Mammoth Cave National Park to increase public fees in 2024

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. – Mammoth Cave National Park announced Wednesday it is set to increase fees for cave tours and picnic shelter reservations starting in 2024.

The park states recreational fees are collected as part of the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and are reviewed and updated every few years to “stay in line with privately operated businesses of similar duration and experience.”

The fee increase is effective starting March 1. For a full list of fee increases, click here. An example of one fee increase is an adult Discovery Tour from $8 to $12.

However, the fees are put to use, park officials say. This includes projects for deferred maintenance needs, visitor programs and services, protecting resources and improving and rehabilitating visitor facilities. The park says it recently used fees to fund cave guides during the summer season, replace benches and audio-visual equipment in the park’s amphitheater and repair handrails at the Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave.

The last fee increase at the park was in 2021.