I took that tour for the first time in 1963, when the entrance had only one staircase and the old wooden hotel was still there. Thanks for the great memories. One cool thing about caves is that they don't change much during one long human life time! 🙂
I did restoration work for Mammoth cave back somewhere around 2004. We were primarily working at the echo river bridge. At the time it was one of the lowest points in the cave and we were removing what was left of the bridge because the creosote buildup had driven away the wildlife down there. One of my favorite experiences of my life and I miss it dearly.
When I was a kid they used to turn off all the lights and they would soak a cloth in oil, light it on fire and throw it. It was an impressive show intended to demonstrate what it was like to go through the cave with torches. My favorite tour is domes and dripstones tour. It is a great sampling of other tours and the one I recommend for first time visitors.
In the early 1970's I took what was then called the "Wild Cave Tour". You carried your own light and food for an all-day adventure. The tour started when you knelt down by the side of a trail and crawled thru a hole in the wall. The hole was MUCH smaller than Fat Man''s Misery. The start pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the tour. Went back in 1980 and the tour was no longer offered due to the potential for injuries and associated liabilities. Too bad, it was fun. Wouldn't want to repeat it now with my age, creaky bones and paunch.
I was at Mammoth Caves myself end of May, took the Historical tour like you and Frozen Niagara. At 6 ft and around 175 lbs, Fat Man’s Misery is NO joke. I was walking hunched over (and very grateful for a hat telling me my head was too close to the ceiling) for most of the trip. Like they say on the tour, watch your head and if you can’t, watch your language. Frozen Niagara is what I would suggest for limited time and those who don’t want the tight spaces - much easier, not as confined and truly amazing.
Great video! I would highly recommend the Domes and Dripstones tour. It ends at what’s called the Drapery Room, which has amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations!
I have always suspected that some traumatic childhood experience was behind me being terrified of stairs, heights, tight spaces, and the dark. For reasons I cannot explain, I suddenly recalled a family vacation to Mammoth cave in the early 60s when I was 6. I checked it out on RUclips and there it was in all it's glory... the monster under my bed. Boy do I remember that place and how scared I was, even now I find it creepy. Thank you for the solved mystery.
I've been involved in the exploration and survey of the cave, thanks for making and posting the video. The cave system needs friends who care about this unique part of nature.
made it to any of the underground bio domes? Or have any of the systems intersected with the Boring going on to create underground civs? Serious questions. There's more below than most know of...
I live in KY and have been lucky enough to have visited most all of the tours except the “Lost River” tour which closed in the 1960s, I believe. My favorite tour was when two friends and I huddled outside the ticket office overnight for nine hours in minus 9 degrees temperature waiting to buy tickets for the “Wild Cave” tour back in 1974 before they took reservations. When we entered the cave, it felt like a heat wave!
Yikes! I can imagine having to scrunch down to 3 feet tall would be anxiety-producing for many people. It looked like your group was fine with it. Thanks for sharing.
I went over there once a couple of years ago. It was for a field trip and I LOVED IT, I feel so bad for people who have claustrophobia or other things that may limit them to experiencing it positively
This was fun to see. I was there a few months before you - Thanksgiving weekend of 2019. We did 2 tours - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We did the River Styx tour in the morning. Same rooms as you showed but they took us over to a river. In the afternoon we did the Domes & Dripstone tour, they bussed us over to another entrance. We got see the frozen Niagara room which is pretty cool. The Hubs tried to surprise me with a wild caving tour at Hidden River cave in nearby Horse Cave KY. But due to rain it was flooded out. I was bummed because there is a swinging bridge in that cave. We did get to repel off the top and into the entrance which was awesome.
When you get to Tennessee, check out Cumberland Caverns just outside McMinnville, TN. It’s a great cave tour. There’s one really big chamber in which they hold bluegrass concerts.
i will be here next month and will be driving from CT. cant wait to go. i will be bringing my bike to bike around. these caves look cool. but as of now my favorite cave ive seen is in lurch,va. they got the reflecting pool and you can be there for a long time and be mesmerized on how awesome it looks.
