Camping near Mammoth Cave, KY?
lanz...@bright.net
I'm new here, and pretty much new to newsgroups altogether. Lemme know
If this belongs elsewhere...
My family and I would like to try camping in or near the Mammoth Cave
National Park area in Kentucky. We've got a good-sized pop-up for
myself and my wife, as well as our 3 kids (8, 6, and 5 yo).
Electricity is a must, but water is not. We definitely want a
kid-friendly area (swimming, park, whatnot), but also want a nice,
cozy-feeling campsite where we can get away from the crowds as well.
Does anyone have any recommendations for any campgrounds like this
around mammoth cave? Thanks...
Matt
Jim Redelfs
wrote:
> Electricity is a must
> want a nice, cozy-feeling campsite where we can get
> away from the crowds as well.
Your list of requirements will be difficult to fill, certainly in a facility
nearby the park.
A Google search, "Mammoth Cave National Park" "campground" "electric",
INLCUDING the quotes, return several hits. One that may work for you except
for your desire for seclusion includes:
"Mammoth Cave NP contains several campgrounds. The Headquarters Campground is
by far the largest camping area. It is located less than a mile from the park
visitors center, where tickets, souvenirs, pamphlets, information, and various
other items are available. There are 109 campsites available, with each site
having a paved area to park, a picnic table, and a fire grate. This campground
offers restrooms, trash receptacle, water, and electric hookups. It is $14 per
night to stay in this area, or $7 per night for Sr. Citizens. The facilities
and campsites in this area were nice and well-kept, however, the campsites
were quite close to one another, and the campground was very full and busy. I
prefer to camp in a more remote area, instead of being packed in with others.
This campground was also situated near the main road, with many cars passing
on their way to and from the visitors center. It did not seem to be very far
from civilization."
If electricity is "a must", you will find your camping opportunities,
particularly those with spacious site and some seclusion, to be extremely
limited in any campout. With rare exception, the largest facilities are
public and they usually do NOT have electric hookups in their most spacious,
secluded sites.
Good luck!
:)
JR
--
2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000
Bill Gee
> My family and I would like to try camping in or near the Mammoth Cave
> National Park area in Kentucky. We've got a good-sized pop-up for
> myself and my wife, as well as our 3 kids (8, 6, and 5 yo).
> Electricity is a must, but water is not. We definitely want a
> kid-friendly area (swimming, park, whatnot), but also want a nice,
> cozy-feeling campsite where we can get away from the crowds as well.
>
> Does anyone have any recommendations for any campgrounds like this
> around mammoth cave? Thanks...
I have camped near Mammoth twice. The first time was in the NPS campground
at the visitor's center. The campground is heavily wooded with nice roads,
but there are no utilities at any site. There is no swimming pool either.
On the plus side, it is reasonably priced and within easy walking distance
of the visitor's center. I found most of the noise came from kids with
jammers. There are some flush toilets scattered around. Showers can be
had for a fee at a concession about 5 minutes walk away.
The other place was Diamond Caverns Campground.
http://www.mammothcave.com/dcrcamp.htm The roads are in pretty sad shape
and the entire facility needs maintenance. It is obviously well worn. It
was clean and quiet. Most sites have water and electric, and there is a
swimming pool. The visitor's center is about a 15 minute drive. The
campground is close enough to the Interstate that you can hear traffic
noise, but it is not a big problem. There are some large grassy areas
where the kids can run wild.
I don't know what your caving tastes are, so take this with appropriate
cautions. I recommend the Grand Ave tour and the Historic tour. If you
are not claustrophobic and in good physical shape, take one of the wild
cave tours. Warning! They're not kidding about good physical shape! If
you can't run a mile in 6 or 7 minutes, don't go on the wild cave tour.
When on a cave tour, take a good flashlight with extra batteries. Yes, it
is electrically lit, but those lights can fail. Also, a flashlight will
help you see into nooks and crannies. Dress for temps in the low 50s.
Good hiking boots - sneakers need not apply.
--
Bill Gee
There are no 'X' chars in my email address.
AustinMN
news:BFp8c.1824$gA....@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
I've also stayed at Diamond Caverns campground...in fact, right next to Bill
Gee's Aliner! They seemed to put the pop-ups in a row near the back, in the
most shaded sites. That will be important if you don't have A/C. It can be
warm and very humid.
It's about 5-6 miles from Diamond Caverns campground to the main Visitor's
Center.
>
> I don't know what your caving tastes are, so take this with appropriate
> cautions. I recommend the Grand Ave tour and the Historic tour. If you
> are not claustrophobic and in good physical shape, take one of the wild
> cave tours. Warning! They're not kidding about good physical shape! If
> you can't run a mile in 6 or 7 minutes, don't go on the wild cave tour.
>
> When on a cave tour, take a good flashlight with extra batteries. Yes, it
> is electrically lit, but those lights can fail. Also, a flashlight will
> help you see into nooks and crannies. Dress for temps in the low 50s.
> Good hiking boots - sneakers need not apply.
PJay and the older girls joined Bill on a wild cave tour. I was
disappointed I didn't get to go, but boy, was I glad when I realized how
tight things got in there. There was a point on that particular tour where
you could "bail out," and PJay and both girls did. I don't believe you can
"bail out" of all the wild cave tours. Even on the main "tourist" trails,
once you're in, you're in for the duration. Most of the passages don't have
escape points. It is one biiiiig cave, though.
Austin
lanz...@bright.net
wrote:
Thanks for the help, folks... I'll check out Diamond Caverns now...
Matt
Annette725
have a very delightful resort and our children really enjoyed themselves .