• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
      • Advertise
    • Facts About Kentucky
      • Kentucky Geography 101: Where is Kentucky?!
      • Kentucky’s Lakes (Listed Alphabetically)
    • Famous Kentuckians
    • Kentucky Birds
      • Joys of Bird Watching
      • Bird Watching: Keeping a Journal
      • Backyard Birds Love Water!
      • Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
      • How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
    • Kentucky Food
    • Kentucky History
    • Sitemap
  • Pictures
  • Restaurants
    • Best Catfish Restaurants
    • Best Pizza in Ky
    • Best BBQ in Ky
    • Bowling Green Restaurants
    • Gluten Free in Kentucky
    • Kentucky Lake Restaurants
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Owensboro, Gluten Free
    • Owensboro Restaurants
    • Where to Eat Lunch in Owensboro
  • KY State Parks
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
    • Rough River Dam State Resort Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
    • More Kentucky State Parks
  • Things to Do
    • Grand Rivers Variety
    • Kentucky State Parks
    • Kentucky Lake
      • Kentucky Lake Pictures
    • Land Between the Lakes
      • Elk & Bison Prairie
      • Golden Pond Planetarium
      • The Homeplace
      • The Nature Station
      • LBL Pictures
        • Elk and Bison Prairie Pictures
    • Windy Hollow Campground and Speedway
    • Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
    • Smothers Park and Owensboro’s Riverfront
    • The Hitching Post
  • Events
You are here: Home / Archives for Cave Tours

Cave Tours at Carter Caves this Summer

May 29, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Carter Caves State Resort Park
 

Carter Caves State Resort Park is one of Kentucky’s most beautiful parks. The entire region is just gorgeous – spring, summer, winter, and fall.

Carter Caves gives you an opportunity to literally get off of the beaten path and have extra special fun this summer! Enjoy walking (or even crawling) cave tours and make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

The park offers daily cave tours and more tour times will be added starting June 13.

The cave tours include:

Cascade Cave

Cascade Cave is one of the largest of over 200 caves in Carter County and is noted for its large chambers and numerous cave formations. Highlights of the tour include the reflecting pool in the Lake Room, the unique cave formations in the Cathedral Room and an underground waterfall over 30 feet high. The tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers a distance of about ¾ mile.

Ticket sales stop 15 minutes before Cascade Cave tours. A short drive from the welcome center is required and transportation is not provided. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

X-Cave

The tour begins at the welcome center. Some of the highlighted features include turkey rock, the pipe organ, and the giant column which is the largest cave formation found at the park. Be aware of your surroundings and you will discover how this cave became known as “X-Cave.” The X-Cave tour covers about ¼  mile and lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

Saltpetre Cave

Saltpetre Cave is considered by many historians to be the site of the earliest industry in the area. The cave was used during the War of 1812 as a source of the major ingredient in making gunpowder and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lantern tours are also offered throughout the summer. Saltpetre Cave covers about ½ mile, and the tour last about 60 minutes.  Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

Carter Caves also offers wild cave tours which are more challenging and offer more adventure for guests. They include:

Saltpetre Kids Crawl

The Saltpeter Kid’s Crawl is a great way to introduce your child to the
adventurous sport of caving. Your child will be crawling on hands and knees in small dark passages that will be lit by only the flashlight provided. The kids will get dirty as the passages are rocky and dusty. To participate in the tour your child must be between 6-12 years oldand wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Guardians must sign waivers for the children. Helmets, headlamps and kneepads are provided. Tickets are $10 per child.

Bat Cave Walking Tour  

Bat Cave is the longest cave found within the park.  The Bat Cave Walking Tour is a wild cave, so the trip is considered rugged and strenuous. The cave is  undeveloped, it is not electrically lit and there are no handrails or steps. Plan to get wet and muddy on this tour. You must pass a squeeze test before you purchase your tickets. You must be at least 6 years old and an adult must accompany those under 15 years old. Guardians must sign waivers for children under 18. Helmets and flashlights are provided. Tickets are $12 per person.

Bat Cave Crawling Tour

The Bat Cave Crawling Tour is considered the most strenuous and most adventurous tour offered at Carter Caves. You will be crawling and walking through muddy and wet passages. You must be at least 12 years old and an adult must accompany those under 15. Guardians must sign waivers for children under 18. Coveralls, helmets, headlamps and knee pads are provided. Tickets are $30 per person.

