Author: Cecilia

Mammoth Cave National Park
“Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.”
Accessibility and descriptions of ranger-led tours     Phone 270-758-2180  Map
Here is the Park website.
Mammoth Cave National Park offers sign interpreter services for cave and surface activities to visitors free of charge. Arrangements can be made by contacting the park two weeks in advance.  Call 270-758-2417.
Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour  0.5 mile.  “mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or canes are permitted on this tour, but are not available. NPS employees will not transport or aid visitors in using assistive equipment. If visitors need assistance with the Park’s accessible features, they must bring a companion with them for aid. Assistive devices will need to be decontaminated upon exiting the cave to limit the spread of White Nose Syndrome.”
Frozen Niagara Tour  0.25 mile.  Walkers allowed, but no wheelchairs

Heritage Trail is a 0.75 mile  The trail begins at the end of the footbridge near the Mammoth Cave Hotel.
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk is a 0.4 mile boardwalk that goes  “around the edge of a marshy pond. Wayside exhibits along the way help you understand the pond. The pond features an accessible picnic area.”   Here is a video on YouTube, complete with bird and frog calls.
Sand Cave Trail is a 0.1 mile boardwalk to the site of a fatal entrapment  that took place in 1925.  The trailhead is at the park’s eastern entrance, on the Cave City Road.

Daniel Boone National Forest  – The forest has more than 600 miles of trail.  Here is a long page with links to descriptions for each day use trail, but no way of telling which ones are accessible without visiting each link.    Their phone number is 859-745-3100.   Here is their website.

Natural Arch Scenic Area  –  Picnic sites, restrooms and most pathways within the picnic area are accessible. Here is the AllTrails description.

Natural Arch Trail  is a one mile, paved path from the parking area to the base of the arch. Here is another reference to the trail

Barren Fork Accessible Heritage Trail is a paved, 0.75 mile trail to the overlook of the arch.

Thank you to Myra Williamson for this helpful reply to my query about accessibility:  “Our other trails are highly variable, with both easy and difficult sections found along most routes.  Therefore, we do not advertise other trails as accessible.    Due to the rugged, hilly nature of the forests in Kentucky most will not be accessible.  However,  we encourage visitors to explore and try new trails to see if they are suitable for their needs.

There are a few other opportunities on the forest that may be of interest to your readers.  The Alpine Picnic Area does not offer trails, but is a newly renovated picnic area with accessible picnic sites, group shelter, playground and vault toilets.  It may be of interest to individuals looking for a place to host a reunion or take the family for a picnic.

Many of the boat ramps at Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake provide at least one accessible parking space and an accessible vault toilet.

On the north end of the forest in Red River Gorge Geological Area, Skybridge provides an accessible overlook of the arch.  Nearby is Gladie Cultural Learning Center (visitor center) which is also accessible.  This area includes a designated scenic byway which is great for individuals with limited mobility.  It provides an opportunity to drive through a very scenic part of the forest, with the two stops mentioned where they can get out and experience the outdoors in a setting that is accessible.”