Can you reserve a site at Mammoth Picnic Shelters?

Yes, Mammoth Picnic Shelters is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Mammoth Picnic Shelters?

No, pets are not allowed at Mammoth Picnic Shelters.

Mammoth Picnic Shelters, Kentucky — 2 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

There are two shelters available at the Mammoth Cave Picnic Area for visitor use, two of which can be reserved.

Shelter G-1 in Picnic Area is an Enclosed Shelter *(Pick up the key at the Mammoth Cave Campground Kiosk 10am on the day of your reservation.)*
Check-in 10am. Check-out is no later than 6pm. Let the attendant know when you are planning on checking out so they can make arraignments to inspect the shelter and collect the key.
Shelter G-2 in Picnic Area is an Open Shelter

The shelters are within Mammoth Cave National Park, which is best known for its cave that extends over 400 miles. The cave formation began millions of years ago when mildly acidic groundwater dissolved on beds of limestone, creating subterranean passages. Native inhabitants of the cave include bats, spiders, and blindfish.

New Winter Hours for Enclosed shelter (G-1). December 1st, 2025, to February 28th, 2027. During this time only, hours will be 9am to 4pm. Key and instructions will be picked up at the Visitor Center.

Recreation

Picnicking, enjoying the outdoors, and exploring the caves are of primary interest to visitors. The site has trailheads to the Green River Bluffs Trail and the Dixon Cave Trail. Both hiking trails are about a mile long.

Facilities

The picnic shelters are across from the Visitor Center parking lot, nestled in the Picnic Area. Each shelter is equipped to accommodate up to 60 people. Choose from the enclosed shelter or the open shelters, and enjoy the grassy surrounding area as well.

Natural Features

The picnic shelters are surrounded by oak, elm, and maple trees in the Green River Valley. The park sits above the labyrinth of underground caves and extends out over rolling hill country.

Nearby Attractions

The Green River is where anglers can fish for perch, bass and bluegills, and where kayakers can paddle past lush, tree-lined banks. Any part of Mammoth Cave National Park's 52,800 acres is worth exploring through trails or scenic drives.

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below:

https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

The facts

2 bookable sites
2 sites for day use only
2 accessible sites
Up to 60 people per site
Loops: Picnic Area, Picnic Area (Enclosed)

Site types

2 Picnic

Amenities

Electric hookups
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed — not available

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

2 campsites at Mammoth Picnic Shelters

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
G002	Picnic Area	Picnic	—	Paved	—	60	♿
G001	Picnic Area (Enclosed)	Picnic	—	Paved	—	60	♿

Getting there

Note: Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Google Maps or similar automated navigation systems to get to the Mammoth Cave Campground. Routes can be misleading and incorrect.
Directions from the North: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255 as it becomes the Mammoth Cave Parkway in the park. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center. Once in the Visitor Center parking lot turn right into the Picnic Area.
Directions from the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 and follow 255 as it becomes the Park City Road into the park. Follow Park City Road until it joins the Mammoth Cave Parkway; turn left. Follow the Mammoth Cave Parkway to the Visitor Center. Once in the Visitor Center parking lot turn right into the Picnic Area.

37.18333, -86.15000 · 37°10'60.0"N 86°9'0.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 91°F in Jul, down to 48°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	48	53	62	73	81	88	91	90	85	74	61	51
Low °F	29	32	40	48	57	64	68	67	60	49	40	33
Precip in	3.7	4.5	5.0	4.9	5.2	4.8	4.9	3.8	4.0	3.8	4.1	4.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Shelter G-1 Enclosed Shelter (205173) Shelter G-2 Open Shelter (205174)

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Mammoth Picnic Shelters

Can you reserve a site at Mammoth Picnic Shelters?: Yes, Mammoth Picnic Shelters is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Mammoth Picnic Shelters have?: 2 sites.
Are pets allowed at Mammoth Picnic Shelters?: No, pets are not allowed at Mammoth Picnic Shelters.
Does Mammoth Picnic Shelters have hookups?: Electric.

Camping near Mammoth Picnic Shelters

Maple Springs 1.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park presents Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra with special guest Yo-Yo Ma 2.7 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park Floyd Collins History Tour 2.7 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park Tours 2.7 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Cave Campground 3.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake) 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dog Creek Day Use (KY) 9.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dog Creek (Ky) 9.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Moutardier Day Use 10 mi · Campground · we watch it
Moutardier 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mammoth Cave Visitor Center 2.7 mi · Facility
Wax 11 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 270-758-2424
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-15.

Mammoth Picnic Shelters