Mammoth Cave offers numerous cave tours throughout the year. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences We stopped at one window and listened to a band play "All the Small Things," and Rami was smitten. It will take around 5 hours to drive from the Caves to Gatlinburg, TN, which is the main city inside the Smoky Mountains. Sturdy, lace-up hiking boots that cover the ankle are required. Drive for 38 minutes then stop in Knoxville and stay for 1 hour. Prices start at 87 per night. We also took the Echo River Trail and the River Styx Trail, which both lead to water features in the forests around the caves. At the end of the hike, a short cave tour awaits you where you'll be surrounded by beautiful cave formation! I think I was comforting myself too. Restrooms: No This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Search for RV campgrounds. Experience the history of Mammoth Cave as never before! As far as the drive went, the kids took it well but they definitely needed snacks. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park? Here's - State of Kentucky This cave was also the site ofvery importantcultural history in the early days of Kentucky cave tourism. Fees: $21 Adults,$16 Youth, $10.50Senior Pass Holder,$10.50 Access Pass Holder. About halfway through the drive is the Obed Wild and Scenic River, a NPS site located within the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. At one point, the rangers turn out all the lights, to allow you to experience the true darkness of the cave. We chose Nashville because it was slightly larger. The food was fine and the restaurant staff was very nice. It turns out I was very wrong! Gatlinburg is the definition of a tourist town. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along The final stop on our road trip was to visit the Gateway Arch National Historic Site. This was our final meal together on the trip and it was the perfect endcap. Any suggestions on the route would be appreciated. Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. The naturally decorated Frozen Niagara section remains one of the most famous at Mammoth Cave, and serves as the last stop for a variety of cave tours. Distance: 1 miles (1.6 km) - (2 miles (3.2 km) if the elevator is unavailable) As with almost all of our other trips, the route weve outlined can be reversed. The quickest flight takes 3h 23m and has one stopover. The first was the harrowing drive upNewfound Gap Road. After staying in a hotel outside of Indianapolis, we drove about 4 hours to Cave City, Kentucky, and over to Mammoth Cave National Park. We actually didn't notice anyone doing this but we did encounter a huge slowdown due to some special guests! If you plan to visit Mammoth Cave, be sure to also check out the trails above the cave. to double check the weather. This tour isidealfor visitors wanting a unique way to experience the cave and its history. Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Cave Formations - Mammoth Cave National Tickets available for each tour time: 12 Ages: All ages. Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 2 hours Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? The chicken was amazingly juicy, and so flavorful. So we got to see our bears for the trip (the only ones we saw). Find pet-friendly stops. Drive for 1 hour then stop in Crossville and stay for 1 hour. The atmosphere of this part of the cave is very different; the historic entrance is all flat, and completely dry. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along If you happen to know Gatlinburg, don't forget to help other A little more below about getting to the Grotto Falls trailhead! to calculate the distance between cities. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it Difficulty: Moderate Visitors must provide their ownfootwear. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. Total Stairs: Approximately 600, including 155 at Mammoth Dome. The quickest way to get from Gatlinburg to Mammoth Cave National Park is to drive which costs 40-65 and takes 5h 32m. There are 44+ hotels available in Mammoth Cave National Park. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Gatlinburg to Mammoth Cave National Park. But the rangers on our tour left the lights off for a long time. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app. (There is wifi at the Visitor's Center, so I was able to download and submit my New York Times crossword every day - don't want to break my streak!) Drive for 60 minutes then stop in Monroe (Tennessee) and stay for 1 hour. One thing we were told by friends to check out was the Sky Park. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Duration: 1.5 hours We will include our experiences at the parks, as well as where we ate and what else we did. Please note that this tour ascends and descends hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines, which can be difficult for many visitors, as there are no alternative routes. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Ages: All ages. The cave itself is beautiful, and very strange. Get the reverse directions for a Shorts and a t-shirt recommended for wear under required coveralls. Continuing through historicCleavelandAvenue, thistour passes through areasof the cave highly decorated withhistoric signatures and sparklinggeological formations. The Rangers told us to expect a 3-4 hour ride through the cove as traffic will stop to see any wildlife or sight-seeing. We drove down from the Twin Cities and stayed overnight outside of Indianapolis, to break up the trip a little for the kids. Try searching for places within 5 hours of Gatlinburg. Restrooms: No to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, Depending on the time of your arrival into Nashville, you should be able to drive up to Mammoth Cave, KY. Please do not wait until the last minute to use the ticket. How far is Gatlinburg from Mammoth Cave National Park? We are actually staying in Waynesville, but would like to stop in Gatlinburg on our way there (driving from Mammoth Cave). And if you know