Guide to the Wild Cave Tour
in Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park has dozens of cave tours to explore, each one highlighting either the natural beauty or deeper history that the cave hides in its dark depths. While these tours may be fascinating or fun, they are seldom thrill-seeking. However, the Wild Cave Tour bucks that trend, creating the scariest and most adventurous caving experiences in the park.
Before you book your tickets, you should be aware of just how different this tour is from the ones most people visit when they go to Mammoth Cave. Most of the other sites that cover Wild Cave Tour don’t delve into the full experience, but this guide will give you real advice about the tour so you can know what to expect going in.
Is the Wild Cave Tour worth it?
Wild Cave Tour is without a doubt one of the most popular attractions in Mammoth Cave National Park. Many guests have described the cave as an epic adventure; others have mentioned they were surprised by how scary it actually is.
Guests who have a deep love for exploration and adore the sense of adrenaline that comes from death-defying activity will have the time of their lives here. You’ll be crawling, shimmying, and climbing through some rough and rocky areas, and your tour guides will be able to teach you about some of the impressive geological formations along the way.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a thrill seeker, if you want to try something wholly unique on your vacation and you’re able to do the tour, Wild Cave offers an unforgettable and beautiful experience in Mammoth Cave.
Why Wild Cave may not be for you
The tour is one of the highlights of Mammoth Cave, but that doesn’t mean that it’s for everyone. In the tour, you’ll be squeezing through some tight spaces and overlooking some pretty significant drops. If you are deathly afraid of either heights or confined spaces, you probably should avoid this trek.
For everyone’s safety when navigating the narrow pathways, there is a waist limit of 42” on guests wanting to go on the tour so people don’t get stuck.
How long is the Wild Cave Tour?
The tour will last around 4 to 6 hours depending on the speed of your group. You’ll walk, climb, and crawl around 5 miles in total, and you’ll get a lunch stop in the middle. That may seem like a long time, but it goes by quickly.
How do I make a reservation for Wild Cave?
These tours are making their grand return this upcoming summer, so keep an eye out for reservations. Each ticket costs $60, and the minimum age is 16 years old. Minors need a parent's permission before they are allowed to join the party.
What should I wear on the tour?
Here’s a short list of what you should wear on your venture. Most guests talk about getting small scrapes or bruises while on the tour, so the clothes listed below are incredibly important to prevent worse injuries. If you are not wearing the following, you will not be allowed on the tour.
- Sturdy, lace-up boots or shoes with non-slip soles (tennis shoes, sandals, cowboy boots, and climbing shoes are not allowed.)
- Jeans ( sweatpants, leggings, yoga pants are not allowed.)
- Long sleeved shirt
- A different change of clothes from what you’ve worn in other caves (to avoid spreading white-nose syndrome).
- Optional: Climbing gloves to protect your hands
- Optional: Fanny pack (to carry your food, water, and other materials).
The Wild Cave tour in Mammoth Park is a must for anybody interested in a gutsy adventure. While you’ll leave feeling exhausted, you’ll also feel fulfilled, thrilled, and relieved.
After the tour, you’re probably going to want somewhere relaxing to return to. Why not the Grand Victorian Inn? The beautiful bed and breakfast is right near Mammoth Cave National Park and makes for an awesome place to stay. Check out our rooms today!