Warning
GeneralRoad construction near our facility may limit parking or cause traffic delays. Please consider these conditions when planning your travel.
Featured amenities
About Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 94
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
94 Sites Available
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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 (129)
What Guests Are Saying
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping offers clean and scenic campsites, with many having reliable water sources and beautiful views. Popular spots like Collie Ridge and the Bluffs provide a peaceful experience, although some trails can be muddy or overgrown, requiring careful navigation. While there are occasional challenges such as pests and downed trees, many visitors found the overall experience rewarding and enjoyable, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
What Guests Are Saying
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping offers clean and scenic campsites, with many having reliable water sources and beautiful views. Popular spots like Collie Ridge and the Bluffs provide a peaceful experience, although some trails can be muddy or overgrown, requiring careful navigation. While there are occasional challenges such as pests and downed trees, many visitors found the overall experience rewarding and enjoyable, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Review Summary
Chris M
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 • Stayed at: Three Springs, Loop: Three Springs
Stayed at Three Springs Campsite. It was a great spot with access to the closest spring just down the hill and the river about a 5 minute walk. Had a fire ring and an elevated spot for your tent. Limited cell coverage which adds to the appeal!
Hannah H
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 • Stayed at: White Oak, Loop: White Oak
This is my favorite campsite in Mammoth Cave backcountry. Plenty of room for people, nice tent area, nice fire ring, nearby water source.
Raina B
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2025 • Stayed at: Bluffs, Loop: Bluffs
The bluffs campsite was beautiful and secluded. About 5 mile hike to the site. The trail gets very overgrown when you turn onto the bluffs campsite trail, my onx map helped a lot on keeping on the trail. The waterfall was running late summer, which was a big relief to have a close by water source. Other than spider webs, I had no issues with swarming bugs or really any critters.
Steven S
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: Turnhole Bend, Loop: Turnhole Bend
Well marked path to campsite and great secluded spot for the weekend, highly recommend and worth the hike
Brian D
VerifiedAugust 8, 2025 • Stayed at: Turnhole Bend, Loop: Turnhole Bend
Several downed trees on the path in. Someone left a bag of trash and a charcoal bag full of trash at the campsite.
James H
VerifiedJuly 14, 2025 • Stayed at: First Creek 2, Loop: First Creek 2
A nice and peaceful place to spend the night. The lake was muddy and swampy so I would recommend packing enough water rather than depending on being able to filter water. A few down trees along the trail making it a bit challenging in a few places.
Kristy S
VerifiedJune 25, 2025 • Stayed at: First Creek 2, Loop: First Creek 2
It was hard to find the trail from the road, the trail was very difficult to hike because it was all mud and trees down, my husband lost a pair of shoes deep in the mud, we had to make 2 trips to the campsite because it was too difficult to pack everything in one trip, the hike was 40 minutes which doesn't seem like much but in those conditions it was rough. It's not something we would do again on those trails.
Jacob F
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: Bluffs, Loop: Bluffs
During the winter months this is a pretty low risk hike, higher creek levels is your biggest concern.
In the spring and especially summer months however the trail going to Bluffs Campsite is pretty overgrown and snakes are common. Passed a rattlesnake and a copperhead on my last outing on the trail that I saw. Just be alert and take it slow when exiting main trail and starting down the creekbed to the bluffs campsite.
Ron B
VerifiedMay 30, 2025 • Stayed at: Turnhole Bend, Loop: Turnhole Bend
Beautiful and peaceful area, really enjoyed it. Clean up of downed trees is needed on some trails as there areas that are difficult to pass.
caleb M
VerifiedMay 7, 2025 • Stayed at: Ferguson, Loop: Ferguson
I made a video of my experience on trail and at the Fergusun campsite!
https://youtu.be/MZ_R-nstDDg?si=883mHdfc70d04bqm
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.
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
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| General |
***During the closed season December 1 through February 28 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.*** |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Your Camping Permit must be downloaded and printed by accessing your Recreation.gov account up to 14 days prior to arrival. You can not modify your reservation after it is printed. 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 December 1 through February 28 please go to the Visitor Center for all camping permits. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
CAMPING
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| General |
LEAVE NO TRACE
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| General |
TRAILS
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| General |
REGULATIONS
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Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralRoad construction near our facility may limit parking or cause traffic delays. Please consider these conditions when planning your travel.