Gatlinburg well, please help your fellow To get a better idea of how long this trip would really be, scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops. Tickets available for each tour time: 40 Tickets available for each tour time: 30 Ages: All ages. This tour is the guided version of the self-guided Discovery Tour. Prices start at 87 per night. When you approach the historic entrance, you experience a very sudden and very strange chill - the cold from the cave permeates the air right outside. Drive for 1 hour then stop in Loudon (Tennessee) and stay for 1 hour. That's what Trippy is perfect for, Still, they bravely walked across it with us! Created by a user from United States. It is seen in its entirety on the River Styx Tour. (whether it's first class or coach). When you head home, its really 50/50 if you should select Atlanta or Charlotte. It wasn't anything like camping, but was still very separated from most modern conveniences. There was no wifi, and no TV. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it Google Pall Mall and Rugby. Thank you!! But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline Going through tunnels that humans have used for thousands of years, this tournot onlyexplores huge rooms that gave Mammoth Cave its name, but also descends tomuch tighter places deep inside the cave. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 3 answers Reviewed this attraction HazelEyes. They are icicle-shaped deposits that form when water dissolves overlying limestone then re-deposits calcium carbonate along the ceilings or floors of underlying caves. Here's what we did and we can safely say the kids (4.5 & 2.5) managed to be troopers (or rangers?) By the time we made it that far, it was closing time and we had to go! Eventually A truly historic way to experience Mammoth Cave, this tour travels exclusively by lantern light. 28 reviews 12 helpful votes Best route between Mammoth Cave & GSMNP? through it all and went on all the hikes. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. This was a really fun activity and we'd highly recommend it! Gatlinburg to Mammoth Cave National Park drive - Trippy Portions of this tour are also seen on the Star Chamber, Historic and Violet City Lantern Tours. Tickets available for each tour time: 30 Thistour isidealfor people with an interest in history and a sense of adventure. Duration: 2 hours All equipment (coveralls, helmets, knee pads and head lamps) are provided by the park. We stayed in the historic cabins at the park, which were within walking distance of the park entrance and the historic cave entrance, as well as all of the walking trails. Click the button below to explore Mammoth Cave National Park in detail. It is hard to get a good iced tea in Minneapolis, but I had no problems in Tennessee and Kentucky. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. view full itinerary. Finally, drive for about 1 hour and arrive in Gatlinburg. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. However, we didn't end up visiting nor did our friends, so unfortunately we don't have any advice on what to do there! 42259-0007, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Baymont by Wyndham Crossville Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. We are considering a trip to Mammoth Cave - Mammoth Cave - Tripadvisor This park can easily take up a full weeks worth of vacationing, but for this trip, were going to be here for only a couple of days. questions about Crossville: Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the As for packing, the only things we'd call out is that the Smokies and that area are known to have rain and it can cool down. The next morning, we stopped at Five Daughters Bakery, which funnily enough, we had heard about from the Netflix show Marriage or Mortgage. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Knoxville and stay for about 1 hour. because there's an entire community of travelers talking of your actual flight time. Lodging Departure airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), Arrival airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA). After cleaning the Airbnb and packing up, we drove from west to Nashville. Please use extra caution when visiting the river level. A Weekend in Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tickets available for each tour time: 80 because there's an entire community of travelers talking Duration: 2.25 hours We woke up at 6am to get to the National Park early to do this hike which is the most popular hike in the park. When tickets are sold, the time on the tickets will be the last time you can enter the cave. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Mammoth Cave 4.5 4,187 reviews #2 of 10 things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park Caverns & Caves Open now 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A mysterious limestone cave that has fascinated people for 4,000 years. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take a taxi from Mammoth Cave National Park to Sonora Elizabethtown, Take the bus from Sonora Elizabethtown to Nashville Bus Station, Take the bus from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, Drive from Mammoth Cave National Park to Gatlinburg, Take the bus from Sonora Elizabethtown to Louisville Bus Station, Fly from Louisville (SDF) to Knoxville (TYS), Fly from Nashville (BNA) to Knoxville (TYS). If you're planning a road trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. Fees: $23 Adults,$18 Youth, $11.50Senior Pass Holder,$11.50 Access Pass Holder. In the planning post we mentioned we chose to stay in an Airbnb and we didn't regret it, even though it was definitely one of the more expensive stays we've done. Wigwam Villiage Inn #2. This tour is not currently available. Youth under the age of 16 years, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Please note: this tour is in Great Onyx Cave, which is separate from Mammoth Cave. This tour requires a short bus ride to and from the visitor center to the cave entrance. But for now, here's an example we've selected to Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. ), just walking through the woods and suddenly experiencing this strange cold feeling. Tour will be offered daily between 10:00 and 2:00 for the months of June and July only. This tour is typically offered Memorial Day to Labor day. