cave tours kentucky

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Red River Gorge Underground: Cave Kayaking & Boat Tours

Classic tours.

Classic Boat Tour

Your journey begins as you descend into the darkness in a custom-built cave boat. With an expert guide at the helm, you'll wind your way through the 100-year-old flooded limestone mine and discover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Gorge Underground.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth (Ages 3-12)

$30 All Days $25 All Days

• 20 People Max Group Size

Minimum age for children on this tour is 3. For safety, children under 3 years of age are not able to participate.

Classic Kayak Tour

Feeling adventurous? Paddle your way through the mine in a kayak on this unforgettable one-hour tour. Make your way through the darkness as our expert guides lead the way illuminating the unique features of the Gorge Underground.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth (Ages 5-12)

$55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun $55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun

• 12 People Max Group Size

Minimum age for children on this tour is 5. For safety, children under 5 years of age are not able to participate.

Deluxe Tours

Crystal Kayak Tour

Prepare to have your mind blown as you explore the Undergound in a deluxe crystal clear kayak! Underwater led lights coupled with these see-through kayaks provide a stunning view of our rainbow trout and the mine's otherwise hidden underwater details.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth  (Ages 5-12)

$75 Mon-Thur, $85 Fri-Sun $75 Mon-Thur, $85 Fri-Sun

• 8 People; Can accommodate larger groups on request

Crystal Clear Sup Tour

Upgrade to our deluxe 1.5-hour SUP tour and experience the wonders of the cavern in a new (colorful) light. As you navigate the mine surrounded by the glow of your Crystal Clear LED board, our expert guides will reveal the best-kept secrets of the underground.

Additional Things To Do with Us

Guided, Self-driving, Off-Roading

UTV Off-Roading The Gorge

Slingshot Rentals

The Most Fun You’ll Have on 3 Wheels

Red River Gorge Ziplines

Soar Over The Gorge

Family Fun for Everyone

Kate’s Kritters

Pet & Cuddle our Furry Friends

Red River Gorge Kayaking

Kayak on the Beautiful Red River

Join Us for an Unforgettable Adventure!

Gorge Underground cave tours offer a thrilling opportunity to experience a historic mine system near the Red River Gorge. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you move through the cool, damp air, listening to the sounds of water dripping and marveling at the stunning rock formations.

Our local guides are experts in the geology and history of the mine system, and they’ll share fascinating stories about the area and the creatures that call it home. You’ll also learn about the delicate balance of the underground ecosystem and the efforts being made to preserve it.

Tours are suitable for all levels of fitness. So whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-time explorer, come join us for an adventure you’ll never forget!

Got a Group?

Gather up your friends, family, even uncle Gary, or some co-workers and we’re here to show you how adventure is done. Give us a call for special pricing and package offers.

Everything for the Perfect Getaway

Single-family to large group cabins, hotel rooms, and camping. We’ve got you covered.

We have something for everyone; from family activities to high-adrenaline adventures.

Grab the gear you need during your stay and fuel up with tasty treats.

Snacks to hearty after-hike meals, we’ve got something for every appetite!

We’re Right in the Heart of Red River Gorge

Convenient for groups coming from: Lexington, KY: 1 hr Louisville, KY: 1 hr 59 mins Ashland, NC: 2 hrs 4 mins Cincinatti, OH: 2 hrs 2 mins Nashville, TN: 4 hrs 3 mins

1-859-407-5844

2478 Glencairn Road, Rogers, Kentucky 41365

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Visit  RedRiverGorgeVacations.com

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Top 8 Kentucky Caves to Tour

Universal Stopping Point Photography/Getty Images

We all know Kentucky's horse farms and hills are stunning sights, but have you explored what lies beneath these picturesque landscapes? You may not realize it, but Kentucky is home to an extensive system of caves, some of which may be toured. Cave exploring, also known as spelunking, is an ideal activity for science buffs and history aficionados alike.

