Mammoth Cave National Park to honor Floyd Collins’ legacy with special history tour

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. – Mammoth Cave National Park is commemorating the 100th anniversary of famed cave explorer, Floyd Collins, with a special Floyd Collins History Tour in February 2025.

Park officials say the tour will stop at key locations in Collins’ life, including Crystal Cave which has not been actively toured by the public since 1961.

“Floyd Collins’s tragic death was a major event for the region that has impacted lives well beyond Kentucky’s cave country,” superintendent Barclay Trimble said. “His daring curiosity and discoveries represent a legacy of cave exploration in the Mammoth Cave region that continues today. We are honored to celebrate his life, 100 years later, by inviting the public on this very special tour opportunity.”

On January 30, 1925, a release by Mammoth Cave National Park states Collins became trapped in the “unexplored Sand Cave as he was looking for a new cave to develop for tourism.”

Park officials say the rescue attempt became a high-profile national news story, drawing thousands of people to follow the two-week rescue operation.

Despite round the clock efforts, officials say Collins died inside of the cave before he could be reached.

This tragedy has reportedly led to books, songs, a musical and brought attention to cave exploration in the Mammoth Cave region at the time. Officials say the attention accelerated the movement to turn the cave area into Mammoth Cave National Park.

For more information on tour and to apply for a ticket via a lottery system for $50.00, click here.