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Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Turnhole Backcountry Campsite is located in Mammoth Cave National Park, KY. The terrain consists of forested areas with limestone formations. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the extensive Mammoth Cave system and the Green River, offering opportunities for exploration and recreation.

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Location

Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

36.17825153710578 N
86.15979235441796 W

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Connectivity

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Beaver Creek

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Cages Bend

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Drive Time

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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4.5

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2020

Secluded Site, Easy Hike

Despite this campsite being surrounded by the Green River on 3 sides, water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet. The river is at least 1/2 mile away, through extremely dense brush, and the banks are not easy to access, if accessible at all. We were lucky that a creek just north of the intersection of Buffalo Creek, Sal Hollow, and Turnhole trail had some water to filter from.

This is a nice, secluded spot. You are on the end of a ridge. Clear nights with a bright moon were magical here. It is probably a beautiful spot when there is no foliage, as well. We camped in August.

There is a tent pad, hooks for lanterns or packs, horse hitches, and a fire ring with a grate attached. Hike in is a little over 3 miles, a pleasant hike, but not a whole lot to see in the summer besides a lot of chantrelles.

The Green River Ferry seems to be non-operational a lot. Call the hotline the day of your drive in to see which route you should take: 270-758-2166

We decided to do a day hike on the Sal Hollow Trail. It ended up being pretty exhausting: we believe it is a lot longer than the markers suggest, and a lot of the trail seems pretty unused/not kept up.

  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Mandy C., August 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Mandy C., August 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Mandy C., August 8, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2020

Easy or Hard

Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.

Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.

The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.

The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.

The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.

  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Shelly S., April 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Shelly S., April 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park by Shelly S., April 28, 2020
  • (13) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What trails can I use for backpacking in Mammoth Cave National Park?

Mammoth Cave National Park offers an extensive trail system that many visitors overlook when focusing solely on the cave attractions. For backpacking, the park features numerous trails including the Turnhole Bend Trail which leads to this backcountry campsite. The trail network traverses through the natural beauty of Kentucky woodland, providing excellent opportunities for multi-day hikes. The backcountry trails offer diverse terrain and scenery, from ridge tops to river valleys, giving backpackers a complete experience of the park's surface ecosystems beyond the famous underground attractions.

Do I need a reservation for backcountry camping at Mammoth Cave?

Yes, you need to check in before using any backcountry campsite at Mammoth Cave National Park. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays. These permits help park officials track usage and ensure campsite preservation. Permits are typically available at the visitor center, and it's advisable to secure them in advance, especially during peak seasons. Always check current regulations with the park service before your trip, as backcountry camping policies may be subject to seasonal changes or updates.

Can I camp with an RV in Mammoth Cave National Park?

RV camping is not permitted at Turnhole Backcountry Campsite or any of the park's backcountry locations. These sites are primitive and accessible only by hiking trails. However, Mammoth Cave National Park does offer developed campgrounds that accommodate RVs in other areas of the park. For RV camping, look into the park's main campground areas which provide appropriate facilities and access roads. The backcountry areas, including Turnhole, are strictly for tent camping and accessible only by foot.

Where are the backcountry camping sites located in Mammoth Cave National Park?

Backcountry campsites at Mammoth Cave National Park are strategically located throughout the park's wilderness areas. The Turnhole Backcountry Campsite is situated along the Green River, with the river surrounding the site on three sides. Other primitive sites are distributed across the park's backcountry, accessible via the trail system. These sites are typically positioned to offer both seclusion and strategic overnight locations for multi-day backpacking trips, though they require varying hiking distances to reach.