you don't like these people, but we need their money, so get along with them. This is what they tell their permanent people to deal with during the summer when there are drunks. Literally had golf carts with unsupervised kids going past the house, over 300 notifications. Normal traffic is about 100, just on the weekend. Drunks on boats. Management is two-faced. They are so focused on making it a bougie place since they took over four and a half, five years ago, that they no longer care about making sure that they have a community that cares about each other. They have three communities. They have permanent communities who care about the park and get together and look out for each other. Then they have seasonal people who are drunk, don't care, don't follow the rules. And then they have work groups who they prioritize over residents and people who have picked up, cleaned the park, cared about the park, and don't want to see toddlers get run over by kids on golf carts like last summer. Every summer, it is nuts. There's no quiet anytime anymore, even in the dead of winter. This place is nuts. Overpriced. If you get anything in permission, like I did, get it in writing or management will use it to throw you out. I had permission for what I was doing. I'd done it for three years, and they prioritized a group of project workers that will be gone in a few months over a long-term resident who is disabled, not available to meet, not arguing with a neighbor who's a child, and lied three times in the middle of our own private conversation and ran to management with lies.
ScoutEverything is so clean and beautiful here. Tons to do and enjoy. Facilities are well kept!
GuideA beautiful well maintained state park. Would have got 5 stars but no electricity at sites due to flooding and the warnings online made it sound like it was just a few sites affected but we had a generator so it all worked out definitely worth a visit
TravelerGood place to camp while visiting Mammoth Caves. Walkable to showers which are located right outside the campground. Ok, but not super clean. Campsite was a good size and shaded. Pull through driveway was level enough. Staff friendly/helpful.
TravelerBeautiful campground, green, quiet, clean. Walking distance to visitor center and cave tours.
GuideCampground is peaceful despite sites being pretty close to each other. No water or electric at sites, but there are bathrooms and a (coin-operated) shower house nearby. For $25/night, it’s a solid deal.
Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park offers specialized equestrian camping on the north side of Green River. The area requires crossing Green River Ferry or driving around the park for access with larger rigs. Direct trail access connects riders to the larger trail system throughout the 52,830-acre national park where elevation ranges from 420 to 900 feet above sea level. The climate features warm, humid summers and mild winters with annual rainfall averaging 52 inches.
Trail riding with direct access: At Maple Springs Campground, riders can access numerous trails from their campsite. One reviewer notes, "Nice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too."
Kayaking on nearby rivers: Green River Lake State Park offers excellent water exploration opportunities. A visitor explains, "The river itself was wonderful to explore via kayak, and we ended up barely hiking."
Cave tours at different difficulty levels: While camping in the area, cave tours are the main attraction. According to one camper at Mammoth Cave Campground, "Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience. Make sure your boots have enough tread or you won't be allowed to do the tour!"
Dispersed backcountry camping: Several areas throughout the park permit dispersed camping. "There are also several primitive spots you can backpack into, check in with the staff before beginning your adventure," advises a visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Campers enjoy the natural habitat around Mammoth Cave. A reviewer at Mammoth Cave Campground shares, "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!"
Ferry crossing experience: Taking the Green River Ferry adds a unique element to the camping trip. "We first entered the park via the 'secret' entrance, byway of a narrow road at the very north of the park, in which we had to take a single car automated ferry across the green river, which was enjoyed by all."
Natural soundscape: The peaceful environment creates a natural soundscape. A camper at Nolin Lake State Park describes, "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening. Tons of trees and shade."
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer special evening programs. "If you're in a RV note that you can't go across the ferry with your rig!!! You have to go around the park to access this campground," cautions one visitor about reaching Maple Springs.
Tick prevention critical: The area has significant tick populations. A camper cautions, "The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray."
Campsite spacing varies: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy. At Mammoth Cave Horse Camp, "Not huge and not to small, you can easily bring a small group of friends here for a private horsing around retreat."
Seasonal store hours: Plan your supply runs carefully. "Only downside is maybe the camp store closes really early. I think maybe 5? By the time we got there our first day it was closed."
Ferry limitations: The Green River Ferry has strict size limitations. "If you are in a vehicle, you do not need to call. When you arrive, most likely, Dave or Rocky (the owners) will greet you with a big smile and a howdy!"
Ranger programs for kids: Children enjoy the educational programs available. At Double J Stables and Campground, "Check their website for weekend events like Derby, ladies getaways, kids day camps and more!"
Playground access: Some campgrounds have dedicated play areas. "There is a playground for younger kids to play on. While we were there the owners were fundraising so they could improve it further."
Beach swimming: Multiple lakes in the area offer swimming opportunities. A visitor to Nolin Lake State Park mentions, "There is a swimming beach and boat ramp on Nolin Lake nearby."
Shorter cave tours: Choose age-appropriate cave experiences. "Our normally restless kids were so taken by the 2 hr cave tour that they remained in near total silence and awe as we tunneled through this slow moving guided cave walk."
Water hookup challenges: RV campers should be prepared for varying water connections. At Dad's Bluegrass Campground, "The water hookup is very close to the ground and leaked for me. Made it very hard to connect the hose and pressure regulator. Used all of my 25 foot hose to reach my connection."
Limited shower facilities: Many equestrian-focused campgrounds have limited shower options. "The showers are newer, air conditioned and clean. Showers are spacious with seating and wall hooks. Luke warm water, which definitely makes for quick showers!"
Parking limitations: Some campgrounds have strict vehicle policies. "I called and asked if two vehicles were acceptable as it is at most campsites. The owner said yes. However when the second person arrived, he had to buy a second site."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on your shade preferences. "The middle sites have pretty much no shade and we sweltered our middays, chasing the limited shade."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the horse camp located in Mammoth Cave National Park?
Mammoth Cave Horse Camp — Mammoth Cave National Park is tucked away on the backside of Mammoth Cave National Forest in Kentucky. It's situated to provide direct access to the park's horse trails. The camp is not overly large but offers sufficient space for small groups of equestrians. To reach it, you'll need to travel to the less-visited areas of the park, away from the main visitor facilities.
Are there guided horse tours or stables at Mammoth Cave National Park?
Yes, there are options for guided horse tours near Mammoth Cave National Park. Double J Stables and Campground offers horseback riding experiences for visitors. For those looking for additional options, Green River Stables provides horse camping with covered stalls and access to trails. These facilities allow visitors to enjoy guided equestrian experiences while exploring the natural beauty of the Mammoth Cave area.
What horse riding trails are available at Mammoth Cave National Park?
Mammoth Cave National Park offers an extensive network of horse riding trails that wind through the park's diverse terrain. Maple Springs Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park serves as an excellent starting point for equestrians, with trail access directly from the campground. The park features multiple interconnected trails that traverse hardwood forests, limestone ridges, and river valleys. Riders can explore trails on the north side of the Green River, which is less crowded and more suitable for horseback riding than the main visitor areas. Most trails are well-maintained and offer varying lengths and difficulty levels.
What amenities are available at Mammoth Cave horse camp?
The horse camping facilities at Mammoth Cave National Park provide essential amenities for equestrians. The camp includes designated sites spacious enough for horse trailers and camping equipment. Facilities typically include hitching posts, water access for horses, and fire rings at campsites. Nolin Lake State Park Campground, located near Mammoth Cave, offers additional amenities with large sites that can accommodate trailers and RVs, regularly maintained gravel pads, and clean bathroom facilities. For overnight horse camping, most sites require reservations, especially during peak season.
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