Should You Take Domes and Dripstones Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park?
Of all the cave tours offered by Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, we decided to do the Domes and Dripstones Tour on our visit there during Thanksgiving Break.
First, the Domes and Dripstones Tour got good reviews and recommendations from the park and previous visitors. Many said it is one of the best Mammoth Cave tours.
Then, the cave tour ends in the dripstone section known as Frozen Niagara. It is the only section in the park that has stalactites and stalagmites. These formations always amazed me.
Lastly, we didn’t have plenty of time to spend at Mammoth Cave NP. We were on our way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to celebrate Thanksgiving with family.
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After spending a night in Bowling Green, Kentucky, it seemed like the Domes and Dripstones Tour was the right choice before we drove straight to Steel City.
Little did I know that Thanksgiving Break is also one of the Mammoth Cave NP’s busiest times of year. I thought it’s only busy, but not that busy. Well, I was wrong.
When I visited the park’s website, they strongly recommended visitors book the cave tour ticket online. Popular cave tour tickets like Domes and Dripstones are gone fast.
Since I wasn’t sure what time we would arrive there, I didn’t book the ticket right away. I waited until we arrived in Bowling Green the night before we visited. Of course, their online ticket reservation system was down. Great!
Fortunately, when we got to Mammoth Cave National Park the next morning, they still had room for our family of 3.
When you go there during the busy season, I strongly recommend you book the tour ticket online. Don’t make the same mistake as us.
What Is a Domes and Dripstones Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park?
Here’s what they said on their website.
The Domes and Dripstones Tour is a classic tour that visits areas of Mammoth Cave that have been used for nearly 100 years.
It begins in a sinkhole, passes through huge domes, and amazing breaks, and ends in the dripstones section known as Frozen Niagara.
The tour involves ascending and descending hundreds of stairs and several steep inclines. If you are not physically fit for this situation, don’t take this tour as there are no alternative routes. You will walk from the moment you enter the sinkhole to the Frozen Niagara section.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
Total stairs: 640, including 280 on the initial staircase descent and an optional 96.
Difficulty: difficult
Ages: All ages. Youth under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
Restroom: no
Tickets available for each tour time: 110
Fees: $30 adults, $25 youth, $15 Senior Pass holder, $15 Access Pass holder.
Our experience on the Domes and Dripstones Tour
When we bought the tickets and learned that it would be a big group – 131 people – we didn’t like it. But we were there already and we didn’t know when we could make a stop at the park in the future.
(Note: The park has changed number of people for this tour to 110. I still think it’s too big for a tour.)
We still had several minutes left before the tour started, so we walked around the exhibits. I encourage you to do this to learn about Mammoth Cave National Park’s fascinating cave system.
From the visitor center, they bused us to the cave entrance. The drive took around 10 minutes, and the gray, dreary morning made the drive like I was in a movie scene.
After we arrived at the entrance area, the tour guide explained the physical condition of the tour. Then we followed him down to the door of the sinkhole. The door is surrounded by dirt and trees.
We decided to follow at the very back because people were already lined up behind the guide. A few people had the same thought as us and they managed to walk behind us.
Seeing the guide followed by others entering the metal door one by one was like watching an armageddon movie. It’s like a group of people finding a safe place to keep them from disasters without knowing what’s behind the door. And I was part of it. Except in this case, our guide knew well what was behind the door.
Once we got through the door, we started walking on 280 steps and descended to the bottom of the cave. It’s slippery so we watched our steps carefully.
A family walked in front of us. Their daughter, who appeared to be around 11, was a bit hysterical. She didn’t want to move, she thought she couldn’t make it. It’s dark and humid there. The mother tried to encourage her and the girl finally gained her bravery.
But I couldn’t take good pictures since the people behind us weren’t patient enough. They just wanted to move fast and I thought, you shouldn’t be at the very end.
Finally, we arrived at the bottom. At the same time, the tour guide was done with his explanation and started to move. Excuse me?
It was like that the whole time. Either the tour guide started to move by the time we entered one room, or we couldn’t hear what he said at every stop. It’s just too crowded for one tour guide. Yes! 1 tour guide for 131 people.
So, we just enjoyed the cave ourselves. I don’t recall seeing stalactites or stalagmites until we got to the Frozen Niagara section. Maybe because it’s too dark inside?
I told my husband that walking in the cave was like underground hiking.
My husband and son weren’t impressed with the stalactites and stalagmites at the Frozen Niagara. They said Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico which we visited a few years back was way better. I think part of it was because they were upset with the tour. We couldn’t hear anything that the tour guide talked about.
