A
Alexej B.
Traveler
TravelerMammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
Nice place for visiting the NP MC
Busy campground but close to the NP entrance so good for visiting the caves and trails that start even directly on the campground
Camping near Mammoth Cave National Park
Camping around Mammoth Cave National Park ranges from spots inside the park to nearby state parks with different setups. The Mammoth Cave Campground puts you close to cave tours and trails, with good bathrooms and even special parking if you camp with horses. Maple Springs Campground sits in a quieter part of the park near backcountry trails, where you'll find drinking water and flush toilets while being surrounded by woods. Weather plays a big role in when to visit - spring and fall have the best temperatures, summer gets hot and sticky, and some areas close during winter. During dry spells, fire rules might change, so it's worth checking before you go. You should book ahead, particularly in busy seasons, since these places fill up fast. If you want to be near water, Nolin Lake State Park Campground isn't far away and has fishing and boating access plus showers and a dump station. Local mountain bikers have built trails in the area too, giving you more to do outside the caves. The campgrounds work well for all kinds of trips, from family outings to solo trips. Just remember to pack out what you pack in to keep the park looking good.
Campground Showdown near Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
OR
Round 1 of 5
Best Camping Sites Near Mammoth Cave National Park (74)
1. Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
138 ReviewsMammoth Cave, KY3 miles+1 (270) 758-2424$25 - $50 / night
"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."
2. Nolin Lake State Park Campground
40 ReviewsSweeden, KY8 milesWebsite+1 (270) 286-4240$25 - $40 / 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."
3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave
34 ReviewsPark City, KY13 milesWebsite"We went over a long weekend in October, with the point of the trip being to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground had activities for the kids all day Friday and Sunday. "
"Close proximity to Mammoth Cave. Don’t miss the Amish bakery/cafe nearby!"
4. Singing Hills RV Park And Campground
21 ReviewsPark City, KY8 milesWebsite+1 (270) 773-3789"This campground is located near the entrance of Mammoth Cave National Park. It is a great place for a day or two of relaxation before getting back on the highway."
"The campground is cute and less than 15 mins to the Mammoth Cave National Park visitor Center. Nothing fancy, older bathhouse, small pond and large field for kids to explore. Some spots are snug."
5. Moutardier
23 ReviewsSweeden, KY10 milesWebsite+1 (270) 286-4230$18 - $50 / night
"Ours had lake access and we only booked it a couple days in advance. Launched our kayaks from our site. Decent bicycling in the area."
"**
Campground Review: Coming from Western Kentucky Parkway W or KY I65 either way you drive in to **Moutardier Campground you will"
6. Maple Springs Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
12 ReviewsMammoth Cave, KY1 mileWebsite+1 (270) 758-2424$50 / night
"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."
"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."
7. Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV & Golf Resort
14 ReviewsPark City, KY7 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"Diamond Caverns RV Resort was an enjoyable stay on the edge of Mammoth Cave National Park. Right off of I65 it's a short drive to the campground."
"This park is located on the entrance road to Mammoth Caves NP, and it is a spectacular way to stay and enjoy the hiking in the caves!"
8. Dog Creek Campground
14 ReviewsMammoth Cave, KY9 milesWebsite+1 (270) 524-5454$18 - $50 / night
"Dog Creek Campground is located on Nolin River Lake in the Kentucky countryside."
"Seems all sites have a lake view. Less than half full sun-Tuesday. Stayed at a006. Very close to beach, but that means you hear everything at the beach. Very humid and virtually no shade at our site."
9. Cave Country RV Campground
14 ReviewsCave City, KY10 milesWebsite+1 (270) 773-4678"This RV resort is located conveniently 15-20 minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park. Also there are a lot of places to eat nearby. The staff/owners are all very friendly."
"The Mammoth Cave National Park is 10 miles with many other attractions nearby. We stayed for a week and loved it."
10. Wax - Nolin River Lake
15 ReviewsSweeden, KY11 milesWebsite+1 (270) 242-7578$18 - $50 / night
"We chose this campground due to the convenient location near Mammoth Cave National Park."
"Wax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized."
Recent Camping Photos near Mammoth Cave National Park
136 Photos of 74 Mammoth Cave National Park Campgrounds
Carrie J.
Maple Springs Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
Dani B.
Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
Heather K.
Double J Stables and Campground
Shea M.
Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park
Laura H.
Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV & Golf Resort
Jessica G.
Rock Cabin Camping
Diego D.
Nolin Lake State Park Campground
Brandon D.
Mollys Ridge at Mammoth Cave
Cody J.
Moutardier
Dan R.
Wax - Nolin River Lake
Mary Elisabeth D.
Horse Cave KOA
Heather K.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave
Recent Reviews near Mammoth Cave National Park
595 Reviews of 74 Mammoth Cave National Park Campgrounds
Byron S.