Grand Avenue Tour is a great tour. It’s four hours and four miles. It encompasses parts of various other tours. It goes through big wide open tunnels with big open chambers as well as basically slot canyons which are single file. Anyone over 6 feet will be bent over a lot. I’m 5’10” and I just cleared the roof in a lot of sections. The tour culminates at Frozen Niagara. If you have the time and don’t mind some walking, I highly recommend it.
I was Born In Louisville (LOUIE-VILLE to us Kentuckians) And grew up in E-Town and Radcliff. My family and I growing up went to Mammoth Cave at least once a week growing up. It was sooo much fun. Some of the best memories I have of growing up besides an otherwise horrible family life growing up. I now live in Flori(DUHH) And Miss seeing the cave all the time. Sad face lol
We just took the Domes and Dripstone Tour which was challenging with over 500 steps and steep inclines but with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The tour will only be open for 2 more months and then will shut down for 2 years for repairs. I am glad that we got to see it before it closed. You definitely need to reserve tickets for any tour weeks ahead of time. Posted 7/12/22.
I did the violet city lantern tour - which all the lights were off and you are carrying a gas lantern like the 1800s. Domes and dripstones tour is also super fun and so much to see.
The Lewis and Clark Caverns have a section where you have to slide down to the next section!! It was Great fun 😁 I love going to caves/caverns!! Thanks for sharing...... haven't been to these yet!!!
I've only been in the Sweetwater cave in Tennessee and the Ruby Falls, also in Tennessee. Thanks for this tour. Awsome!! Way too many steps for my old knees, now.
Went there in the 90s, you miss the snow ball room where they serve food half way thru. we went in different opening to the cave. looks different from when i was there and took the tour.
i went there in the 70's there wasnt electric lights in there then. the guide would light something on fire and throw it, maybe a towel dipped in oil? i was a little kid and thats about all i remember about mammoth cave trip, one more thing i remember is that there were fish in the cave with no eyes. we also went to look out mountain which i am going to look up next.
We greatly enjoyed the Extended Historic. However, as you showed most of Mammoth Cave is a dry cave without normal cave features. To see stalactites and stalagmites, we visited Frozen Niagara which was also great.
My wife and I did a tour years ago. It was great even though we did not get to do the grand tour because it had sold out online. You have to get in early if you want to do the best tours. It was a great experience regardless and we also loved staying at a cabin right in the park for not a lot of money! Well worth seeing! I would go back there again to see some the other tours!
If you get over to my home state of Montana Go and Visit Their Famous Cave Lewis and Clark Caverns. You will go through the Lemon Squeeze, and Down A Slide.🤔😯🤜🤛
I loved Carlsbad Caverns when I was there years ago: only cavern I've ever been to where I could bring my tripod and spend as much time (till closing time) as I liked photographing everything. Not sure if that's still the case.
5:34 When you realize, 'Butterscotch Falls' happens to be directly under the town's sanitation facility. haha Jokes aside, thanks for sharing this video! I hope to visit someday.
i took a tour in 1966 and it was a one mile walk down a steep wide path and at the bottom it leveled out, and there was all these large pointy things hanging from the ceiling. sorry can't remember what they were called, but they looked like multicolored icicles. the air was indescribable
I went to mammoth caves summer of 2020. Did not have a reservation so did not get in. Instead I went to Crystal Onyx Cave and Hidden River Cave, both of which are nearby mammoth cave. I recommend both caves. Really awesome tho much smaller of course.
If you like tight squeezes try Rock City at the top of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga Tennessee! It’s called fat man squeeze. I had to turn sideways and I only weigh 150 pounds!! Also see Ruby Falls nearby inside a cave!!Eat at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo!!
I went to the desoto caverns in Alabama, and they turned the lights off while down there. It’s scary to imagine people navigating their way down here with only a torch (the cave has a marked date in it from 1777)
Would love to see you visit the Oregon Caves. There is an amazing historic Chateau at the entrance. I visited before the hotel closed for repairs and staying there it felt like being in a Nancy Drew book.
