• The Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave

    Mammoth Cave

    National Park Kentucky

For Kids

Kid in Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave National Park brings out the kid in most people – that curious, wondering side that grown-ups sometimes forget. With kids, it comes naturally.

"Where does that hole go?"

"Eww, what is that thing? ... Can I touch it?"

The park offers several activities for families, and for kids to do by themselves.


Trog Tour (for children 8-12)
No Parents Allowed! Twelve children voyage overland and underground with two rangers for a kids'-eye view of the world's longest known cave.

 
Children in Rainbow Dome
 

Introduction to Caving (for children 10 and up, and parents)
Families can join in the exploration together on Introduction to Caving, and hike, climb, and even crawl through parts of Mammoth Cave that most tours never visit.

Nature Track for Kids
Ranger-led programs draw kids together for fun games with a little something extra – a sense of discovery about the place each of us holds in our environment. (Seasonally, refer to the activity schedules. 45 min.)

 
Junior Ranger badge for Mammoth Cave National Park

Junior Ranger Program
Kids can get a Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center Information Desk, attend ranger-led activities, choose activities in the booklet to earn "bat points," and receive their Junior Ranger badge and certificate at the Information Desk. But don't think it's going to be easy... You've got to use your eyes and ears to gather all the information you need to know.

Kids can also check out and become part of the new Junior Ranger World Heritage Program at the following link:

Junior Ranger World Heritage Program

Did You Know?

Eyeless cave fish

Creatures that spend their entire lives in Mammoth Cave adapt to the dark world. Some types of cave fish, for example, do not grow eyes – supporting these extra unnecessary organs would consume precious energy in their nutrient-poor environment.