Hike the River Styx Spring Trail
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Details
Distance
1.2 miles
Elevation Gain
250 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Elyse Clark
Hike one of the surface trails at Mammoth Cave National Park to see a spring in which groundwater emerges out of a cave. This trail also brings you by the Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave and has views of the Green River.
Starting from the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center, take the "Historic Entrance" trail that descends down the hill between the Visitor's Center and the Mammoth Cave Hotel. After 0.2 miles you will reach the historic entrance of Mammoth Cave on your right side. You cannot go in the cave without a guided tour, but you can walk down and look at the entrance.
The trail splits into two trails at the historic entrance. Take the wider trail on the left side which has a sign stating the River Styx Spring Trail. You will descend for 0.4 miles. When you level out near the Green River, take the boardwalk to your left to view the River Styx Spring, which is where groundwater is discharging from Mammoth Cave to the Green River.
There is also a small area where you can view the Green River. When finished, walk back the way you came up the hill to the Visitor's Center to complete this short and easy hike.
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Reviews
My husband and I went on this trail after a cave tour! Starting from the visitor center, you'll pass by the Historic Entrance to the cave - you can stop here if you haven't yet and see the very front end of the cave without a tour guide. With the Historic Entrance to the cave to your back, keep heading down the hill on the wider path through the woods. The signage at this park is great, so just follow them! The "river styx' is at the down a short boardwalk, and offers a good view of the main attraction. It's cool to see how many entrances there are into this huge cave system! If you don't want to go out and back, I'd highly suggest adding on the Green Bluffs Trail that starts where the River Styx Trail stops! Offers beautiful views and a different scenery back to the visitor center.
5.0
A great hike to kill time while waiting on a cave tour. Trail is well marked, some of it paved and it will lead to a spring that bubbles up from the cave itself.
4.0
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