This trip is from the northern terminus of Natchez Trace National Road and off it at the southern terminus into Mississippi and Louisiana.
We drove south through Cincinnati on I-75 across the Ohio River into northern Kentucky, where we headed southwest on I-71. At Louisville we turned south on I-65. Our first stop on this trip was at Mammoth Cave, in southern Kentucky. We took the Cave City exit and drove west on 70 into the park, then turned north onto Mammoth Cave Entrance Road. We set up camp in Mammoth Cave Campground.
It was early spring and everything was in bloom. This is outside the visitor center.
And elsewhere.
Of course, one of the first things to do was to hike.
This trail led to where the Green River exited Mammoth Cave.
It then led to the Historical Entrance to the cave.
We also walked the boardwalk around Sloan’s Pond.
As throughout the park, spring was just coming on.
The next day we took the Frozen Niagara tour. It takes you through the old Snowball Dining Room, which no longer serves meals. When I visited Mammoth Cave as a kid I remember eating there.
A few of the old furnishings remain.
It was the only tour not sold out. Which was fine with us, since we’d done the historical tour several times before.
That is the best cave tour the park offers, so you should purchase tickets early to make sure you get to take the tour you want.
We camped there 2 nights.
Next location – Natchez Trace Parkway north segment
From the North Rim 