GuideCamp Carlson Army RV Park
Nice RV military site
The area is clean and lots of shaded areas. The sites are level and lots of room. There is electric, water and sewer at each site. There are a few pass through sites for bigger RVs. It is close to Ft Knox military base (commissary, etc). The bathrooms are clean and the washer/dryers are well maintained (cost is $1 for washer and dryer). It was very quite this time of year and only hand few of RVs onsite. There is no cell or WiFi, I used Starlink and it worked great. They are adding fiber to each site and I asked one of the workers and he said it should be a few months to finish. The staff was friendly and easy check in.
- HHeidi J.Guide
Horse Cave KOA
Clean and easy on & off the highway
This was a very nice and safe campground. Our Airstream took some leveling because the whole campground is on a hill. If you have kids they'll love it. It also has lots of open room for dogs to walk. There's not a lot around there for good food, however we did find a clean & tasty place with HUGE portions called, Buckingham's Honey and Oak.
- TThomas M.
ScoutSinging Hills RV Park And Campground
Beautiful stay, great staff and just a few minutes from the NP
We checked in late on Thursday, coming from about 10 hours away, the proprietor called to check in and had no trouble with letting us check in late at night. Mr. Brown, has done an amazing job with this camp ground, we will definitely be back! It’s a beautiful area, beautiful park and wonderful owners!
MickandKarla W.
LegendBourbon Springs RV Resort
New Campground with a Lot of Promise
We received an information email the day before prior to arrival with general info and wifi password plus how to pre check in. The morning of arrival, we received another email with specific instructions to not trust GPS and follow their instructions. Our Trip Wizard and Waze GPS instructions actually brought us right to the campground (CG). Since we had pre checked in, we were instructed in the directions email to go directly to deluxe pull-through site 78, where our welcome package would be in the electrical box. The site was plenty long enough for our 40’ toy hauler and F450. Not sure why this is a deluxe site as its gravel with a picnic table and portable fire pit? The utilities were more towards the front of the pad with no issues reaching the connections. It was a nice touch to see a small cement circle pad on the sewer connection. This is a new CG, so amenities like the laundry and gift shop were not opened yet. Water pressure was good. We got 4 bars on Verizon and 3 bars 5G on T-Mobile. We used our T-Mobile Internet versus Starlink. It would not have been an issue to use satellite as there are no mature trees in the campground. They have one large(about 1/4 acre) fenced dog area. The dog park slopes down a hill and connects with a fence that goes around the property. Do not throw small balls down the hill as they can go through the fence and there’s no way to recover the ball due to no openings/gates near by to get to the back of the dog park. There’s also a smaller fenced dog area near the front of the CG. Great customer service before and during our stay.
- Paulene T.Traveler
Singing Hills RV Park And Campground
Nice little park just a short drive from I65
Over night stay. Called to reserve a spot and arrived just before dusk. Had a quick check in, found our spot and had a quick set up for a short overnight stay. Lovely quiet park and great hosts. Would stay here again.
- AAlexandria G.Guide
Rock Cabin Camping
Friendly, easygoing, simple camping
Absolutely love staying here. Quiet, pretty, easy, and the owners and staff are delightful.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
RangerGlendale Campground
Simply serene
Great overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones. We don’t have little ones, but I couldn’t resist a ride on the merry-go-round! The facilities were pristine with piping hot showers that had great water pressure. Perfect TMobile signal and ***free WiFi *** which allowed us to get some work done. Conveniently located near 65 without too much traffic noise. Would definitely return here. Pick site 14 for the best view beside the lake.
Michele R.ScoutMorning View Farms
Weekend getaway
I could not say enough enough wonderful things about our stay. Our host was amazing, the nature was peaceful, serene, and everything we needed for a relaxing time away from home.
Guide to Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park campsites dot the landscape in south-central Kentucky where the Green River cuts through limestone terrain, creating the world's longest known cave system spanning over 400 miles. At elevations ranging from 460-800 feet, the camping areas experience wide temperature swings between day and night, even in summer months. Most campgrounds in the area maintain operation from April through October, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Cave tours beyond Mammoth: While the national park offers excellent cave tours, consider exploring Diamond Caverns RV Resort and Golf, located just minutes from the park entrance. "There are many local attractions within 20 minutes and several other cave systems to see here as well," notes Laura H.
Paddling on Nolin Lake: The clear waters at Nolin Lake State Park Campground offer excellent kayaking and swimming opportunities. "The lake is perfect for swimming, boating, or kayaking," explains Ellen L. The water remains warm enough for comfortable swimming through September.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer bank fishing access for anglers. "Singing Hills has a stock pond for kids to fish with bamboo poles that the park provides (catch & release only)," explains a reviewer. The stocked ponds are particularly good for younger anglers looking to catch smaller fish.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Many visitors appreciate the abundant wildlife at Mammoth Cave Campground. "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!" shares Gloria J. "Deer & turkey walk thru ur campsite!" The animals are most active at dawn and dusk.
