Mammoth Cave National Park
The longest known cave system in the world, with more than four hundred mapped miles and more still being surveyed.
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system known anywhere — over four hundred miles mapped, and surveyors continue to add to it. Nothing else comes close.
Seeing it means taking a ranger-led tour, and the choice of tour matters more than anything else about a visit. They vary enormously: some are short and largely level, others involve hours underground, tight passages and several hundred stairs. Book ahead, because the popular tours sell out well in advance.
The cave holds a steady temperature in the fifties year round, so take a layer whatever the weather above ground. There is also surface parkland worth walking, with trails along the Green River.
What is the best national park for spelunking?
The best spelunking is in a national park that is home to a variety of caves. There are many different types of caves to explore, and each one has its own unique features.
The best spelunking is in a national park that is home to a variety of caves. There are many different types of caves to explore, and each one has its own unique features.
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