Reviews & Testimonials
The nonprofit American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA) operates Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum as part of our educational initiative to support the protection of caves, karstlands, and groundwater resources.
We are so very pleased to share reviews from many of our visitors who posted on Google and Tripadvisor. Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum also received the prestigious “Travelers’ Choice” Award from Tripadvisor in 2023. Please click to see our Tripadvisor reviews
Brandon C.
09:07 08 Dec 24
Hidden River Cave is an absolute gem in Cave City, KY! Our tour guide, Maddox, made the experience unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the cave’s history and features, answering every question from the group with patience and expertise. Maddox’s enthusiasm for the cave was contagious, and he took his time to ensure everyone had a thorough and enjoyable tour.One of the highlights of the tour was the swinging bridge--what an incredible experience! It adds an extra layer of adventure and offers a unique perspective of the cave. The cave itself is stunning, with breathtaking views and fascinating stories. If you're in the area, this is a must-visit, and I highly recommend asking for Maddox as your guide. He truly went above and beyond to make our visit exceptional!
Kathleen LaPorte
00:36 02 Dec 24
If you’re a cave enthusiast, or looking for a neat stop on your way through Kentucky, I highly recommend stopping here! We had a great time with our 4 and 7 year old kids, and were in a group with folks into their 70s. Our guide, Jay, was very knowledgeable about the geological formation, ecological restoration, conversation, wildlife, and historical background of the live system. He was also funny and great with any questions lobbed his way. All and all, it look us about 90 minutes from start to finish, but your guide adapts to the group they’re leading so everyone is comfortable.It is definitely worth your time!
Andrea Hill
21:51 01 Dec 24
We had a great time in the cave. The cave was really neat, learning the history of it was cool too. The fact that we could bring our dogs made it a full 5 stars. All of the workers were very friendly and our guide Max did a great job sharing the history and the current state of the cave. We would recommend this to anyone traveling through the area
Cathrine Deulloa
22:05 29 Nov 24
Must have experience while in Kentucky! My bf and I are here on vacation and the locals told us to check out the Hidden River Cave.. I’m glad we did, not only was it really cool, it was educational. Our tour guide Max is clearly really passionate about the cave and the work they are doing to restore it and explore it.. Absolute BLAST 💯!
Brandon Lowe
21:07 25 Nov 24
Very informative, enjoyed seeing the insides of the caves. Entertaining stories about the history of the caves and how they came to be through the years.
Layla Mansel
23:30 24 Nov 24
Maddox was a fantastic tour guide! I really enjoyed going through the caves and seeing all of the cool creatures and learning about the history of the cave. 10/10 would recommend.
Dan and Yi Ren
22:43 24 Nov 24
Max did great job to tour the cave. Definitely recommend it! Love the sunset dome
Miranda
21:16 19 Nov 24
Great tour, we got lots of info and he answered all of our many questions. All the young people working there at the time of our visit were helpful and informative. Bathrooms were clean and we were able to fill out water bottles. Also plenty of parking. The hike both ways was easy and the guide stopped and walked ahead so we could take more photos and view at our own pace, we were a small group of 3 and the last tour of the day. He also took several photos for us.It was a great stop, we were early so we got a chance to walk around the whole museum and gift area.
Colin Ross
17:23 17 Nov 24
Our tour guide was great, I wish I remembered her name… but if you can have the short girl with a nose piercing you’re in for a terrific tour. She knew the answers to all of the questions and really made sure everyone in the group got to spend as much time in any area they wanted. Seemed like there was a tour every hour or so, but I’d call before visiting to make sure you get there in time for a tour.Photos will not do the cave justice
Lutz Haberzettl
02:30 17 Nov 24
We had a great tour at Hidden River Cave. Since it was just the two of us on the tour, our guide Max took the time to make it a more personal tour which allowed us to have a nice talk about the work the American Cave Conservation Association does. We highly recommend to visit Hidden River Cave and support the work of the American Cave Conservation Association.
Lex Wolf
22:38 13 Nov 24
Took the first tour on a Sunday, it was rainy and I was the only one for that tour, so we got to stay longer and got a more through explanation of the cave, its features, species, and more. The tour guide Max answered all questions with thorough knowledge and details. Highly recommend taking the tour. The parking is super close, facilities are nice and clean and the museum has a lot of information to read. The store is also filled with unique trinkets and minerals of all sorts and colors.
Stephanie Wilocki
22:07 13 Nov 24
The tour at Hidden River Cave was awesome. Our tour guide, Max, was very informative and presented this beautiful cave, and its history, with enthusiasm. We all were so thrilled to have taken the time to explore Hidden Valley Cave and support the American Cave Conservation Association! Keep up the great work!
Hair Ball52
21:59 13 Nov 24
This is a place to see !!!Awesome is an understatement !!Mad was our guide and he nailed it.Put it in the list above the national park, go there second.Thanks for a great tour Max and Hidden River Cave !!!
Tucker Bearden
14:24 13 Nov 24
Was a great experience! Our tour guide was so excited about every little fact she was teaching us that it got all of us excited as well! She knew all the history and was clearly inspiring by the awe of it all. On top of that, she was finer than a frog hair split 4 ways... for you city folks, that means she was smoking hot. This tour is awesome and the last dome has some of the best sound echoing you will ever see. Would live to hear monks chanting in there. What a beautiful place.... and guide 😂🫡
Adam G-Mann
14:40 12 Nov 24
The Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum is a fun place to visit for history and artifacts about American caves and also a fun cave tour. The Cave is pretty fun to explore and see. There are a lot of stairs to go up and down, so be prepared for lots of walking and some steep climbs.
Jason Binkowski
01:06 12 Nov 24
Our tour was awesome!!! We had max and he was very informative. We were able to walk in, get tickets and be down in the caves in under 30 minutes. We saw the other caves as well and fully recommend seeing these in addition to other caves, or by themselves.
Sarah Goettge
18:22 11 Nov 24
This was such an amazing cave tour. You have to stop here when you are in the area.
sugarben2010
00:21 11 Nov 24
This is really cool hidden gem. Lots of stairs but well worth it. Max was a great guide. We even got to see a little resident bat (don't worry it was way high on the ceiling and didn't move). Worth the little trip out!
CarGirl 79
21:53 10 Nov 24
Really nice staff, girl giving the tour, while she said she was newer did a great job. It was a small group, paced well and full of cool information!
Karin Webb
22:09 06 Nov 24
The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The cave is definitely one of the hidden gems in Kentucky.
Donrey Smith
21:25 05 Nov 24
One pf the most beautiful natural entrances we've seen and the fact that it’s right in the middle of a town made it all the more special. Max, our guide, was super knowledgeable about the history and geology of the cave. It’s obvious he loves what he does. The cave contains three domes each larger than the last, the final is breathtakingly huge.Thank you Max and the folks doing all this great work to maIntain and explore the cave.
Hannah M
14:48 04 Nov 24
We visited back in May as we traveled down to Tennessee for a family wedding. I was surprised to find a cave right in the middle of town. It was a great choice as a smaller cave and not needing to buy tickets ahead of time, which we would have had to do with Mammoth Caves. Hidden River Cave also had a higher age for a free-child ticket, which meant we didn't have to pay for my 5 yr old.There is a small museum to wander while you wait for your tour time. Some of the exhibits were in need of repair, and I hope you're able to secure some funding for that soon. My kids and I loved seeing the fish.Because of the recent storms, the power had been knocked out, which we didn't realize at first. We were the first tour of the day and our tour guide initially thought the lights hadn't been turned on.I cannot remember our guide's name, she was an older teen and very knowledgeable! She persisted into the dark and gave us a wonderful tour. My daughter took an absolute shine to her, and I appreciate our guide's enthusiasm for answering all of my daughter's questions.Going back up those stairs at the end is not for the faint of heart though!I hope we can come back one day and see the cave lit up, but my family enjoyed the "authentic" experience.
Kelly B
20:00 03 Nov 24
Didn't feel safe. Tour guide giggling every 10 words, liked to get off path with only flashlight to show off. If she fell no more light. Narrow stairs not big enough to have a tour go down and up; but thats what they were doing with a tour going down at same time as tour going out on wet stairs.
Roberta Crandall
15:37 02 Nov 24
This was truly a hidden gem! Max was our tour guide and was very knowledgeable and eager to answer all of our questions. He was outstanding!! He was very informative and passionate about his work. The young man has a great future in front of him. This is truly a must see.
Jim Crandall
15:25 02 Nov 24
Absolutely a don't miss attraction. Max was our tour guide. He deserves 10 stars unbelievably knowledgeable, young man he really made the event!!
Misty Major
21:22 01 Nov 24
Max was our guide and he was wonderful! We really learned a lot about cave formation and evolution. Excited to go back soon!
J C
03:27 01 Nov 24
Cave is nothing but mud. We expected a river and the guide even talks about kayaking in the cave, but there isn’t even a river to kayak in. Just a small stream and one gush of water.
Consuela Hiawatha
22:46 31 Oct 24
Jay gave an awesome, lively tour. The cave is quite the experience! The tour lasts about an hour and takes you across the coolest suspension bridge. There are plenty of steps, but it's totally doable for most fitness levels.
Daniel Hobbs
02:35 30 Oct 24
Great experience! The Cave entrance (through the Museum) is on Main Street in town! Wonderful history, amazing sites and a great story told in a small tour group by an actual "Caver". In about an hour we covered the site easily in safely. There are several hundred steps that are easily taken at your own pace.
Jackie Horton
21:34 27 Oct 24
Very interesting Cave system that we hadn't seen before. The swinging bridge was amazing. Even got to see a cave cricket and solitary bat. Tour guide, Max, was very knowledgeable and a good voice for being a tour guide. Would recommend!
Amanda Daniel
14:15 27 Oct 24
Visiting Hidden River Cave was definitely my favorite stop on my trip to Kentucky this month! Max was a wonderful guide and offered a very thorough history of the area and cave blended perfectly with detailed explanations of the science of how it formed.
Taylor Tate
13:39 27 Oct 24
Max was our tour guide. He was amazing. He had a lot of information and explained everything to us. If you get a chance to visit this cave, it will be well worth it. Big open space. Cool history.
A Divine Canine
23:41 25 Oct 24
The only dog friendly cave I've ever come across. My dog did great too. Our tour guide was wonderful, informative and answered all of our questions. The cave has an interesting history and it's amazing to see how it's recovered from its turbulent and neglected past.The steps going down and within the cave were easy for me as were the ones coming back out, except for the ones right at the exit of the cave. They were hard for me but I have two artificial knees and a heart condition, yet I was able to plug right along and am glad I decided to take this tour. Sunset dome was one of my favorite highlights as well as the unique history of the cave.The museum had interactive displays and artifacts from the past and a nice gift shop.We were lucky enough to see a few of the caves inhabitants and the temperature inside the cage was perfect on a hot day.Take time out of your trip to stop in and explore this unique cave.
Bryan Boehmer
00:10 25 Oct 24
We had a great tour at hidden river. Max was an incredible tour guide filled with knowledge and history of the cave system. Safe for families, we had 3 kids 12 and under and they loved it. Nice gift shop and friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone looking for a neat cave system. The domes were awesome and huge.
Harrison Hong
17:54 24 Oct 24
Drove to this place from MD after visiting TN, this place seems great but.... i need to be healthier in order for me to walk down & back up lol
Sheridan B
15:25 24 Oct 24
Such a cool experience in the middle of town! The museum is set up so nicely to help us learn about the history of the cave, the science of caves, cave animals, and environmental impacts. The entrance to the cave is really amazing — incredible that the extensive system is right under the downtown area. Our guide Max was wonderful - very knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions. We loved that we could bring our pup along, but beware the suspension bridge has metal grates you can see through and has a little sway, so she didn’t enjoy that part of the experience. The domes underground are really something incredible. Caves are so fascinating and I’m grateful for groups like the American Cave Conservation Association for taking care of these important pieces of our ecosystem.
Tom Kelley
02:21 23 Oct 24
Was amazed on intention to detail our guide was. Also loved the town and go into the antique shop across the street.
Richard Cothern
20:45 22 Oct 24
Hidden River Cave is not your typical "Show Cave". This one was a living cave system and definitely felt "raw" and almost untouched. The tour guide Dylan, was knowledgeable and was really well educated on the cave.
Kristen Clark
04:07 22 Oct 24
I’ve visited Hidden River Cave three times over seven years, and it’s been a great experience each and every time. The opportunities to experience new parts of the cave have grown significantly in that time, and being able to see the sunset dome for the first time on my last visit was particularly special.Shoutout to Dylan for being an excellent guide who made the whole experience more enjoyable.
Benjamin Reichert
03:16 22 Oct 24
The guide Al was funny, informative, and told some pretty good stories. The cave is unique and very much worth seeing.
Michael Solinsky
23:42 21 Oct 24
Our tour guide Max was very educational, passionate and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the views and stories.
D Bayone
22:27 20 Oct 24
Very interesting cave tour and worth it. There are a lot of steps to descend down into it which means coming back out of it is a tough climb. But it's doable and the tour makes it worth it!. The staff and our guide were very pleasant and informative. It's interesting that the town of Horse Cave is built above it. The 3 domes are amazing and hearing the river rush under there is pretty neat There's a suspension bridge to cross which is somewhat scary but also very neat. The tour was about an hour and you won't regret taking it.
Lexi Gette
21:12 20 Oct 24
LOVED THE TOUR! Happened to be driving through and saw the sign off the highway and stopped for a spontaneous activity. We went 10/20/24, the 3:00 tour with Maddox. He was very informative and made the tour extra fun! Highly recommend!
Madison Wilson
14:00 19 Oct 24
The swinging bridge is so cool! We had a great tour guide. They talk about the formations and explain cave conservation and the necessity to keep conservation efforts alive.
Dot Marcum Choate
03:09 18 Oct 24
We had a great time here. Very interesting and informative tour through the caves. Tour guide Matt did a great job!
Casey Keith
15:13 17 Oct 24
Our tour guide, Al, was amazing. He made the tour relatable and personal. He truly is a light in a dark world(cave). The cave itself was actually really neat, and I truly stood in amazement. Thank you Al for your servant’s heart. 10/10 recommend.
Jocelyn G
01:29 16 Oct 24
This was amazing! Been driving by the billboard for few years and finally made the time to go to this cave! Absolutely worth it! Our guide Maddox, was great. Funny, knowledgeable and seemed to really enjoy his job! For sure a must see!!!
ORetha Beavers
17:49 15 Oct 24
Maddox was our tour guide and he really seemed to know a lot about the history and the cave itself and enjoyed sharing that knowledge with the group. Great sense of humor too! The dome rooms and bridge were very cool. The step count sounds more intimidating than it is because it is broken up throughout the tour and you can take your time (and that's coming from someone who's totally out of shape)
Davis Kiesel
16:04 15 Oct 24
Hidden River was awesome. So beautiful. Our guide Dylan was super knowledgeable and kind. Mammoth Cave was sold out so we went here and I am very glad we did!!
Stephanie Caucis
14:22 15 Oct 24
We had an awesome time on this cave tour! The guide did an amazing job engaging everyone in the group and we learned so much about caving. This team is passionate about what they do. Highly recommend this tour.
Megan
23:09 14 Oct 24
This place is literally a hidden gem. I’ve been to mammoth caves before and this was 1000x better. The bridge was super cool, all of the domes left us speechless. I couldn’t believe that all of that was hidden under a street light. Our tour guide Al made it even better. Having someone so passionate and knowledgeable take us through it was an incredible experience and I HIGHLY recommend anyone to check this out. 10000/10 stars. (He also is great photographer and took so many pictures for us to choose from😂)
Sarah Rusinko
20:58 14 Oct 24
Maddox was a great guide! Answered all of our questions and let us take our time getting down/up the stairs. This place is worth the stop if you’re in the area. There are a lot of steps but it’s not too bad.
Cierra Blythe
00:58 14 Oct 24
Awesome cave that’s close to home. My 4 year old son and I had a great time! We done the guided tour and loved it!
David Elkins
14:10 13 Oct 24
Max gave a very interesting tour! He is quite knowledgeable about caving!
Susan Swingholm
12:38 13 Oct 24
Max was a great tour guide. We love his passion for caving and the environment! Fascinating tour. Loved the suspension bridge. Lots of cool gifts in the store, too. And the museum was informative and interesting.
Darrell Adkins
23:25 12 Oct 24
An amazing place to take a guided cave tour under the city. Beautiful Domes and a river running under your feet. Jay the tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the cave and it's history.
Maddox Carroll
19:12 11 Oct 24
Dylan was my tour guide almost a year ago, he was such a great guide that he inspired me to work at hidden river cave and I’ve fallen in love with the place ever since, the most authentic and thoughtful guides out of any tour service I’ve ever been to!
C & S Pettingill
20:43 10 Oct 24
Hidden River Caves were great! Took my kids and visiting family. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour and tour guide Max. Very informative and fun!
Mary Clites
01:11 10 Oct 24
This is a hidden gem! Definitely recommend this tour. Our tour guide Dylan did a wonderful job and was very informative. Beautiful cave with some amazing views.
Jessica Campbell
21:29 09 Oct 24
Excellent tour! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. Loved every second!
Amber Cole
14:39 09 Oct 24
My husband and I had a wonderful time at Hidden River Cave! If you want a real caving experience with knowledgeable guides, lots of local history, and to support a non-for-profit, this is it! Our guide Max was very knowledgeable about the local area and the environmental challenges that impact the cave and its system.
Deanna Bck
19:07 08 Oct 24
Hidden right under the town, you would never guess such a massive cave exists there. It was very interesting to see!
Abigail Godin
00:42 08 Oct 24
The place is an absolute Must see! It is definitely extraordinary, an inspiration for a good story I should say! The workers and guides were very nice. Max (I think that was his name…sorry if I remember incorrectly) our guide did a splendid job telling about the history of the place.It is worth seeing again.
Amber Williams
18:37 07 Oct 24
My family and I had a great time. Al was informative and funny. We definitely recommended him as a tour guide.
