Edmonson County adds unique stays for visitors

EDMONSON COUNTY, Ky. (WNKY) – Edmonson County is best known for what is underground, the sprawling passageways of Mammoth Cave National Park. But local tourism leaders say there is just as much to explore above ground.

The county is seeing a rise in unique lodging options that blend into the natural landscape, giving visitors new ways to experience the area’s forests, rivers and trails.

One of the most talked-about additions is the Mirror House at the Maple Retreat in Park City. The cabin’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflect the trees around it, creating the illusion that it disappears into the woods. Host Pretreat Patel said the idea came from a desire to create a space for couples who wanted to feel connected to nature without losing comfort.

“Once you’re inside, you’re just in nature,” Patel said. “You see everything outside, but you can’t really see in. It makes it cozier and more comfortable.”

The Mirror House is less than two miles from Mammoth Cave, making it an option for travelers who want easy access to the park while staying close to modern amenities.

Edmonson County Tourism Commission executive director Vanessa Ulm said visitors often come for the cave but are staying for the experiences they can have above ground.

“When people come for Mammoth Cave, we want them to stay with us,” Ulm said. “So we offer everything from backcountry camping to these one-of-a-kind cabins, wagons and treehouses.”

Other lodging options include Treetops of Mammoth, hillside cabins with views into the forest canopy, and Pioneer’s Paradise, a modernized covered wagon set on a rural property.

Ulm said the county does not have hotels, so tourism relies on smaller, locally owned lodging. She said the goal is to incorporate these places into the existing landscape rather than change it.

“We did not move the landscape for these places — we built them into it,” Ulm said. “That way, visitors experience what makes this county special without losing it in the process.”

From hiking and horseback riding to kayaking on the Green and Nolin rivers, Ulm said the county offers activities for all levels of adventure. She added that the region’s small-town atmosphere and southern hospitality keep visitors coming back.