This 2-hour trip, offered for kids from 8 to 12 years old, is designed
to promote awareness of the important relationship between surface and cave
environments. The trip takes troggers to cave passages not normally shown
to the public. Trog begins at the Visitor Center and parents must accompany
their children for the first 15 minutes of the program to hear the rules
and assist the ranger in getting troggers prepared for the trip. Parents
must also pick up troggers promptly at the end of the program. Troggers must
wear long pants (jeans are best) and sturdy shoes. Helmets and lights will
be provided. Kneepads are recommended.
The park ranger has the option to select one of two Trog routes:
1. Historic section of Mammoth Cave: This adventure includes a 0.2-mile
surface walk and offers troggers the opportunity to see a variety of cave
passages and learn about the human and natural history of the cave. A trip
to this cave includes crawling, and troggers may get dirty.
2. White's Cave: This adventure includes a 1-mile walk on the surface
to reach the cave entrance. In the cave, troggers discover that the darkness
can be full of beautiful cave formations and living creatures. A trip to
this small but varied cave may include crawling through some areas that are
wet and muddy.
Trog costs $12 and is offered every day in the summer and some weekend
days in the spring and fall.
Wild Cave Tour
This 6-hour, 5-mile trip is offered to adults 16 years old and older.
The trip begins at the Carmichael Entrance and winds its way to Snowball
Room through a variety of passages that the participant will find interesting
and challenging. This area will include some small openings, tight holes,
and a substantial amount of crawling. Participants will need to bring
a lunch or plan to purchase lunch at the Snowball Room (seasonally),
and bring a small bottle of water. The only restroom along the route is located
at the Snowball Room. After lunch, the group will investigate a series of
canyons that include the Cathedral Domes, a dramatic series of vertical shafts.
These canyons lead to an area in which the group will navigate by climbing
and crossing chasms. The trip will eventually exit through the Frozen Niagara
section. The exact route will vary on each trip depending on the interest
of the group, but all wild cave trips introduce visitors to safe caving
techniques, cave geology, cave mapping, and the history of Mammoth Cave
exploration. Participants must have a chest size of no larger than 42
inches. Wild cavers should wear clothes that can be torn or soiled. Required
for the trip are sturdy shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirt, and long,
sturdy pants (jeans are best). Kneepads are provided, but participants
may bring their own. Gloves recommended. Helmets and lights are provided.
Wild Cave Tour costs $45 and is offered on weekends year-round with weekdays
added during the summer. Tickets will be held at "Will Call" and must be
picked up at least 30 minutes prior to trip departure or the tickets will
be refunded.
Introduction to Caving
This 3-hour tour will introduce youths, adults, and families to the
fun and excitement of cave exploring. During the trip you will learn safe
caving techniques. The trip will start with a brief orientation in the Visitor
Center Auditorium. the cave trip will visit small passages off traditional
tour routes. Stooping, bending, and easy crawling will be part of
the trip. Helmets and lights are provided. Gloves and kneepads are strongly
recommended, and participants should wear sturdy pants and boots. Restrooms
are not available.
Adults: $22. Youths 10-12 years: $17.
Youths must be at least 10 years
of age.
Ages 10-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tour limit is
20. Tickets will be held at "Will Call" and must be picked up at least 30
minutes prior to trip departure or the tickets will be refunded.
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