COMPLIMENTARY $2.95 2017/2018 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • DINING • LODGING TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE OFFICIAL PARTNERS This summer, Yamaha launches a new Star motorcycle designed to help you journey further…than you ever thought possible. To see the road ahead, visit YamahaMotorsports.com/Journey-Further Some motorcycles shown with custom parts, accessories, paint and bodywork. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. ©2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. BLEED AREA PRESERVATION TRIM SIZE WELCOME LIVE AREA Welcome to Mammoth Cave—the FUN FACTS longest cave in the world and one of the Established: Mammoth Cave National Park Zion National Park first tourist attractions in America. The was officially designated on July 1, 1941. It is the result of erosion, cave boasts an incredible 400 miles of later gained World Heritage Site designa- explored and mapped passageways, sedimentary uplift, and tion in 1981 and became the core area of an and geologists estimate there could be International Biosphere Reserve in 1990. Stephanie Shinmachi. many more. Mammoth Cave National Land Area: The park encompasses 52,830 8 ⅞ Park achieved official park status from acres in south central Kentucky. Congress on July 1, 1941. Since then, Plants and Animals: 130 animal spe- millions of visitors have journeyed to cies use the cave on a regular basis, some 8 ⅜ south-central Kentucky to experience as visitors and some for their entire life cy- the grandeur of this awe-inspiring sight. cle. More than 70 species are threatened or The National Park Service and Ortega endangered. 7 ⅜ Popular Sights: The park is home to the Parks work jointly to provide an unfor- world’s longest known cave system, with gettable experience for visitors. This more than 400 miles explored. 5 ⅞ American Park Network guide to Mam- Popular Activities: Visitors can enjoy moth Cave National Park is provided in cave tours, hiking, biking, camping, scenic 5 ⅜ partnership with Ortega Parks LLC and drives, ranger-led activities, horseback rid- aims to foster appreciation and respect ing, birdwatching, wildlife watching, canoe- for the park, while also providing the in- ing, fishing and more! 4 ¾ formation to make your visit as smooth Hiking: There are nearly 84 miles of hiking as possible. It has been made possible trails in the park and 12 miles of developed by the support of the sponsors whose cave trails. Be sure to select a trail with the messages appear inside. appropriate level of difficulty for everyone in your group. Throughout your visit, please respect Camping: There are three campgrounds the delicate nature of the park’s diverse located in Mammoth Cave National Park. ecosystem and its astounding geol- The three campgrounds are Mammoth Cave ogy. Carry out what you carry in, treat Campground, and the Houchin Ferry Camp- wildlife with respect, and follow all park ground and Maple Springs Campground. regulations so that future generations Lodging: The Mammoth Cave Hotel is the will have the opportunity to enjoy this only hotel located in Mammoth Cave Na- geologic wonder of the world as much tional Park. It is operated by Ortega Parks as you. and offers Hotel Cottages, Woodland Cot- Enjoy your visit! tages, Heritage Trail Rooms and Sunset Ter- race Rooms. For More Information: Please visit the official park website at nps.gov/maca or call GET THE APP! the park directly at (270) 758-2180. To make a reservation for lodging visit mammoth- IT’S FREE! DOWNLOAD NOW Join the community at cavelodge.com or call (844) 760-2283. nationalparks.org 2 MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARKS | APN Ads_fullpage.indd 2 4/28/16 1:01 PM PRESERVATION CONTENTS Welcome 2 What’s New! 6 American Park Network® publishes OhRanger.com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and At A Glance 8 Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor guides for public lands all across America. American Park Network is an official partner of Plan Your Visit 10 the National Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and Important Numbers 12 Wildlife Foundation, American Hiking Society and the Student Conservation Association. Lodging & Dining 15 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief MARK J. SAFERSTEIN Park Regulations & Safety 16 Associate Publisher & Executive Editor Who’s Who at the Park 18 Savings can take you to sights. Joel S. Saferstein Savings can take you to amazing sights. Group Sales & Partnerships Director Sights To See 19 Alex Frenkel Geology 21 amazing EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Managing