A crawling tour of Saltpetre Cave

A crawling tour of Saltpetre Cave!

Saltpetre Crawling Tour

You will be crawling on your hands and knees and even doing some belly crawls during this tour. The cave is cold, rocky and dusty. This is considered a strenuous and rugged caving trip and may not be a good choice for some folks.  You must pass a squeeze test before you purchase your tickets. You should be wearing shorts and a T-shirt under the coveralls and closed-toed shoes with good tread. You must be at least 12 years old and an adult mustaccompany those under 15. Guardians must sign waivers for children under 18. Coveralls, helmets, headlamps and knee pads are provided. Tickets are $30 per person.

For more information about cave tours and the park, be sure to visit the Kentucky State Parks’ Carter Caves State Resort Park section.

Besides the cave tours, Carter Caves offers canoe trips, hiking, golf, swimming, gem mining for kids, mini-golf, and fishing. Carter Caves also has a lodge, cottages and restaurant. For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or 1-606-286-4411

To get to Carter Caves State Resort Park from Interstate 64 East, take Exit 161 (Olive Hill exit). Turn left off the exit onto U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. Park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

More Carter Caves State Resort Park on Genuine Kentucky:

  • Picture of the Day from Carter Caves State Resort Park
  • Things to Do at Carter Caves State Resort Park
  • Carter Caves State Resort Park Pictures
  • Kentucky State Parks Recognized in Kentucky Living’s Best in Kentucky Contest

Filed Under: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: Carter Caves, Cave Tours, Kentucky State Parks, things to do in Kentucky

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime!

Kentucky Blog Updates

Kentucky Indiana Game

Spectra, the providers of Venue Management to the Owensboro Sportscenter, is excited to announce the return of the Kentucky … [Read More...] about The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Return to the Owensboro Sportscenter

The Birds of Kentucky Bird Guide by Burt L. Monroe Jr.

The Birds of Kentucky (Gorgeous and Informative Guide) The Birds of Kentucky from The University Press of Kentucky is a MUST … [Read More...] about The Birds of Kentucky by Burt L. Monroe, Jr: The Definitive Guide to Birds in Kentucky

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

Playground at the Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground I recently told one of my daughters, "I have never been THIS … [Read More...] about Kentucky State Park Campgrounds Preparing to Open March 13

Christmas at the Homeplace (Land Between the Lakes)

As we often say on this Kentucky blog, the end of summer in NO WAY means the end of things to do and see in Kentucky. So grab … [Read More...] about 1850 Christmas at the Homeplace: Are You Ready to Meet Santa?!

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park's Lodge (Facing Kentucky Lake) From the Kentucky State Parks: Current and former … [Read More...] about Kentucky State Parks Offering Discounts to Current Military, Retirees, Veterans

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Salt Festival.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site wants to take you back in time during the 37th annual Salt Festival next weekend (Oct. … [Read More...] about Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019

Red Wolf at Woodlands Nature Station Woodlands Nature Station, in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, will … [Read More...] about Wolf Week at Woodlands Nature Station October 5 -11!

Civil War Days

If you're a Civil War buff, you'll want to be at Columbus-Belmont State Park during the weekend of October 11-13! The … [Read More...] about Civil War Days Weekend at Columbus-Belmont State Park (Oct. 11-13)

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

Tweets by @GenuineKentucky


"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Fraley Music Festival
Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest

Kentucky News and Events

  • The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Return to the Owensboro Sportscenter
  • The Birds of Kentucky by Burt L. Monroe, Jr: The Definitive Guide to Birds in Kentucky
  • Kentucky State Park Campgrounds Preparing to Open March 13
  • 1850 Christmas at the Homeplace: Are You Ready to Meet Santa?!
  • Kentucky State Parks Offering Discounts to Current Military, Retirees, Veterans
  • Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019
  • Wolf Week at Woodlands Nature Station October 5 -11!
  • Civil War Days Weekend at Columbus-Belmont State Park (Oct. 11-13)

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Kentucky Blogs Database

If you have a Kentucky Blog - or you're simply a Kentuckian who blogs! - you might want to consider adding your blog to a new KY Blogs Database. It's run by "one of us," as in a fellow Kentuckian! Click the link to check it out. I've added Genuine Kentucky and will be adding my other blogs as well.

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
Copyright Genuine Kentucky 2017