Ashley Toney
21:15 06 Oct 24
We have been to several caves across the nation’s SE, and this was our absolute favorite! The cave was very unique, and our tour guide, Al, can’t be beat! He provided lots of information and history, and he did a fantastic job connecting to all of us. He was funny, relatable, and made it feel as though we were true cavers exploring with him.
Jennifer Matthews
19:59 06 Oct 24
This cave tour and museum is a great attraction for families. Our tour guide Al was super knowledgeable, and he kept everyone engaged and entertained throughout the tour. The swinging bridge was definitely a highlight of the tour. We had looked at a couple of other cave tours in the area before choosing Hidden River, and we definitely made the right choice!
Sterling
19:20 06 Oct 24
This was a really cool cave with a really unique history I enjoyed it very much. Al was our tour guide he was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the cave. Highly recommend stopping by and seeing this cave if you are in the area. Also they appreciate vetrans as well.
Brent Emery
01:38 06 Oct 24
The Hidden River cave is spectacular. Our tour guide Beth was very informative and fun on our tour. She took her time with us and gave us a great tour. This is a highly recommended cave to visit!
Rachel Lysholm
18:10 05 Oct 24
Maddox was incredible! This is one of the best cave tours we’ve ever been on. Absolutely will be back.
David McGlynn
23:20 04 Oct 24
Truly a hidden wonder! We stopped by Hidden River Cave after doing some Mammoth Cave Tours in the area and we looking for a variety, and we found it!We took the 4pm tour, and our tour guide Max went over the history of the cave, its geology and the various wildlife that inhabit it. We actually saw some wildlife on our tour, learned about the giant dome formations and got to cross a giant underground suspension bridge! It was all quite an experience, and our tour guide Max was very personable and tailored the tour to our needs and really made the tour awesome!They had a pretty extensive museum as well that went over a lot of history of the different caves in the area. I really enjoyed seeing some of the artifacts and reading the old newspapers about the Floyd Collins story.The gift shop had some cool gifts to buy and the staff working there were extremely friendly!It was a totally different experience than Mammoth Caves and I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!
Debbie Schwind
02:41 01 Oct 24
Brooklyn was a very informative guide. We enjoyed our tour. This was a very cool experience and I would encourage anyone to do this.
Tae Dowdy
17:56 30 Sep 24
Had a flat tire and got it fixed over at Tri County Auto & Oil. Had some time to kill so we stumbled into Hidden River Cave, which was right across the street, and it was an awesome experience. The caves were astounding to look at but more importantly our tour guide Al was the highlight. He was personable, funny, and very knowledgeable. 10/10 all around!! Highly recommend it if you find yourself in the area.
Greg Arason
18:00 29 Sep 24
Nice cave tour. Enjoyed being able to bring my dog along. A bigger dog would be difficult because there are a lot of grated walking areas.
Shandi Moore
17:25 24 Sep 24
Great tour through the caves. Liam was very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. Be prepared for steps, LOTS of steps.
tom mason
21:06 23 Sep 24
We weren't quite sure what to expect because this cave was in the middle of downtown Horse Cave. We were surprised to find out the Cave opening, which was huge, was right behind the museum entrance. Our tour guide was Al, and he gave us an interesting and historic and knowledgeable tour. Turns out he's actually a cave mapper. The cave itself is huge and beautiful. It's interesting to find out it actually does fill with water after a really wet season above ground. The first dome we looked at was almost an acre in size. The Swinging Bridge which is the only one in a cave, was awesome and, more importantly, very well-constructed. The important part of this lengthy review is that it was well worth the $25 fee. You should make this one of your bucket list items and also note that this is non-profit and the proceeds go toward preserving caves. Al and Liam in the pic. There were a dozen in our group. The next group only had 3.
PorBoy Projects
17:08 23 Sep 24
Loved it. Had to make it a point to stop thru and check it out. Anytime we go south we try to visit at least 1 cave system. Still trying to find a childhood memory 😆. Well Al which maybe your guide if you stop thru let me know which cave system it is I'm looking. Crystal Onyx will be next. Be ready for stairs as there are 750 steps according to Al and the swinging suspension bridge was a nice touch becarefull if your weak in the knees as it does bounce a little and sway side to side. Even our puppers enjoyed it. All they ask is make sure you and your pups are in good spirits as we had a out 5 dogs in our group and they all said hi and handled thier self's well. I would recommend some kind of walking shoes.
Jason Cox
01:59 23 Sep 24
Awesome experience! Cave did not disappoint, even after visiting Mammoth Cave the day before. It was also a lot less crowded, and felt like more of an adventure. Our tour guide, Max, was very knowledgeable of the cave, the towns history and the animals that call the cave home. We went on a Sunday afternoon and got a 1:1 tour!
J B
03:09 20 Sep 24
Beautiful place right dead center in the middle of town ....not what you would expect ...
Carol Jordan
21:00 18 Sep 24
Our tour guide Max was great. Very knowledgeable. Small group (6 people). Enjoyed the tour Very much.
Sherrie Jones-Tomkins
20:09 15 Sep 24
Nox was our tour guide & she was wonderful! We were a small group and she was personable as if we were her family! She has a lot of knowledge about caves, especially the one she was guiding us through! We will surely return & do another tour she is guiding! The entire staff was very friendly from the moment we entered (asking 100 questions 😂) to the end in the gift shop! Thank you all!
Skyler purcell
21:31 14 Sep 24
We had Al as our tour guide he was amazing and very enthusiastic about the caves. He had plenty of interesting personal stories to share. I really enjoyed this and would do it again!
Mike Alderson
21:22 14 Sep 24
The kiddos had a blast. Lots of displays to learn about cave systems, cave critters, food chains, ground water filtration, water tables, ect. We didn't go down into the cave but the prices are reasonable for a guided tour (like $25 for an adult) and a trail to a nearby park (which the kids loved too)
Renae Baker
21:28 13 Sep 24
We had an awesome time and really enjoyed learning from our guide Liam! It turns out each guide is allowed to talk more about the things that interest them, so you could learn something new on multiple tours. This is not a long and arduous cave tour, thus great for beginners. Really neat that the cave is right in the middle of town, and even better to learn the town was purposefully built around the cave! The free museum is a nice added bonus. If you can, I would recommend going here and Mammoth Cave.
Edward Morton
17:30 10 Sep 24
My wife and I visited the museum and did the guided cave tour here on August 5th, 2024 in conjunction with a visit to nearby Mammoth Cave National Park. We did two cave tours at Mammoth during our stopover visit, which, while impressive, were also stiflingly crowded (nearly 100 persons in each tour group). While researching our itinerary during trip planning, I had seen a recommendation to also visit the Hidden River Cave in the nearby town of Horse Cave, so I booked the tour online before we arrived. The cave museum here in the little old town of Horse Cave is just as good, if not better than the one at the Mammoth Cave National Park........and its free. The Hidden River Cave tour was also VERY COOL and our tickets only cost $20 each..........as opposed to the $75 we paid at the National Park..........and our tour group only had about 8 people in it. Our guide was also a hometown gal who was very knowledgeable and friendly. The underground suspension bridge and rushing underground river is really an impressive site to see, and the large underground dome at the far end of the cave (the turnaround point) was spectacular here. It would be an awesome place to hold a small concert for an acoustic band or symphonic quartet. If you are going to visit Mammoth Cave, it's definitely worth driving 20 miles from the park visitor center over to the town of Horse Cave to do this cave and museum tour as well.
Krista Davis
05:40 08 Sep 24
I had a great experience at this cave. It's affordable and the staff are cartographers that explore the cave regularly. Loved hearing the stories about the history of the cave as well as the adventures of the tour guides that have explored all the passageways not open to the public.It's a really unique cave in that it occasionally floods, so it changes! I'd go again.I stopped on a whim and did not book online and had no issues joining a tour, but it was during school hours.Rappelling was incredible. They even helped film my descent so I could show my family what I did on my trip 🙂
Erin Brinkley
16:46 07 Sep 24
Amazing cave! This cave felt unique with the suspension bridge and the water rushing underneath. The tour guide, Max, was incredible nice and very knowledgeable. The tour is an hour long, making it perfect to fit into any schedule. I highly recommend spending some time in the museum, it was fun reading about the history of the area.
Karen Eggert
12:27 05 Sep 24
Terrific tour guide (Max). Provided a tremendous amount of historical information regarding the use of the cave through the centuries, as well basic, general cave information. Each staff member that I spoke with was well-informed regarding the importance of caring for cave systems, as well as friendly and courteous.
T Trent
23:31 04 Sep 24
Very enjoyable. Our guide, Al, was outstanding, relatable, funny, energetic, and full of knowledge.
Neha Sanghvi Mehta
02:35 04 Sep 24
Loved this cave experience, and it was awesome!! Will definitely recommend it to everyone! My 5 year old enjoyed it too! ❤️👍
Niku_sketches_ Foxes
00:43 04 Sep 24
our tour guide al was so freaking cool, he legit told us how many dollar generals would fit in the sunset dome (12.5) and told us his cool stories about going caving!!
Peg Schwing
14:32 03 Sep 24
We had a wonderful tour at Hidden River Cave last week! Many in our party were veterans, and they were admitted free of charge. You have no idea how much that meant to them. Al was an informative and professional tour guide. Hidden River Cave is unique, so even if you are visiting Mammoth Cave or Diamond Caverns, it's worth stopping in Horse Cave to see this hidden gem!
Wanda Pauls
15:21 02 Sep 24
Highly recommend touring this unique cave! Walking on the swinging bridge, 40+ feet above the river was incredible! And our guide, Jay, was not only very knowledgeable, but very passionate about caves. His stories of personal caving experiences added so much to the tour.
Jim Reid
03:33 01 Sep 24
The Tour Guide was very informative and knowledgeable. The cave was impressive, and the stairways and walkways are very well built! The hike back up the stairs will raise your heart rate! I suggest bringing a small but powerful flashlight.
CptBriggs
21:23 31 Aug 24
By far better than mammoth caverns better price, tour, and guide. Thank you AL for a great tour and good memories. Don't forget to hit hit up 2 Birds Cafe on Main Street for the best sandwichs I've had made from great folks who understand the atmosphere and a family type environment.
Daphne Hobbs
03:05 27 Aug 24
Max was our guide and was wonderful… full of knowledge and you could just tell how interested he was in his work. The cave was awesome. Love the whole experience !!
kathryn russell
22:36 24 Aug 24
This place is epic! Dylan the tour guide was amazing. He is very knowledgeable and made the trip a lot of fun. We have a 5 year old and a two year old. They both were able to walk the entire trip and it was the perfect length. Not too long for them to complain about walking and long enough to keep them interested. Please check this place out it was a very fun trip 10 out of 10!
Penny Papadopoulos
14:33 23 Aug 24
We had a very small group and Brook was our guide. We had so much fun! She was so knowledgeable about the history and physicality of the cave. I really liked the fact that her and her team actually explore the cave on their down time. She was able to give us more detailed information about that specific cave than I've ever heard from any other cave tours I've been on. They also offer exploration tours for you to physically climb the rocks too! She was funny and was able to explain things for my little one to understand. It was awesome seeing her face light up when she understood what caves are and why they look the way they do.
Erin Kaiser
13:47 23 Aug 24
Fantastic cave. We had a great time, our tour guide, Nox, was very knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend.
Cliff Parker
13:22 23 Aug 24
I enjoyed this tour. My poor Corgi, however, not so much.Pros:It was very informative. The history of this cave is fascinating. Max did a great job. It was cool in the cave, but not cold. I found it to be quite comfortable. We went at a good pace but were never rushed.Cons:Their web page does say pets are welcome, and they are. Be aware though that there are some very steep stairs and a lot of the path is a steel grid mesh. Thor did not like walking on the grid or the suspension bridge and some of the stairs were too steep for him so I carried him for a good bit of the tour (he didn't like that either).
Sara h
01:34 23 Aug 24
What an impressive cave. Take the time to come visit,you won't be disappointed.
Brad Fash
03:21 19 Aug 24
Of all the caves in Kentucky, this one was particularly interesting, being the entrance is in the middle of downtown! They are very military friendly as our tickets were free! The staff was super nice and very informative when it came to questions about the cave.
Allan Buccola
12:45 17 Aug 24
Another unique cave tour! This one starting in a metropolitan area, entrance hidden by tall buildings. Cool spot to visit, especially a hot day.
Christy McGill
20:44 16 Aug 24
We took the tour today with our 2 kids (8, 11) and we had Al as our guide. Highly recommend this place, tour was great, sights were beautiful, and great information. I'm terrified of heights but was able to make it through everything.
Laura johnson
18:54 15 Aug 24
We had Brooklyn for a guide and I highly recommend her. She is very knowledgable and passionate about her job. I loved learning about the history of the cave.
Andrew Knight
21:25 14 Aug 24
Very educational tour. Knox (hope I’m spelling that right) was very knowledgeable and personable which does a lot for the whole experience, and the whole staff was extremely friendly. Great place to visit!
Lori McNeelan
14:08 14 Aug 24
The guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The cave was amazing! Would definitely recommend this tour
Brian Drach
11:07 14 Aug 24
Fun & interesting lil tour, the dome rooms were quite impressive but there are a ton of steps to go down into the cave which is fine until you need to come back up, its a lot. Doable, but a lot, yet it wouldnt stop me from visiting again.
Rosie M
20:20 11 Aug 24
Was better than I thought. Though there's like 700 stairs!! Going down the stairs... not so bad... coming back up the stairs.. now that was a task! Loved the underground suspension bridge! Very cool. Our tour guild was AL. Highly recommend. Very informative!
Karen Postl
20:33 10 Aug 24
We had an amazing time. Knox was a great tourgiude. Funny, personable and really informative! Highly recommend!
Let Freedom Ping
18:20 09 Aug 24
Favorite cave I’ve been to. And I’ve been to many. It’s very untampered with compared to most. Very little lighting and construction.
Grace Byers
02:46 09 Aug 24
Our tour guide was Brook and she was wonderful! Would definitely request her if I ever visit again. We were the only tour group so it was a much more intimate tour where I felt comfortable asking as many questions as I wanted. I definitely recommend coming on a week day when it’s less crowded for that experience.
Olivia Poudrier
02:07 09 Aug 24
Al, Becca, and Knox gave us the most amazing tour. Becca has such an amiable, welcoming personality that we were easily convinced to join them on a guided tour - even tho we originally planned to just run through the museum. I could not be more content with our decision and the hospitality of these tour guides. Throughout our walk, Al recited funny and engaging stories about his adventures traversing the deepest, darkest depths of the mud laden holes. Knox came in absolutely struggling from the stairs of the tour she just gave, but apparently was eager to struggle again. I could not recommend these tour guides more, and definitely recommend requesting one of them on your trip out here. You can tell they are all very passionate about the health of the cave and about educating people on its history and the ever-changing landscape. They are such a tight-knit work family that bring such positive energy. And of course the cave was absolutely breath taking.
David Best
22:43 08 Aug 24
This is most likely my favorite first stop when touring my first time to Kentucky guests. The staff are well trained and wonderful people.
Rob Salas
21:21 08 Aug 24
Max is a very experienced and knowledgeable young man. Best underground cave tour EVER!!! Highly recommend it.
Ryan King
14:19 08 Aug 24
Our tour guide was fantasticKnowledgeable and personableHe made the experience that much more enjoyable
Christian Giggy
00:11 08 Aug 24
Great tour with a lot of really cool information. Nox was a fantastic tour guide who was able to answer all my questions and had great energy. Definitely recommend checking this tour out
Christopher Ryan Poll
01:36 06 Aug 24
This afternoon we had the bestest tour of the Horse Caves aka the Hidden River Caves. Al, our guide, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun, and overall great. The stories he told, the knowledge he shared, and the all overall vibe he portrayed was outstanding. The caves and underground domes were super cool, and the suspension bridge was an added treat...and I don't even like heights. Win win. 10 out of 10, I would do it again. Thanks Al, you're my hero.
Kenny Anton
13:59 04 Aug 24
We were in town visiting Mammoth caves National park. During one of our down days, a time when our kids were at the hotel resting for a bit, my wife and I ventured out to the city of Horse Cave just to have a look around the historic district.We really didn’t see much of interest to us in the shops and restaurants/sweet shops downtown but we weren’t ready to go back to the hotel just yet. On our way back to the car, one of the guides for the cave in the town (Hidden River Cave) saw me looking at the amazing entrance and suggested we check it out. We went in just to ask about the price (service members get in free by the way), and almost immediately were signed up and ready to go on the tour.I won’t expound on the details of the tour (you should take it, it’s amazing!). I WILL tell you about the tour guide we had. His name is Al. He has a passion like no other for giving these tours because cave exploration is also his love. He was the perfect blend of hilarious and informative.I would highly recommend taking this off the beaten path cave tour.
Jennifer White
13:33 04 Aug 24
My husband and I did the cave tour on Friday and loved it! Brooklyn was our tour guide and she was awesome!
Savana Weitkuhn
12:59 04 Aug 24
This was a great, informative tour! We just walked in, didn’t buy tickets before hand, and they had room on the next tour that was leaving 5 minutes after we bought the tickets, it was very convenient for us, no waiting. Our tour guild Jay was full of a lot of fun facts and did a great job. It’s very nice that pretty much the entire tour is paved.
tj fisher
03:03 04 Aug 24
Amazing tour. AL was awesome. Very cool history. Very nice staff. They sweeped us right into the group.
Garon Hylian
00:29 04 Aug 24
Ontrail tour was amazing! Nox was super informative and so helpful with everyones questions!
Tami Jean
14:29 03 Aug 24
I’m sorry, I’m horrible at names. But our tour guide said if he was horrible to leave a review, well, he was just the opposite!! I do remember he just started, had longer hair, and was 18. My boyfriend and I were thoroughly impressed with his knowledge and shared joy of the caves. It was amazing!!! So glad we found this hidden gem.
Nathan Bassutti
14:59 02 Aug 24
We had a great tour at Hidden River Cave! Our tour guide Maddox was very knowledgeable and good sense of humour! I would recommend going this cave hike we did it with our 5 and 6 year olds who really enjoyed it!
