There’s nothing better than feeling small in nature while the adrenaline rush makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. It’s a contradictory feeling, but it makes complete sense in Horse Cave, Kentucky. This unassuming city isn’t exactly on everyone’s bucket list, but if you love outdoor adventures, it should be. Located outside Mammoth Cave National Park, Horse Cave is a gateway to some of Kentucky’s most spectacular natural wonders. From venturing deep into mysterious underground caves to wildlife encounters on safari, you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether you prefer hiking, zip-lining, or visiting notable battlefields, Horse Cave delivers all kinds of thrills.
The history of Horse Cave is as fascinating as the caverns beneath it. Long before the town existed, Native Americans used controlled fires in the area to create open grasslands for buffalo and deer. By the late 1700s, settlers arrived, and the land changed hands several times as Kentucky evolved from a Virginia county into its own state. Horse Cave officially became a town in 1864 and grew alongside its twin, Cave City. At one point, it was briefly renamed Caverna, but eventually, the name Horse Cave stuck. From its early days to now, Horse Cave has never lost its connection to the land, the caves, and the spirit of exploration.
If you’re coming from out of state, Louisville International Airport is your best bet since it’s an hour’s drive away. You can also make the trip from the friendly and artsy La Grange in about an hour and a half. Midway, Kentucky’s most underrated charming town, is only an hour and 45-minute drive. And even the overlooked Glasgow (not the one in Scotland) is right around the corner — just a 20-minute drive away.
Caves, kangaroos, and countryside in one town
Horse Cave has no shortage of activities, even the ones that take you underground. Hidden River Cave sits right below the town, with one of the largest cave entrances in the state. Two underground rivers flow through the mysterious site, and a massive chamber called Sunset Dome stretches over 5 acres. You can’t miss the suspension bridge here — the longest underground one in the world — on which you can walk across the cave’s dark depths. Back in the day, Hidden River Cave supplied the town with water and electricity, but now, it’s a place to see rare cave creatures, rock formations, and relics of the old hydroelectric system. Right above it, the American Cave Museum covers everything from sinkholes to cave-dwelling wildlife and even the fierce competition between local caves for visitors in the early 1900s. You’ll come across exhibits that display how caves have been used, starting with food storage and saltpeter mining during the War of 1812.
The Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo brings a bit of Australia to Kentucky. Here, kangaroos hop around in open fields, colorful lorries land on your arms, and herding dogs show off their skills with sheep. The zoo is also home to Mammoth Onyx Cave, a smaller limestone cave featuring incredible dripstone formations — make sure to have a jacket with you, as it can get quite chilly underground. Dutch Country Safari Park is another spot in Horse Cave to see animals, with a wagon ride that takes visitors through an Amish farm filled with bison, elk, zebras, and other animals. For a quieter setting, the Battle for the Bridge Preserve boasts hiking trails through rolling fields and forests. Civil War markers explain the battles that took place here, but even if you’re visiting for the scenery alone, it’s worth it.