Another nicely done video. We’ve been to Mammoth Caves twice and two different tours. Thought we’d taken the Historic tour, but it covered more historical things like mining for saltpeter for gunpowder, use of the cave as a TB sanitarium, and where early visitors used torches to char their initials in the roof. Second time took tour we had to take a bus to another area. Much nicer cave formations, but I don’t recall the tour name. Did you see the nearby Wigwam Motel? It’s the only one of three remaining not on Route 66. I’ve stayed in all three.
Hello! I enjoy your videos very much! I am not sure but I think you haven't been to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. If not you should check it out, it's fantastic!!! Especially the Garden of the Gods! I hope you get a chance to see it.
The lack of formations SUCK! If that’s one of the “coolest caves youve seen, you really need to explore more, check out the crystal onyx cave next time you’re in the area, it will blow your mind
Awesome video... love that you are trying to make a video for all of the National Parks! How would you say that this compares to Carlsbad Caverns? I have been there but would definitely love to see Mammoth as well.
Carlsbad is the best cave I have been in by far. It’s stunning with so many formations. This one is especially fun because it feels more adventurous with the more narrow places and stuff. Both are great but it’s hard to beat Carlsbad
I took that tour for the first time in 1963, when the entrance had only one staircase and the old wooden hotel was still there. Thanks for the great memories. One cool thing about caves is that they don't change much during one long human life time! 🙂
Insane
I was a park ranger there and I absolutely loved my job and the park. I haven't been back there since 2012.
Basically in my back yard. I've been going through it for 40 years..... It never gets old. I absolutely love it.
Prop D is Dishonest 😂
You got my vote
I did restoration work for Mammoth cave back somewhere around 2004. We were primarily working at the echo river bridge. At the time it was one of the lowest points in the cave and we were removing what was left of the bridge because the creosote buildup had driven away the wildlife down there. One of my favorite experiences of my life and I miss it dearly.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GOOD WORK is very nice!👏
When I was a kid they used to turn off all the lights and they would soak a cloth in oil, light it on fire and throw it. It was an impressive show intended to demonstrate what it was like to go through the cave with torches.
My favorite tour is domes and dripstones tour. It is a great sampling of other tours and the one I recommend for first time visitors.
When they turn out the light when you're in the cave is a scary moment. I was in a cave near San Antonio and the guide did that. 😲
In the early 1970's I took what was then called the "Wild Cave Tour". You carried your own light and food for an all-day adventure. The tour started when you knelt down by the side of a trail and crawled thru a hole in the wall. The hole was MUCH smaller than Fat Man''s Misery. The start pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the tour. Went back in 1980 and the tour was no longer offered due to the potential for injuries and associated liabilities. Too bad, it was fun. Wouldn't want to repeat it now with my age, creaky bones and paunch.
Carlsbad Caverns offers crawling tours like that!😅
I was at Mammoth Caves myself end of May, took the Historical tour like you and Frozen Niagara. At 6 ft and around 175 lbs, Fat Man’s Misery is NO joke. I was walking hunched over (and very grateful for a hat telling me my head was too close to the ceiling) for most of the trip. Like they say on the tour, watch your head and if you can’t, watch your language. Frozen Niagara is what I would suggest for limited time and those who don’t want the tight spaces - much easier, not as confined and truly amazing.
Great video! I would highly recommend the Domes and Dripstones tour. It ends at what’s called the Drapery Room, which has amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations!
I just took the historic tour last week and I absolutely loved the cave. It felt wonderful for a 100 degree day in August of 2024.
We camped there and toured the cave a few years ago. It’s simply amazing.
I have always suspected that some traumatic childhood experience was behind me being terrified of stairs, heights, tight spaces, and the dark. For reasons I cannot explain, I suddenly recalled a family vacation to Mammoth cave in the early 60s when I was 6. I checked it out on RUclips and there it was in all it's glory... the monster under my bed. Boy do I remember that place and how scared I was, even now I find it creepy. Thank you for the solved mystery.
😂❤
I took the 1/2 day tour in the late 70’s! It was awesome and at that time there was a cafeteria.
I've been involved in the exploration and survey of the cave, thanks for making and posting the video. The cave system needs friends who care about this unique part of nature.
made it to any of the underground bio domes? Or have any of the systems intersected with the Boring going on to create underground civs? Serious questions. There's more below than most know of...
Amy is very diplomatic! Thanks for the video.