Sam M
03:36 01 Aug 24
Thinking about stopping?? DO IT!! WILL MOT REGRET! Dog friendly too! My Husky LOVED it!! Especially on a hot day she stayed cool!Definitely the cave system you want to experience if you have to pick hands down!! ((Also museum & crystal shop!!)) Staff were very friendly and our guide was phenomenal!! Max is very well educated and super informative!! I learned lots of fascinating facts about these beautiful cave structures. Along with asked many questions that he was able to answer! I really enjoyed the beauty and unique structure. I learned that there are 121 different species living in the caves. We got to see a couple which was pretty cool!! Just WOW how magnificent the structure of the ceilings of the caves are. DEFINITELY one to experience and you’ll be glad you did! Also, prices were very reasonable. Quite a few hidden gems in the gift shop! Also appreciated that the staff knew the different types of crystals! One of my biggest takeaways I would say would definitely be remembering to be mindful of what you’re putting on the Earth. As in dumping out soda on the ground because it seeps underground, and that can affect the rock sediment / structure of our underground. There were a few spots of the cave that were black that encountered so much pollution. So that was interesting to become aware of. All in all an exquisite, beautiful, scenic journey that was also informative & super fun!!
Shannon Burgio
02:07 01 Aug 24
Such an amazing experience! Loved the tour of the cave as well as the history of the city! A must see!
Francer
16:32 30 Jul 24
Really cool cave with an amazing museum. There were some of the cave fish featured in the lower level of the museum.
Ashley Hostetter
23:25 29 Jul 24
Beth, our guide, was so friendly, knowledgable, and even above-and-beyond helpful when one of our tour members dropped some items (stepping onto the more dangerous areas of the cave to help retrieve those items for her). This cave is so aptly named as it is a truly hidden gem and I strongly suggest that anyone who likes caves check it out! Not only does it just seem to come out of nowhere considering how much the town was built up around it, but also because it doesn't disappoint on it's views - and that suspension bridge was a very unique and fun experience! Try whistling in the Sunset Dome at the end - the echo is awesome!!
Doreen Scherbring
16:42 29 Jul 24
Dylan was our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the cave system and the ongoing efforts to keep the cave clean of outside pollution. Very cool cave in the center of town.
Sara Kurth
16:48 28 Jul 24
Al was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Would highly recommend this tour! The swinging bridge was a bit of an adrenaline rush for me, but overall fun.
Tim Durbin
15:51 28 Jul 24
Had a great guide, Al. He was knowledgeable, thorough and funny. Took our grandchildren (ages 9,12) and they loved it. My only concern was there was no mention of how strenuous it was. While most of tour was fairly tame ( watch step, watch head) there was a lot ( not sure how many but maybe 100) steps down, since was an out and back journey, 100 steps out. Very strenuous for 68 year old! Did it, glad I did but I feel I am in good shape so be aware if steps are issue.
Ilona Laky
04:24 28 Jul 24
You should absolutely check this place out!We stumbled onto this cave while exploring around Cave City and we both agreed it was the best part of our trip - even cooler than Mammoth cave and that was super cool. Not only is the entrance like walking into the tropics with lush greenery everywhere, you can actually touch the cave! The museum and shop are also very interesting and have a wide variety of souvenirs.But we also agreed that the best part was our tour guide, Al. He brought so much personality to the tour. It didn't feel canned like the same exact speeches he gives everyone and he taught us so much about the cave. 10/10 would recommend.
Leslie Hall
01:06 28 Jul 24
We arrived without reservations today (a Saturday) and were warmly greeted upon entering gift shop. We were able to buy tickets for the next tour starting in 20 minutes - and were pleasantly surprised by military discount!Our guide was Dylan, very knowledgeable and laid back, he didn’t rush anyone and encouraged questions which he easily answered.The cave and river were just beautiful and awe inspiring to a newbie. Be sure to wear good shoes that you won’t mind getting dirty, the steps can get slippery. Also, the climb out is no joke, but you are never rushed so rest as needed. This was a 10/10 experience for us, followed by the burger voted ‘the best in Kentucky’ at 5 Broke Girls just down Main Street!
jason herrmann
00:57 28 Jul 24
I loved the smaller, more personal experience. Al was great, front staff was great. 5 Broke Girls was also great!
Lalo Castillo
23:41 27 Jul 24
Nice cave tour in Kentucky. The staff was SUPER friendly with great tour guides and very informative. I’d would recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.
Christopher S.
21:32 27 Jul 24
Great cave, not many formations, but an amazing decent and great rooms. It's one of the better ones in the area. It also has an interesting museum as part of the admission.
Carol Christmas
03:21 26 Jul 24
We came to the area on a lark and stumbled upon a massive cave just sitting in the middle of town! We took a guided tour of the cave with Al who was a fantastic ambassador for the area. We had so much fun on the tour with him. I’ve read about underground rivers in books and now I got to see one! 10/10 donuts for Al and Hidden River cave. If you’re in the area you’ve got to check it out.
Octavia Mendez
22:04 25 Jul 24
Al, Brooklyn, and Jay were amazing! Not only was this tour very informative it was very fun for all ages! Al was our tour guide and it was amazing to learn a little about his life and the town that sits right on top of the cave system. This was on our bucket list and so worth it!! Must go!!
Teresa Queen
22:08 24 Jul 24
Very interesting cave, tour guide was nice but tend to talk about everything but the cave. They allow guests to touch and disturb cave items which isn't good.Worth the trip though. Great little museum and town.
Donayle Watson
18:54 24 Jul 24
Dillon did a great job on our tour. Extremely knowledgeable and didn't rush to get the tour done.
carli ramage
01:21 24 Jul 24
Legit better than Mammoth cave! Brooklyn was our tour guide and she was awesome. This was a much more intimate tour so we were able to ask questions the whole time, stop to take pictures whenever and not feel like we were being rushed. 10/10 would recommend!!!
Emma Adams
21:18 23 Jul 24
Maddox (max) was the best guide very informative and never failed to answer any questions you could come up with ! Knows a lot of the history and science of the caves. 10/10 would go and see again the entrance alone is worth it !
Kayla Esterley
01:37 23 Jul 24
For a last minute decision to stop by for my birthday, I am glad we did(even if it made me realize how out of shape I am🤣) .Al, our tour guide was amazing, very knowledgeable, and made it interesting not just for the adults, but the kids as well. Thank you!
leilani bowersock
12:59 22 Jul 24
Hidden River Cave is spectacular- been there twice. The domes in itself make this cave unique! The history and restoration of this cave is to be commended! Excellent destination!
Mike Lewis
20:21 21 Jul 24
Great cave tour! Beth was our tour guide and did a fantastic job. The cave was very interesting!
Doug Crosbie
23:36 19 Jul 24
First time ever in a cave! Did NOT disappoint! Max was an absolutely awesome tour guide. Would come back for sure. Highly recommend
Jon Hendricks
21:07 19 Jul 24
First off even the store front is beautiful! Max was our guide and he did a great job. He touched on some great historical facts about the location and everything about the cave. Will definitely be back!
Kim Simpson
21:01 19 Jul 24
Liam was an excellent guide. The stairs are with the sights and experiences you get in the cave. The last dome will take your breath away. Do wear good shoes and take your time climbing the stairs. The museum is perfectly paired with the science and history of tte cave. We loved it so much we want to bring our students back.
Jacque Smith
13:00 19 Jul 24
This was one of many cave tours that we took while in Kentucky. I would also rate it in my top 5. Al our tour guide was awesome and energetic, he definitely made the tour the best it could be. It was cool to see the domes and hear about the history. Amazing that this cave is right under the town only 45-65 feet from the roads! We waited 45 minutes for our tour to start but occupied our time in the museum.
Patty Wincek
22:37 18 Jul 24
My husband, our two dogs and I went to Hidden River Cave this morning for a tour. Tours run every hour, on the hour. There is a wonderful gift shop and the American Cave Museum to help pass the time until the tour begins. The cave experience was very interesting and our guide, Cole, was great. Our dogs didn't want to cross the suspension bridge, so we were able to backtrack our route and end our tour. The rest of our tour group was able to continue on. The people who work there are kind and informative. I recommend Hidden River Cave. Be certain you are physically fit as there are a lot of stairs, slick pathways, and the sound of rushing water. If you are claustrophobic you may get a bit jittery at times. I say, GO!
Wendy Aragon
17:10 18 Jul 24
Nox was INCREDIBLE!!! I have a special needs adult din that can sometimes be a bit to handle, she was friendly and patient and fun to be around!
Frances Davis
02:23 18 Jul 24
Maddox was an excellent tour guide! He was very knowledgeable, friendly, made everyone feel safe, and was extremely hospitable. He gave a detailed account of historic facts and events that impacted the cave and its ecology. He was very adept at our answering questions. Would highly recommend.
Ren Bay
02:22 18 Jul 24
Great tour and friendly staff! Our tour guide Maddox was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic about cave conservation.
Kathy Spies
01:42 18 Jul 24
I was extremely pleased with this whole experience. I thought it would just be a little cave and maybe a "tourist trap" and it ended up being absolutely great. Our guide Al was fantastic! I can't say enough good things about him! He was personable, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Went above and beyond, even showing my granddaughter and her friend some fossils and giving them a couple of rocks as a gift! Excellent!
Lynn Carroll
00:01 18 Jul 24
We took the 3pm tour with Maddox. He was knowledgeable about the history of the cave and answered our many questions. We loved it!
Bobbi Jo Holtz
01:27 17 Jul 24
We didn't get a chance to tour the cave but the museum & store were nice.
Purified Poison
19:52 16 Jul 24
My fiancé and I explored the cave today. It was so beautiful, and the sound of the river underneath us was so loud. My favorite part was the bridge. What a surreal experience. I would 10000% do it again!
Brandon New
19:20 16 Jul 24
A great adventure! A lot of steps but VERY worth it. A very relaxed touring experience. Nox, our guide, was knowledgeable and witty in the cave.
Shelsea Vera
18:09 16 Jul 24
I loved the tour, Justin Wilson was an awesome tour guide, successfully answered all of our questions and was amazing at explaining, very funny and cute also :3 definitely coming back here
Julie Irvine
01:33 16 Jul 24
Max was a great guide. He is knowledgeable, friendly and overall we thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him. Hidden River cave is now my favorite of the caves I’ve been in. We definitely recommend visiting!
Aimee Rosser
23:06 15 Jul 24
Beautiful cave and wonderful experience! I LOVED that I was able to bring my pup on this tour with me! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Annie Godbey
21:00 15 Jul 24
Our guide Al was so knowledgeable and had great stories. This was such a nice little stop.
sweet dumpling
15:56 15 Jul 24
my fiancé and i decided to take a road trip to lexington kentucky for the 4th of july weekend. we ended up at horse cave since mammoth cave was all booked up. our tourist, Al, did an amazing job explaining all of the history behind the caves features. he made the tour fun and a trip to remember. there were quite a few slippery stairs so be mindful and bring some shoes u don't mind getting a little dirty. unfortunately the tour only lasted about 30-40 min. u have to walk back the same way u came in. but besides that, the only biggest complaint we had were all the people! it was an insane amount. i'm assuming anywhere from 15-20 people in this group. it was so crowded u were bumping into everyone. i wouldn't recommend bringing ur dog here since their paws get stepped on from all the people and there are some slippery stairs. whenever we landed on the wooden platforms, not everyone could fit on it, so this meant lack of seeing some of the cave features our tour guide would explain the history of. the people in our group smelt horrible! nothing but body odor. besides the people lol, the cave was a quick but fun tour if ur in a time pinch or last minute type.
MrObeast44
02:38 15 Jul 24
decided to stop in saw the sign on the way to Nashville had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes (tours go out on the hour btw) in the mean time they have a lovely mueasum and giftshop once the tour started i was greeted by a young man named Cole he lead us down into the cave ( its crazy how its in the middle of town) but overall the tour was enjoayble the cave was beautiful the domes where crazy and the tour guide answered all the questions even the weird ones i asked i HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOUR tho fair warning there are 650!!!!!!! stairs !!!!!!!!!!!
Alina Pontynen Luce
01:18 15 Jul 24
Short tour, rude guide. He was too young to be so salty and old enough to know better than to be that unprofessional. Half the talk was about how he ran everything at the place, and the other half trash talked the city of Horse Cave, the National Park Service, historic residents, and pretty much any other entity he could think of. Not to mention swearing repeatedly in front of a whole group of 10+ small children, a few of which he made cry by amping up their fears of heights/dark/rockfall. All of this was after he could drag himself away from the aggressive PDA with his partner behind the counter at the check in counter. (Ginger, long hair)Cave is cool, full of a lot of historical trash, but the domes are big. I wish you better luck with a guide.
Patrick Benasutti
17:48 13 Jul 24
Staff was great; cave entrance is steep and our 10 year old was freaked out. They were very compassionate and refunded us. They have good AC and a nice museum and store. Will go again when the kid can handle it.
Christine Hanshaw
16:52 13 Jul 24
We’ve been to lots of cave tours in the area and they are all unique. We enjoyed the Hidden River Cave very much. We had a great guide who gave us a lot of history of the cave and the town. I definitely recommend this tour, but be advised there are a LOT of steps!
Conan Dallman
02:15 13 Jul 24
We had a great time and learned a lot of the history of this cave system. Our tour guide, Al, did an awesome job. Being a caver himself, you could hear the passion and enthusiasm in his voice during the tour. We even went across the street afterwards to eat a sandwich named after him. LOL. We'll be back explore the left side of the cave (the one without a path) with Al soon.
Marsha Pierce
22:25 12 Jul 24
Excellent Off-Trail Adventure tour! Knee pads are a must and gloves recommended. Must be reasonably physically fit for 3-4 hours of crawling, army crawling, sliding, and climbing through beautiful parts of Hidden River Caves. It is challenging and all of us fell at least once, me more while traversing the cave. It was my favorite adventure of our BSA troop’s activities this week. Brooke was our tour guide and was fabulous! Would 💯% recommend.
Diane Deleo
00:47 11 Jul 24
The was the best tour ever! We showed up at the end of the day frustrated with the overwhelming national park reservations and saw online this place didn't need reservations. We ended up being the only people on the tour..we felt like ROYALTY! Our tour guide Max was super knowledgeable and engaging. He catered to our every question and showed us some amazing things! This is a super cool cave with a hanging bridge and gorgeous sunset dome. So much to see and super cool history. Thanks to Max for making it the best tour ever. He really catered to my 10 year old too and listened intently...even gave him some cool gems a the end and showed us fossils!
Jesse Shuttler
08:45 10 Jul 24
Had a great time here. Awesome staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. Best cave tour around.
John Z.
02:41 10 Jul 24
We found Hidden Cave after learning that we were unable to visit Mammoth Cave National Park due to tours being sold out. Hidden Cave’s reviews were all positive so we checked it out and it did not disappoint. The staff was all extremely friendly and fun and the cave was incredible! I highly recommend visiting Hidden Cave for the “hidden treasure” it is.
Robin K
01:19 10 Jul 24
We had a fantastic time on our tour. Dylan, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer anything he was asked, even found witty answers to silly questions from the kids. The river, swinging bridge, and sunset dome was all really cool features of this cave.
Hannah Garrett
01:11 10 Jul 24
Definitely an experience. You wouldn't expect to see a cave in town like this but it's "hidden" First time here. The establishment was clean and staff very friendly and polite. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the cave. There is a lot of steps but was worth it. The dome was beautiful and the walking bridge was so neat, the water sounds beautiful inside this cave. The history is cool and the museum shoed lots of history too. We did not purchase tickets online, we came inside to purchase and the tours were every hour. We had just missed one so had about a 50 minute wait but it went by quickly walking around the museum.
Jess Kolp
21:50 09 Jul 24
We had Dillion as our tour guide and he was phenomenal! He made the whole tour very personalized and made sure everyone on the tour understood and saw everything in the cave! Highly recommend, fun for all ages!
Stuart Hamilton
22:57 08 Jul 24
We really enjoyed our visit here! Our tour guide, Max, was wonderful. The tour was just long enough for younger kids without being overwhelming (although the steps back up to the top were challenging for us parents!) This is definitely a good cave for people who tend to feel claustrophobic as there are mostly wide open spaces. Our oldest children did the repelling which was so much fun over the mouth of the cave! The instructors were patient and kind with the boys, so they had a great time! I cannot say enough about the staff. The gift shop also had extremely reasonably priced keepsakes which made purchasing a little something for each kid attainable. I certainly recommend this to others as it seems like a great mini adventure for families or a group of friends.
Nicole C
22:54 08 Jul 24
This cave tour was awesome! Jay was extremely knowledgeable about the cave & his personality was perfect for leading a group! We saw “pet friendly” and were skeptical but our 3 dogs did fantastic - only 1 refused to walk across the suspension bridge & needed to be carried. The free entrance for active duty military is much appreciated.We were stoked to see they offered rappelling because it wasn’t on their website so drove back to our VRBO to put the dogs in a safe place before returning: although the repelling spot was really awesome, it wasn’t worth the trip back as it was literally only 1 rappel. Cave tour was awesome though! Cave tour - ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rappelling - ⭐️⭐️
John Vitas
13:34 07 Jul 24
Very friendly staff!! Cave was flooded but they compensated with free tours to the entrance, loved the little museum too!
Aidan Buie
19:34 06 Jul 24
I went here on a spur of the moment decison with my family and it was really awesome! We got there pretty early since the tours are every house, but the wait wasn't too bad since they have a cool gift shop plus the museum that you can look around in before and/or after the tour. As for the tour itself, it was really cool, our tour guide Maddox was fun, knew what he was talking about, and was clearly very passionate about the cave and conserving it. The cave has a rushing river going through the bottom of it, and is very spacious so it is safe for claustrophobic people. My disabled (not wheelchair bound) mother was even able to do the tour, it is about 650 steps total but most are at the entrance and there are frequent breaks between them as to make it pretty manageable. The cave was a really cool site and not like any other cave tour you'll be on, since this place is much more focused on keeping the cave as natural as possible instead of commercializing it. Overall, I definitely recommend to anyone in the area, especially tourists visiting the mammoth cave area, as this is definitely something unique and you don't want to miss it!
