One Kentucky State Park Lets You Explore Four Completely Different Caves

When it comes to cave systems around the world, I think we "lead the league" here in Kentucky.

Two words...Mammoth Cave.

It's majestic, it's educational, and it's an absolute blast. The whole national park, in fact, is next level and shouldn't be missed. But Mammoth Cave isn't Kentucky's only spectacular cave system.

Carter Caves State Resort Park in Eastern Kentucky

You'll find one of the more popular cave systems in Kentucky not named Mammoth Cave at Carter Caves State Resort Park, about 90 minutes east of Lexington.

What I find fascinating about Carter Caves is that they're themed. Obviously, because they're caves, they formed naturally. But three of them have unique features while a fourth is a nature preserve for an endangered species.

The X-Cave

It sounds like a satellite headquarters for the X-Men, but all it is is a cave whose primary passageways form the letter "X".

The Cascade Cave

If you guessed from the name that this cave features a waterfall, you guessed correctly. In fact, it's a 30-foot waterfall. But that's not Cascade Cave's only distinction. In it, you'll find the Lake Room's reflecting pool, the North Cave Cathedral, and the Dance Hall. Yes, it was once used for weekly dances.

The Saltpetre Cave

If you want a healthy dose of history mixed in with your cave exploration, then the Saltpetre Cave, named for the mineral found in abundance here, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its value during the War of 1812. Saltpetre is the major ingredient in gunpowder.

The Bat Cave

The longest cave at Carter Caves State Resort Park, the Bat Cave is devoid of electricity and handrails and is 100% undeveloped. Walking tours are available, but they come with many conditions. The Bat Cave is so named because it has been a nature preserve for the endangered Indiana bat since 1981. An estimated 28,000 bats are being protected in Carter Caves' Bat Cave, but I'm not sure tourists can interact with them. And I doubt they'd want to. Here's one of the tours offered at the Carter Caves Bat Cave. It's a "crawling tour". That means I'm out.

So, what are your plans for the rest of the summer? What about autumn? Working on anything there? If you have an opening, Carter Caves State Resort Park is calling.

Don't let 'em hang up.