Mammoth Cave NP Public Lands Day: Free Tours, More

Courtesy MCNP

​Mammoth Cave National Park and surrounding communities will be hosting several opportunities for visitors to enjoy the recreational opportunities in Kentucky’s Cave Country over the weekend of September 21-23. 
 
Public Lands Day
 
Mammoth Cave National Park will offer free Discovery cave tours on Saturday, September 22, in recognition of National Public Lands Day, the nationwide opportunity to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire resource stewardship, and encourage use of their public lands for education, recreation, and general health.  
 
The free Discovery tour is self-guided and will allow participants to visit one of the cave’s largest rooms, the Rotunda, and explore the history and geologic origins of the Mammoth Cave system. The tour will be offered from 10 am to 3 pm. Participants need to pick up their tickets in the visitor center before starting the tour which begins at the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave. The Discovery tour route is approximately ¾-mile long and requires participants to walk down and up a steep hill as well as navigate 160 steps.
  
4th Annual Mammoth-on
 
Mammoth Cave National Park will be home to the Friends of Mammoth Cave’s 4th Annual Mammoth-on, America’s only cave walk, trail hike, and bicycle triathlon, on Sunday, September 23 starting at 8 am.
 
The Mammoth-on event will begin at the Lodge at Mammoth Cave with a ranger-led hike through Mammoth Cave’s Historic Tour route followed by a three-mile unescorted woodland hike. The final leg of the Mammoth-on is a self-paced bike ride along the gravel Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail to Park City, a maximum ride of 19 miles round trip, but participants are encouraged to ride for as long as they may feel up to.
 
Participant numbers for the Mammoth-on is limited and early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration rate is $25 per individual, or $30 per family while on-site registration is $30 per individual, or $35 per family. Participants can register for or find out more information about the event by visiting the Friends of Mammoth Cave Facebook Page, Facebook/MammothFriends, or by calling at 270-758-2152.
 
Cave Country’s Trail Town Weekend
 
Several local communities will be hosting their own trail events celebrating the variety of trail opportunities in Kentucky’s Cave Country over the September 21-23weekend.
 
Cave City will be holding Cave City Proud Days on Friday, September 21 with a 5:30pm 5K Glow Run through the downtown area. Register online at www.mammothcavefun.com/Trail Town Weekend or in person at the downtown Cave City Gazebo on the day of the event.
 
On Saturday, September 22, Cave City and Horse Cave are hosting a Cave Country Pedal bicycle event at 8 am with bike routes suitable for all levels of bike experience. All rides will start and finish at the cave City Convention Center. Participants may pre-register at Active.com or on the day of the event at the Cave City Convention Center. Please call 270-773-3131 for more information.
 
On Saturday, September 22, the town of Brownsville will be holding a Cave Country Paddle event between 8 am and 12 pm which will allow participants to canoe or kayak the Green River from Houchin Ferry within Mammoth Cave National Park to the Brownsville Boat Ramp, a distance of approximately 5 miles. Participants must park at the Brownsville Boat Ramp and will be shuttled by Green River Canoeing to the starting location.  Participants may bring their own paddling equipment, or rent a canoe at a reduced rate. Reservations are recommended and can be obtained by calling 270-773-5712.
 
For more details on registration and fees for all of the events during Cave Country’s Trail Town Weekend, please visit Kentucky’s Cave Country website:www.mammothcavefun.com/trail-town-weekend.html.