Melody Purnell
19:31 06 Jul 24
We had an emergency come up, hurricane Beryl, and we live where it’s coming so had to cut our trip short including missing this tour. The lady I spoke with was so nice and let us have a credit or refund when she didn’t have to. We will be back to go here and thank you for having a nice business manner. We weren’t so lucky on our camp site leaving a day early. They said maybe if they were able to rent it. Prob won’t go back there.
Shelly Cornelius
15:14 06 Jul 24
The tour guide, Maddox, was excellent. A+. Interesting cave with a unique history.
Joanne Jants (Floridana)
01:52 06 Jul 24
We discovered this cave because Mammoth Cave was booked up and no reservations could be made. We were glad Hidden River Cave was available and thoroughly enjoyed the tour, especially crossing the swinging bridge-it survived our 11 year old Grandson! The geology was interesting but the hydrologic evidence of water flow and silt deposition patterns during floods was most fascinating. The guide was informative and had a good sense of humor. But one essential question remains unresolved: Was the Dr. James Crow who studied potassium nitrate mining in Kentucky caves the same Dr James Crow who developed Old Crow Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey?
Shan Devis
22:27 05 Jul 24
The cave was slick, we had to walk through standing water, the steps were slick very dangerous. The tour does not specify the level of intensity of this tour. The tour guide did not care if you kept up and just let us leave the group and make our way out alone. Think twice before you take this tour.
Sommer Palmer
16:09 04 Jul 24
Amazing views and friendly staff. If you are scared of heights, this place is not for you. The suspension bridge is cool but if you don't like heights, you will not enjoy that part. There are over 600 steps to get through the tour so not perfect for anyone that has troubles with that. I did not see a single person (young or old) that wasn't exhausted by the time they made it back up. Overall fun place but be aware of the things that might be difficult before you go.
Leah Willis
02:13 04 Jul 24
This place is a hidden gem, very interesting history. Dylan was our tour guide, he was great! Encouraged us to ask questions, which we did and was very knowledges about the cave and the town ect. Definetly worth your time, the ceilings and open cave rooms are awesome, not to mention that 100 ft suspension bridge! Fair warning, it is somewhat strenuous so far as the stairs are concerned,( there are literally hundreds), but he allowed us to take our time coming and going, and i never felt rushed.
I Cappelle
11:37 03 Jul 24
Dylan was informative and friendly making this tour everything we wanted! Hidden River Cave is a hidden GEM! If you haven't done caves yet or have little ones that you're unsure how they'll react to being under ground, this is the cave for you!
Jessi Shipley
21:09 02 Jul 24
The off the trail tour was incredible! Our tour guide was funny and considerate to everyone’s pace needs. Its absolutely worth doing if you can!
Justin Sharp
15:04 01 Jul 24
Awesome little cave. Our tour guide, Dylan, did an amazing job. I loved his demeanor and how he presented information. He wasn't overly excited like some tour guides tend to be, just informative and chill. The stairs in and out of the cave were a steep climb, but it was worth it.
Danielle Flara
14:03 01 Jul 24
My daughters and I absolutely loved the tour. It was an incredible experience. Their jaws dropped as soon as they saw the entrance to the cave. It was very educational and fun!
Julie Wallace
14:41 30 Jun 24
We've been here twice. Great place to explore history of the local caves before you head out to the cave tour. Cave your is awesome. You cross a long suspension bridge and hear about historical impact of the cave on the town.
Sheri Barber-Valentine
21:51 29 Jun 24
This was an amazing tour. Our guide, Korey, was so knowledgeable, engaging, patient and enthusiastic! We highly recommend this tour and Korey as your guide.
Jennifer Sutton
17:03 29 Jun 24
Our tour guide, Dylan, was knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. The rest of the staff was also very helpful and kind. The cave itself is beautiful, especially Sunset Dome. Thank you so much for an enjoyable experience!
Heather Eldridge
02:03 29 Jun 24
Went to Hidden River Cave today and it was a fun experience! Some of the stairs were a bit steep so caution definitely advised to those having trouble with stairs. Otherwise it was a very interesting cave to be shown through. Our tour guide, Maddox, was very informative and made the tour fun! Everyone working was very friendly and helpful. Would recommend to any cave enthusiast.
Evan Kelsey
15:52 28 Jun 24
The tour was a lot of fun and really interesting. The tour guide Brooklyn told us all about the history of the cave and how the tours started. I would highly recommend this tour.
Stephanie Stockman
13:35 27 Jun 24
Nox was our guide and the sweetest person ever!!! I am terrified of heights and she was my biggest cheerleader the whole way. The little jokes she told and knowledge of the cave made the whole experience fun.
Angel Holt
01:38 27 Jun 24
Our guide was great. He was knowledgeable and really knew the history of the cave. We all enjoyed the tour( ages 9, 20, and 40s). Even saw a cave salamander.
Debbie Reno
00:32 27 Jun 24
The cave itself was amazing, but our tour guide made the experience educational and entertaining. We have toured other caves, but we can’t remember any of our tour guides. But we will not forget Al. He was meant for this job!!Thank you, Al. My husband and I hope others read this review and ask for you as their tour guide to this amazing cave.
Cesar Rodriguez
22:35 26 Jun 24
Nox gave a great tour of the Hidden River Cave. They were very knowledgeable!
Martha Castro
16:59 26 Jun 24
Must visit if visiting KYWe did the tour, is short compared to others but the beauty of this cave is breath taking. Its a must if you in the area! Great tour guide too!
Holly Murray
00:16 26 Jun 24
Very cool cave experience. Max was a great guide!! S lot of stairs, not for the weak, but worth it.
Dan bennett
23:14 25 Jun 24
What a great experience. Our tour guide Nox, who admitted that she was still new to guiding tours, was great. Her knowledge of the cave was very good. She was very comfortable talking to the group. The tour we did had 650 stairs total so if you do this tour, you need to be able to climb stairs without difficulty. Highly recommend and would do again.
Melody Mohaupt
20:21 25 Jun 24
We stopped in today on a whim while in the area and this was by far the highlight of our day as a family!!!! Can’t recommend this tour enough. The cave is so cool and the guides Al & Cole were more than knowledgeable. They were also great with my kids who had a million questions. Only recommendation I have is to add a space for tipping on the card machine or have a Venmo. We were here on a whim and didn’t have cash for tipping. Great place though! A must experience!
Julia huff
14:30 25 Jun 24
River Cave was a fun and informative tour. We had a little bit of time before our tour started so we went in the museum and read about the history of the cave. Max was our tour guide and did a very good job. He told us about the history of the cave and what the future may look like for the cave. He was an excellent guide and took his time and answered all of our questions. I thought the stairs might be an issue but Max told us to take our time and I made it up them with no problem!
Aaron Bagwell
00:07 25 Jun 24
Had Dylan as our tour guide today. Was a really cool and nice guy very informative and me and my wife really enjoyed the cave
Amanda Russell
20:21 24 Jun 24
Small town but great find. Max was our tour guide he was great. Definitly worth the stop, one of the best caves I've seen
Morgan K
18:29 23 Jun 24
Our family had a wonderful time at Hidden River Cave! Our 4 year old had the time of his life and our 7 year old said the domes were amazing! Liam, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, answered questions well, and put up with our kids questions and statements along the way. He was great and we would definitely go back again!PS: I put no wait time, because the tour times are stated on the website. If you follow the times on the website, your wait time will depend on how early you show up!
Parker Owens
17:57 22 Jun 24
It was great and fun. It took bit to get in because i got there early. The place was beautiful and our guide was funny and informative. The cave was delightful and historical. The actual museum was short but it takes time off your wait and gives you a way to learn more than what is said on the tour. Overall this place was great and is a must-see for anyone in the area.
Henry Williams
22:27 20 Jun 24
Very knowledgeable staff and with a group with a wide age and physical ability very easy going and made sure no one felt bad about going slow or asking any question that came to mind. Very fun and beautiful walk and story telling. Nox was very knowledgeable great tour guide
Paul Rhoads
18:28 20 Jun 24
Maddux/Max was a great guide. We made this stop after visiting Mammoth and doing their self guided tour. We both liked this one more. Glad we saw the sign and stopped. Thanks Max!
Lisa Conklin
02:27 20 Jun 24
Amazing tour guide, stunning cave entrance, very interesting and informative tour with a wickedly cool suspension bridge! The stairs are a bit of a downer though, but the rest of the tour more than makes up for them! I'd go back again and again to see this beautiful cave and hang out with the fantastic guides!!
Maranda Stoner
19:30 19 Jun 24
Big thanks to Maddox, for answering all the kids questions, and for their treasures. Beautiful cave, love the sound of the river running thru the cave.
Beth P
14:18 19 Jun 24
This was an awesome tour and Al was a fantastic guide. Loved the water/river flowing throughout the cave. A unique cave experience that highly recommend.
Joe A
00:06 19 Jun 24
cool place to visit, the cave is in the middle of town hidden below the buildings....so if you come here to visit and end up in the middle of town your in the right place.
Hinkel
00:10 18 Jun 24
Our tour guide was Dylan. He was very good, to say the least! The cave was really interesting, especially the suspension bridge, which is the world's longest swinging underground suspension bridge! The stairs going back up (to exit) were the freakin' devil! Lol. But, I am extremely out of shape!
Christie Zendzian
00:09 18 Jun 24
wow what a great experience. our guide wasvery knowledgeable and the cave itself isunbelievable. definitely recommend a stophere if your in the area. you will be amazedand transpired by this downtown cave and thesurrounding history.
Grace Hacker
18:28 17 Jun 24
Such an amazing cave! I love hiking through caves and this was one of .t favorirs.
emily creverling
00:20 17 Jun 24
We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the cave today. Our tour guide, Max, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The suspension bridge inside the cave added much fun to the tour! This cave is definitely worth a visit! 😊
nathan hacker
00:04 17 Jun 24
I've been on a road trip, and when I saw the billboard showed this, I immediately had to head that way with the family. Great experience, bring a flashlight, comfortable shoes, and flashlight
Janet McDuffie
15:34 16 Jun 24
Very neat, Dylan was a Awesome tour guide. Lots of cool facts about this cave.
Kyle Sloan
02:11 16 Jun 24
This place is cool. The cave is in the middle of town. You will have to try out the suspension walking bridge. It's a fun tour.
Jennifer Haralson
23:45 15 Jun 24
Brooklyn was a fun & knowledgeable guide. She answered ALL the questions of our group and there were a lot. Even a couple of curious kiddos didn't phase her.The cave is large & beautiful. Lots of formations, especially domes. There is a river running through it, and the noise is so soothing.There are lots of stairs down to start and lots if stairs up to end.The cave entrance also has a small museum and education exhibit.
Cheryl Goodson
14:21 11 Jun 24
This cave was very interesting and we learned so much about the cave by our tour guide. We enjoyed it immensely. Highly recommend if you’re in the area.
Jason Scholten
14:09 11 Jun 24
Guide was very knowledgeable and was great with answering our son's million questions
Joy Lewis
11:36 10 Jun 24
Great little adventure with the family! Large cave in the middle of town - a lot of conservation and expansion in the works - longest underground swinging bridge - interesting history - great tour guide
Mike and Jen Linn
20:12 09 Jun 24
This was our seventh and final tour in the Mammoth Cave area and this tour was still awesome and amazing. Beth did a great job explaining some of the history stuff. The domes in this cave are the biggest and most colorful anywhere. Highly recommend Hidden River Cave!
Shana Smith
21:33 08 Jun 24
Just finished a tour with Liam. Very informative. We would highly recommend the tour!
Tonya Rivera
19:52 08 Jun 24
Really fun and informative tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and upbeat. Hit up Two Bird Cafe after the tour.
Colleen Haw
16:16 08 Jun 24
This was such an amazing tour! Our tour guide, Liam, was very knowledgeable and I learned so much! I’m definitely planning on visiting again.
Suzanne Fraser
11:11 08 Jun 24
We enjoyed our tour of the Hidden River Cave. It was different than other caves we had visited, but equally impressive. Learning it's history was very interesting, and our tour guide was very good, knowledgeable, and he did not rush us up stairs, but let us pace ourselves. The sound of the water was amazing, and the domes were absolutely beautiful.
Gary McAlister
21:49 04 Jun 24
Great informative tour by Maddox. Love the history about the cave being one of the dirtiest to one of the cleanest due to the work of American Conservation Association.
Melissa Walther
21:34 04 Jun 24
This is truly a dog friendly cave tour! Our guide was very informative about the interesting history of the cave and passionate about the cave area of Kentucky. We had a great time!
Lia Bovinet
01:46 03 Jun 24
Cole did great! he looked out for our safety, he was funny, & informative. We had so much fun & it was such an interactive experience
Loree Mendoza
18:27 02 Jun 24
Max was a fantastic guide and offered so many interesting facts about the cave system. We had an eclectic group and he was patient with everyone and did a great job! The caves are beautiful and some lady kept mentioning how beautiful they were the entire time. 😂 The bridge is awesome and so much fun! All in all, it is absolutely worth the trip! Come visit! You won’t regret it! 💗 From Texas
Breanna Schultz
22:47 01 Jun 24
One of several cave tours we completed while staying in the area. This cave was very unique and really stands out. Four giant domes in a row AND the longest underground suspension bridge!! Our tour guide Max was very friendly, informative, and patient with all the questions. Highly recommend checking this cave out for something different. The cave museum was also super interesting but not so much for my seven year old, so we didn’t stay long. At the end my son even got to pick out some gemstones from the treasure box (included in his ticket price)!
LaKota Sells
17:57 01 Jun 24
My whole family enjoyed stopping at this destination on our travels, even our dog! The cave was amazing and the tour guide was great! Bonus, we also found many gift shop treasures.
Erica Bibbey
00:29 26 May 24
This was a great cave! Beautiful entrance and very interesting. The guide was very nice and provided a lot of details about the history of the area. If you're in River City Kentucky this is a must see!
Julia Stasso
19:53 23 May 24
REQUEST AL TO DO YOUR TOUR!!! Upon reading other reviews that raved about Al, we requested he did our tour because he was there. It was absolutely the right choice, he was friendly, informative, funny, knowledgeable and willing to answer any question you may have. You can tell he truly loves what he does. The cave was exciting and interesting, I’d recommend wearing shoes you don’t care tooooo much about as it can get muddy.
Karen Carver
18:21 23 May 24
Al was a great tour guide, lots of information and thoughtful about photos. I was even able to bring my little dog on the tour. Absolutely fantastic.
Donna Davis
17:04 22 May 24
Very cool place 👍 worth every step! Al was a great guide. Very interesting
Perry Champagne
12:49 21 May 24
The tour group is smaller than Mammoth Cave tours, this enjoyable. The tour is shorter than Mammoth Cave. The underground suspension bridge is a new experience.
Billy B
01:19 21 May 24
had a great time on this tour! Our guide Maddox was great- knowledgable with answering questions while also making it fun and comfortable for the entire group to enjoy the cave’s awesome sights
Amber Winkler
16:34 20 May 24
Our tour guide Brooklyn did a great job at giving us information about the cave, the shops around, and the location in general. The crew there seems close and makes it like a family feeling. The cave is an amazing site to see for sure a must see!
Victoria gill
13:05 20 May 24
Al was a great guide. Very informative. Answered any questions the group had. Would definitely recommend.
Robert Lipe
22:08 18 May 24
Pretty amazing. Helpful guideNifty to learn the history and to walk the world's largest suspension bridge on the way to the final dome, pictured here.
Allie Wheat
12:37 18 May 24
I can’t say enough how impressed I was with this place. The lobby, bathrooms, and museum were so clean and well kept. Upon entering the staff went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. And the tour didn’t disappoint either!! Our guide was Al, he has an infectious passion for all things cave. He was extremely knowledgeable and encouraged questions, it was very refreshing. I booked this tour hoping my children would be entertained but I left wanting to know more about caves and the history of the area.
Jared Gittemeier
01:09 18 May 24
We did an early tour on a rainy day and Brooklyn made the tour so fun. She was a great guide and the cave is an amazing sight to see.
Michael and Jenna
19:12 17 May 24
We have been to numerous caves and this one was special. The short journey down to the mouth of the cave is breathtaking. The cave had recently flooded and still had high waters which made the walk through pretty neat. Awesome suspension bridge and the climb up to view beautiful ceiling domes. Our tour guide, Koree was an excellent guide! She was very knowledgeable, friendly and gave us time to take in our surroundings. This is a must see cave tour!
BELL VAN
17:17 16 May 24
It was so much fun I recommend it for the a field trip there was a lot of great sites just bring some shoes to get dirty. Overall I highly recommend this place.
Idun Guenther
21:14 13 May 24
This was a great cave to visit. Dylan was our tour guide and he was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Overall a great place to go to see the unique features this cave has compared to Mammoth, Onyx and other caves in this area!
Maureen Perri
16:03 09 May 24
Awesome experience at Hidden River Cave. Everyone who worked there was friendly and polite. Al was very helpful when purchasing tickets.Koree was a great guide, her enthusiasm and knowledge of the cave made it a wonderful adventure.I highly recommend putting it on your bucket list!
Evan Zaretsky
19:10 08 May 24
Amazing cave in a small seemingly insignificant town. You'd never guess from the surface at the awesomeness below! Staff are very pleasant and informative
Birdie Master
08:32 05 May 24
Really enjoyed the 1 hour guided cave tour. It was truly unique. The suspension bridge was awesome.
KELP Monkey
21:33 04 May 24
Educational and slow paced tour of the cave. The walk wasn't bad and the staff were all very kind and excited to talk about the cave.
Logan Nowlin
23:58 03 May 24
Jay is fantastic. Clear passion for what he does. Enjoyed the experience.
Derek Willingham
19:33 03 May 24
Great experience. This was my second time here and I learned new things about the cave. Dylan was a wonderful guide and you could see his genuine care and excitement for the cave.
Nadia Robers
19:19 03 May 24
Wonderful experience at this cave. Super informative and different than any other cave we've been to. All the information on cave formation and how the cave is impacted by the environment and how men have used caves in the past was very interesting. The museum that is included is fantastic the kids enjoyed it especially seeing the cave fish up close. Our guide was super as well.
