It might be a bit chilly, but some campgrounds at Mammoth Cave National Park will open for the season on March 1. The Houchin Ferry will get a slightly earlier jump on the season, with operations scheduled to begin this Sunday.

According to park officials, while the ferry will begin operations on Sunday, the Mammoth Cave Campground and Maple Springs Group Campground will open March 1.

Houchin Ferry, near Brownsville, Kentucky, is a car ferry across Green River.  It operates daily from 10:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., March through November.

Maple Springs campsites are designed for groups of up to 24 people, and four of the sites accommodate campers with horses.  The reservation period for Maple Springs is March through November.

Sites at the Mammoth Cave Campground, near the visitor center, are available by reservation May 15 – September 15, and on a first-come, first-served basis September 16 - November 30 and March 1 - May 14.

Mammoth Cave Campground and Maple Springs Group Campground are closed December 1 - February 28.  Houchin Ferry Campground, along Green River, is open year round.

To make campground, picnic shelter, or cave tour reservations, call 877/444-6777, or go online at www.recreation.gov