We then made our way about a mile down the trail through several large passageways (that were very easy to navigate due to the well-maintained footpaths) to the area of the cave where those infected with tuberculosis were sent. How could something so large exist underground? No picture can adequately show the magnitude of the Rotunda room, but let’s just say we’re pretty sure a football field could fit inside it! I had been there as a child, but it was just as breathtaking the 2nd time as it had been the first. Kaleb geeked out as he observed for the first time the massive rooms created by erosion. The Passageways in Mammoth Cave National Park There is a minuscule chance of collapse compared to other cave systems. Nestled in the middle of Kentucky, Mammoth Cave is made of limestone rock that is capped with sandstone, causing it to be remarkably stable. It stretches 400+ miles (640+ kilometers) long with several more miles of unexplored terrain being discovered every year. Mammoth Cave is considered the longest known cave system in the world. (Read more on its accessibility here.) A massive dome at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky The Geology of Mammoth Cave National Park Minutes later we began the descent by stairs, though an elevator was provided for those pre-approved. Due to Covid, masks were required throughout our time there, but it was only at that moment that I felt the weight of the number of people surrounding us and even felt concerned about Covid. After receiving instructions for our time in the cave by a park ranger, our group migrated down a paved hill and then made an orderly line to hand our tickets to the attendant. I love to stop at the national park and utilize their trails to stretch our legs and get some exercise before continuing on down I-65.) (This has come in handy a few times when traveling through the area with dogs. It is not until they descend into the cave that they are required to pay their tour admission cost. Visitors to the park are welcome to use the hiking trails at no cost to them. Note: There is no additional admission fee to the national park visitors must only pay for cave tours. It’s pretty remarkable that God could create something so spectacular! Mammoth Cave National Park Tours and Admission Costīecause my husband and I visited Mammoth Cave National Parkduring Covid, only one tour was available. Stalagmites, located on the cave floor, are formed as the stalactites above drip on the cave floor, eventually, without disturbance, forming a solid pillar that connects both the stalactite and stalagmite. Stalactites and stalagmites are mineral deposits carried by water that slowly solidify over thousands of years to form beautiful, conical-shaped rock formations both from the ceiling and the floor respectively. The flow of water through Crystal Onyx Cave is actively changing the landscape within.
While Mammoth Cave is known for its massive dome rooms and expansive passageways, Crystal Onyx is most noted for its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Crystal Onyx, lacking that sandstone, is considered a wet (or active) cave whereas Mammoth Cave is considered dry or dormant. That layer of sandstone is key in differentiating these caves. Mammoth Cave contains a large layer of sandstone between the cave and the above topsoil while Crystal Onyx does not. Knowing they were so close in proximity, I was floored to learn that Mammoth Cave and Crystal Onyx Cave lie within two completely different topographical planes. This means that each of the caves look completely different from the inside. Two Very Different But Neighboring Kentucky Caves Interested in other national parks in the area? Here are some of our blog posts: Shenandoah National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Cumberland Island National Park, and Gateway Arch National Park. It’s only a few miles up the road from Mammoth Cave National Park and yet looks completely different than Mammoth Cave. While many people know about Mammoth Cave National Park, Crystal Onyx Cave is a hidden gem.
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