Accessible cave tours are returning to Mammoth Cave National Park beginning in October/NPS

Fourteen years, and $2.2 million later, accessible cave tours are returning to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

Superintendent Sarah Craighead says the tours will resume October 1, and that tickets can now be purchased on www.recreation.gov.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer an accessible cave tour again,” said Superintendent Craighead in a release. “We suspended use of the elevator in 2002 when a cable broke, which led to a full renovation. Now, after 14 years and a $2.2-million repair project, the cave elevator is back in safe operation allowing us to resume accessible cave tours.”

The Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour will be offered daily at 12:30 p.m. during the fall and winter seasons, limited to 14 people. The cost is $20 for adults, $14 for youth (6-12), and $10 for those with an Access Pass/Senior Pass. The interagency, life-time Access Pass and Senior Pass are available at the ticket office. The Access Pass is free with proof of disability; the Senior Pass costs $10 for those who are 62 years or older.

Reservations are recommended for all cave tours; www.recreation.gov, or 1-877-444-6777.

Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour

* See unique gypsum formations, historic cave writing and more on accessible cave trails. Using the elevator entrance, this half-mile round trip provides visitors with special needs an opportunity to visit the Snowball Room and includes portions of the Cleaveland Avenue Tour and Grand Avenue Tour.

* 2 hours, half-mile. Tour limit: 14. Total stairs: 0. Elevation change: 267'.

* Please note that transportation or 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.

* Accessible restrooms are available.

* Tours meet at the Visitor Center; participants and their companions will caravan by private vehicle to the elevator entrance. Difficulty: Easy.