It's been 27 years since my visit to Mammoth Caves. Thanks for the memories.
No problem!
I live in KY and have been lucky enough to have visited most all of the tours except the “Lost River” tour which closed in the 1960s, I believe. My favorite tour was when two friends and I huddled outside the ticket office overnight for nine hours in minus 9 degrees temperature waiting to buy tickets for the “Wild Cave” tour back in 1974 before they took reservations. When we entered the cave, it felt like a heat wave!
I've been down to the river. We helped remove what was left of the bridge in the early 2000s. I miss that place!
@@tyzundel7354 Was the bridge inside the cave?
yeah the cave is about 50 or so degrees year round
I just went here today. It’s so worth it.
Yikes! I can imagine having to scrunch down to 3 feet tall would be anxiety-producing for many people. It looked like your group was fine with it. Thanks for sharing.
It was def the most claustrophobic I have been on a big cave tour like this. Still pretty fun though
TRIP DANS LES MONTAGNES BERBERES ET PETIT DEJEUNER AVEC HUILE D'ARGANE
👇☝️
ruclips.net/video/l03g6lX4xs4/видео.html
There are a lot of options for a tour. I’m claustrophobic and took 2 hours tour through big chambers.
I went over there once a couple of years ago. It was for a field trip and I LOVED IT, I feel so bad for people who have claustrophobia or other things that may limit them to experiencing it positively
This was fun to see. I was there a few months before you - Thanksgiving weekend of 2019. We did 2 tours - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We did the River Styx tour in the morning. Same rooms as you showed but they took us over to a river. In the afternoon we did the Domes & Dripstone tour, they bussed us over to another entrance. We got see the frozen Niagara room which is pretty cool.
The Hubs tried to surprise me with a wild caving tour at Hidden River cave in nearby Horse Cave KY. But due to rain it was flooded out. I was bummed because there is a swinging bridge in that cave. We did get to repel off the top and into the entrance which was awesome.
Can't wait to visit Mammoth after we move to Tennessee in the next 2 years! Thanks!
When you get to Tennessee, check out Cumberland Caverns just outside McMinnville, TN. It’s a great cave tour. There’s one really big chamber in which they hold bluegrass concerts.
That was simply amazing! Thank you for including us on your tour.
🧊 👏 ❄
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting. Probably the only way I'll ever get to see it.
i will be here next month and will be driving from CT. cant wait to go. i will be bringing my bike to bike around. these caves look cool. but as of now my favorite cave ive seen is in lurch,va. they got the reflecting pool and you can be there for a long time and be mesmerized on how awesome it looks.
Thanks for taking the time to make this great video. It really helped!
Grand Avenue Tour is a great tour. It’s four hours and four miles. It encompasses parts of various other tours. It goes through big wide open tunnels with big open chambers as well as basically slot canyons which are single file. Anyone over 6 feet will be bent over a lot. I’m 5’10” and I just cleared the roof in a lot of sections. The tour culminates at Frozen Niagara. If you have the time and don’t mind some walking, I highly recommend it.
i just finished going through one of the tours around 5-7 hours ago it was amazing i think we had the same ranger.
Went yesterday, it was great!
I was Born In Louisville (LOUIE-VILLE to us Kentuckians) And grew up in E-Town and Radcliff. My family and I growing up went to Mammoth Cave at least once a week growing up. It was sooo much fun. Some of the best memories I have of growing up besides an otherwise horrible family life growing up. I now live in Flori(DUHH) And Miss seeing the cave all the time. Sad face lol
Imagine being in that cave just 100 years ago with only a kerosene lantern, no modern walkway like now days, unbelievable 😳
We love exploring caves! This one looks huge. Definitely have to visit this one.
excellent video! it's on my bucket list to visit and experience! :)
Cool timing for this video. We are planning a trip to this park at the end of December! Thanks for the info!
Great job!
Great video tour, I just pulled into Kentucky and now at Louisville slugger museum and mammoth caves is my next stop. Thank you again. Take care.