Editor: Kate Morgan Editors: Nell Alk, Monette A. Bailey, The Cave 24 Scott Deckman, Cinnamon Janzer, Julie McCool, Renee Sklarew, Andy M. Smith Things To Do 28 Proofreader: Shannon Kronstadt Graphic Designers: Mario Arce, Dennisse Cruz, Mike Dion, Yamileth Recinos, Tatiana Hurtado Centerfold Map DIGITAL Technology Managers: Scott Falconer, Josh Eckstein Exploring The Area 31 ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING Nature & Wildlife 36 (212) 581-3380 [email protected] Camping 39 Business Development: Sharon Burson, Randy Burton, Mary Pat Kaleth, Pat Keane, Craig King, Kristi Rummel Walking & Hiking 40 Operations Manager: Matthew Price Preservation 42 American Park Network 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003 History & Culture 49 @OhRanger Photography 52 ©2017 APN MEDIA, LLC · All Rights Reserved Oh, Ranger! and American Park Network Just for Kids 54 are registered trademarks of APN Media, LLC. If You Only Have a Day 56 geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce Cover: The stairs inside Mammoth Cave by ColorPlayter/iStock. geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Oce The publisher of this guide and the advertisers herein are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Park Service. For answers to all your questions, go to Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. FOR MORE INFORMATION GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; Distribution requests OhRanger.com Some discounts, coverages, paymenta Berkshire plans Hathaway and features Inc. subsidiary. are not available © 2017 in GEICO all states or all GEICO companies. [email protected] GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ installation/sponsorship a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO 5 [email protected] PRESERVATION WHAT’S NEW! WHY PARKS MATTER There is nothing so American as our national parks. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt ® Access to parks is one of the things that’s truly great about life in America. Not just na- tional parks, like FDR stated, but all parks. Parks Mark, Joel & Alex – Support parks, stay healthy! afford everyone, regardless of race, income, social status or age, the opportunity to escape Take a deep breath in a park and you’ll immedi- the concrete jungle and step into the wild. It ately know the value of greenspace. doesn’t matter whether it’s a small step into a Health & Wellness Studies show a high local park or a giant leap into the backcountry. correlation between time spent in parks and The effect is the same. Time in nature feels improved health (and, in my view, happiness). good. Other values that parks bring may be You move more when you’re outside, which de- less obvious. Since we take care of the things creases stress, makes you more fit and reduces we value, I’d like to highlight a few other ben- the risk of many health issues, such as diabetes, efits we all receive from public lands: high blood pressure and heart disease. Exercise Economic Impact America’s federal, state (which parks inspire) also positively impacts your and local parks and public lands generate $200 cholesterol levels. A few years ago, I started bi- billion in annual economic activity and support cycling to work every day. A year later, my over- more than one million jobs! You might help a all cholesterol went down while my HDL—the dozen businesses during a weekend hiking trip. “good” cholesterol—went up. The results of Imagine the impact of a week-long national park a small change in your exercise routine can be adventure. Parks raise property values, too! amazing! Parks invite this change. Conservation Trees produce the oxygen The value of parks is undeniable, so follow we need to survive, but did you know that FDR’s lead and support our public lands. It’s they also help save money? It’s estimated that the all-American thing to do. (Congress, take trees in cities save $400 billion in costs to re- note!) You’ll save the country money while im- tain stormwater. A single tree can store 100 proving our nation’s health—and your own, too. gallons or more, which helps keep streets from Not a bad combination! flooding and reduces the need for artificial stor- age facilities. A tree can also absorb as much as three tons of carbon gas during its lifetime. [email protected] Five national parks GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS! One iconic American road trip VisitUtah.com/itineraries Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues, please let us know at [email protected]. ® 6 MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARKS | 159 W.