Evening ambiance: Campers frequently mention the natural nighttime atmosphere. "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening. Tons of trees and shade," writes Veronica S. The limited light pollution also makes for excellent stargazing opportunities during clear nights.
Well-maintained facilities: The Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds receive consistent praise for upkeep. At Wax Campground, a visitor notes, "Shower houses were newer and spotless with good water pressure and even hot water." Many campgrounds in the area have been renovated in the past decade.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. At Dog Creek Campground, one camper mentioned "No signal at all on my phone or my husband phone but it was okay." Signal strength is typically better at campgrounds closer to Interstate 65.
Train noise: Some campgrounds near Cave City experience train disruptions. "Do not camp close to the railroad tracks. Loud horns in the middle of the night," warns Thomas R. about Cave Country RV Campground. Sites farther from the tracks offer a quieter experience.
Ticks present: Be prepared for insects, particularly in spring and early summer. One visitor to Maple Springs Campground warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive water-based recreation for children. "Karst beach is so nice with the wibit (extra cost but worth it). The pools are OK in my opinion," mentions Beth H. The water amenities typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Nature programs: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led educational activities. "There are trails that leave the campground," notes a visitor to Mammoth Cave Campground. These often include junior ranger programs designed specifically for children ages 5-12.
Playground options: Many area campgrounds feature play equipment for different age groups. "The play ground is huge. There is mini golf, volleyball, and basketball," explains one visitor to Diamond Caverns RV Resort. These amenities provide alternatives when cave tours are booked.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared to make adjustments at many area campgrounds. At Cave Country RV Campground, one camper noted, "Even on the concrete pad, we had to level side to side." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, especially for larger rigs.
Electric load management: Some campgrounds have limited electrical capacity during peak summer months. "The electricity at the campground doesn't appear to be able to handle the amount of load that most campers will pull in the summer months," warns Jason F. Running air conditioners and other high-draw appliances simultaneously may trip breakers.
Water connection sharing: At certain campgrounds, hookups service multiple sites. "Water spigots are also shared, which means you'll have low water pressure if you're both using water simultaneously," notes a visitor to Singing Hills RV Park. Consider filling your freshwater tank rather than relying on direct connection during busy periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Mammoth Cave National Park?
What are the best campgrounds in Mammoth Cave National Park?
The best campground within Mammoth Cave National Park is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park, which offers a convenient location for cave exploration. Campers appreciate its cleanliness and the pet-friendly amenities, including designated areas for dogs while visitors tour the caves. For those seeking options just outside the park, Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park provides a more secluded experience. Both campgrounds serve as excellent bases for exploring the extensive cave systems and surrounding hiking trails, with Mammoth Cave Campground offering more amenities while Houchin Ferry provides a more rustic experience.
Is backcountry camping allowed in Mammoth Cave National Park?
Is backcountry camping allowed in Mammoth Cave National Park?
Yes, backcountry camping is allowed in Mammoth Cave National Park. Backcountry campers must obtain a free permit from the Visitor Center before setting out. The park offers several designated backcountry sites along established trails, particularly in the park's northern section. These sites are primitive with no facilities, so campers must practice Leave No Trace principles, including proper food storage and waste disposal. Water must be treated, and campfires are generally prohibited in backcountry areas. Backcountry camping provides a more immersive experience in the park's 70+ miles of trails through diverse forest ecosystems, away from the more developed front-country camping areas.
Are there free or dispersed camping options near Mammoth Cave?
Are there free or dispersed camping options near Mammoth Cave?
While Mammoth Cave National Park itself doesn't offer free dispersed camping, there are affordable options nearby. Cave Creek - Rough River Lake is about an hour from the park and offers economical camping with amenities like generous firewood bundles for just $5. For those seeking budget-friendly alternatives, Wax - Nolin River Lake provides waterfront sites at reasonable rates and is conveniently located near the national park. Both options are significantly more affordable than private campgrounds while still offering beautiful natural settings and basic amenities.
What RV camping facilities are available at Mammoth Cave National Park?
What RV camping facilities are available at Mammoth Cave National Park?
For RV camping near Mammoth Cave, Cave Country RV Campground offers full hookups just 10-15 minutes from the park entrance. This well-maintained facility features amenities including a swimming pool, picnic tables, fire rings, and a dog park. Another excellent option is Singing Hills RV Park And Campground, located less than 15 minutes from the visitor center. It offers full hookups, a fishing pond, and spacious sites in a quiet, relaxing setting. Both campgrounds provide convenient bases for exploring Mammoth Cave while enjoying the comforts of dedicated RV facilities that aren't available within the national park itself.
Keep Exploring