Awesome! Have fun! I have a video on Louisville and the Bourbon Trail if you want to see those
Awesome. we are going tomorrow
We just took the Domes and Dripstone Tour which was challenging with over 500 steps and steep inclines but with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The tour will only be open for 2 more months and then will shut down for 2 years for repairs. I am glad that we got to see it before it closed. You definitely need to reserve tickets for any tour weeks ahead of time. Posted 7/12/22.
I did the violet city lantern tour - which all the lights were off and you are carrying a gas lantern like the 1800s. Domes and dripstones tour is also super fun and so much to see.
The Lewis and Clark Caverns have a section where you have to slide down to the next section!! It was Great fun 😁
I love going to caves/caverns!!
Thanks for sharing...... haven't been to these yet!!!
I've only been in the Sweetwater cave in Tennessee and the Ruby Falls, also in Tennessee. Thanks for this tour. Awsome!! Way too many steps for my old knees, now.
I wanted to do Ruby Falls but I haven’t been yet. How was it?
Went there in the 90s, you miss the snow ball room where they serve food half way thru. we went in different opening to the cave. looks different from when i was there and took the tour.
i went there in the 70's there wasnt electric lights in there then. the guide would light something on fire and throw it, maybe a towel dipped in oil? i was a little kid and thats about all i remember about mammoth cave trip, one more thing i remember is that there were fish in the cave with no eyes. we also went to look out mountain which i am going to look up next.
We greatly enjoyed the Extended Historic. However, as you showed most of Mammoth Cave is a dry cave without normal cave features. To see stalactites and stalagmites, we visited Frozen Niagara which was also great.
My wife and I did a tour years ago. It was great even though we did not get to do the grand tour because it had sold out online. You have to get in early if you want to do the best tours. It was a great experience regardless and we also loved staying at a cabin right in the park for not a lot of money! Well worth seeing! I would go back there again to see some the other tours!
Oh wow the cabin must have been pretty epic! We got tickets online a few months in advance I think. Def worth it for sure
If you get over to my home state of Montana Go and Visit Their Famous Cave Lewis and Clark Caverns. You will go through the Lemon Squeeze, and Down A Slide.🤔😯🤜🤛
Visited these in the summer of 2023 with my grandsons. Very awesome and amazing! Highly recommend this as well.
Thank you!
So excited to go there
Super awesome great video! Really love this! Thanks!
I loved Carlsbad Caverns when I was there years ago: only cavern I've ever been to where I could bring my tripod and spend as much time (till closing time) as I liked photographing everything. Not sure if that's still the case.
Nope. I’d be in pure panic ! Thanks for the visual tour!
That was great! Although not a National Park, Timpanogas Cave isn’t far from the National Parks in Utah. Well worth a visit.
So is this the same cave Floyd Collins died in?
Same park, different cave I think. This is Mammoth cave and he died in Sand Cave.
5:34 When you realize, 'Butterscotch Falls' happens to be directly under the town's sanitation facility. haha
Jokes aside, thanks for sharing this video! I hope to visit someday.
i took a tour in 1966 and it was a one mile walk down a steep wide path and at the bottom it leveled out, and there was all these large pointy things hanging from the ceiling. sorry can't remember what they were called, but they looked like multicolored icicles. the air was indescribable
I went to mammoth caves summer of 2020. Did not have a reservation so did not get in. Instead I went to Crystal Onyx Cave and Hidden River Cave, both of which are nearby mammoth cave. I recommend both caves. Really awesome tho much smaller of course.
It looks awesome.
Went to see Carlsbad Caverns in NM it was "Awesome"... planned on seeing Mammoth cave but had to cancel due to the Pandemic...TY for the Video 😊
Yeah, I did this tour four weeks ago, and it was great! The only thing I was missing were the Mammoth, not one bone of them..... 😶🌫
If you like tight squeezes try Rock City at the top of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga Tennessee! It’s called fat man squeeze.
I had to turn sideways and I only weigh 150 pounds!! Also see Ruby Falls nearby inside a cave!!Eat at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo!!
I went to the desoto caverns in Alabama, and they turned the lights off while down there. It’s scary to imagine people navigating their way down here with only a torch (the cave has a marked date in it from 1777)
I live here, I think you'd really enjoy the frozen Niagra tour of Mammoth Cave
My family did 2 tours the this cave back in 1991. I hated the one where it was dark and had only lanterns with ghost stories.
thanks for sharing
My favorite Channel to learn english 😅🤣
And i love your voice too.
