You Are Here: Home » Backpacking Destinations » North America » Mammoth Caves

Mammoth Caves

Last month I wrote about the highest caves in the world, but who know there was the longest cave too.

A friend of mine mentioned to me that while she was traveling in the states a few years ago, she came across this national park in central Kentucky where the longest cave system existed. The name of the system is called Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System. This park was called a national park in the early 1940, and now is a World Heritage Site too.

The cave goes for over 390 miles and every year more discoveries and connections are found. Including evidence that indigenous people ventured into these caves as far back as 2,000 years ago. Over 6,000 Native American remains were found. Yet, it really wasn’t until the late 1700’s where the Mammoth-Flint Ridge was found my white settlers. From the 1700s until the late 1930’s the cave was the main source of supplying limestone. It wasn’t until the American government created a few laws in the 1930’s to protect the caves and the history that remains within them. So as for today, the Mammoth Caves are very popular tourist attraction. Over 2,000 people per day visit these caves and over 4,000 people camp over at this national park daily. It’s one of those wonders in the world that is worth seeing.

About The Author

Number of Entries : 356

Leave a Comment

© Off Track Backpacking 2012. Website Design by Kinex Media.

Scroll to top