Matthew Watson
03:25 30 Apr 24
I absolutely love this cave tour! It's absolutely able to change your soul, mind and emotional perspectives towards the world, and your life
Tom Nickelson
21:41 25 Apr 24
An amazing place to stop if you enjoy geology and underground scenery. The caves are absolutely beautiful. Our tour guide Jay was very knowledgeable, and had wonderful insights to all of our questions. He even talked with us for a while after our tour, and gave us some great ideas for other things to do in the area.
Yanira Gonzalez
22:23 24 Apr 24
This cave was breathtaking! The immense of it, the lake inside, the suspension bridge and its domes are impressive- all tucked beneath a small town🤩 The experience was absolutely amazing.I would definitely suggest visiting if you are passing by or close by. Max was a great guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and was able to answer all our questions! Thank you Max 🙏🏻
Angela
11:02 23 Apr 24
What an absolute hidden gem. Our guide Dylan was very informative and knowledgeable. Caves under a main town that go back for miles. Such an amazing experience!
Angela Blake
17:21 21 Apr 24
Great guided tour! Our guide Cole was awesome and made the experience fun.
Rusty PetersII
11:09 21 Apr 24
What an awesome place to visit. Our guide Dylan was very knowledgeable polite and on his game, keep up the good work. A place to visit again.
Howard Pierce
17:59 19 Apr 24
Has a gold nugget of it's own here. A must see in horse cave KY. See pictures! Much of it has to do with their hospitality there. One lady running the gift shop was awesome. Christi (spl?) was a gem of a tour guide. Very positive, informative and bubbly. I appreciate this place. The team was nursing some injuries, but they were awesome.
Kristi Bennett
14:17 19 Apr 24
Guide was awesome - very knowledgeable- the cave was beyond what I expected - giant rooms
Brandi Miller
14:02 19 Apr 24
My husband and I had a wonderful tour yesterday with Max. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the cave and how it was formed. The suspension bridge gives this tour an edge compared to mammoth cave, in a thrilling (but safe) way. And the sunset dome is awe inspiring.Pictures inside the cave don’t do the beauty justice. I recommend going and seeing for yourself.We went on a weekday when school was in session so there was no wait and we did not buy tickets ahead of time.
Devildog6017
18:09 17 Apr 24
Fantastic tour! Definitely worth it. Our tour guide Chris was very knowledgeable and personable. This cave is wet and damp unlike Mammoth so make sure you wear proper attire. There’s also no restrictions on flash photography or the use of flashlights in this cave. I recommend you take a small flashlight so you can look around.
Ina Bartels
12:14 17 Apr 24
Small village and quiet. The building from the outside looks old and run down. But inside it is neat and lots of information. The cave was interesting and grand. Our guide Jay told us a lot about the cave. How it came about etc.
Pamela McRae
19:41 15 Apr 24
Great cave experience! Even after doing 2 tours at Mammoth Cave National Park this week which we also loved. This cave is run by a nonprofit American Cave Conservation Association. Our tour guide Dylan was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the cave geology, cave history and cave creatures. It is an impressive cave in its own right with a beautiful river through it. The large areas of caverns were huge and the geology gorgeous! I’m sure this is a great cave for children to learn in and from. Also I was impressed with the care they have taken environmentally to improve the cave in positive ways. Thank you Dylan and your group for such a wonderful experience. We also brought our dog here and this was her first cave!! She did very well!!!
Kara Matsen
21:00 14 Apr 24
Liam was a wonderful and patient tour guide! Thank your for the tiny adventure and education on local history. We had a blast!
Darcie King
11:08 13 Apr 24
What a fun experience! The caves are beautiful and our guide was very entertaining & informative. The sights are absolutely amazing, but beware we were all thoroughly exhausted after this trek!
Tegan Raike
13:13 12 Apr 24
We stopped in to get our free eclipse glasses THANK YOU! We will definitely be back for the cave tour!
Sherrie Bruch
19:21 11 Apr 24
It's a great tour! Great people! We rode our bikes...then got soaking wet from a storm. They found us a place to park our bikes. The people that work there really seem to care about the environment and educating others. The tour with Dillon was very informative. The cave is massive and beautiful. The bridge was amazing. It was well worth it! So glad we went, even if we got soaked. Thanks Dillon!!
Hajnalka Lyons
19:05 11 Apr 24
Highly recommend taking the tour with this company/museum. Our tour guide was Dylan and he made the tour not just educational but fun. Even though we were quite a large group he took the time to answer all the questions and really went out of the way to give us a great experience. He is very knowledgeable and his passion was showing on the presentation.My family enjoyed this cave tour better than the Mammoth Cave.Thank you guys again for the great tour
Wade
23:54 10 Apr 24
Great tour! No waiting or reservations needed. Our guide Al was super knowledgeable. The cave itself is special and very different from the caves in Mammoth. The dome at the end is much larger than the ones in Mammoth. The suspension bridge, and the river underneath are all just very unique features.
Jake Deerin
12:11 10 Apr 24
This was awesome! We were here because we’d forgotten to reserve tickets for our Mammoth Cave tours; there were plenty of spots available here, so we came as walk-ins. For someone who’s rarely been in caves before, the cave is impressively big and deep; there aren’t many stalagmites or stalactites, but the huge chambers underground and the river running beneath you the whole way was awesome. Definitely worth an hour of my time.
Robert Hand 2
20:19 09 Apr 24
Fun little tour. Our tour guide Ella made lots of jokes and made the tour very enjoyable. We enjoyed this tour more than the Domes and Dripstones tour at the Mammoth Cave.
Jennifer Gallerani
09:54 09 Apr 24
Took my tween boys to this private cave tour on a road trip and we loved it. The guide/docent was very knowledgeable and local. The feel was very family owned, and the story of the cave and its resurrection as a tourist attraction was interesting. Note: there are no stalagmites in this cave BUT the caverns, domes, and suspension bridge over the underground rivers are beautiful. It was a decent length tour/hike and very easy difficulty. Would recommend as a stop in anyone’s cave tour list.
Matthew Timothy Neal
02:51 08 Apr 24
Stopped in because we were passing through and our toddler needed to use the facilities. Despite the fact that we were only in there to facilitate the decorous defecation of a diminutive human, the staff were very nice; and though the last cave tour of the day had already left they offered to show us the museum and the way down to see the sinkhole and cave entrance. Will be coming back for the full cave experience.
Saint Hotline
20:43 07 Apr 24
A fantastic and unique experience, absolutely worth stopping the road trip to attend. The staff are extremely friendly and make the tour both entertaining and unique. They are willing to accommodate as much as possible, but it is to be noted that the entrance and traversal of the cave isn't the most accessible by design for those with mobility issues such as bad legs or knees. The waiting area is furnished into a miniature museum, with facts about both the cave itself, and the history of caving in Kentucky as a whole. You will not be disappointed by your visit!
Addeline Kelley
00:41 07 Apr 24
Our tour guide Ellla was SO AMAZING!! Great personality, amazing facts, MADE THE VISIT. The caves were beautiful, bridge super fun to walk across. Fine for kids and adults alike. We highly recommend stopping by, even just visiting the mouth of the cave is cool.
Michele Gill
21:06 06 Apr 24
My family and I enjoyed our caving experience! Our guide Cole was awesome. Took us to some muddy wet spots that made even my husband and I feel like kids again playing to get dirty. Our 3 girls enjoyed climbing rock as and tromping through puddles. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting the area!
Connie Doher
17:27 06 Apr 24
Koree was out tour guide and we came to Hidden River Cave not knowing what to expect. What a wonder tour! Our tour group was about 20 or so people and Koree made sure everyone was able to hear and ask questions along the way. She is very enthusiastic and informative. I would recommend this tour if you are anywhere near Horse Cave KY. One suggestion for guides, kindly ask your tour members to refrain from bouncing on the suspension bridge. It may be fun for you, but not for all.
S O
23:37 05 Apr 24
We visited Hidden River with our grandchildren - 3, 5, 7, & 9. They loved it. We’ve visited several caves in the area and this is one of our favorites. Our tour guide was Jay. He was engaging, knowledgeable, and an excellent guide. We were a bit worried about taking our 3 year old, but he did great. He loved the bridge and the river flowing underneath him didn’t phase him a bit. However if you are taking younger children and they’re a bit timid or fearful, I wouldn’t recommend it for them. It was a great experience.
Joye Rogers
13:12 05 Apr 24
This is an amazing cave tour. I took my 2 grandchildren with me (14 & 11 years old). They both had a good time. There is a suspension bridge in the cave! Don’t worry, it is very well built.
Jacob Brown
04:11 05 Apr 24
Ella was awesome!! Very energetic and made the tour fun! Great to see local history! Made our family spring break more exciting and memorable.
Jeremiah Bock
22:17 04 Apr 24
An amazing cave and overall experience. Our guide was hilarious and positive. The suspended bridge was a hit. IMO the best cave I've been to in KY.
Nyx Jones
20:45 04 Apr 24
The cave itself was different from all the others and every open. There is only one spot to look at if you're tall. Our tore guide was amazing and entertaining. They are determined to give you an hour and some minutes even if it fluids. I will warn that there are lots of stairs in the cave and going to that cave.
Carrot Boy
02:11 04 Apr 24
I enjoyed it, the new tour guide is very amazing and funny. My son has a crush her. He wants her number. But other than that, it was amazing and she was a great guide, and she connected with my kids by saying what they say now a days. My kids enjoyed her especially the one that has a crush on her 👍👍. (That’s what the kid’s do now a days, right?)
Laura Wilder
16:02 03 Apr 24
This cave entrance is one of the most beautiful. If you enjoy unusual and beautiful photography? This vista, taking pics both from looking down and up from the garden bowl.. will not disappoint!The shops in Horse Cave?? They won't disappoint either!!Try Junkin Gypsy the Edison lights and COOL old bikes!! Bib overall..!! Not cheepy thing at big box stores but authentic..Wow!! Every single shop ...I could just go on and on...This little town has alot going on!
Vivee Vixen
20:52 02 Apr 24
Hidden River Cave is definitely a hidden gem of Kentucky! We originally were visiting Kentucky just to go to Mammoth Cave National Park, but we added this place to our inventory, AND BOY ARE WE GLAD WE DID! Dare I say the whole trip was worth it just from our visit to this place alone? I think I might!Amazing, friendly staff? Check. Cave tour? Check. Small museum? Check. Cave/cliff rapelling? Check. Ziplining? Check! The list goes on. This place is affordable, too! For my family of 6, everything included, PLUS 2 gem bags, minus rappelling, was under $200. FAMILY OF 6!
Meagen Brooklier
15:06 02 Apr 24
I stopped her with my two kids on a whim and so happy we did! Our tour guide Al was phenomenal and was great at keeping everyone in the large group engaged, especially two pre-teens who are hard to impress. The cave itself was really cool, way more interesting than I would have imagined. We also did the zip line & rappelling and had a great time. We were all a bit nervous on the rappelling part and Al was absolutely the best to talk us all through it safely. Highly recommend!
Brandon Crossman
10:56 02 Apr 24
It’s a fascinating cave that’s really fun to explore. The tour guides are knowledgeable and funny.
Hollie Thomas
13:15 01 Apr 24
The Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum provided a unique blend of education, adventure, and conservation. It's a place where history and nature converge, offering visitors a deeper appreciation for the underground worlds beneath our feet. Whether you're a family looking for an educational outing, a history enthusiast eager to learn more about the area's past, or an adventure seeker in search of your next thrill, this destination has something to offer. The commitment to preserving these natural wonders while educating the public is commendable, making it a must-visit location for those traveling through Kentucky.
Van
19:53 31 Mar 24
What makes this cave cool? The tour guide! He was amazing 👏🏽 He was so good with the historical facts and was phenomenal in adding in bits of humor and the personal or unknown history of the cave.It gets really, really cold in this cave. Buckle up. Brace yourself.The steps are steep and plentiful. Baby, if your body can't do the basics of exercise, then turn on around cause I died 2 times in this cave and 1 of my lungs fell out.The coolest part of the cave is a man made steel bridge. It swings. It's long. It can make you a little dizzy while walking across. It's cool, though.If you want to buy anything from the gift shop, have a credit card or cash. I didn't. I tried to use my Google Pay via my phone, and they are not equipped for it.
JayJay Rojas
19:28 31 Mar 24
This was an amazing experience. Tour guide Dylan was very knowledgeable and funny. This is our third cave we've been too and this one was definitely in its own class!
Randy Gantt
19:19 31 Mar 24
Great tour, excellent guide, and very reasonable in cost. Would recommend to anyone in the area looking for a cave tour.
Tony Calkins
01:56 31 Mar 24
Very beautiful cave to visit. There are a lot of steps and it is slippery so make sure you have good shoes. We see as many caves and caverns as we can and this one was worth it. We tried to see it 4 years ago but it was flooded, but it worth coming back.
Stephanie Heitz
19:04 30 Mar 24
Very interesting & unique cave tour (have done many). Very well done and knowledgeable tour guide, highly recommend. Great for all ages!
Erin Plunkett
20:09 29 Mar 24
This was a great addition to our trip. Our guide Ella was fantastic, and super helpful on our tour. Lots of stairs to down and at the end back up. But it was worth the experience.
Sherry Scelsi
20:01 29 Mar 24
We had booked the first tour of the day and it was wonderful. Lots of stairs, and going in was easy. Our daughter is blind and she did not really have any problems with access. We were able to take our time coming up and out. It is really beautiful and breathtaking inside.
Megan Waxler
20:58 28 Mar 24
Everyone here was very kind and answered all the questions our 9 year old had! We arrived a little before the museum opened but we were kindly let in early. We had timeto explore the museum before going on our cave tour. Dylan was our tour guide and did a great job explaining the local history, environmental impacts on caves and features of this cave. It was a nice tour and perfect for a family adventure.
Kevin Bilant
12:26 28 Mar 24
The cave is amazing. Our guide, Chris, was informative, knowledgeable, and laid back. The work they’ve put into the experience is remarkable. Quick tip for parking: as you face the front of the building (which sits on a corner) there’s a street immediately to its left. Drive down this @ 30 yards and on your left is a large paved free public parking lot!. Very cool cave and tour which I highly recommend seeing.
Tasha Austin-Shortt
03:12 28 Mar 24
Our tour guid Dylan was very knowledgeable, the museum was great and the cave and bridge were so cool to see!
Matthew Johnson
01:15 28 Mar 24
My son and I went today. This was our favorite of all the caves we saw in KY. It’s huge and amazing and different from all others. Our tour guide, Dylan, was well-informed and friendly. Amazing place and the story of restoration is inspiring.
Stephanie Kimmel
23:06 27 Mar 24
Our family of parents and two teens had a great time visiting Horse Cave and the Hidden River Cave tour. Our guide, Dylan, was very knowledgeable and authentic. Highly recommend.
Sarah D
21:24 27 Mar 24
We felt this was the best cave tour out of the 7 we have been in, including national caves. The museum, which is free, was also a neat feature that was very informative. Our tour guide Cory, was friendly, informative, knowledgeable, sweet, and entertaining. There were alot of stairs to have to walk down. Definately not for anyone who struggles with that. The suspension bridge was super cool, scary for me since I'm afraid of heights, but still cool and worth it. There were super neat formations, the domes were really cool, and we loved hearing about the history of the town and the cave as well. There were just so many neat things in this cave to see, felt like it included everything caves have to offer. Highly recommend.
angela sarver
21:07 26 Mar 24
Ella is amazing, enthusiastic, passionate, extraordinary tour guide. The way she explained the history was clear and upbeat. Sounded like she loves her job. Her jokes are funny!! My 3 daughters and I got there at 10:30ish Tuesday morning. By 11am we were walking to the caves.
Robin Kirkley
18:01 26 Mar 24
Our guide, Cole, was very knowledgeable. The tour was great with a lot of local history thrown in. Definitely want to come back with the kids.
dan woodcraft889
02:09 26 Mar 24
Wonderful tour with a laid back and informative guide (Chris). His passion for caving was apparent. Excited to hear innovations were underway to make the cave even more accessible. At some point would love to take the upstream down-and-dirty tour.
Debbie Kerr
00:40 26 Mar 24
Beth was a great tour guide! Only thing I recommend is tape or some way to mark the edge of steps for those with visual impairments.
Amy Mattson
23:45 25 Mar 24
Such an interesting experience. Ella did a fantastic job and provided a lot of great information. Lots of steps but completely worth it!! Will definitely visit again on our next vacation.
Stephanie Schmalzer
12:44 25 Mar 24
This tour was really fun! The bridge was the best part and the tour guide Jay was very knowledgeable.
Joshua Rueda
18:54 24 Mar 24
Jay was a great tour guide! Educational, interesting and fun. This is our first camping trip that included caves and we really enjoyed the experience.
Erikkah Quinn
02:12 24 Mar 24
Hidden River Cave is by far one of the most unique caves I’ve ever been to! Our tour guide, Al, was very informative and super knowledgeable on how the cave system worked, the geology and geography of the area, and how it compares to other caves in the area. It’s usually pretty easy to tell when someone enjoys their job, and Al does. He’s super passionate about what he’s doing which is probably one of the best qualities you can find in a guide! 10/10 would recommend visiting this hidden gem in southern Kentucky!
Lexy Washington
19:59 19 Mar 24
Participated in the tour today and it was sooo good! Our tour guide was awesome and the staff treated us well. A great experience! So cool to see.
Kimberly Wright
00:10 19 Mar 24
We purchased our tickets last minute because we couldn’t find an appropriate tour available at Mammoth Cave. We were greeted warmly immediately coming in the door, offered every available discount and everyone was extremely helpful. Our guide was knowledgeable, but was also quick to admit when he didn’t know the answer to a question. He allowed us to take our time and never seemed impatient when we lingered. I highly recommend this tour. Most of the guides are young, but they are very knowledgeable, polite and friendly.
Abigail
21:46 18 Mar 24
My family and I visited Hidden River Cave during spring break and it was so cool! We have been to a few caves in the past, but this cave made it’s way to our favorites list!We loved the suspension bridge over the river! That was a very unique experience that no other cave has given us. With your cave tickets you have access to the museum which is a plus! On our tour we were able to see cave crawfish, cave crickets, and tricolored bats!We LOVED our tour guide Chris! His knowledge, experience, and humor made it an educational, captivating, and fun tour! We highly recommend going to this cave!
