Maple Springs
At Maple Springs, visitors can enjoy the serenity of the campground and surrounding backcountry trails, or spend their days exploring Mammoth Cave. Campers can explore up to ten miles of the cave through a variety of tours available at the Visitor Center. With more than 400 miles (644 km) of mapped passageways, Mammoth Cave ranks as the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave is named for its grand size and scale. Visit the Rotunda for an idea of just how large this underground world is.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Kentucky · first-come in Kentucky · reservable in Kentucky · big rigs in Kentucky · pets allowed in Kentucky · group sites in Kentucky · dark sky in Kentucky
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| equestrian electric | 4 |
| group standard electric | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G001 | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes |
| G002 | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes |
| G003 | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes |
| G004 | Equestrian Electric | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes |
| G005 | Group Standard Electric | Pull-through | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes | |
| G006 | Group Standard Electric | Pull-through | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes | |
| G007 | Group Standard Electric | Pull-through | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / – | 24 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | Inside Mammoth Cave National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Access to the primitive campground is best via ferry, located six miles from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center. The ferry accommodates up to two cars, and the ride is free, taking just a few minutes. Taking the ferry is the quickest route to the campground. If the ferry is unavailable, you will need to drive around, which takes about 45 minutes. These sites offer electric and water hookups. Sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 are recommended for equestrian use and feature a horse tie-up area. Please consider sites 5, 6, and 7 before booking the others, and prioritize those with horses for the equestrian sites. Note that there is no sewer or dump station at Maple Springs. A small amphitheater is available on-site, and a large fire pit is provided for groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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 towards the Visitor Center. Turn left on the Green River Ferry Road. Cross the ferry and follow the signs to Maple Springs.
| Nearest town | Mammoth Cave, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.2072° N, 86.1317° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Group Facilities - Overnight -$10.00 cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's use recreation use fee if cancelled less than 14 days before the arrival date (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Vance Outdoor Power Equipment ↗ | 18.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Maple Springs Ranger StationBuilding · Mammoth Cave · 0 mi
- Good Spring Baptist Church and CemeteryBuilding · Mammoth Cave · 0.9 mi
- Old Guide CemeterySite · Mammoth Cave · 2 mi
Natural features
This campground is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, a 52,800-acre park that includes the Green River Valley, rolling Kentucky hillsides, and the expansive Mammoth Cave with grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways. This remote campsite is quiet, peaceful and ideal for those who want to be immersed in nature. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and coyotes.
Recreation
Avid horseback riders head to Maple Springs to explore the lush backcountry trails. Hikers will also find these trails enjoyable.
Nearby
Take a tour of Mammoth Cave and see landmark cave areas like the Cathedral Domes and Mammoth's famous formation, Frozen Niagara. Or hike above the caverns to explore sinkholes like Cedar Sink.
Guidebooks for Mammoth Cave National Park and Kentucky
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Maple Springs?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Maple Springs?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Maple Springs have?
7 sites, including 4 equestrian electric and 3 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Maple Springs?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Maple Springs have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Maple Springs?
Note that there is no sewer or dump station at Maple Springs.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Maple Springs?
Yes, pets are allowed at Maple Springs. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Maple Springs?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Maple Springs good for stargazing?
Yes. Maple Springs sits inside Mammoth Cave National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Maple Springs?
Avid horseback riders head to Maple Springs to explore the lush backcountry trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Maple Springs?
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Take a tour of Mammoth Cave and see landmark cave areas like the Cathedral Domes and Mammoth's famous formation, Frozen Niagara.
Source: Getting there
What if Maple Springs is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mammoth Cave Campground (2.5 mi), Dog Creek (7.9 mi), and Wax (9.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby