Top Activities For Dogs In Mammoth Cave National Park

Introduction

Found in the American state of Kentucky, the Mammoth Cave National Park is a 53000-acre national park that was established on July 1, 1941. The park contains parts of the Mammoth Cave, which is famous for being the longest cave system in the world and covers over 640 kilometers (400 miles) of surveyed passageways. This number keeps on growing every year, with new discoveries and connections being revealed. Aside from the renowned cave system, the national park is also home to more than 70 miles of hiking trails. What’s great about these trails is that they are open to both human visitors and their four-legged companions.

Park Camping

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

24 - 72 hrs

Items needed

Tent

Sleeping bag

First aid kit

Leash

Food

Water

Doggy waste bags

Activity description

With nearly 53000 acres of land, the Mammoth Cave National Park presents a lot of opportunities for a lot for outdoor exploration and voyaging for both you and your dog. However, with the mammoth-like (pun intended!) size of the park, you probably would need more than one day to see all that it has to offer. The best way to extend your trip to the national park without leaving its vicinity is to go camping. Fortunately, Mammoth Cave National Park allows campers to bring their dogs with them just as long as they are supervised at all times and are not a nuisance to the other people in the campgrounds.

Step

1

Pack the things you need

If you have plans to camp within the national park, then you need to be prepared and make sure that you have everything that you might need during your trip. Tents and sleeping bags are a given; you will use these as your shelter for the days you will spend camping. You should also bring an ample amount of food and water not just for yourself but also your dog. Make sure to have a first-aid kit ready in case of emergencies.

Step

2

Go camping

When you are all packed and ready to go, head down to the park. Once there, head to the visitor’s center and find out about the rules and regulations of camping. You should also pay any fees associated with your camping plans. Once you are all good to go, head down to the campgrounds and set up your tent and campsite.

Hike the Trails

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Food

Water

Collapsible bowls

Doggy waste bags

Tourist map (optional)

Activity description

The Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the country’s premier destinations for hiking and outdoor adventures. This is because the park has over 70 miles of hiking paths and trails, most of which go around rivers, waterfalls and lakes. While trekking these trails, you also encounter some of the most beautiful hills and valleys with some pretty scenic views to match. Park visitors and their canine buddies will have a blast hiking through the trails and getting some mileage in. Most of these trails are paved and beginner-friendly, making it suitable for all types of hikers. Just make sure that your dog is kept on a leash and you are good to go.

Step

1

Head to the visitor's center

With lots of hiking trails to discover within the park, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the options. If you have no idea where to start, it is best to check out the visitor’s center and ask for assistance. Here, the staff will assist you with everything that you need. You can even ask for a map of the national park in case you want to do some exploring of your own.

Step

2

Check out the trails

After getting some insights on where to go, you can then start checking out the hiking trails with your dog. Most of these trails are paved and easy to navigate. Do not forget to stop every now and then to rest and to appreciate the picturesque views. While you’re at it, you can even take photos of your dog with the scenery serving as your backdrop.

Dinosaur World

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Doggy Waste Bags

Activity description

Once you are done visiting and checking out all the worthy spots within the Mammoth Cave National Park, it does not mean that your trip with your pooch should end. There are plenty of other spots and destinations in the vicinity of the park that might be worth looking into. One of the most dog-friendly places that you can visit with your dog is Dinosaur World. The attraction is a self-guided outdoor museum which has several life-size dinosaurs and other features related to the prehistoric animals. While this is a spot that is primarily suited for families with children, adults and their dogs are also welcome in the attraction, as long as they are kept on a leash.

Step

1

Go to Dinosaur World

Located along Mammoth Cave Road in Cave City, Dinosaur World is just a few miles from the National Park and should be easy to spot. Take a day trip with your dog to the attraction. Just head down to Dinosaur World, pay the entrance fee and you should be good to go.

Step

2

Explore what the attraction has to offer

Once inside Dinosaur World, you can explore to your heart’s content. Aside from the life-like dinosaurs, there are also excavation areas and boneyards where you can dig dinosaur skeletons. Other features of the park include the Dinosaur Walk, Movie Cave, Touch & Tell and the Mammoth Garden. After a long day of exploring, do a little bit of shopping in the 5000-square foot gift shop located inside the attraction.

More Fun Ideas...

Check out the Kennels

The park’s most well-known feature is obviously the Mammoth Cave. Unfortunately, this is one of a handful of areas in the park where your dog is absolutely not permitted to go to. If you want to check this site out for an hour or two, you can leave your dog in any of the kennels available in the park. Find one that fits your budget and meets your requirements for your pooch.

Rent Dog-friendly Accommodation

Because of the Mammoth Cave National Park’s reputation for being a generally dog-friendly national park, most of the establishments in the area have also adjusted to the times and have become more welcoming of canines. There are lots of cottages and even AirBnB homes around the park area that allow you to check in with your dog.

Conclusion

The Mammoth Cave National Park is an impressive American park that can truly be classified as “dog-friendly”. The multitude of hiking trails (all of which are open to canines) along with all the other dog-friendly spots and facilities make the park a top tourist and holiday destination for those who do not want to leave their furry buddies behind at home.