Mammoth Cave National Park offers multiple horse camping options within the park's 52,830 acres of protected Kentucky woodlands. With over 60 miles of trails winding through rolling hills and hardwood forests, equestrian campers can access diverse terrain ranging from flat riverside paths to more challenging inclines. Campgrounds throughout the area maintain specific amenities for horse owners including water hookups for horses and proximity to multiple trail networks.
What to do
Cave tours for all levels: Mammoth Cave National Park provides guided tours varying in difficulty and duration. "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!" advises a visitor at Mammoth Cave Campground.
Kayaking on Green River: Access the river from several points within the park. "We stopped in nearby Greensburg on the way to rent a kayak, as we'd heard the closest marina(s) to the campground only had pontoons and larger craft. The river itself was wonderful to explore via kayak, and we ended up barely hiking," notes a camper at Green River Lake State Park Campground.
Trail hiking: Multiple hiking trails connect the campgrounds to key areas of the park. "There are trails that leave the campground. Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening. Tons of trees and shade," reports a visitor at Mammoth Cave Campground.
Mountain biking: Dedicated mountain bike trails are accessible from several campgrounds. "We stayed on the Maple Springs side of the Green River to be closer to the mountain bike trails and are glad we did. The trails were great for both of us and we could ride straight from the campground," mentions a reviewer at Maple Springs Campground.
What campers like
Direct trail access: Horse camps connect directly to the park's trail system. "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," notes a camper at Maple Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening provide prime wildlife spotting opportunities. "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!" shares a visitor to Mammoth Cave Campground.
Seasonal ambiance: Different seasons offer unique camping experiences. "The campground has small, clean sites. We loved being close to the water as well. The trail system in the park was great and we put in over 14 miles of hiking there," explains a camper at Nolin Lake State Park Campground.
Campground atmosphere: Campers frequently mention the friendly environment. "People here were kind and trustworthy. People were charging their power stations unattended in the bathrooms. We were given extra wood by our neighbors. Other neighbors notified us when they saw us leaving stuff behind (just wood)," shares a Mammoth Cave Campground visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it! Water front sites in cove so not a lot of boat traffic. Quiet park with great gravel spots," advises a Nolin Lake State Park camper.
Ticks and insects: Prepare with appropriate repellents, especially in spring and summer. "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 and my gear had been treated with permethrin," warns a visitor to Maple Springs Campground.
Road access considerations: Some horse campgrounds require advance planning for RV access. "It is a one lane, paved road coming in (Lincoln School Rd). There is a sign telling you to call before you start down the road with your RV so they can make sure no one else is going to block you," notes a camper at Double J Stables and Campground.
Ferry crossings: Be aware of vehicle restrictions for Green River Ferry. "If you are 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. We are so glad we realized that ahead of time and didn't have to back track," shares a Maple Springs camper.
Tips for camping with families
Day trip alternatives: Plan activities beyond cave tours. "You can bring your own horses and they can stay in the field overnight or in a covered stall with shavings. If you don't have your own horse, they have the BEST horses for trail rides! The guide will take you directly into Mammoth Cave National Park," recommends a visitor to Double J Stables and Campground.
Campsite selection: Choose sites based on shade and proximity to amenities. "Cute little campground with lots of tree cover, not too noisy despite the close proximity of neighbors. Great access to the caves," advises a Mammoth Cave Campground visitor.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation. "Campground is surrounded by lake. Has a beach for swimming and playgrounds for the kids," notes a camper at Green River Lake State Park.
Evening entertainment: Look for naturalist programs and night sky viewing opportunities. "This is a perfect place for families. There is a playground for younger kids to play on. While we were there the owners were fundraising so they could improve it further," mentions a visitor to Dad's Bluegrass Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require extra preparation. "My site was slightly uphill where I had to park to reach the water hookup. The water hookup is very close to the ground and leaked for me. Made it very hard to connect the hose and pressure regulator," cautions a camper at Dad's Bluegrass Campground.
RV size limitations: Check campground specifications before booking. "Watch the approach since you could head into the truck stop - stay to the right and you will be ok. I used the truck stop to fill up on the way out and it was OK," advises another Dad's Bluegrass Campground visitor.
Campground amenities: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "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," notes a Green River Lake State Park camper.
Utility hookups: Check power and water options at your specific site. "The tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents," shares a Nolin Lake State Park visitor.
