Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky could get even bigger. Here’s how
Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world’s longest known cave system, could soon grow.
Bicameral legislation filed Thursday by Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell and 2nd Congressional District Rep. Brett Guthrie proposes to allow the 52,000-plus acre park to purchase an additional 551 acres in Edmonson and Barren Counties.
The bill is titled the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act.
A release from Guthrie’s office — the park is situated entirely in his Western and South Central Kentucky district — said the addition would “enhance protections in the Green River watershed, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage while generating additional tourism.”
“This natural wonder has inspired people for thousands of years, playing a foundational role in the culture of our region. I am proud to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act to expand protections for the cave system’s important biodiversity and rich history, ensuring that it can be studied, maintained, and enjoyed by future generations of Americans,” Guthrie wrote in a statement.
In 2023, Mammoth Cave National Park saw more than 650,000 visitors and generated about $90 million in economic impact for the area.
The land for the potential expansion is currently owned by The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental group. It sits to the northwest of Park City, close to the exit off I-65, and includes cave passages as well as Coach and James Caves, according to the release from Guthrie’s office.
The addition would not be contiguous with the current footprint of the park, though it is nearby.
The Nature Conservancy’s Kentucky office did not immediately respond to a request on whether or not it is on board with the acquisition.
McConnell, in a statement, said that the park serves as an economic backbone to the region.
“Beyond its role in driving tourism to our Commonwealth, the park also plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth, supporting good jobs for the people of Kentucky,” McConnell said. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Guthrie on this important initiative once again which will expand the critical habitats that the National Park Service protects and preserves in the park.”
Mammoth Cave National Park was established in 1941. Its known cave system stretches 426 miles with many miles still undiscovered.
The proposal contrasts somewhat with Republican efforts this week to sell thousands of acres of federal lands in the American West, a move that stoked outrage from some environmentalists and Democrats.
This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM.
