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Real Travel Adventures International Magazine
Flag of Kentucky
Travel Adventures Discovering Mammoth Cave
By Bonnie Neely
Photos By Bill Neely
Mammoth Cave National Park in the central United States in Kentucky is also a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The 53,000 surface acres above the cave has a unique coverage of old growth forests, wetlands, and is dominated by the Green River, which is fed by tributaries and streams throughout the great Sink Hole Plane of Central Kentucky. Ground waters sink into the water tables below ground and flow through four levels to the lowest and into the Green River. All these ground waters are slightly acidic, containing dissolve carbon dioxide, which dissolves some of the limestone as it passes through. The carving and dissolution of the limestone beneath the huge cap rock of sandstone and shale is what, through the millennia, has created the longest cave in the world. Mammoth, with 350 miles of mapped passages, is three times longer than any other known cave, and new exploration and mapping takes place almost daily.The surface area of the Park together with the underground area create a unique ecosystem which works together, largely through the function of the Green River, which is central to the health of the Cave system. It is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America with 82 fish species and many kinds of freshwater mussels, some of which are endangered. This above and below ecosystem supports hundreds of species of living beings, some of which are only here and nowhere else on earth. For this reason the United Nations Environmental Scientific and Culture Organization selected the area in 1990 as “part of the International Network of Biosphere Reserves…of protected samples of the world's major ecosystem types …devoted to conservation of nature and scientific research in the service of man. It provides a standard against which the effect of man's impact on his environment can be measured.”
Mammoth Cave was used by ancient peoples, and artifacts from them date to about 4,000 years ago. In 1935 the discovery of a prehistoric mummy confirmed that these early explorers ventured many miles into the cave passageway by cane and reed torchlight. Some of those prehistoric people gathered minerals for possible trade and ceremonial use. White settlers re-discovered the cave in 1798 and during the War of 1812 and gathered the salt-peter to make ammunition within the cave for the battles. After the war ended news of the enormous cave spread abroad and tourist began coming to see it, helping create a heritage and tourist attractions in the new country. 
This area has been a favorite place for tourists for nearly a century, and several owners tried to exploit the public and take advantage of the cave system, using and abusing it for tours, souvenir hunting, name carving, photography, boat trips and many other unique ways for making money. However, in 1916 the United States National Park System was started with an act of Congress to set aside special places for preservation and enjoyment of future generations. George Morrison owned much of the Mammoth Cave area, and in 1921 he blasted a back entrance into the cave and explored new passages and created tours for profit, naming many of the parts still used today. In 1926 the area was authorized as a national park. In 1931, during the Great Depression, the Park Service purchased the land and cave from him for $300,000. In 1941 the fully established area officially became the twenty-sixth National Park in the U.S. 
One of the early explorers of the cave was Stephen Bishop, who led cave tours in 1838 when he was just 17 years old. He explored and mapped miles of passageways, crawling and climbing with aids of a pick and rope and the light of a lantern and much determination. He wrote “Mammoth Cave is a place not seen to give up its last deepest secret.” 
When you arrive at the Park read about the various tours offered, and don't make your selection by just what is the earliest tour. In order to continue to improve and maintain our wonderful National Parks some of $10 here, depending on which you select. We bought tickets for the four-hour hiking tour, but a ranger wisely told us he thought we should re-think our choice of tour. It is four hours of steep up and down climbing. We exchanged our tickets for a two-hour tour to the Frozen Niagara area and were so very glad we did. All the tours require lots of walking, stair climbing, and up and down hills. It is strenuous but very interesting, although most of the cave is dry, which means no stalagtites and stalagmites which create the beauty associated with cave tours. You will see great rooms and long passages of limestone rocks and look up to see what appears to be cemented ceilings where the bare caprock shows through areas where the limestone has fallen. You are truly in a huge cave 250 feet below the surface. Our tour required descending 300 steps to begin the hike, and there are no restrooms for two hours. The temperature is about 54 degrees F. year-round, so take a jacket. And no sandals are allowed. You must wear sturdy walking shoes. Many unique tours are offered, including ones for real cave explorers and one for only kids who are interested in learning to cave. This is a wonderful exploration and learning place if you know what you are choosing to do and are prepared.Above ground you have many things to do also. At the Ferry Dock you can take a lovely boat ride on the Green River, especially good at dusk when you'll likely see many animals coming to drink. You can fish without a license within the Park but you must abide by Kentucky fishing rules. There are hikes and three campgrounds (no hook ups) and many opportunities in the abundant nature surrounding you. Outside the Park are many private attractions for fun and which have separate entrance fees also. You could enjoy many days in this beautiful place. For cave tour reservations in advance call 270-758-2328 or 1-800-967-2283
There are several beautiful camp grounds nearby. Camping within the National Park is by reservations 502--758-2328. We arrived without reservations and had to stay at a nearby private camp, of which there are many.
Real Travel Adventures International Magazine
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