Sarah Bragg
18:20 18 Mar 24
Hidden River Cave is truly a gem. I highly recommend visiting. Al did such an awesome job with our tour - it was informative, engaging and entertaining.
Keith Christensen
16:43 17 Mar 24
Awesome sinkhole and cave. Ella was very knowledgeable and quite upbeat and funny.
Suzanne McComas
16:11 17 Mar 24
What a great place to tour!! Our guide was Dylan and he did an excellent job of showcasing this beautiful place. And normally I don’t care about the gift shop but they have a fantastic selection of minerals and fossils to purchase. Highly recommend you visit, it is worth the side trip!
Brian Goode
20:49 16 Mar 24
For a small town the museum was awesome. The tour was amazing alot of history was talked about. Tales of tragedy and tales of success. Interesting things to be seen. When my wife and I our a little more ready we plan on trying the offtrail tour we had that much fun. Tell than many more cave tours to do and some cardio.
Wood Family (Barefoottravelers)
22:20 15 Mar 24
Friendly employees. Look the musim very educational. The cave entrance was really cool we didn't do the tour but it was really cool and lots of history . Pet friendly we tuck ours inside the musim
N. M. Fergus
14:23 15 Mar 24
I went on a tour with the guide Logan last year in April (I lost the info card and only just found it again, which is why I'm reviewing this late), and I had such an amazing time! I went with my sister during a 5pm tour, and everything was absolutely gorgeous. I totally recommend this spot for the history and the sights! If you're in town, you have to go here. Just make sure you're fine with stairs. I will definitely go again next time I come down from Michigan.
Mia Jorgenson
21:33 11 Mar 24
This is the best cave tour I've ever taken! Ella, our tour guide, was informative, funny, and patient, and it was her first day! Highly recommend!!
Natausha Samuels
05:32 11 Mar 24
From the welcoming smiling faces to the excellent tour through the cave by Cole my mom and I had fascinating experience! The great military discount was also a plus!
Sharye Eades
03:51 11 Mar 24
Really neat tour. The swing bridge is as cool as it sounds. Our tour guide Al was very knowledgeable, we really enjoyed talking with him. He pointed out the wildlife which is always my favorite and it was super cool to be able to touch the cave walls. Reccomend leg day though, the stairs were hard on my chubby butt.
Angela Antrim
01:25 11 Mar 24
We were not sure what to expect with this cave tour but were pleasantly surprised! It was amazing to explore a cave where a town was built on top of it! The cave is massive! There are three huge domes-the sunset dome is the biggest-the cavern is 5 acres. The tour takes about an hour. There are lots of stairs and a cool suspension bridge. We were stunned that we were going to access such a cool cave in the middle of Horse Cave town! There is a museum on site that is informative and a cute gift shop. Our tour guide was nice and pointed out different animals in the cave. The cave salamander was tiny and cute! Nugget, the bat, was also neat to see. We were astonished at how huge the cave was! Definitely worth a stop!
Kelley Saunders
21:36 09 Mar 24
Our tour guide, Jay, was awesome! He was very informative and enthusiastic. Highly recommend!
Katie Stevens
17:57 08 Mar 24
My boyfriend and I took a nice mini 2 day get away to the Mammoth Cave National Park system. We stopped in at Hidden River Cave to experience the world’s longest and highest underground suspension bridge in a cave! It was perfect for us adrenaline junkies! We were absolutely blown away by the cave itself, but also all the history and knowledge of our local tour guide, Jay! He was a delight to explore the cave with and was super friendly and very personable. If you are ever in the area, or take a trip to Kentucky, make sure to give Hidden River Cave a stop, you won’t be disappointed!
Paul Lehman
15:06 08 Mar 24
Tour was great. Very interesting and well worth our time. Our guide Brittney was excellent and knowledgeable. She allowed us as much time as we wanted to tour the cave and answered all our questions. Museum was neat too.
KERRIE NORTH
00:28 07 Mar 24
Absolutely beautiful cave! My husband and I last minute decided to go see this cave and are very glad we did. Our tour guide Jay was great and we had a great experience. Would absolutely recommend seeing this cave!!
Katarina Bond
15:01 03 Mar 24
Wonderful tour! The guide Al made it very relatable to the entire group. Good tour for kids and adults. There are some steep stairs but they are well maintained.
AL MITCHELL
01:07 03 Mar 24
We had an amazing day. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we were able to take our time. They were kid friendly and we felt no pressure to rush or anything. We even found a local spot for lunch thanks to the staffs recommendation.
Priscilla Smith
17:18 27 Feb 24
I enjoyed this cave tour a great deal. I have visited a number of caves but this one had some unique history because of the town and pollution issues that made it different. There are a lot of stairs and not many formations, but the sundone was really pretty. I enjoyed it so much that I will probably go back.
Matt Rainwater
00:24 25 Feb 24
Had a great time! Beautiful cave, lovely gift shop, and wonderful staff.Our tour guide was Koree. She was very knowledgeable and you could tell she genuinely loves the cave.Strongly recommend if you like caves!
Breanne Emens
18:48 24 Feb 24
Koree was an awesome guide. You could tell everyone there was enthusiastic about the cave and it's history. Will definitely come back!!
Kate Russell
14:47 24 Feb 24
Al was our last-minute guide and he gave an AMAZING tour. We visited two caves yesterday and this one was by far the better experience.
Shlomi Albert
22:33 22 Feb 24
What a great tour with Al! We made a last minute decision to stop and glad we did. The team was very friendly and knowledgable. Very fun and highly recommended!
Bristol Pratt
17:15 20 Feb 24
I brought my dog, spouse and baby. There was ice at the entrance, so our group moved slowly. I had to kind of pull my dog across the bridge and at the beginning because she is afraid of water. We didn't expect the water to be right under our feet! The bridge is awesome - it was all quite a thrill!!
exro ZC
04:27 20 Feb 24
It was a great experience. Our tour guide Al was funny and very informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with us.
Eddie W
04:45 19 Feb 24
Chose this stop to break up our road trip. When we first saw the location, right off main street, I was worried the "cave" was going to be underwhelming.Free public parking was plentiful just across the street. The little shopnhad quite a few inexpensive gift options for all ages.We opted for a tour which runs every hour. Our guide, Al, was amazing. He is a caver and had great stories throughout our tour. The cave was way longer and more grand than I had expected. We were all very pleasantly surprised. All in all, the tour took about an hour.The path is clear (concrete or wood planks), there are handrails in most places and some lighting through most areas. There are several steps and some areas that could be slippery - use caution if you have a hard time walking. You don't need any cave gear or hiking boots, though.The swinging bridge was quite the experience as well! We were all very pleased with our decision to stop here. It is just 2 miles off the highway exit and well worth it.
Theresa Kozuch
02:12 19 Feb 24
Took our first ever cave tour here and it was amazing! We had two younger kids 6 & 7 and they did just fine. It’s an awesome cave to see and our tour guide, Dylan, was the best! Honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience overall.. Dylan was so thorough, friendly, funny and answered any and all questions. He’s very good at his job! It’s a beautiful cave to visit and experience. Thanks for the wonderful tour!
Michael Harton
00:34 19 Feb 24
The tour of the Lost River Cave was fun, entertaining, and informative. Our Guide Al was friendly and knowledgeable. Good experience
Katie Piotrowski
23:17 18 Feb 24
Relatively quick cave tour, you come out the same way you get into it along a lit up man-made path. Even with the steps it was still pretty manageable with a 5 year old. Our guide Cole was very knowledgeable, welcomed questions & allowed ample time for stops amongst our stair climbs if desired. Great little tour.
Shannon Fitzgerald
22:52 18 Feb 24
Absolutely loved Al, he was funny made me laugh really enjoyed the history!! Great fun for family of four
David Wenger
00:41 18 Feb 24
My wife and I toured the Hidden River Cave after visiting Mammoth Cave earlier in the day. It was such a different experience from what we had at Mammoth. Cole, our guide was very knowledgeable and we appreciated the laid back vibe from Hidden River. They’re serious about making this a thriving cave system again and helping the town/community and they are doing it in a fun way. The contrast from Mammoth to Hidden River’s literal river and the vastness of the Sunset Dome we can’t wait to come back and explore these cave systems more in the future. Highly recommend visiting Hidden River Cave!
Aaron Leggett
00:51 17 Feb 24
We had a great time on our tour! There were so many things you won't experience at any other local cave tour! The staff is friendly and helpful and our guide Al made our tour enjoyable with his knowledge and sense of humor!
Caledonia Wrecker
03:23 13 Feb 24
What a spectacular place to visit! The cave tour was nothing short of amazing. If you are in the area I recommend stopping to check it out!
Hattie Hupke
01:26 13 Feb 24
We loved our tour guide and this was our favorite cave of our trip to KY/MO, to be honest. The history and journey of this cave to its beauty - the water flowing makes such a beautiful atmosphere along with the natural spookiness of a cave, it was just such an enjoyable experience. Not to mention very great options in the gift shop, along with not too bad prices! Spectacular service & we will be back for sure!!
Coy Walker
23:58 12 Feb 24
Our guide Cole was very knowledgeable and humorous! My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience! Very informative and inexpensive! Would definitely recommend! Thanks Cole!
redford pca
18:03 11 Feb 24
The Hidden River Cave has a number of large rooms in it. It also has the river in it and some small animals in it. If you like going into caves, this is definitely a good one to see. The museum is good also.
Sarah O'Hagan
21:07 10 Feb 24
We had a group involving children and with Dylan as our tour guide, we had a great, memorable experience. We appreciate the information Dylan shared with us, and interacting with the kids. We had a wonderful time and appreciated the friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Chris Pagoria
21:04 10 Feb 24
We went on a cave tour today with the tour guide Dylan! He was great, very good engaging the little kids too. We saw cave wildlife, including salamanders, crayfish and even a bat. Would definitely recommend it!
Kennedy Ward
19:54 10 Feb 24
We had a great time! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and did his best to help us see everything along the way—even the salamanders!
John Berry
12:44 09 Feb 24
Dylan took us thru the tour with a fountain of information and in-depth response to our questions. One hour is a good pace. Plenty of stairs but no rushing you. A few cave creatures were present. Good photo ops. This is run by a cave and karst conservation group. Modest shop. We're very glad we stopped by. Recommend
Segrid Knight
00:58 29 Jan 24
AMAZING! Tour guide, Cole, was wonderful and informative. The entire length of the tour had impressive features and was interesting the whole time! Our family appreciated the way the tour was conducted, the manner our questions were answered and expounded upon, and the joy you could see that came from someone who thoroughly liked sharing this cave and it’s history with others! We will be returning again, as it was so much fun - and we will be bringing our dog with us to explore next time too! (Kids, 7 & 3, did great and is something that tested their navigating abilities, but proved well within their scope of ability!) A MUST SEE & DO!
Sandy Klusty
17:38 27 Jan 24
Very Cool experience! Cole was out tour guide he was very knowledgeable. We highly recommend a visit!
Alex is Amazeballs
22:21 15 Jan 24
Super cool cave!! This was the first cave I've been to with a flowing underground river, that you walk on top of (pics show what I mean). Our tour guide Cori was super nice and had great respect for mother nature! Only thing is they aint kidding about the stairs! But thats our own fault for enjoying too many holiday treats!!!
Lindsay G
02:50 15 Jan 24
My daughter's and I passed through town during a visit from South Florida to Somerset. We were looking for a quick cave experience, as the day was already half over. (We had just picked up a surprise puppy for my newly 13 year old in Munfordville, and needed to get back to Somerset by dinner. This cave met the criteria, and we had a great time with our tour guide, Al. Believe it or not, our puppy wasn't the only canine on tour that day. It was educational and fun. The trek in and out of the cave provides just a little challenge, perfect for the adventurers that want the full experience, and we went approximately 1/2 mile in. Everyone had fun, the tour was educational, and we made it back to Somerset just in time for dinner.
Laura Saletta
23:56 09 Jan 24
Jay was a wonderful tour guide. The experience far exceeded our expectations- both in the quality of the sights to see in the cave, and the knowledge our guide had (especially about the subterranean fauna). It's a beautiful cave opening, with breathtaking domes inside. The river rushes through the cave and can be seen throughout the well constructed pathways and super cool suspension bridge. And the spotted cave salamanders were an adorable bonus! Really worth the side trip to Horse Cave.
Olivia De Voy
22:26 08 Jan 24
SUPER COOL experience! Our guide was Mr. Al, who was super knowledgeable and a stand-up guy. He filled us in on the history and fun facts about the cave and pointed out a bunch of stuff that was very informative and fun! We saw the sign on the billboard to visit the cave and did it randomly on a whim. Great experience for all, 10/10 would recommend!
Aileen White
18:36 02 Jan 24
Jay was an amazing tour guide! So knowledgeable and engaging. The cave was beautiful and this was a great place to stop while traveling home. Would definitely recommend!
Michael Munn
14:58 28 Dec 23
I was just in awe of this cave, it's very easy to miss and it's location is just amazing, our tour guide was awesome, she answered all of our questions and was great with our two kids, this is NOT a formation cave!!! It's an underground river cave with a suspension bridge inside the cave!!!! And a small river flowing, the domes and shear size was amazing to me, and the history as well!!! Lots of steps!!!
Jay Yummi
01:55 28 Dec 23
The cave is amazing! The tour guide Jay was awesome as well! Really knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely worth checking out!!
Dallas Galli
18:59 22 Dec 23
This was a really cool stop on our road trip. Our guide, Al, was fantastic and did a great job telling us about everything in the cave and its history. I have never seen anything like the bridge anywhere else. It is worth stopping in to visit.
Melissa Mckee
08:01 18 Dec 23
Absolutely one of the best caves I have visited with the most amazing cave staff. I could go on and on about how they make Hidden River truly amazing. Hidden River and the ACCA meet their goal to educate others and always do the best for the cave. Pictures do not do justice to the beauty within meaning you need to visit in person. The American Cave Museum is amazing and holds lots of great information that's helps to further the knowledge you learn on the tour.
Anna Barlage
18:04 17 Dec 23
We loved our guide and the caverns were amazing! Definitely a highlight of our trip.
Marcus Kinnard
13:30 15 Dec 23
Worth seeing a different cave in the area. Laid back and different than most areas toured of Mammoth cave with the active river. Because it floods often, it is not as sensitive to contamination, allowing for some touching and even dog friendly! Nice to see an active cave area to understand how they form.
Jennifer V
20:47 08 Dec 23
This Hidden River Cave tour was amazing. Jay our tour guide was awesome. He loves to share his passion and knowledge! If you are around Horse Cave this is a MUST SEE!
Wayne Lamon
20:25 04 Dec 23
Visited on a Monday with no other visitors. Bought tickets online for a 2:00 tour but got into town before noon. They gladly changed our reservation to noon & we were the only guests for that time slot so we got a personalize tour. Jay was fantastic & took lots of time showing us tons of cave formations & tiny cave creatures. He was extremely knowledgeable & passionate about the history & geology of the cave.
Jennifer Lamon
20:16 04 Dec 23
Jay was awesome!!! Very interesting cave with wildlife and a river. Highly recommend!
John Blythe
16:08 04 Dec 23
Jay was an amazing tour guide. Such a fun time with the kids as we explored and sloshed our way through the cave. Highly recommended
The Beverly Harlows
22:38 03 Dec 23
This place shows you how amazing caves really are! It has a museum that you can visit during your wait to go through the mind blowing caves! Our tour guide was very friendly and comedic, but it ls definitely worth the money.
Elizabeth Lohse
12:19 03 Dec 23
Stopped in on a whim and so glad we did. Super friendly staff, informative tour, impressive dome rooms, and Nugget, the hibernating bat. Totally worth the detour on our drive!
Garret
18:31 26 Nov 23
Cool cave, tour guide Chris was great, very knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely check it out!
David C Holyoke
14:28 25 Nov 23
The cave tour was awesome. Koree was knowledgeable, friendly and very organized. She answered all types of questions from the adults and children. Our group was a little larger than a normal tour, but she handled every detail in a professional manner.The caves were modified with concrete walkways, lights from led ribbons on the edges of the paths to make it safe, and to get around, while not impacting the caves natural appearance.
Thomas Lewis
21:32 24 Nov 23
Had an absolute blast here. Our tour guide was very personable and informed as well as understanding of the smaller kids. Couldn't have asked for a better place to visit around Bowling Green.
Brandon Light
00:47 16 Nov 23
Chose to go here on Oct 14 2023, AL was our tour guide and made us feel like home! very funny and knowledgeable about the area. The lady at the cash register in musuem was very polite and sweet also. Glad to stumble across this place while exploring!
Jonathan Monzon
16:07 14 Nov 23
Coming from Los Angeles and saw this place on our way to Kentucky. I honestly loved it. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and left the cave with my questions answered. Would definitely recommend it.
Annie Garrett
20:06 13 Nov 23
We did a one hour tour at noon with Chris, who was an exceptional tour guide! You could tell he was very passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about the caverns, the local history, and the environment there. He answered any question we had and did a wonderful job of explaining scientific concepts to the lay-person. He pointed out and described any wildlife we saw. The caverns were beautiful and the walkways were very nice. The recent walkway upgrades were fantastic and the swinging bridge was incredible. From one tour guide to another, thank you Chris!
tammy lagowski
14:34 12 Nov 23
We took a spur of the moment detour to this cave. Looked different on line so thought. Why the hell not? Let me tell you.... amazing. Cole was our guide and he was funny and whitty. He answered all of our questions, even the silly ones. We got to see some bat's, crickets, a frog and so much other stuff! Pictures really don't do it justice. It is a must see, from the history to the museum its great. Cole, amazing too. The bridge underground so freaking sweet too! .... 10/10
Kathleena Sandoval
02:25 11 Nov 23
We had an absolutely amazing time with Jay! He is such a great guide! He knows all about the cave, and you can tell he enjoys everything about it! He said he’s underground more than above and that is completely accurate with the way he connects with the cave. Crazy to find out this destination is PET FRIENDLY! Would HIGHLY recommend this cave! Can’t wait to go again!! (traveled from Michigan to see!!)
