A 3-Day Weekend at Mammoth Cave National Park

A realistic long-weekend itinerary from Nashville, with cave tours, camping, and honest takeaways

Why This Trip

This was one of the first trips I ever took using my Frontier GoWild Pass. With Nashville being a Frontier hub, I realized I could turn a simple 3-day weekend in early May into an out-of-state National Park trip and check another park off my list.

I chose Mammoth Cave because of its close proximity to Nashville and because caves are kind of my thing. Being able to fly in, rent a car, and reach the park in about two hours made this one of the easiest National Park weekends I’ve done — comparable to how close Rocky Mountain National Park is to Denver.

The Big Picture

Start / End: Denver → Fly to Nashville → Rental car

• Drive Time: ~2 hours from Nashville International Airport

• Stay: Mammoth Cave Campground (inside the park)

• Trip Length: 3 days / 2 nights

• Highlights: Wild Cave Tour, Sand Cave, camping, horseback riding

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This is a great trip if you want a true weekend adventure without needing extra PTO.

Day 1: Fly-in and drive to camp

After landing in Nashville, I stopped at Tennfold Brewery for a snack and drink before heading north. It’s a good spot to pause before the drive and mentally shift into adventure mode.

This is also your chance to grab supplies. I’ll usually prioritize local gear shops when possible, but given how sparse options are in this area, Walmart did the trick for fuel, snacks, and a cheap cooler.

After the ~2-hour drive, I arrived at the park and set up camp at Mammoth Cave Campground.

Camping at Mammoth Cave

• Single tent site: ~$25/night

• Full hookup sites: ~$50/night (first-come, first-served)

• Location: Walkable to the Visitor Center

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The park also operates Houchin Ferry (riverside, ~15 miles away) and Maple Springs (horse and group camping), but staying near the Visitor Center made logistics much easier.

Day 2: Wild Cave Tour

Saturday was the big day: the Wild Cave Tour. This tour is not for the weak, the claustrophobic, or anyone who wants a leisurely stroll. It’s a 6–7 hour experience that includes crawling, squeezing, climbing, and getting absolutely filthy — and it was 100% worth it.

What the Wild Cave Tour Is Like

• Requires rugged hiking boots and appropriate clothing

• Includes tight squeezes, belly crawls, and ladder climbs

• Physically demanding but incredibly rewarding

I joined the tour solo and ended up making two friends who were also traveling alone. Afterward, we hit the small souvenir trailer and then shared my campsite — turning into what we jokingly called the three amigos.

We drank overly sweet wine, made s’mores, and listened to music by the campfire. These little side-quests are honestly one of my favorite parts of solo travel.

Day 3: Sand Cave and Fly Home

Checkout was at 11am, but I had one last activity planned.

Horseback Riding at Double J Stables

I booked a 1-hour ride at Double J Stables for $40. It was a classic nose-to-tail trail ride.

Honest take:

• Great for families and first-timers

• If you’ve ridden a horse even once before, you might be bored

• Personally, I was

Before the ride, I grabbed breakfast at Blue Holler German Café. It’s seasonal, very traditional, and pretty limited if you’re vegan — but good to know it exists.

Sand Cave Stop

Before driving back to Nashville, I stopped at Sand Cave. The entrance itself is sealed off for preservation, but there’s a short walk to an overlook where a ranger was sharing the history. It’s a quick stop, but the story makes it worthwhile.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

• Skip horseback riding and kayak the Green River instead

• Add another cave tour (Historic or Grand Avenue)

• Consider tacking on a night in Nashville if time allows

Even with just three days, this trip never felt rushed — but an extra day would open up a lot more options.

Final Thought

Being only about two hours from Nashville, Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the most approachable National Park weekend trips I’ve done. By packing only the essentials and keeping logistics simple, this trip proved you don’t need a full week (or a ton of gear) for a meaningful adventure.

I’d absolutely go back — and next time, I’d spend more time on the water and underground.

Gear I Used:

• Copper Spur 2-Person Tent

• Jetboil

• Black Diamond Headlamp

• La Sportiva Hiking Boots

• Goodr Sunglasses

• Big Agnes Roxy 15F Sleeping Bag

• Big Agnes Sleeping Pad

Sources & Planning Links

• National Park Service — Mammoth Cave NPhttps://www.nps.gov/maca

• Recreation.gov — Cave Tour Reservationshttps://www.recreation.gov

• Green River Paddling Info (NPS)https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/paddling.htm

  
  

Gearing up underground during the Wild Cave Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park.

Crossing the Green River by ferry on the way through Mammoth Cave National Park.

Some sections of the Wild Cave Tour involve tight squeezes and crawling.

Some sections of the Wild Cave Tour involve tight squeezes and crawling.

Quiet roads and dense forest throughout Mammoth Cave National Park.

The Green River ferry is part of the park’s road system.

Camping at Mammoth Cave Campground, just minutes from the Visitor Center.

Fully geared up before heading underground for the Wild Cave Tour.

Mandatory gear check before starting the Wild Cave Tour.

Expect plenty of crawling during the Wild Cave Tour.

Another perspective of the Mammoth Cave National Park entrance sign.

Sand Cave is closed, but the overlook and history make it worth a stop.

Low-clearance passages are a big part of the Wild Cave experience.

The scale underground at Mammoth Cave is hard to capture in photos.

Mud-covered and happy at the end of the Wild Cave Tour.

Taking a look back after doing the Bare Hole obstacle (the smallest squeeze of the trip)