Mammoth Cave Campground

The camp host was very helpful!

We went tent-camping and really liked the campsite and the quiet atmosphere of the campground. Since we booked a campsite in Loop D, we didn't find the distance to the showers (located near the campground store) too inconvenient. We also loved that we could easily hike from the campground to the visitor center and the shelters where all the cave tours start.However, I can't give this a 5-star review due to two main safety inconveniences. The first is the lack of functioning outdoor lights at the Loop D bathroom facility. To be clear, we love tent-camping and enjoying a starry sky, so we aren't complaining about being in the wilderness—that is exactly what we wanted. Rather, I am pointing out that basic infrastructure wasn't working. The men's side of the bathroom facility had a working, motion-activated outdoor light, but the one on the women's side was broken (though both sides had working motion-activated lights inside). If you are a lady, don't expect to see anything that your own headlamp can't light up until you are actually inside the building.The second issue was the path to the bathroom. It wasn't lit because the light poles along the walkway were completely out—even though the exact same type of light poles along the hiking path from the campground to the visitor center worked perfectly. Overall, going to the bathroom at night was a bit of a scary experience in the pitch dark.Another minor thing that could be improved is the lack of a utility sink. This is a small detail compared to not feeling safe at night, but a lack of dishwashing stations makes it difficult for campers to clean reusable dishware. I can see how this might encourage people to use more disposable plasticware instead (which we unfortunately found left behind at our campsite).

the campground was well maintained, had lots of trees, and the sites were large, paved and level

Everything was great!
Very recommend this camp

Very nice shade campsites. Clean restrooms

Campsites are spacious and well maintained with plenty of room between sites. Be careful about which loop you are in because many of the sites back up to the main road. The road is not busy overnight, but people (and construction workers in large trucks) starting coming in very early in the morning. Check out the campground map to avoid this. The restrooms were clean and convenient, although I wish there was more counter space near the sinks to put your stuff. I had to put my bag on the floor (maybe it's just me, but I have a very large toiletry bag), which was not ideal. I was there in mid September and there were very few bugs, which was great. The ground seemed to be very soft in spots...I suspect due to underground mole trails.

The combined shower house and laundry facility was appreciated because not all national park campgrounds offer these, but very poorly designed. It was HOT when I was there, in the mid-90s during the day and maybe mid 70s at night. The men and women's shower rooms were off the laundry room. There was no air conditioning. Both doors to men's and women's rooms were open with a fan blowing, either in or out, depending on whichever way people chose to aim them. I am a female. I had to walk by the open men's room door and could clearly see the urinals, fortunately with no one using them. No privacy at all. Also, as soon as you got out of the shower and tried to dry off, you were wet again from steam and humidity. The showers were coin operated, which is fine, but the thing you put your coins in was rusty and ancient-looking. I was truly concerned about whether it would work at all (it did). Also, there were not enough hooks for your stuff and one tiny little soap dish to put things like soap, razor, shampoo, conditioner. Again, I had to put stuff on the floor.

The caves were amazing. I did 3 tours during my 2-day stay, and hiked most of the outdoor trails the first morning, despite the heat.

Absolutely beautiful and clean. Campground were quiet even with lots of people around!

Would have been nice seeing a ranger some of the other campers were very loud two hours past quite hours. I also had issues locating the water refill stations and I did check the map but other than that it was nice. Just be warned you are very close to others.

Well kept and the cave was awesome

Large campsites. Clean bathrooms. Good campground store.