Nikki Hamre
21:38 10 Nov 23
This was a great tour. Chris was excellent!! He gave a lot of historical information as he guided us through the cave. He told us what was above us I correlation with the town of Horse Cave. The sunset dome and the suspension were both highlights! If you are in the area, this is a tour you don’t want to miss!!
Abigail Daniels
05:38 10 Nov 23
We had a wonderful experience. Husband and I were the only two people on our tour, which was a bit spooky… but Dillon (our guide) did an amazing job of making us feel safe and comfortable. He was very good at his job and really enjoyed his job, and was so enthusiastic about the cave. It was very interesting !!
Jeremy Rauch
04:07 10 Nov 23
Jay was great. Extremely informative but also chill and patient with our young kids along the way. Made their first cave adventure very memorable.
Shasta Kuhlhorst
04:39 07 Nov 23
What an amazing experience! Our tour guide Jay was so passionate and knowledgeable. He also has a great eye for spotting the fascinating wildlife. 10/10 would recommend!
Ann Alexander
21:44 04 Nov 23
On 10/21/23 my husband and I stopped by this cave on a whim.?We were so impressed! Dylan was a great tour leader and did a superb job explaining the cave’s history and recent improvements and renovations. And store manager (Linda?) was so personable and had a warm and welcoming personality. You can tell she loves loves loves her job! Thank you for a great impromptu trip to Horse Cave KY!The Alexanders from Pennsylvania
Suzi Hayes
13:31 02 Nov 23
Great tour here. He was knowledgeable and adventurous. Cool suspension bridge. Had a great time on the wild cave tour!
Heather Borgmeier
21:11 01 Nov 23
We had a great time touring Hidden River cave , the guide was knowledgeable and helped the kids spot cave creatures . He patiently answered our many questions and made the tour fun. The museum and gift shop were nice as well, we took home several new rocks for their collections.
Daisy Sandoval
15:18 31 Oct 23
Had such a wonderful time! Our guide, Dylan, was very informative. Loved stopping here on a long drive. Very cool museum and shop. And it’s phenomenal that it’s dog friendly!
Kenneth McDaniel
18:32 30 Oct 23
This place is the only place in town that will let you use the bathroom. The town is kind of hateful in that all the businesses are opposed to letting people use the bathroom. My suggestion is to go to a place where the people are more hospitable. The people at the Cave center are very nice and a contrast from other businesses in town.
Aly Livingston
00:49 30 Oct 23
Was a very cool experience tour guide Dylan/Beetlejuice was informative and I learned a lot about caves
Angie Nickell
19:28 29 Oct 23
We visited this cave after doing a tour at Mammoth Cave a few days earlier. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. After being in a group of 113 people at Mammoth Cave, we thoroughly enjoyed only having 6 people in our group for this tour! Our tour guide was excellent and he had a knack for finding wildlife. We saw a cave salamander, a few crayfish, a bat and a frog during our tour. He also welcomed questions and didn't rush us through the tour. The dome rooms were really neat and the suspension bridge was so cool!!! The bridge is the reason we decided to visit this cave to begin with and we were not disappointed. The underground river was also neat and made for a peaceful environment during the tour. There are several stairs so be prepared and wear sturdy shoes b/c it was slippery in places. The museum has a lot of information for those who enjoy museums.
Danielle E
20:43 27 Oct 23
Jay was amazing! Knowledgeable, kind, patient, funny. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour (and the suspension bridge was a HOOT!). Highly recommend. Go. Now. Really.
Cheyenne Puerner
05:11 27 Oct 23
This cave tour was the best one I’ve ever been to. My tour guide Al really knew his caves! All the guides there when I visited (Sept.22nd 2023) were actually cave explorers and enthusiasts which made all the extra fun facts and side notes super cool.I could tell Al loved his job but more importantly loved the cave system itself. His side notes about seeing areas of the cave no one’s seen before, and about the pollution problem made the tour feel more in depth and personal than any other I’d been to.Call me crazy but I’ll definitely be returning to this place to touch the cave walls again!! Most tours that’s not allowed for the conservation of the cave, but the flooding in this one washes away all our icky oils so it’s safe and I loved that part lol.Al if you’re reading this the Cannibal corpse concert was awesome!! 😂
Michelle J
15:40 26 Oct 23
Awesome experience and guide!! Chris was extremely knowledgeable andhelpful! The conservative work they have done for the cave systems and community is amazing!!! God bless them all and their continued work! Thank you!
TheWesleyRicardo
12:06 24 Oct 23
This was a really informative tour of the underground river and cave. Linda was very hospitable and making our group feel right at home. Chris is a really good tour guide of the cave. I really recommend this attraction, especially if you are traveling and want to take an hour break from being on the road. Enjoy!
Dan Quirk Jr.
09:41 24 Oct 23
Al was our tour guide and he did a really nice job. He knew this history of the cave well and was entertaining too!
michele tutt
21:08 17 Oct 23
My family really enjoyed the trip. Some more lighting on bottom steps would be helpful. But otherwise it was stellar. Dylam was a great guide.
Pamela Baxley
02:44 15 Oct 23
We toured the cave today and we all loved it. Our tour guide was great. I took the grandkids there and they can’t quit talking about it and the gem mining they did there too. The swinging bridge added a little extra to the tour as well. The museum was very informative The whole experience was great. Staff were all great too. Fun time. Yay!
India Cox
01:10 15 Oct 23
Koree was the best guide. My family really enjoyed our tour of hidden river cave during fall break! Koree was funny and engaging. I particularly enjoyed hearing the train pass overhead while in the cave. Highly recommend this tour!
Kenneth Randles
00:56 15 Oct 23
Great cave experience! This cave was so neat to explore and offered really great pictures of the three seperate domes. The suspension bridge was a real experience being suspended high above the cave rocks. Our tour guide Coree was great and was very knowledgeable about all the cave details.
Violet Grimm
02:08 14 Oct 23
Really enjoyed it. The bridge definitely made it different then other caves I've been too.
Tiffany Wettergreen
21:51 13 Oct 23
What a spectacular experience! The staff and tour guides are all knowledgable and interesting! Make sure you wear good walking shoes that have traction, and expect to get dirty, if not muddy. Don't miss the mini museum downstairs, too! Great little gift shop. A perfect break on a roadtrip.
Gerry Vaerewyck
23:47 12 Oct 23
Did the adventure cave trip. That's the one with headlights back in the unlighted part of the cave. Justin was a great guide. I've done spelunking for 50 years and this was definitely a great trip by any standard. Highly recommend it. Just a caution, you do crawl through mud and water and a lot of stuff is muddy and slippery. But that's what this kind of cave is. If you do the normal 1 hour tour, you get a great trip, on walkways, without getting all muddy.
Susan Morris
19:51 12 Oct 23
Our guide was very good , had lots of information and answered all our questions. Thanks for a great time.
Trisha Davis
22:19 10 Oct 23
Chris was a great tour guide. It was definitely a unique experience and all of the kids enjoyed!
Tammy Staley
03:20 10 Oct 23
Great cave, nice long tour, the guide was informative while being humorous to. Be aware there are quite a few steps but no tight spots or low ceilings.
Jenny Walden
19:02 08 Oct 23
Nice little cave. Our tour guide, Koree, was wonderful. Highly recommend! There is a lot of steps though so be prepared.
David Plotnick
12:35 08 Oct 23
I found Koree and Dylan to be excellent tour guides. Koree waited for us to start when I lost my wallet and was patient enough to let me ask the front desk if they saw it. Most guides don't let you get away with that. It was a fun delightful experience checking out the rushing river underground, walking the swinging bridge and they have the second largest cave dome in America at a whopping 285ft. Also you get to touch the cave walls for a change. The gift shop was cute too, definitely worth a trip!
Alan Carlson
02:59 08 Oct 23
Amazing!! More people need to know about this place. Awesome very well informed staff, cool items in the gift shop and a good sized museum for a small town. They also offer wild cave tours at certain times. I'll make sure to spread information about this site.
Mark Reagen
23:44 07 Oct 23
We have been to a number of caves and this is one of the best. Great tour. Can be a little slippery and hard to see the path so definitely always use the handrails and wear good shoes. Very cool cave and worth the visit. The museum is very well done too.
Gina Belle's Restaurant
20:04 07 Oct 23
Our tour guide Koree was AWESOME!! She needs a huge raise!! She turned out cave tour into a delightful adventure! THANK YOU KOREE!! The cave was outstandingl!!
Colton Casey
13:41 06 Oct 23
This cave has a interesting history and my kids had a blast with Dylan our guide. Both boys were right on his heels, asking thousands of questions and he had a great answer for almost everyone they threw at him. We also got to see a bat deep in the cave and a few frogs. All and all a great place. Visit and help support them to grow. The museam had lots of interesting hiatory and stuff to look at. Pics of the bat and frog also
Margo Stanford
11:36 03 Oct 23
Cole was our guide and did a great job taking us on our tour. He gave us a lot of history of the place and he has a great sense of humor. We enjoyed it and have shared with our family and friends.
drewthelionn
20:03 01 Oct 23
Hands down a 10/10 tour. Our guide Chris was very informative, personable, and very hospitable! Would definitely recommend anyone driving through to check out a tour at Hidden River Cave!
Michele Chinsky
17:44 01 Oct 23
Jay was an amazing guide who shared his obvious love of caves and preservation. So much to see and learn about. Don't skip this one. The museum is informative without being boring.
alex mosson
00:10 01 Oct 23
Well worth the price of admission, plus the walk up and down the stairs plus the walk on the suspension bridge.the guides are excellent and very knowledgeable.
Kyle Smith
23:43 30 Sep 23
Jay was our tour guide, it was very informative and a fun tour. We will definitely be back.
Nancy Brown
21:31 30 Sep 23
Our guide Jay was most awesome!! I love his sense of humor…. He was very knowledgeable about caves and the history of Hidden River Cave! When a guide is as passionate about their topic as Jay is about caves it really shows! Thank you again Jay!!
Connie Wise
01:07 30 Sep 23
Awesome cave! Al was a great guide! As a society we need to stop polluting our waters!
Linda C
18:22 29 Sep 23
Such an interesting place! Our guide, Al, was very knowledgeable and entertaining.
Cambray O'Brien
20:20 25 Sep 23
We did the Off-Trail Adventure Cave Tour this past weekend and it was awesome!! Our tour guide Dylan was great, he was super knowledgable and made everyone comfortable during our tour. The cave was beautiful and they took photos of each of us crawling through one of the passages. All of the staff were so friendly and clearly passionate about this place. I would love to go back and will be recommending to friends! Thanks Hidden River Cave for such a fun and memorable time 🙂
Lynda Gerhart
20:13 24 Sep 23
Linda invited us to tag along on her tour. What an awesome surprise cave! Defo worth the visit!
Robert Perry
21:51 23 Sep 23
Nice relaxing tour other than the stairs down and back up. Just take your time and enjoy the talk!
CHRISTOPHER KERNS
18:38 23 Sep 23
An incredible theme attraction in the heart of charming Horsecave Kentucky! Beautiful place, awesome gift shop! Reasonable prices!The cave is simply wonderful! The walk is a bit strenous! Make sure you take breaks and pace yourself! Over 600 steps! Well well worth the visit!Great friendly knowledgable staff makes it fun and educational! Treat yourself and learn some things as well! Plan an adventure soon!!
Matthew Howe
02:33 23 Sep 23
We stopped by here a few months ago as a way to avoid a highway accident. Cute little town with a SUPER COOL cave. So we came back on our way to Nashville. 100% worth the sidetrack. AL, our guide, was kind and funny. His knowledge and passion for this archeological treasure shined! The tour, cave, suspension bridge, the underground river.... This is an American treasure tucked away that's worth your time.
Liz Knote
23:15 21 Sep 23
We had Jay as our tour guide, he was very knowledgeable on the history and wildlife in the cave. We went on Wednesday and had a private tour because no one else was there and it was so wonderful to have more of a conversation with our guide then we could in the national Park. They even let our dog join us on the walk. I would 1000% recommend this to anyone. The museum and gift shop were very nice and had wonderful staff.
Jacob Holmes
23:03 21 Sep 23
My girlfriend and I had an awesome time! The Hidden River Cave is beyond interesting and our guide Jay knew all the cool facts about anything I could think to ask him. Would absolutely recommend Jay over any of the National park guides.
Joe Young
18:44 21 Sep 23
We really enjoyed this cave tour. The sound of the flowing river through out the cave made this tour stand out from other cave tours.Our tour guide Al did a great job explaining the history of the cave. He also pointed out many features.
Kylie Jordan
01:14 21 Sep 23
Chris is a very experienced and knowledgeable tour guide. He has a personal connection with the cave and was professional with our group. He made our experience enjoyable and fun!
jaime adrian villarreal
20:29 19 Sep 23
Nice tour, off season and on a Tuesday. Not very far walking down, then up, good amount of steps. The two of us were in our sixties, and were able to take our time. Al, our guide was great. Highly recommended!
symphony evans
23:43 18 Sep 23
This was such a great experience! Jay was an extraordinary guide, very knowledgeable, personable & considerate. Myself & my family had the best time! Even my 4 year old found it fascinating & hasn’t stopped talking about our day.
Francine Freeman
22:50 17 Sep 23
The experience was fabulous. The one employee Al made the experience very wonderful. He explained a lot of things showed us a lot and we just had a wonderful time. It is a beautiful cave. The lady at the counter was very personable. Very nice lady, very informative. Great personality, thank you for bringing those kinds of people to us. Our cave experience was fantastic. Will come back again and do it again. And we definitely will recommend going to that cave to our friends and family.
Amma Lewis
22:56 16 Sep 23
Very detailed museum. Well thought out. Our tour guide Al was amazing. Great storytelling. Very informative. Zip line was super fun! Loved the gift shop. Definitely a place to go!
Nicolas Grams
16:25 16 Sep 23
This is where I grew up so I'm partial. Haven't been back in over ten years and all the updates and expansions are amazing. Staff was super friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed the interactive museum portion. What a great addition to such a small tourist town. You'd never know how big it was now from the street inside. My grandmother as well as other members of the town have memorial plaques on the sidewalks out front!
Susan McCappin
08:08 16 Sep 23
We traveled to Mammoth Cave National Park this year for Spring Break and toured several caves in the area. Hidden River Cave was, by far, our family favorite! The attached museum that you can walk thru prior to the tour was really cool - a very unique history of the town and the cave. The cave tour size was small enough that we could ask questions and didn’t feel rushed thru the tour. Our guide, Dylan, was awesome - very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor! The underground river and suspension bridge was beautiful! We met Nugget, the bat 🙂 A very unique experience! We definitely recommend checking out Hidden River Cave if you're in the area!
Muriel Fogarty
20:51 11 Sep 23
The off-trail cave tour was an incredible experience - getting to crawl and climb into otherwise mysteriously inaccessible areas and see cave wildlife, beautiful formations, and strange, ambient spaces was my absolute favorite cave experience while visiting Kentucky. Our guide Jay was passionate, knowledgeable, accommodating and encouraging - it almost felt like getting a private tour of some favorite secret cave hideaways from a good friend. Just a really amazing time!!
Tonia Holt
20:32 10 Sep 23
We were a party of 13 including small children, and our tour guide was amazing. She told us all about the cave and answered all of our questions. The owner or manager, was an amazing person, she made us feel very welcome and like we were family.. Definitely recommend this Hidden River Cave, in my opinion, much better than mammoth cave!
Janice Litz
18:49 10 Sep 23
We went to check out the Cave Museum. We wanted to go on the cave tour, but there are 650 steps round trip (which we didn't know before we got there). But the museum was very interesting. Plus you could take a elevator down to near the cave opening. It was beautiful & cool down there! Tours leave every hour on the hour too.
Wanda Thompson
14:21 10 Sep 23
Cave tour was really interesting. Our guide was very helpful and full of knowledge about the entire cave and site.
Retired & Loving It!
17:00 09 Sep 23
Jay was an absolutely phenomenal tour guide. He knew so much history and shared so much on the tour. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour!
Zarina Steward
15:02 08 Sep 23
The museum was very interesting, and we enjoyed walking through it while waiting for our cave tour. Our cave tour was great, our tour guide was fantastic! One of our favorites for the week!
Alex Horden
17:08 06 Sep 23
This was a fun little tour. Chris was a real good guide! My wife and I really enjoyed it. Would recommend if you are in the area!
Jennel Davis
02:02 04 Sep 23
The museum was informative and covered the history of almost all of the local caves.
Addison Duncan
00:14 04 Sep 23
Great time exploring the cave. Chris was an awesome and very knowledgeable guide.
gary manning
17:17 03 Sep 23
We did not do the cave tour, just the free museum. The museum is very good. There are several displays and they are very informative. It focuses a lot on the area caves and also caves around the world, not just their cave. We enjoyed the stay. If you read everything they offer you'll be there a good bit of time (probably upwards of 1.5 - 2 hours). We read a little here and there and it took about 45 minutes to one hour to go through the two level museum. There are a few stairs to get up and down to experience both levels so if you have mobility issues you'll only be able to see the top floor which is about 1/3 of the experience.
Jennifer Di Luccia
02:02 02 Sep 23
Great stop on our caving tour. Love that this experience supports the college/
Lisa Isaksen
14:37 30 Aug 23
The tour was great, so much history and perfect I tro to the caves in the area. The cave "wildlife" an added bonus!
J Ustincase
18:08 29 Aug 23
Really really cool place. We have been to a few over caves and caverns and this one is quite unique. The running flowing river adds quite a different experience than any other cave we have ever been in. Dylan our tour guide was really great. His knowledge and passion really shined through when he answered questions and through his delivery of the cave. The walkway through the cave is well done. Paved so your secure but not overly done to take away from the raw feel of being in a cave. Overall the best most “raw” experience I have ever had in a cave. I can’t wait to go back and try the longer off trail exploration. 10/10
Kyle Dittner
13:34 29 Aug 23
Great tour. The lighting on path could use a little work but it's a cave...