Mammoth Cave

The world's longest surveyed cave system, Mammoth Cave contains 400 miles of explored passageways, with more being discovered each year. Mammoth Cave National Park provides tours covering more than 10 miles of the system. Most tours cover 1 to 2 miles. Along with its immense length, Mammoth Cave houses clues to how the cave has been used by humans for thousands of years.

Lost River Cave

Feel like going on an underground boat tour? Well, this is one spot you can do it. In addition to exploring this 7-mile cave system—including having to lower your head to enter an enormous cave—there are daily nature activities, easy walking trails, a discovery cave crawl for kids, and more.

2818 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Diamond Caverns

When this cave was discovered in 1859, its first visitors said the area's glimmering stones looked like diamonds, and thus Diamond Cave received its name. The fourth-oldest cave attraction in the country, Diamond Caverns has a lighting system and handrails. The guided tour is a half mile.

Crystal Onyx Cave

Smaller than other Kentucky cave attractions, Crystal Onyx was discovered in 1960 and is now considered an important archeological site because Native American remains—some more than 3,000 years old—were found in the cave. Tours are a half mile and last approximately one hour.

Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum

Located beneath the city of Horse Cave, Hidden River Cave was once the source of drinking water and hydroelectricity for the community. Groundwater pollution led to its closing in 1943.

In the late 1980s, the American Cave Conservation Association relocated its national headquarters to Horse Cave to restore Hidden River Cave and open a museum and educational center at the site. A bat rehabilitation center is also in progress. Hidden River Cave is now open to visitors year-round.

Mammoth Onyx Cave at Kentucky Down Under

Discovered in 1799, Mammoth Onyx Cave is part of a larger, Australian-themed attraction called Kentucky Down Under. With kangaroos, a bird garden, gem mining, and an outback cafe, Kentucky Down Under is a popular family attraction. A tour of the cave is included in admission to Kentucky Down Under. 

Onyx Cave is a wet cave that was discovered in 1971 when a parking lot was being constructed. With its beautiful coral, a 40-foot column, and a wall of cave bacon, it was decided that it would be an attractive Kentucky cave tour; it opened in 1973. The cave is 60 degrees and tours are 30 minutes.

101 Huckleberry Knob Road, Cave City, Kentucky 42127

(Psst!... If you are in Cave City with the kids, drive by​ the Wigwam Village Inn, part of a motel chain that served as inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motels featured in the Pixar film Cars. )

Outlaw Cave at Kentucky Action Park

Outlaw Cave offers a guided tour of many classic cave formations. The cave was named Outlaw because bandits such as Jesse James hid out here and in other area caves. The natural formations were not only hidden but also large enough for the bandits to ride their horses into.

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Walk the World's Longest Swinging Underground Bridge!

Off-trail adventure cave tours, see historic sunset dome, entrance to hidden river cave, american cave museum.

Conveniently Located:

Open Daily:

9:30 am to 5:00 pm (CST)

Closed: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day & Thanksgiving Day

Welcome to Hidden River Cave & the American Cave Museum!

Hidden river cave, kentucky cave tours.

Our historic cave tour will take you through one of Kentucky’s largest and most scenic cave entrances where two subterranean rivers flow over one-hundred feet below ground. Walk across the world’s longest underground swinging bridge and step up into Sunset Dome, one of the largest free-standing cave domes in the United States.

You’ll pass the remnants of a turn-of-the-century hydroelectric generating system that once supplied the town overhead with water & electricity and explore areas with seldom seen creatures that live in the darkness underground.

The American Cave Museum has been called “a little bit of the Smithsonian in rural Kentucky.” Discover the history and science of America’s natural caverns through educational and informative exhibits.

Admission to the museum is FREE for all ages! Take a self-guided tour of two floors featuring exhibits on karst geology, groundwater, archaeology and the many uses of caves. Your admission also allows you to explore the nature area in the cave entrance and ends at the cave’s observation overlook.

Your visit to Kentucky Cave Country will not be complete without an in-depth look at the fascinating world of caves.

Join the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA)!

Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum are operated by the nonprofit American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA). Donations and membership dues help support our educational programs and operations at the American Cave Museum and also allow us to sponsor conservation efforts that directly protect and preserve caves and groundwater resources nationally.

Annual and monthly memberships are available for your convenience.

Clicking the join or donate buttons below will take you to our secure membership portal.

Membership Benefits

ACCA members are part of a special group working to preserve one of the most unusual environments on Earth. Your support truly makes a difference.

* Regular Membership ($25) Benefits Include:

• FREE admission to the American Cave Museum
• 20% discount on Hidden River Cave tours and Gift Shop items for Member & Guests
• Discounted rates for special exhibitions or events through our affiliation with the Southeastern Museums Conference - for more information, please visit: https://www.semcdirect.net/SERM-Participants
• Reciprocal admission to over 60 museums in the Southeast USA
• Subscription to our quarterly newsletter ACCA News
• voting privileges for election of ACCA Board of Directors
• Opportunities to participate in volunteer projects and educational workshops hosted by the ACCA
• More importantly, you will receive the opportunity to help conserve the fragile and irreplaceable natural caverns and karst areas located throughout America.

* Supporter Membership ($50) All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member

* Sustainer Membership ($100) All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member and 1 Guest

* Guarantor Membership ($250), Benefactor Membership ($500), Patron Membership ($1,000), Life Membership All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member and up to 4 Guests

*Our reservation system does not currently provide a way to include member discounts for tour reservations. If you are a member, please call us at (270) 786-1466 to book your tour. Alternately, you can present your membership card when you arrive.

Please visit the American Cave Conservation Association website for additional donation options and gift membership information.

You can also mail a check or money order (U.S. Funds only) payable to: American Cave Conservation Association • P.O. Box 409 • Horse Cave, KY 42749

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DIAMOND CAVERNS

Discovered 1859 – rediscovered daily, cave – gift & rock shoppe – gem mining, 1900 mammoth cave parkway, park city, ky, 270-749-2233.

For over 160 years Historic Diamond Caverns has offered tours of Kentucky’s most beautiful cave. Intricate drapery deposits line the halls with thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone deposits throughout the entire tour. Knowledgeable guides explain the unique geology and fascinating history of the cave during the one hour long guided tour. The cave is presented by a state-of-the-art lighting system with modern concrete trails and safety hand railings throughout. Browse the caverns gift shop featuring Kentucky Collection crafts, rocks, minerals, fossils, souvenirs, books and more.

Open year-round. I-65 at Exit 48

http://diamondcaverns.com

ONYX CAVE & ROCK SHOP

93 huckleberry knob road, 270-773-2323, seasonal hours: march through december.

Onyx Cave offers 30-minute cave tours, your underground experience includes views of beautiful cave coral, a wall of cave bacon, and a 40′ tall column. Cave tours are led by experienced, knowledgeable guides that will point out the many cave formations. There are few stairs and the cave stays at a cool 60 degrees year-round! Photography is allowed and encouraged. Browse the Onyx Cave Rock Shop for a variety of minerals, rocks, fossils, jewelry, home décor and paintings by local artists. Don’t forget to purchase bag of gems for gem mining in our unique sluice.

www.onyxcave.com

OUTLAW CAVE

Jesse james riding stables & outlaw cave, 3057 mammoth cave rd, 270-773-2560.

OUTLAW CAVE offers a 35-minute non-strenuous, guided tour filled with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and other breath taking formations. Area legend has it that famous outlaws such as Jesse James, hid out in OUTLAW CAVE and as well as other area caves. A tour in OUTLAW CAVE is perfect for the whole family, where its short length, few stairs, and affordability makes it easily accessible to all. OUTLAW CAVE offers a lantern tour daily as well as normal tours. Outlaw Cave is part of  Jesse James Riding Stables and Mini-Golf. Open Seasonally – For rates or reservations please call 270-773-2560.

CRYSTAL ONYX Cave

Show cave, gift/rock shop, gem panning, picnic area, 425 prewitt’s knob rd, 270-773-3377.

