Warning
GeneralRoad construction near our facility may limit parking or cause traffic delays. Please consider these conditions when planning your travel.
Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
About Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 94
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Year-round
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping.
Rates, Sites & Availability
94 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
94 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (262)
What Guests Are Saying
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping offers beautiful, private campsites with great views and reliable water sources. Many reviewers appreciated the scenic surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere, especially at sites like Collie Ridge and Bluff's campsite. However, some challenges include navigating overgrown trails, horse droppings, and occasional issues with ticks and mud; planning ahead and bringing sufficient water is advised.
What Guests Are Saying
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping offers beautiful, private campsites with great views and reliable water sources. Many reviewers appreciated the scenic surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere, especially at sites like Collie Ridge and Bluff's campsite. However, some challenges include navigating overgrown trails, horse droppings, and occasional issues with ticks and mud; planning ahead and bringing sufficient water is advised.
Review Summary
Ben F
VerifiedMay 26, 2022 • Stayed at: Collie Ridge, Loop: Collie Ridge
Great campsite, with a nice spring close
James G
VerifiedMay 26, 2022 • Stayed at: Turnhole Bend, Loop: Turnhole Bend
We hiked out to the Turnhole Bend campsite. The hike is relatively flat and fairly easy. Much of the hike is on old roads that are also used by horses, so there are a few muddy spots in places. There is no drinking water available at this site, so you have to pack in water. Site was flat and had a good tent pad. Site and trail were well maintained. The campsite is located at the end of a ridge so it is high and dry with good drainage. This would be a good first backpacking trip for beginners and children.
Austin T
VerifiedApril 10, 2022 • Stayed at: First Creek 2, Loop: First Creek 2
It was great! It was defiantly a horse trail as well but it made it a fun challange to navigate the muddy parts of the trail.
Excited to explore more trails!
Jonathan L
VerifiedApril 10, 2022 • Stayed at: Second Creek, Loop: Second Creek
The Second Creek campsite was a great spot which was the only reason we did not give this a one star review. Be careful to check the weather as the site is on a ridge facing west, so any approaching storms will be felt. Site was clean, and we even found some "trail magic" when we arrived on Friday night.
The First Creek "hiking" trail was terrible. I know this is shared with horses, but they have destroyed not only the trail, but the vegetation off the trail. It is clear where people on horses have gone off trail, leaving no place for humans to navigate through the muck. Be aware if you want to hike to this site, that you will get muddy regardless of weather, and it will be a little more difficult hike because of the mud and not the terrain.
Austin T
VerifiedApril 10, 2022 • Stayed at: First Creek 2, Loop: First Creek 2
It was great! It was defiantly a horse trail as well but it made it a fun challange to navigate the muddy parts of the trail.
Excited to explore more trails!
Jonathan L
VerifiedApril 10, 2022 • Stayed at: Second Creek, Loop: Second Creek
The Second Creek campsite was a great spot which was the only reason we did not give this a one star review. Be careful to check the weather as the site is on a ridge facing west, so any approaching storms will be felt. Site was clean, and we even found some "trail magic" when we arrived on Friday night.
The First Creek "hiking" trail was terrible. I know this is shared with horses, but they have destroyed not only the trail, but the vegetation off the trail. It is clear where people on horses have gone off trail, leaving no place for humans to navigate through the muck. Be aware if you want to hike to this site, that you will get muddy regardless of weather, and it will be a little more difficult hike because of the mud and not the terrain.
Henry S
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2022 • Stayed at: First Creek 1, Loop: First Creek 1
Love Mammoth Cave. I wish you would separate the human trails from the horse trails. Several of the hiking trails had been destroyed by the horses. Otherwise, everything was great.
Henry S
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2022 • Stayed at: First Creek 1, Loop: First Creek 1
Love Mammoth Cave. I wish you would separate the human trails from the horse trails. Several of the hiking trails had been destroyed by the horses. Otherwise, everything was great.
Jonathan B
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2022 • Stayed at: Bluffs, Loop: Bluffs
Great campsite, enjoyed the hike and the views. Only one tent pad and the area was very rocky and had a lot of roots. If we had to set up multiple tents, it would not have been a good spot for those off the tent pad.
