Openings · last 7 days
3
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 3 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10048983
When Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping reopens
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
7
Openings · last 90 days
7
Only 7 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 14 monitored sites
Of the 2,562 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 1,207 open for online reservation · 65 reserved · 1,290 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Where the open windows are
52.9% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,207 of 2,562 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online52.9%
Open site-nights1,207 / 2,562
Reserved (of online inventory)65 / 1,272
Weekday openings681
Weekend openings463
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 681 fall on weekdays and 463 on weekends (Fri–Sun). The split covers the 1,144 open site-nights on mapped sites; 1,207 site-nights are open across all monitored inventory.
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December shows no online availability. 0 of 434 tracked site-nights are open there — 434 on sites not offered online.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 13 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 13 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 12 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 10 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 10 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked night. New Year: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| Ferguson | 93 |
| First Creek 2 | 93 |
| Second Creek | 93 |
| White Oak | 93 |
| McCoy Hollow | 92 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
December0 of 434 · not offered online
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,144 open site-nights across 13 sites at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 51 2-night, 50 3-night, 38 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site Ferguson.
All 13 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | Not recorded | None | 93 | 74 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +81 more |
| First Creek 2 | Not recorded | None | 93 | 74 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +81 more |
| Second Creek | Not recorded | None | 93 | 74 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +81 more |
| White Oak | Not recorded | None | 93 | 74 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +81 more |
| McCoy Hollow | Not recorded | None | 92 | 73 nights | Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +80 more |
| Raymer Hollow | Not recorded | None | 91 | 45 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +79 more |
| First Creek 1 | Not recorded | None | 90 | 37 nights | Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +78 more |
| Sal Hollow | Not recorded | None | 90 | 49 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +78 more |
| Homestead | Not recorded | None | 86 | 33 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +74 more |
| Three Springs | Not recorded | None | 86 | 60 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +74 more |
| Collie Ridge | Not recorded | None | 82 | 36 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +70 more |
| Turnhole Bend | Not recorded | None | 80 | 41 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9 +68 more |
| Bluffs | Not recorded | None | 75 | 19 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4 +63 more |
About Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
Overview
Mammoth Cave National Park spans 52,830 acres in south-central Kentucky, preserving the diverse geological, biological, and historical features of the world’s longest known cave. Backcountry camping is a popular outdoor activity, with 13 designated peaceful and scenic campsites available. Riverbank and island camping are also options for adventurers. Permits for both Backcountry Camping and Riverbank Camping can be purchased online in advance at www.recreation.gov or obtained at the park (please see * for details). Note that Riverbank Camping permits are only available for purchase up to 7 days in advance and are not issued if the river level is 20 feet or higher. For more information, please call the Visitor Center at 270-758-2180.
*Please Note: Your camping permit must be downloaded and printed from your Recreation.gov account up to 14 days prior to your arrival. Once printed, reservations cannot be modified. If you are unable to print your permit or save it to your phone, you can visit the Mammoth Cave Campground Kiosk from March 1st through November 30th. During the closed season (December 1st through February 28th), please go to the Visitor Center to obtain all camping permits.
Please Note: There is a $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee regardless of number of nights booked, specific to backcountry and/or floodplain/riverside camping. No discounts are applied towards the $10.00 non-refundable reservation fee.
During the closed season December 1 through February 28 please go to the Visitor Center for all camping permits. All permits must be registered as walk-ups at the Visitor Center during this time.
Recreation
The parks backcountry, 37 square miles of this rugged, inviting landscape await you along more than 66 miles of trails, and the winding turns of the Green and Nolin Rivers. Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, birding, and photography.
Facilities
Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping is NOT a physical campground located at one location. There are 13 designated sites that are located within the north side of Mammoth Cave National Park, where you hike to the reserved site. This is primitive, backcountry camping in tents. Visitors must park at a designated trailhead and backpack to all locations and carry all their gear, food, and water. Campsites are equipped with a campfire ring and tent pad.
Riverbank Camping is another option which requires a permit. You may purchase this permit online or at Mammoth Cave Campground or Visitor Center. Permits are not issued if river level is 20 feet or above. You must kayak or canoe to camp along the riverbank of Green River.
Natural Features
Backcountry camping offers opportunities to find solitude and appreciate the beauty and diversity of Mammoth Cave National Park's rugged hills, majestic woodlands, and scenic rivers. Soluble limestone, sinkholes, sinking streams and cave create a landform called Karst Topography.
Nearby Attractions
Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park. Commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/canoeliveries.htm
Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding. Commercial liveries outside the park rent horses and some may provide organized excursions. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/horseback.htm
Mammoth Cave offers tours, check the park website for schedules and reservations. www.nps.gov/maca
14 monitored sitesNo hookups13 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 8
Getting there
Please click the link for "Driving Directions" under the addition links tab on the right hand side of the page for detailed directions.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259270-758-2180
BackpackingBirdingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingKayakingMountain BikingWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10048983 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10048983 · Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping · Mammoth Cave KY12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping?
Reservations for Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping are made through Recreation.gov. 1,207 of 2,562 tracked site-nights are currently open (47.1%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 7 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping?
Campsite Sniper detected 3 site-date openings at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping in the last 7 days, 7 over 30 days and 7 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping?
50 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site Ferguson. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping?
October 2026, with 409 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 434.
When is the next open date at Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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