Thanks for your videos 📹 😊 ❤
If you are ever able you should go to the Holy Donut in Portland Maine I'm sure you'd love the city and donuts
Would love to see you visit the Oregon Caves. There is an amazing historic Chateau at the entrance. I visited before the hotel closed for repairs and staying there it felt like being in a Nancy Drew book.
Loved staying at this Grand Lodge. One of favorites was the creek flowing through the restaurant. Have been meaning to get back
Thank you for sharing!
No problem!
I just moved to the surrounding area for work. Had no idea mammoth cave was the largest in the world. Guess I’ll check it out
My favorite cave of all is Blanchard Springs Cavern in Arkansas.
Great job brother!
When I went there in the 80’s. Those steps were metal grating
Love it ! Thank for sharing this with us ;)
Thanks for watching!
Check out Illinois Caverns State Natural Area in Waterloo, IL. Great under developed area with no people so lots to explore and make memories.
Remindeded me the ice cave in Wisconsin. Always on my budget list. If you get a chance, could you check that out for me? Lol
Another nicely done video. We’ve been to Mammoth Caves twice and two different tours. Thought we’d taken the Historic tour, but it covered more historical things like mining for saltpeter for gunpowder, use of the cave as a TB sanitarium, and where early visitors used torches to char their initials in the roof. Second time took tour we had to take a bus to another area. Much nicer cave formations, but I don’t recall the tour name. Did you see the nearby Wigwam Motel? It’s the only one of three remaining not on Route 66. I’ve stayed in all three.
Thank you for the video. We are planning to go in december. Would it be too cold inside caves?
Hello! I enjoy your videos very much! I am not sure but I think you haven't been to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. If not you should check it out, it's fantastic!!! Especially the Garden of the Gods! I hope you get a chance to see it.
The lack of formations SUCK! If that’s one of the “coolest caves youve seen, you really need to explore more, check out the crystal onyx cave next time you’re in the area, it will blow your mind
Stephen bishop...❤️❤️
I'm have a tour in that cave tomorrow and I'm scared lol
I am waiting for the connection with Fisher Ridge!! 😅
How can I visit Mammoth cave from Louisville? Are there any public transport available? or any day tours that are available from Louisville?
Nice job !
I love your videos. They are so professionally done and informative. I'm an avid traveler, so I have been getting ideas by watching your videos.
My great great grandfather Houchin found mammoth bear hunting. Thanks for the great video
Havent seen the girl friend for a while since the Mammoth and the 395 tour, so got worried about you guys. good to see you two again.
Yep, it’s my wife. We have twins now so that is why she hasn’t been in as many videos. Will be doing a lot more in the future though
@@ThroughMyLens , Congratulations!
here after that opening quote of American Mammals movie...
Awesome video... love that you are trying to make a video for all of the National Parks! How would you say that this compares to Carlsbad Caverns? I have been there but would definitely love to see Mammoth as well.
Carlsbad is the best cave I have been in by far. It’s stunning with so many formations. This one is especially fun because it feels more adventurous with the more narrow places and stuff. Both are great but it’s hard to beat Carlsbad
I wonder how many tours there are to be able to see all 400 miles of cave 🤔
I did Indian caverns in central Ohio. Not big but deep. I do have issues in confined spaces. But I survived.
Hopefully someday I can visit that incredible cave.
Potential bunker or isolation cave just in case....
I hope you can visit it as well!
The caves breathe in in the am with the air pressure and out in the afternoon. You're not going to get away from radiation.
Awesome video
Great video Josh!
Thanks!
Dumb question, is it possible to just show up and explore on your own at your own pace or do you have to go with a guide?
You can buy a self guided ticket. It doesn't show much. Just go to their website and look
I'm planning a trip to Mammoth Cave but there are so many tours, which tour do you recommend going?
Good video 👍
Is it always so dark in there? I figured they would have more lights so that you could see more.
How do you get tickets.. the website doesnt sell them
The first time I went there the cave was freezing
Which tour was this one?