Establishment

Mammoth Cave National Park was authorized as a national park in 1926 and was fully established 01 July 1941. It was established to preserve the cave system, the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a section of the hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the longest recorded cave system in the world, with more than 348 miles explored and mapped. Mammoth Cave was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.

Size and Visitation
Mammoth Cave National Park has 52,830 acres. Mammoth Cave National Park is opened year round with the highest visitation in June, July, and August and the lowest in January. Mammoth Cave National Park is open every day except Christmas Day.

Mammoth Ecosystem Linked by Water

Beneath the sandstone-capped ridges of Mammoth Cave National Park lies the most extensive cave system on Earth. After 4,000 years of intermittent exploration, the full extent of this water- formed labyrinth remains unknown. With more than 350 miles of surveyed passageways, Mammoth Cave is at least 3 times longer than any cave known. How long might it be? Geologists estimate that there could be as many as 600 miles of yet undiscovered passageways.