Mammoth Cave National Park: Our 3-Day Family RV Adventure

danashik
Apr 27
4 min read

Updated: Sep 29

Traveling by RV gives our family a sense of freedom — waking up to new skies, cooking meals outdoors, and chasing adventure together.

For this trip, the six of us packed into an RV and headed to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky for three days of trails, underground wonders, and campfire nights.

Jellystone Campground: A Kid Paradise Minutes from the Park

Our home base was the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort near Mammoth Cave, tucked into the Kentucky woods just minutes from the park entrance.

Our site had full hookups, clean bathrooms, and a well-stocked general store. More importantly: it kept our four kids happily occupied all weekend.

Between the jumping pillow, gaga pit, pedal cars, mini golf, playground, and scheduled daily activities (we came over Easter weekend and hit three separate egg hunts!), they barely slowed down.

It was easy to let them roam a bit while we made meals or regrouped.

The kids quickly made fast friends around the campground, and our days filled with endless activities, nature trails and campfire breaks.

Day 1: Sand Cave Trail

Our first full day started with Sand Cave Trail — a short, flat walk that’s perfect for families with younger kids. It’s not a major landmark, but it’s peaceful, easy to access, and has a bit of history tied to early exploration of the cave system. A gentle warm-up before going underground.

Day 2: Frozen Niagara Cave Tour

We booked the Frozen Niagara tour, which is one of the more beginner-friendly options offered by the park. It’s under an hour, has minimal stairs, and includes some truly impressive formations like drapery-style stalactites and large flowstone sheets. It’s a solid intro for families or anyone who prefers a shorter experience.

If you're looking for something more challenging, the park offers several longer and more strenuous tours, like the Historic Tour, Domes & Dripstones, and Grand Avenue. Those involve more walking, tighter spaces, and in some cases, a lot of stairs—but they also take you deeper into the cave system and offer a broader view of its size and complexity. All tours require advance reservations (especially in peak season), and you’ll want to double-check age minimums and physical requirements before booking. (check out the available tours at recreation.gov).

The Frozen Niagara tour was nothing short of breathtaking. Walking deep into the cave system, past shimmering stone formations and massive limestone flows, it felt like entering another world.

One thing we didn’t expect? Cave crickets. They were absolutely everywhere—on the walls, the ceilings, and tucked into corners along the tour path. The kids (and I) were both fascinated and mildly horrified. We’d read that wildlife thrives underground, but it hits differently when you’re face-to-face with dozens of chirping bugs in the dark. That said, it was one of those unexpected moments they wouldn’t stop talking about, and probably what they’ll remember most from the tour.

Evenings: Campfires, Movies, and Down Time

Most afternoons we got back to the campground ready to take it easy. After a full morning out—whether in the cave or on a trail—it felt good to just settle in, cook something simple, and not rush anywhere. We’d spread out at the picnic table, get dinner going on the stove or griddle, and let the kids decompress with games, and just exploring the area around the campground. These quieter hours became one of the nicest parts of the day—no schedules, no driving, just time to reset and enjoy being outside together before the sun went down. One night, after the campfire embers faded, we bundled up to watch an outdoor movie under the stars — the perfect, cozy ending to a day full of adventure.

This trip wasn’t just about ticking destinations off a list; it was about the small moments — morning coffee in the crisp air, wide-eyed wonder deep beneath the earth, and campfire nights we wished would never end.

Family of 6 Camping in an RV at Mammoth Cave NP, KY

Cooking outdoors became its own little adventure. With limited space and simple tools, we embraced a more minimalistic way of cooking — focusing on fresh, easy ingredients, with a healthy balance between homemade and store-bought, that brought everyone together. Mornings meant sizzling hot healthy pancakes, filling the campground with the smell of home. By afternoon and evening, we were grilling plant-based burgers, roasting corn on the griddle, and tossing together easy, colorful salads.

Simple favorites (with a twist!) like grilled cheese with vegan butter and fresh basil on toasted baguette made quick lunch feel special (thanks to my oldest and most creative son!), and our homemade mini sweet-bread buns (that I brought from home) were just the thing for a sweet bite between activities. There’s something magical about sharing unfussy, homemade food outdoors — where every meal feels like part of the adventure.

Trip Info: Mammoth Cave RV Adventure With Kids

Visit Recommended Duration: 3 days

Season: Spring/Summer

Campground: Jellystone Park Camp-Resort (minutes from park entrance)

Highlights:

Sand Cave Trail (short & flat, kid-friendly)
Frozen Niagara Cave Tour (easy, stunning formations)
Campground activities: jumping pillow, mini golf, gaga pit, pedal cars, playground, Easter egg hunts

Meals on the Road:

Vegan chocolate-chip pancakes, grilled cheese on baguette, plant-based burgers, corn on the griddle, and colorful salads (check out my salads section), Plant-based 'egg' salad, Plant-based 'tuna' salad, Lentils stew, Almond butter & banana toast