Mammoth Cave National Park Week Kicks Off This Saturday

 MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky., April 18, 2018 – Fresh air, sunshine, trails to hike, caves to explore – National Park Week, April 21-29, 2018, is a great time to get outside. Free Mammoth Cave Discovery tours will be offered on the weekends, April 15-16 and April 22-23. 
 
“Parks are the perfect place to renew, rejuvenate, and inspire your spirit,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble.  “We are excited for the opportunity to showcase all that Mammoth Cave National Park has to offer for recreational, learning, and stewardship opportunities. If you are not able to join us here at Mammoth Cave for this very special week, find a park near you and enjoy. Mammoth Cave has trails to hike, bike and ride horseback; rivers to paddle and fish; campgrounds in the front-country and the back-country; and the longest cave in the world to explore. 
 
In recognition of National Park Week, the park will offer the following:
 
Friday April 20th Park Clean-up
The park is looking for volunteers to help with road shoulder clean up that will include the Cave City Road, Cedar Sink Road and Mammoth Cave Parkway. The park will be cleaning up limbs and trash along the road side. Event Details Time: 9:00AM—12:00 PM. Meeting Place: Mammoth Cave Warehouse Parking Lot for a quick Safety Briefing then dispersed to the field locations.
 
Saturday April 21st -Free Cave tour: Mammoth Cave Discovery Tour
Participants must pick up a free ticket in the visitor center before going on this tour.  
 The Mammoth Cave Discovery Tour requires a walk down and up the steep hill below the visitor center, as well as 160 steps.  Visit the Rotunda, one of the cave’s largest rooms, explore a vast canyon passageway, and learn about 19th-century saltpeter mining operations and the geologic origins of the Mammoth Cave System.Mammoth Cave Discovery Tour will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Allow at least 30 minutes; about 3/4 mile round trip.  This is a self-guided tour.
 
Saturday April 21st -National Junior Ranger Day and Wildflower Day Activities

• Children, become Junior Rangers- Join Park Rangers at the Picnic Area from 9:00-11:00 am and 12:00- 2:00 pm for Junior Ranger Day. Junior Rangers will have fun participating in nature activities while learning about science and stewardship.  The afternoon activities will focus on archaeology and the earliest explorers of Mammoth Cave.
• Wildflower Day- Mammoth Cave National Park's annual Wildflower Day provides families great opportunities to get out and experience their national park. Investigate wildflowers growing along the ridges and enjoy the beautiful color of spring.   Take yourself and/or children on a nature scavenger hunt to look for signs of wildlife in the forest.  Free wildflower and kids scavenger hunt checklists are available at the Visitor Center information desk.
• Join park rangers and area outdoor specialist for special programs, hikes, displays, and birding activities. All programs are free of charge. Visithttps://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/calendar.htm for more information.

 
Wednesday, April 25th at 3:00 pm Echo River Springs Accessible Trail Dedication
Join us for the Grand opening of the Echo River Springs Accessible Trail. One of the newest and premier accessible trails in the National Park Service. The trail meanders through the forest with beautiful views of nature and springs that help form Mammoth Cave.

Friday, April 27th at 2:00 pm
​We have a new pedestrian bridge! The deteriorated bridge connecting the Visitor Center with the Lodge has been replaced. Come celebrate the dedication of this newest improvement to the park.