Peggy H
21:32 25 Aug 23
Very good tour. Great oration of the caves history. Cool cave. Highly recommend!!
Jordan Haley
00:27 25 Aug 23
This cave was AMAZING! Tour guide Al made the experience fun and personal. Beautiful tour with interesting history, definitely see this if you’re in the area!!
Brian Eng
03:21 22 Aug 23
A great spot for kids and adults alike to learn and experience. Shout out to Dylan, our local guide, for providing some interesting history and facts about the caves. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready for the stairs! Highly recommended!
Miranda Lessard
14:51 17 Aug 23
This place was amazing!! Such a great hidden gem. Our tour guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable! I was fascinated by the history of the cave and town. Swinging bridge is very fun! Very different from any of the other caves I've toured. Well worth it!! There are a lot of steps coming out; you've been warned!!!!
Lauren Kirchberger
16:27 16 Aug 23
We stumbled upon this cave on accident and it was the best accident ever! It has the coolest (and stunning) cave entry hidden below the town’s Main Street. It has a lot of stairs, but totally worth the views inside, especially the ending sunset dome. Dylan was a passionate and well educated tour guide. I highly recommend!
Karena Taylor
20:40 31 Jul 23
Had such a great time on the tour! Our guide was Al, he definitely enriched our experience with knowledge and a few jokes. He kept us engaged while being entertained. Couldn't ask for a better way to spend a few hours. Plan to arrive early so you can walk through the 2 level museum. Staff was super friendly also!
Lacey Gordon
02:47 31 Jul 23
We had the most amazing time on this tour. We loved having Al as our tour guide. He was not only very knowledgeable, but he was hilarious. He joked around with our two little girls from time to time while we waited for the others to catch up since we were in the front.We had such a wonderful time. But! Word to the wise, it is slippery so I recommend wearing shoes, not sandles. Also, there are quite a few stairs, so be prepared for a lot of walking up and down stairs.This is definitely a must-see place.
Kerri Milligan
19:02 24 Jul 23
Our family visited here as a last destination before leaving from our trip and so glad we did! Cole was our tour guide and he really enhances the experience! Lots of laughs and he is very knowledgeable about the cave! He made our families experience and we will definitely be back again! So thankful to be able to have seen the beauty of nature! Thank you a great ending adventure!
Brandon and Melody Herring
14:05 24 Jul 23
Hidden River was a great place to add to our cave exploring trip. We didn’t realize how different it was going to be from Mammoth Cave (I.e. 100+ tourists vs 20, dry cave vs wet, no pets vs lovely dogs to watch explore!) Hidden River also has a cool underground suspension bridge that was fun to cross and very friendly, knowledgeable tour guides (and occasionally an overly knowledgeable tourist.) I would definitely recommend this tour and checking out the interesting information to read before/after the tour in the museum area!!
Rebecca D
19:05 23 Jul 23
This was the best Cave tour we took while visiting.Jay was a phenomenal tour guide and you can tell the history of the area and the cave are both things he’s very passionate about. It really shines through and I feel like this was the most comprehensive tour we had our entire trip. It also was on the longer side, which I loved. A full hour and a half and it was the perfect amount of time to really see everything.The steps though are no joke. It’s not bad on the way down, but what goes down must come up. Luckily they have landings were you can kind of stop to catch your breath. That was undoubtedly the hardest part. There were definitely people of all ages and abilities doing it, so it’s definitely doable. Secondly if you have a fear of bridges and heights, the suspension bridge is rough. Our tour guide did let people go at the very end, or by themselves to offset swinging and help with that fear.My only critique is that ITS SO DARK. If you’re in the middle, it’s difficult to see . Up front you have the guide and in the back they also get a flashlight, but in the middle it’s tough. You almost need on more flashlight to help light the path in the middle. Also to see the formations you do need a flashlight to see them.
Deborah Everson
14:18 18 Jul 23
Wow! This place was amazing. Our tour guide did a great job with sharing the history and details of the cave. Crossing the bridge made us feel like we were Indiana Jones. Be ready for some stairs, too. Great tour.
Amanda Baldwin
17:18 15 Jul 23
We took this cave tour with our two small children (ages 5 and 2) and we all had a blast! We weren’t sure what to expect at first until we got to the entrance of the cave and our expectations were exceeded! Chris was our tour guide, he was very knowledgeable about both the history of the cave as well as the creatures that live within. We would highly recommend for people of all ages!
VaNisha Aguilar
19:14 10 Jul 23
I have been to many cave in my years and this is so worth the trip. Dylan did a great good and was very knowledgeable (funny too). Everyone working there was friendly and helpful. Great military discount. And we went home with a cool megalodon tooth.
Jackson Moss
16:11 05 Jul 23
Such a great experience! The only cave tour in the state that allows dogs, so we had to jump on that opportunity and take our two golden retrievers. Dylan was such a great guide, knowledgeable and funny, just a really great time! Super nice and accommodating with our pups, allowing us to use a water hose outside to hose them down before heading home! Would recommend!
Matthew Braverman
23:57 02 Jul 23
This place was great! Such a huge difference from Mammoth Cave (which was also a really neat tour). This cave was wet unlike Mammoth. Tour group much smaller. Underground suspension bridge really neat. Our tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable. It is a lot of stairs but seems like we had a good range of age groups on our tour with no issues. Tour went for about 1.5 hours so definitely feel like we got our money's worth. Would highly recommend this tour (especially amongst all the other show caves in the area).
Spencer Evans
14:19 01 Jul 23
Our guide Al was awesome had a great time. The cave is really interesting stairs can be steep and dark so wear good shoes. The cave has a long history with some funny stories. All the guides are cavers and are very passionate about what they do
Dena Benroth
03:05 26 Jun 23
My family took our family vacation to the Mammoth Cave area this year. Hidden River Cave was definitely a highlight of our vacation. We took the guided tour of the cave which lasted about an hour. Cole was our guide and was pretty humorous. The suspension bridge in the cave was awesome to cross over the underground river. This is a must see while in the Mammoth Cave area.
Andrew Underwood
19:23 24 Jun 23
Went on the adventure tour with our guide Jay and had a great time. All the real tight crawls are optional so don't be scared of that. I'm broad shouldered about 220 lbs and was able to fit through the tightest crawl with a bit of wriggling. Cute museum and gift shop literally right above the cave, pretty cool set up.
Nicole Wade
21:39 21 Jun 23
Museum is free. Your was $25/per, and it took 1 hr. Suspension bridge was a lot of fun! The path is paved or boardwalk. A lot of steps, not accessible if mobility limited. Family friendly. Guide told good history. Could have more geology.
Bridget Dore
20:50 21 Jun 23
We had Jay as a tour guide. He was extremely informative and fun. He did his best to try to find cave creatures. We saw The Red cave salamander, blue crawfish, centipedes, and he was able to point out some cave crickets as well. We loved our cave tour, and would go again!
Tanya Pitkin
23:25 30 Mar 23
Great tour guide and so fun! Adults and kids (ages 9 &11) loved the tour. The gemstone bags were a huge hit and totally worth adding on to your tour tickets. Employees were all incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The museum was also well worth spending some time either before or after your tour. Excited to return and see how the cave changes and expands.
Beth
01:41 30 Mar 23
Awesome experience totally different than the huge option nearby. We went on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed reading through the museum while we waited for the tour to begin. Our favorite parts were the bridge and walking through running water. Thinking about the cave being flooded was wild! What a cool world wonder!
Amanda Perry
19:27 29 Mar 23
We had a last minute spring break change so we decided to go to Mammoth Cave area. After trying to book a Mammoth cave tour with no luck I found Hidden River and I couldn't be happier. Way less people than the park and our tour was great. Our guide was funny and informative. The Cave itself is amazing and the history of the town is really cool.We got there super early just to check the location and ended up exploring the area. We went to Kentucky Stone Henge and Battle for the Bridge preserve which are both less than 20 minutes away.I would recommend this tour to anyone and look forward to coming back.
Courtenay Howell
13:04 17 Mar 23
We were there 20 min before our group tour began and from the time we got out of the car until the time we got into the car to leave it was two hours. You could explore the entrance area further if you wanted to spend more time. It was also a great experience for us as locals. The American Cave museum is free and VERY informative - whether you buy a ticket to your the cave or not it’s a great place to stretch your legs on a long road trip. Very much recommend to anyone. Tour guide, Dylan, was very good with the group as well as informational. Such a neat landmark in the center of town. Very cool.
Katharine Wall
17:19 19 Aug 22
What an awesome cave and museum!!! We have done caves all over and this one was unique, large and cavernous due to the running water. Brooklyn was our tour guide and she did an amazing job, sharing so much history as well as keeping a close eye out for cave critters. Annie was also a joy to interact with!!’ The cave museum was fun to walk through and I loved seeing the blind cave fish. We are so glad we decided to stop in Horse Cave and would definitely recommend this for anyone coming through the area
Jenny P
00:09 14 Aug 22
Today was our first time visiting Hidden Rive Cave. Our guide was Dylan and he was amazing! Answered all our questions and was very informative! The cave was amazing! Great place to visit we would highly recommend it. We enjoyed the free walk through museum, lot to see and explore!
Keith Ruff
01:19 31 Jul 22
This place loves veterans. Has to be one of the best military discounts I have ever seen. All we did was the cave tour but it was great. Our guild Rachel was very knowledgeable and friendly. It's crazy how all of these cave down here are different in their own way. These pictures don't do the cave justice.
Matthew Powers
14:18 22 Jul 22
It was our first tour on our trip to the Mammoth Cave area. My wife and I absolutely enjoyed the tour. It was a small group of folks. Everyone was friendly. Staff was super friendly. The guide was great never was rushed and he also helped take pictures for families. I think his name was Keith. The sights were very interesting. Loved the fact that the river was running through all the way just a really nice cave. I. would recommend for sure. I liked it better than the National Park cave.
Ellisa Kobylak
05:37 12 Jul 22
We really enjoyed this cave tour. Compared to the National Park tour, this group seemed to give more time for photos and questions. It was a slower pace and that made it more enjoyable. There was also less harsh lighting, so you really get a soft glow of the cave.The bridge was really great, too! And our guide, Logan, was knowledgeable and funny.There are a lot of stairs!
Cheyenne Trammell
03:38 11 Jul 22
Cool museum, very cool cave and history. A little pricey but worth it. Staff was nice. Unfortunately the poorest lit cave I’ve ever been in and has a lot of potential for better showing. Was in a big group and also unable to hear the soft-spoken tour guide, but she was not short any enthusiasm about the cave or her job. Certainly still recommend
Michael Huffman
21:14 08 Jul 22
Great place to visit. Friendly staff. The cave was pretty cool with the addition of the bridge. It is easy to walk. Gift shop was really nice and reasonably priced. The museum was pretty basic but nice. I would certainly recommend you go see this cave. I enjoyed it more than mammoth cave.
The Pewter Palace
12:42 18 Jun 22
Super place! Museum is FREE and we'll done. Some interactive exhibits great for kids and adults. Some exhibits need a little TLC and we suspect the downturn in visitors due to pandemic did not help their finances to make needed repairs. All in all a great museum that showcases the early founding of the cave, the town around it and the good years and bad years. It is a story of trimpumph to reclaim a cave the citizens polluted at one time. Now you can happily tour it again! We did not go on the tour ($) due to a sore knee but we were encouraged by the front desk staff to take the elevator down to the walkway and cave entrance. It's like an enchanted garden and nice and cool from the cave air was icing on the cake. We highly recommend visiting this site and pop in all the antique shops and other stores in the downtown just across the street!
Luisa Sherman
03:39 17 Jun 22
Nice gem in downtown. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Exhibits in museum were very well done. Some interactive ones even kids would like. Some showed signs of need for repair but as a small non profit we are sure the pandemic really presented visitation challenges since the museum relies on donations (and yes, we donated today). The gift shop was nicely stocked and we also made a purchase there. Due to an achy knee we did not go on the actual cave tour while visiting. There is a fee for cave tours but the museum is free. The gal at the desk encouraged us to take the elevator to go down to the cave entrance walkway thru the back lawn. It was wonderful being able to get close to the entrance and feel the cool air and mist especially since it was 97 degrees! The temp must have dropped by at least 20 degrees near the cave! The cave and the town has an amazing story and Bravo to all who reclaimed the cave after it had been missed as essentially a dumping ground for decades. It's quite a success story. Definitely go visit when in the area!
Kerstin Brucki
22:38 16 Jun 22
We stopped at Hidden River unexpectedly on a road trip. We walked right in on a Thursday afternoon and was able to get on the next tour. The front staff was nice and welcoming. The museum was a nice intro to the history and wildlife of the cave. Aaron was our tour guide and he was super knowledgeable. He was also patient and willing to let us stop to take photos and answer any questions we had. My husband and I have been to a few other caves in the past, and we thought Hidden River was great. It was worth the stop.
Leeann Mitchell
23:53 17 Apr 22
This cave is a true conservative victory! I did not know this cave even existed until we found it in trip advisor! Linda was a great tour guide who is from the area! It was great to have a local do the tour and she was very informative and interesting! I highly recommend this tour! The museum and gift shop are really great too!
Ethell Yarbrough
23:28 08 Apr 22
Thank you so much to the amazing tour guides on this special tour of the cave 65 miles under the town of Horse Cave! This is incredible of how it could have become a sink hole. Just amazing attention to detail to the history of the town and how the cave came to be. My three year old was all about it! He liked hearing his own echo too, would definitely recommend as a first stop to the beautiful caves Kentucky has to offer. So glad to find this “hidden” gem!
Ethell Yarbrough
23:24 08 Apr 22
Thank you so much to the amazing tour guides on this special tour of the cave 65 miles under the town of Horse Cave! This is incredible of how it could have become a sink hole. Just amazing attention to detail to the history of the town and how the cave came to be. My three year old was all about it! He liked hearing his own echo too, would definitely recommend as a first stop to the beautiful caves Kentucky has to offer. So glad to find this “hidden” gem!
C Williams
21:21 05 Apr 22
We had a great time on our tour today. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately I don't remember his name, but he really did a great job. This was at the 10am tour on 4/5/22.I am out of shape and the steps going back up to exit the cave were a little challenging for me, but I would say that an average person should be fine. The views were well worth it. Really enjoyed visiting the museum beforehand.
J Mazola
02:40 31 Mar 22
Me and my daughter went in 2019 and had an absolutely amazing guide. The whole experience from start to finish was captivating and to my family at least was life changing. The adventure wasn't difficult but was challenging but that was what made it so memorable. I highly recommend it to all my friends if they can make it up that way.
Mila Bahuto
12:31 27 Mar 22
Very convenient location near the highway. The tour lasts about an hour. You will not see any stalactites or stalagmites, but the underground river and three domes underneath are worth visiting too! Our guide, Justin, made the tour funny and informative.
Mike Quesnel
15:51 18 Mar 22
Overall the most organized cave experience we went to during our stay. We had the luck of having the director, cave Dave, lead our tour. He was amazing and full of information during the tour. This cave will surprise you! It is a must see. We personally enjoyed the sights and tour over any other cave we visited. Would give more stars if possible!!!! As of right now you can probably walk in and get tickets for a tour, however as it becomes more discovered this will certainly be a huge attraction and destination!! So be prepared to book ahead in the future!!!!
minuscule studio
06:04 04 Mar 22
Absolutely fantastic! Our group of 4 did the off-trail cave tour and it was incredible- but be ready for a challenge! We waded through cave streams, met local wildlife, climbed, slid, and crawled through an ever-changing maze of chambers. Our guide, Chris, was wonderful- very knowledgeable, made us feel very safe, and took us on an unforgettable adventure. See photos for before/after shots.
Mathew Boals
23:48 03 Mar 22
This Cave is SO cool. The staff was amazing and made me feel as if I was one of them. I visited on a Thursday afternoon and was surprised to find that I was the only one there. Despite being the only one on the tour, Logan (tour guide) was awesome. He took time to listen to my adventures (i had been cave and cavern touring the country this week) and tell me all the cool and interesting details about the cave. Goes to show a 54 year old can learn something new every day (even from a 20ish year old). Definitely visit if you are in the area. I preferred this adventure better than Mammoth cave.
Join the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA)!
Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum are operated by the nonprofit American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA). Donations and membership dues help support our educational programs and operations at the American Cave Museum and also allow us to sponsor conservation efforts that directly protect and preserve caves and groundwater resources nationally.
Annual and monthly memberships are available for your convenience.
Clicking the join or donate buttons below will take you to our secure membership portal.
Membership Benefits
ACCA members are part of a special group working to preserve one of the most unusual environments on Earth. Your support truly makes a difference.
*Regular Membership ($25) Benefits Include:
- FREE admission to the American Cave Museum
- 20% discount on Hidden River Cave tours and Gift Shop items for Member & Guests
- Discounted rates for special exhibitions or events through our affiliation with the Southeastern Museums Conference - for more information, please visit: https://www.semcdirect.net/SERM-Participants
- Reciprocal admission to over 60 museums in the Southeast USA
- Subscription to our quarterly newsletter ACCA News
- voting privileges for election of ACCA Board of Directors
- Opportunities to participate in volunteer projects and educational workshops hosted by the ACCA
- More importantly, you will receive the opportunity to help conserve the fragile and irreplaceable natural caverns and karst areas located throughout America.
*Supporter Membership ($50)
All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member
*Sustainer Membership ($100)
All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member and 1 Guest
*Guarantor Membership ($250), Benefactor Membership ($500), Patron Membership ($1,000), Life Membership
All Regular Membership benefits plus FREE Hidden River Cave tour admission for 1 Member and up to 4 Guests
*Our reservation system does not currently provide a way to include member discounts for tour reservations. If you are a member, please call us at (270) 786-1466 to book your tour. Alternately, you can present your membership card when you arrive.
Please visit the American Cave Conservation Association website for additional donation options and gift membership information.
You can also mail a check or money order (U.S. Funds only) payable to:
American Cave Conservation Association • P.O. Box 409 • Horse Cave, KY 42749
Hidden River Cave & The American Cave Museum are operated by the American Cave Conservation Association,
A National 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit Organization.