Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour Opens On October 1, 2016

photo: MCNP

Superintendent Sarah Craighead has announced that October 1, 2016, marks the opening on the Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour.  The tour is now available for purchase/reservation on www.recreation.gov.
 
“We are very pleased to be able to offer an accessible cave tour again,” said Superintendent Sarah Craighead.  “We suspended use of the elevator in 2002 when a cable broke, which led to a full renovation.  Now, after 14 years and a $2.2 million repair project, the cave elevator is back in safe operation allowing us to resume accessible cave tours.”
 
The Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour will be offered daily at 12:30 p.m. during the fall and winter seasons, limited to 14 people.  The cost is $20 for adults, $14 for youth (6-12), and $10 for those with an Access Pass/Senior Pass.  The interagency, life-time Access Pass and Senior Pass are available at the ticket office.  The Access Pass is free with proof of disability; the Senior Pass costs $10 for those who are 62 years or older. 
 
Reservations are recommended for all cave tours; www.recreation.gov, or 1-877-444-6777.
 
Below is the tour description:
 
Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour
See unique gypsum formations, historic cave writing and more on accessible cave trails.  Using the elevator entrance, this ½-mile round trip provides visitors with special needs an opportunity to visit the Snowball Room and includes portions of the Cleaveland Avenue Tour and Grand Avenue Tour.

• 2 hours, ½ mile. Tour limit: 14. Total stairs: 0. Elevation change: 267'. 
• Please note that transportation or mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or canes are permitted on this tour, but are not available.  NPS employees will not transport or aid visitors in using assistive equipment. If visitors need assistance with the Park’s accessible features, they must bring a companion with them for aid. Assistive devices will need to be decontaminated upon exiting the cave to limit the spread of White-Nose Syndrome.
• Accessible restrooms are available.
• Meets at the Visitor Center; participants and their companions will caravan by private vehicle to the elevator entrance. Difficulty: Easy.​