Crystal Onyx offers 2 separate 1 hour, 1/2 mile, unscripted guided tours of one of the regions most beautiful formation filled caves. Focusing on family, fun, education & entertainment. Crystal Onyx is family owned and operated with a unique ‘route 66’ above ground theme. Many photo ops are available with statues & oddities nestled in a secluded woodland setting, high atop the knob. The caves meandering trails have recently been renovated with groomed crushed limestone, new stairs, bridges, handrails and are exceptionally well lit. Reservations are available but not necessary. Crystal Onyx Cave is a seasonal attraction, Trip Advisor calls us Cave City’s #1 Tourist Attraction several years in a row!  I-65 exit 53, 3 miles east, come see us at CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, established in 1960. Open Seasonally –  call 270-773-3377.

www.crystalonyxcaveky.com

HIDDEN RIVER CAVE

Cave – american cave museum – gift shop – gem mining, 119 e main st, horse cave, ky, 270-786-1466.

Guided tours descend 150′ underground. View the remains of a turn of the century hydroelectric system, walk above the Hidden River and witness awe-inspiring chambers. Walk across the longest swinging bridge to see Sunset Dome!

Cave tours last 45-60 minutes and are scheduled upon visitation; roughly 45 minutes apart. Reservations not required. Visitors descend and climb 230 stairs and navigate an outside trail. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. The American Cave Museum is a self-guided museum with two floors of exhibits dealing with caves, groundwater and pollution. OPEN YEAR-ROUND

www.hiddenrivercave.com

MAMMOTH CAVE

World’s longest cave – over 400 miles, 270-758-2180.

Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve the cave system, including Mammoth Cave, the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and and hilly karst terrain typical of south central Kentucky. Beneath the sandstone-capped ridges of Mammoth Cave National Park lies the most extensive cave system on earth, with over 400 miles of passageway mapped and surveyed. And yet after 5,000 years of intermittent exploration, the full extent of this water-formed labyrinth remains a mystery. Join us on this journey. You do need advance reservations for Cave Tours. Exit 48 off I-65. Open Year-Round.

http://www.nps.gov/maca

LOST RIVER CAVE

Kentucky’s only underground boat tour, 2818 nashville rd, bowling green, ky, 270-393-0077.

Lost River Cave has one of the largest cave openings in the Eastern United States. The cave has a long rich history including Native American Indians, Civil War encampment, power generation, milling and an “Underground Nite Club”.

A Tour of the Cave and Valley includes a 20-minute Historical River Walk to the Cave opening emphasizing history, geology/hydrology, and folklore; followed by a 20-to-25 minute Boat Tour into the cave. The boat tour enables the visitor to view the large rooms of the cave and its other interesting features. Open Year-Round – I-65 at Exit 22

www.lostrivercave.org

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Alerts in effect, more than a cave.

Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

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Mammoth Cave National Park is more than just the home to the longest cave system in the world. It is a place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and camping on over 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky. Get inspired to plan your next vacation to Mammoth Cave National Park.

See all there is to do at Mammoth Cave!

Plan your Mammoth Cave experience

Basic information for your visit, including directions, hours, fees, reservations, weather and more.

Join us for a ranger-led program on the surface.

Learn all the dos and don'ts you need to know for your next visit to Mammoth Cave.

Three campgrounds and over 13 backcountry sites await campers at Mammoth Cave.

Stay in comfort a short distance from the entrance to Mammoth Cave.

Description of Accessible Cave Tours, Ranger Walks & Talks, and Self-Guided Adventures

Explore over 80 miles of trails in the park.

Plan your trip along the Green and Nolin Rivers.

Hit the trails and experience the park on two wheels.

Half the park is after dark!

Fishing regulations and more.

Those who love to see the world from horseback are in luck! Explore 60 miles of backcountry trails suitable for many skills and ages.

Discover whats beneath your feet.

Join a park ranger as they take you on a audio tour of Mammoth Cave.

Last updated: September 20, 2024

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Park footer, contact info, mailing address:.

P.O. Box 7 Mammoth Cave, KY 42259-0007

270 758-2180

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