July 20, 2009

Big weekend at Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park, KY - The past weekend, July 18-19, brought record crowds to the park, as visitors came to experience the great cave on free Discovery and Mammoth Passage cave tours. More than 10,000 people toured the cave on Saturday and Sunday.

"The free tours plus the uncommonly cool summer weather made it a great time to visit the park," said Superintendent Patrick Reed. "Our staff went above and beyond to make sure visitors were well served."

On Saturday, cave staff recorded 5,733 people toured the cave; on Sunday, 4,305 people toured the cave.

The free tours were offered as part of a National Park Service initiative which eliminated park entrance fees on three weekends this summer. Though Mammoth Cave NP does not charge an entrance fee to the park, Superintendent Reed embraced the spirit of the Service-wide order by offering self-guided Mammoth Cave Discovery Tours and guided Mammoth Passage Tours free of charge on these dates. The free tours will be offered again on August 15-16, and on NPS Founder's Day, August 25.

The free tours will be offered again on August 15-16, and on NPS Founder's Day, August 25, 2009.

# # #