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:31 pmdrive for about 60 minutes, 1:31 pm Crossville There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app. Focusing on early history of Mammoth Cave, this tour includes a trip into Gothic Avenue. So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Forbidden Caves Home to one of the largest walls of cave onyx in the world, Forbidden Caverns in Sevierville, located about 25 miles from Gatlinburg, makes an entertaining cave to visit. Everything was amazing, and I just could not stop eating. The other days were spent hiking. The kids were pretty overwhelmed, though they enjoyed hearing live music through the windows of the honky tonks. We chose to fly out ofCharlotte Douglas International Airport because it is of one of the most accessible airports in the country. The kids didn't get to see the bears very well from the van but Kamran took photos to show them. Here we decided to stay inside the park at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave. of your actual flight time. trip dates & more! Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Actually, as an alternative, you could just as easily fly home via Atlanta. The sinkhole measures 300ft from the top sandstone plateau to the bottom of the sink and was caused by collapse of the surface soil. Rome2Rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) No exceptions. It was the longest leg of our journey and we're just glad we got it out of the way immediately. Established as a national park in 1941, Mammoth Cave became a World Heritage Site in 1981, and in 1990 it was dubbed an international Biosphere Reserve, an ecosystem with plants and animals . Includes all of the Accessible Tour route. Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:16 pmdrive for about 1 hour, Monroe (Tennessee) On the Lantern Tour, you get to hold an old-fashioned lantern as you traverse the cave; the River Styx tour lets you follow an underground river. the airports, an estimated wait time of 2 hours at the airport for TSA Limited sections of the Star Chamber, Violet City Lantern, Mammoth Passage and Mammoth Cave Discovery Tours are also seen. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait We woke up early, drove on over and enjoyed an awesome breakfast with french toast, skillets, eggs, waffles, hashbrowns, cereal shakes, and Irish coffees. just to park. It was heaven . Guides and resources. you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports We had originally considered stopping at Indiana Dunes to swim at the beach and get a stamp there, but it was raining fairly hard by the time we arrived, and it was too late to get the stamp, as the visitor's center had closed. Portions of this tour are also seen on the Historic, River Styx and Mammoth Passage Tours. Total Stairs: 130 Please do not wait until the last minute to use the ticket. The Lodge is located directly next to the visitor center, and features a mix of modern hotel rooms as well as historic cottages nestled in a woodland setting all within walking distance to cave tours and park trails. Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. No slick-soled footwear is permitted. Utilizingthe Elevator Entrance, this tour emerges near thefamousSnowball Room. We broke up this leg of the journey with a stop at Cumberland Gap, a National Historic Park. Utah, Ohiopyle State Park is one of the most popular and unique state parks in the state of Pennsylvania. Vincenty formula. Suggest edits to improve what we show. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:15 pmdrive for about 57 minutes, 4:12 pm arrive at Mammoth Cave National Park, Gatlinburg (35 answers) This tour crawls and climbs through hard-to-reach areas for 3.5 hours. Mammoth Cave, KY Gatlinburg, TN Nashville, TN St. Louis, MO The trip will be 10 days with the majority of time spent at Mammoth Cave and the Great Smokies. If you're planning a road trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. Tickets available for each tour time: 87 Discover how Mammoth Cave has intrigued countless visitors since the first human entered its darkness nearly 5,000 years ago. Mammoth Cave National Park to Gatlinburg - Rome2rio Garden State Hiker More than 365 miles and five levels of Mammoth Cave have already been mapped, with unknown lengths still to be explored and investigated. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Mammoth Cave National Park? To see all the details on this itinerary, including This tour is the self-guided version of the guided Mammoth Passage Tour. The railroad route was converted into a 9-mile (14.4 km) multi-use trail. (whether it's first class or coach). If we had left much earlier, it might have been an option to stop but as it was, we were already going to arrive pretty late, around 9pm or 10pm. A small fannypack is provided. Get the reverse directions for a Gatlinburg to Mammoth Cave National Park drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. The Frozen Niagara entrance is FULL of these interesting cave formations, including the above as well as cave bacon and draperies. The Battle of Munfordville (also known as the Battle of Green River) was an engagement in Kentucky during the American Civil War. Only visitors age 16 and over may carry lanterns. This tour enters and exits through the Historic Entrance, visiting the Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, Methodist Church, the saltpeter mining ruins at Booth's Amphitheatre, Giant's Coffin, and the Tuberculosis Huts along the way. The Echo River Trail we started at 7pm, knowing the sun would go down at 8pm. You can easily head to the Smokies first, then to Mammoth Cave right before you head home. Now finally, let's look at an example