Exploring KY: Kentucky’s Fascinating Cave Country

The region’s vast underground network is full of history

When growing up in Western Kentucky, I remember my parents’ tales of a man named Floyd Collins, who became trapped in a cave near historic Mammoth Cave and died before rescuers could reach him. I feel certain they told us kids to scare us into avoiding caves altogether. (That didn’t work!) But the extraordinary rescue effort that followed his entrapment seized the world’s attention at the time, turning it into a national news phenomenon that drew thousands of spectators to the area. A crowd estimated at 50,000 held vigil at the site. For decades since that time, cave enthusiasts – also known as spelunkers – have flocked to Central Kentucky to explore its plethora of caverns and caves. 

Turns out that Collins made his final spelunk in 1925, exactly a century ago. Not only did he become a casualty, but he also became a symbol of the Kentucky Cave Wars that rocked the region in the early 1900s, when cave owners literally fought one another to corner the market on much-needed tourism dollars. This year, the state’s cave country is pulling out all stops to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Floyd’s entrapment.  

The story behind the commemoration began on Jan. 30, 1925, when cave explorer Floyd Collins set out to explore Sand Cave near the entrance of Mammoth Cave. The owner of Crystal Cave, Floyd was searching for another cave that would lure travelers to his property. As he was leaving that cave after a long day of exploring, his left leg became trapped under a heavy rock that had moved as he was crawling through a tight spot 80 feet below the ground. Sadly, rescuers took nearly two weeks to reach Floyd, who eventually was found dead of starvation and exposure on Feb. 16, 1925. His body was finally recovered in July of that year and he was buried on his family’s land.  

The grim details of his death live on in the archives of the Louisville Courier-Journal, through stories by then-cub reporter William Burke “Skeets” Miller, who won a Pulitzer Prize for venturing into the cave and interviewing Collins during the last days of his life; through several books; and through an off-Broadway 1990s play. The monumental rescue attempt became the third-largest media story between World War I and II. (The biggest stories at the time were Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight and his son’s kidnapping.) 

 “Today Floyd is remembered as the greatest cave explorer ever known,” said David G. Foster, president/CEO of the American Cave Conservation Association. “His story really gripped the nation in 1925…This centennial anniversary gives us the opportunity to revisit Floyd Collins’ life and his contribution to cave exploration. There’s no better way to learn about (his) story…and his contribution to cave exploring… than to walk in his steps.”  

Thanks to a number of activities and attractions, visitors to cave country can get closer to the reality of the life of an early cave explorer.  

A great place to begin is at Mammoth Cave National Park (nps.gov/maca), the site of Sand Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a fascinating look at the underground world Floyd Collins loved to explore.  

Home to thousands of years of human history, MCNP covers nearly 53,000 south-central Kentucky acres. Its Green and Nolin Rivers make up the state’s first National Water Trail. 

Also an International Biosphere Reserve, Mammoth Cave is by far the longest cave system in the world. Here, rangers offer several types of tours, from one to six hours, some of which include “Introduction to Caving” and/or gawking at the spectacle of “Frozen Niagara.” Your choice depends upon how interested and comfortable you are exploring the lengthy limestone labyrinth.  

In addition to canoeing, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping. Overnight options are hotel rooms, cottages or camping under the stars, which is an amazing experience unto itself: Mammoth Cave has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park.   Reserve tour tickets at Recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. 

Located directly beneath the city of Horse Cave, Hidden River Cave (hiddenrivercave.com) is a must-see while touring south-central Kentucky’s cave country. Its entrance is one of the state’s largest and most scenic. While beneath the earth, you can cross the world’s longest underground suspension bridge; wander through Sunset Dome, a full acre underground room; and ogle seldom-seen critters that live in the underground darkness. 

Emerge to visit the American Cave Museum (hiddenrivercave.com/American-cave-museum) on-property. Known as “a little bit of the Smithsonian in rural Kentucky,” this free treasure offers two floors rife with information on karst geology, groundwater, archaeology, the history of America’s natural caverns and the varied uses of caves, plus a terrific exhibit complete with newspaper articles, photos and artifacts about Floyd Collins.  

You’ll want to visit Collins’ Homestead and the old ticket office for the Great Crystal Cave (nps.gov/places/floyd-collins-homestead.htm) – now known as Floyd Collins Crystal Cave – that was owned by Collins and the focus of his efforts to attract visitors. The Homestead is preserved in the eastern area of the park. Afterwards, travel to Floyd Collin’s final resting place at Mammoth Cave Baptist Church Cemetery on Flint Ridge Road. The church looks much as it did when Floyd lived in the area. 

Be sure to walk the short Sand Cave Trail. Only a third of a mile out-and-back, this easy hike leads to the cave where Collins was trapped. Signs along the way narrate his story. On the Sand Cave observation deck, you can see the entrance to the cave where this famous caver died.  

While in the area, take a short drive to Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo (KentuckyDownUnder.com) for a family-friendly way to experience Kentucky’s caves. One of the easier caves in the area to navigate, the attraction’s Mammoth Onyx Cave is an active limestone cave filled with dripstone formations that offers an educational look at underground ecosystems and geology.  

These days, the park also includes gemstone mining in a sluice, sheep dog herding demos, interactive encounters with kangaroos, emus, horses, goats, sheep and a variety of other animals — including kookaburras sitting in gum trees! In the roomy avian cage, you may find yourself wearing a colorful hat made of live, friendly lorikeets!  

This is an article from Lane Report published March 1, 2025 written by Katherine Tandy Brown. Thanks to Lane Report for allowing us to post this article on our website.