As for me, I was impressed with the Frozen Niagara because I hadn’t seen frozen stalactites and stalagmites before.
Once we got to the surface of the earth, buses were waiting for us. In about 10 minutes we arrived back at the Visitor Center.
All participants of the tour walked on bio-security mats immediately after we left the bus. It’s to prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome.
White-nose syndrome is a fatal disease in bats caused by the fungus. It kills bats in North America, and we, humans, potentially help the spread of the fungus.
From here we walked back towards the Visitor Center, passing the Green River Grill and Spelunkers Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor before crossing the footbridge.
Our takes on the Domes & Dripstones Tour
From our experience, we didn’t think the Domes and Dripstones Tour was one of the best cave tours in Mammoth Cave National Park. It was probably a different experience if there weren’t too many people in the group though.
If you want to do this tour, do it during the low season or weekdays.
Or, call ahead of time because schools around the area have field trips here. I don’t think you want to be put in the same group with the school’s field trip.
If it’s a big group, make sure you walk behind the tour guide.
And if you want to see the stalactites and stalagmites only, go with the Frozen Niagara Tour. This tour will take you straight to the section with only 12 stairs. It’s faster, has fewer miles, and easy.
How to get to Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave is huge with a size near 35,000 acres. It is divided by the Green River that flows from east to west through the center of the park.
The visitor center and cave tours are found on the south side of the river, while backcountry camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities are on the north side of the river.
Here’s a few options on directions to the park:
– By Car
Most visitors to the park arrive by car, just like us. The park is located not too far from I-65, the major highway that connects Nashville in Tennessee to Louisville in Kentucky. It’s around 30 miles to the north (40 minutes drive) from where we stayed in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
– By Air
The closest major airports are in Louisville, Kentucky (89 miles from Park Headquarters) and Nashville, Tennessee (99 miles). You can find car rentals at both airports.
– By RV, Trailers, or Buses
There are no restrictions on the size of RVs, trailers, or buses in the park. Note that you might find difficulties when crossing the Green River with a ferry or traveling on the park’s secondary road.
– By Ferry
There are no bridges connecting the south and north sides of the park. Visitors can take the Green River Ferry as an alternative to the major highways. Ferry operations are subject to closures due to fluctuating water levels. Call (270) 758-2166 before your visit.
Parking spaces by the Visitor Center are spacious. Besides special parking spots for disabled visitors, Mammoth Cave National Park also provides special spots for visitors driving their alternative fuel vehicles. We felt like a royal when we got out of our Prius. Hehe..
Basic info to know before your trip to Mammoth Cave National Park
– Flash photography is not allowed during tours. No tripods or monopods as well.
– No walking sticks, strollers, firearms, or other weapons.
– Child backpack carriers are not permitted. Use the front packs.
– No metal framed backpacks and backpacks that are higher than the shoulder or that extend below the hips.
– Deep cave temperature is 54⁰F (12⁰C) while temperatures near cave entrances can vary widely, depending on the season.
– Review the cave tour descriptions to find one that suits you.
– For members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, assisted listening devices and sign language interpreter services are available with advanced arrangements.
– Spring and Fall are popular times for school trips and other parties. Therefore, your tour may include another group (s) of various ages.
Visiting Mammoth Cave with a dog?
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in caves or park buildings. Fortunately, there’s a day-boarding facility at the Mammoth Cave Kennels.
But you must know that Mammoth Cave NP has a presence of ticks and other insects. You are advised to talk with your vet before your trip to the park.
I want to take the Domes and Dripstones Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park, as I haven’t this park yet. It’s on my bucket list. I visited Carlsbad Caverns NP in New Mexico, but I want to visit Mammoth Cave as well, as I love caves. And I like to photograph stalactites and stalagmites. Well, I’m not too fond of a massive group of people when visiting, but I think I would choose the offseason for my visit. Great tips about the park!
Yeah. Visit during low season where you can be the only or a few visitors in the tour. It will be wonderful!
I have been wanting to visit Mammoth Caves, so it was nice to get an honest take on the tour. That many people seem like way too much for one tour, especially into caves like this where I’m sure the space isn’t that large. I am the same way as you, I prefer to stay in the back ad actually did this when I toured Howe Caverns in NY. It definitely makes for better photo ops (a must for me) and less crowds. I will keep in mind to visit in the off season for sure!