flight from TYS to BNA and figure out how long it would take to fly including starting from Mammoth Cave National Park 17 minutes Wigwam Villiage Inn #2 2 hours London 2.5 hours Gatlinburg. Find pet-friendly stops. Focusing on a wide variety of topics such as the history of Mammoth Cave exploration, this tour is very physically demanding. Fees: $18 Adults,$13 Youth, $9Senior Pass Holder,$9 Access Pass Holder. Gas: $225-325 (2,100 miles + driving around) Accomodations: $2000 Food: $500 Activities: $200 Shopping/Gifts: $200 Total Estimate: $3,200 So did our guesstimates match reality? Make sure you check road conditions Best route between Mammoth Cave & GSMNP? I-40 or I-75? They eat 24/7. Restrooms: Yes airport, and get to your destination. You can go down through Pall Mall, Jamestown and Rugby and then over to I-75. to double check the weather. Kamran had a bacon and maple donut. This tour is ideal for peoplewho wishtospend the entire dayperforminga wide variety of extremely challenging physical obstacles in a unique environment. give you an idea of how traveling might work between airports. They were layered, like half donut, half croissant. It is a place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and camping on over 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky. Add Review Your Rating 1 2 3 4 5 Reviewed by MelissaSallee Restrooms: No Right next to the Gateway Arch park is a little restaurant area in the historic old town with cobblestone streets. because there's an entire community of travelers talking Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Distance: 1.75 miles (2.8 km) into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate The zoo is situated within a large park called Forest Park. NPS employees will not transport or assist visitors or visitor equipment. Rome2Rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need. Focusingonlearningsafe caving techniques,this tourexplorespartsof the cave difficult to access. Travel May 21 - May 29. Total Stairs: 160 For lunch (and dinner) we ate at Martin's BBQ Joint. Difficulty: Strenuous It's okay, you can start planning your The distance from Gatlinburg to Charlotte or Atlanta are virtually identical, so this may be a great place to try to save some cash. While many tours require long hikes and numerous stairs to reach this point, this short tour offers a chance to visit this area with only 12 stairs. If you're planning a road trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. The over 600 North American ski resorts in total account for over 316,000 skiable acres, 22,000 trails and almost 4,000 lifts. This tour isidealfor visitors wholike to hikeandarewanting a unique way to experience the cave. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Difficulty: Easy Kamran had a marg and he loved it. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate However, you can take the taxi to Sonora Elizabethtown, take the bus to Nashville Bus Station, take the walk to Fulton Station Outbound, take the line 52 bus to Nashville, TN, take the bus to Knoxville, then take the drive to Gatlinburg. It is approximately 424.1 km to drive. Fees: $22 Adults,$16 Youth, $11Senior Pass Holder,$11 Access Pass Holder. The second driving trail was the 5.5-mile loop ofRoaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Total Stairs: 500, including 280 on the initial staircase descent the airports, an estimated wait time of 2 hours at the airport for TSA Victory there allowed the Confederates to temporarily strengthen their hold on the region and impair Union supply lines. 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A beautiful cave in its own right, Great Onyx Cave housesan abundance ofbeautiful geologic formations that sparkle in the lantern light of this tour. Or get a full Gatlinburg to Mammoth Cave National Park flight plan. Discover how to get to attractions and hotels near Gatlinburg. You can buy this when you arrive, or you can buy it online ahead of time. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:54 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:15 pm Tompkinsville (Kentucky) to calculate the distance between cities. Clingmans Dome Cades Cove Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (for VIEWS!) This tour covers the entire Historic Tour route. Ages: 8 to 12 years. Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. Mammoth Caves is an amazing underground national park, and really doesnt add too much extra driving to your trip. In Montana, it seemed that it was mostly flat and plains-y right up until you are outside Glacier and then things get majestic. Experience the gently lit ambiance of a large trunk passage in the world's longest cave. We were able to see the bird garden, some marsupials, and grizzlies. We chose not to pay for any of the photos but if you do, just know there can be a hefty difference between vendors! This tour has designated multiple hours that you can enter the cave, between the time you bought the ticket and the last time being the one displayed on your ticket. Tickets available for each tour time: 78 Departure airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA), Arrival airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Restrooms: No In order to minimize the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a bat disease caused by an invasive fungus, Mammoth Cave National Park has instituted strict cleaning procedures for all off-trail crawling tours. Going through slot canyons, tubular passageways, tall canyons, andtunnels sparkled with gypsum, this tour is the longest walking tour we offer. Parks & Trips makes money through affiliate partner links: If you click on a link, we may earn a commission. trip dates & more! So that means we really need P.O. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:09 pmdrive for about 17 minutes, 7:27 pm arrive at Mammoth Cave National Park, Knoxville (47 answers) This tour does not see dripstone formation areas. Want to plan the trip back? by calculating the distance from Atlanta to Mammoth Cave National Park.