Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park
Mandy C.
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
  • 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