Jonathan B
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2022 • Stayed at: Bluffs, Loop: Bluffs
Great campsite, enjoyed the hike and the views. Only one tent pad and the area was very rocky and had a lot of roots. If we had to set up multiple tents, it would not have been a good spot for those off the tent pad.
Location Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
Address:
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave, KY, 42259
United States
- Please click the link for "Driving Directions" under the addition links tab on the right hand side of the page for detailed directions.
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping is located near Interstate 65, which is approximately 20 miles to the east, providing major access to the area.
Policies & Rules
General
- Please go to the Visitor Center for all camping permits. All permits must be registered as walk-ups at the Visitor Center during this time.
- Permits Required. Mammoth Cave Backcountry permits are required for overnight camping at designated campsites and floodplain. Permits can be obtained online up to 6 months in advance or in person at the Mammoth Cave Campground kiosk or Visitor Center.
- Your Camping Permit must be downloaded and printed by accessing your Recreation.gov account. If you cannot print your permit or save to your phone, you may visit Mammoth Cave Campground Kiosk during March 1st through November 30th. During the closed season please go to the Visitor Center for all camping permits.
- Green River Ferry is subject to last minute closings. Please check the NPS website or call (270) 758-2166 for current Ferry Conditions. When the Ferry is down it can take 45 minutes to get from the Visitor Center to the Maple Springs Campground and Backcountry trail heads.
- WILDLIFEDo not disturb or kill any wildlife, including snakes. All plants and animals in Mammoth Cave National Park are protected. Collection of any portion of a plant is prohibited unless specifically authorized by regulation. Pets are permitted, but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under physical restraint at all times. Do not leave pets unattended.Ticks are common in the park and their bites can spread diseases. Learn steps to prevent tick-borne illness.
- CAMPING Designated Campsites. Overnight camping is permitted at designated campsites (*must be 50 feet from river edge). Stay on designated trails. Backcountry trails are marked with blue blazes and spur trails to the campsites are marked with oranges blazes; the numbers on the blazes are not for mile markers, only reference points. The exception is Riverside camping (*must be 100 feet from Ferry) Riverside Camping - is only accessible by boat. Maximum Group Size. Maximum group size is limited to 8 people per campsite. Camping may not exceed 14 consecutive days. Be prepared for emergencies. Take a first aid kit, flashlight, matches and appropriate clothing for inclement weather possibilities. Carry a map or guide, a compass and water, know where you are. Lock your car. When leaving your car, always lock the doors and store all items out of sight. No potable water is available. Boil and treat water before drinking, or carry in your own drinking water.
- LEAVE NO TRACE Fires are permitted in designated campsites. Keep campfires small, and build fires only in established metal rings. When camping on the floodplain or river islands, you may start a fire in any safe location. Use only dead wood that is down. Never leave a fire that is unattended and be sure fire is completely out before leaving the area. Dispose of human waste at least 3" deep. Dispose of wash water at least 100 feet away from water source, trails and campsites. Carry all trash out of the backcountry and properly dispose of it. "Pack it in, pack it out". Never bury trash.
- TRAILS Sharing Multi-Use trails: Horses have the right-of-way, and must remain on designated trails. Hikers yeild to bicyclists. Mountain Biking: Permitted in the backcountry on Big Hollow Trail, Maple Springs Trail and White Oak Trails only. Excessive speed is prohibited. Do not exceed 15 mph. Downhill riders yield to cyclists riding up hill.
- REGULATIONS Caves: Entering any cave within the park without a permit is prohibited. Archeological Resources: Possessing, destroying, removing, digging, or disturbing archeological resources is prohibited. Firearms: In accordance with 36 CFR 2.4 and Kentucky Law, visitors may openly carry firearms on trails, in campgrounds, or any other area in which carrying is not specifically prohibited. Weapons of any kind are prohibited in all federal facilities, on all cave tours, on the park's tour busses, and in the facilities of the park concessionaire. Boating: All boat passengers must wear a USCG approved PFD at all times while in boat. River use is prohibited when river levels are at or exceed 20 feet (6m) on the park''s water level gages. Alcohol: is prohibited on all waterways within the park.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralRoad construction near our facility may limit parking or cause traffic delays. Please consider these conditions when planning your travel.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: July 10, 2026