National Park tours can be a bit hit and miss in my experience so it is good that you have done the hard work for visitors ahead of their visit.
one tour guide for 131 people sounds quite miserable. No wonder the tour wasn’t enjoyable.
I would feel a bit claustrophobic as well with so many people in such close quarters.
That’s too bad that you had a bad experience. I am not afraid of caves, generally, but can’t imagine being in one with so many people. That would freak me out. Carlsbad Caverns is high on my bucket list. I go into caves whenever I can.
I will definitely go in off season or a small group next time we go to Mammoth Cave.
We definitely want to plan a visit to Mammoth Cave National Park. How fun that there are different cave tours. It sounds like the Domes and Dripstones Tour is one of the best with lots of variety in the things to see. Luckily we are fit enough to do the stairs and inclines. Although a really big tour group might not be my favourite so I would visit in off season for sure.
I would think it will be better to do it off season for sure.
I think I would have also skipped the tour if I had known ahead of time that it would be over 100 people, but what are you going to do when you already have the tickets? It’s too bad that you couldn’t hear the guide or was too late to hear the guide by the time you got to a specific spot. They should invest in those audio tours for people who are in the back of the crowd. At least you got to enjoy the views some 🙂
Yes! They should thinking about investing in audio tours for their large group tour.
The tour appeals to me but that many people on a tour is ridiculous. Especially in current climes. 20 in a group maximum and even then I think its too many. Would definitely choose off season. I hope you complained at the end.
I was grateful for your honest review. I’m not sure this is a tour I would enjoy and I appreciate the heads up. Especially if the tours are always this crowded!
I love visiting caves, but as you wrote 130 people in a group is too much! I always try to visit places with limited space, be it museums or caves, not during public holidays. I know that I do not enjoy the sights very much, if it is too crowded. Thanks for your honest review!
I’m normally the one who does like
Going on big tours but as you get to know all the ins and outs but maybe skip this one … but definitely add the amazing park to my bucket list
Thanks for your honest take on it. I’m not a fan of large groups so would try and avoid those peak times. The tour with only 12 steps sounds a good option for me.
Thank you for your honesty and candidness on this! I definitely will be skipping this tour when I go!
I loved that you shared the tip about booking online. It’s unfortunate that the group size is so large, i can see how it takes away from the experience. Thanks for sharing your real experience and perspective for others who are interested in going.
I’m not a huge fan of large group tours either. It always takes something away from the experience. It’s shame for such a unique place. Thanks for the review..it’s nice to know these things before buying a ticket.
I still read review from others who went there recently that the number of people in this particular tour was still big.
I appreciate your honest thoughts on the tour. 131 people is a big group and I can imagine it wasn’t easy trying to get good pictures. I never knew about the bats and fungus, that sounds quite scary!
I heard about the bats and fungus the first time we went to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. We couldn’t wear the same shoes from the last visit to other cave within certain times.
That’s a lot of people in one cave–131! I did caving in Meghalaya and only 20 people are allowed inside at one time as it could potentially harm the place. You are right, caving does need some physical stamina and fitness. Sometimes, I wonder how the men of yore lived in these caves.
The cave is really huge, but still, that’s too many people in one tour.
I know a lot of people who have visited Mammoth Caves, but none have been on this tour! I love seeing stalactites and stalagmites too – it’s such a fascinating process by which they are made.
I find that when there are larger groups it always makes the experience a bit more disappointing which is a shame. These caves look really interesting to visit though!
Agreed. When we go there again, I will choose another tour that is more strenuous, so not too many people interested in it. Hehe..
I really appreciate this honest review! I also find that I don’t enjoy tours when they are too full or busy. It’s impossible to see well, or hear your tour guide. Hopefully this particular tour hears some of this feedback and makes some changes, cause I’m sure the tour would be great with less people!
I hope so, too.
Ugh that is WAY too many people for one tour guide. I don’t even like it when there are 20 people to 1 guide on those free tours, much less a tour you’d paid for.
Agreed! They should at least put 4 or 5 more tour guides in this tour.
I have a national park pass and have been visiting as many as I can this year. Mammoth Cave wasn’t on my radar and I have not spent time in Kentucky so you got my attention right away. ‘Frozen Niagara’ is such a great name, I’m surprised it was a disappointment. Good to know the steps are slippery and good soled shoes are important.
It’s the number of visitors in the group that played a big impact in disappointment. There’s no way you can enjoy a tour with more than 100 people in the group with only 1 tour guide.