The Cave Guide

Carter Caves State Park

Kentucky
225
steps on the tour
45 min
on the main tour
$10
adult ticket

A Kentucky state resort park with several cave tours (X Cave and Cascade Cave year-round, Saltpetre and Bat Cave in summer) plus caves you can explore with a permit.

The story

Saltpetre Cave was once a vital source of gunpowder during the War of 1812 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The text does not state when the cave was discovered or when it opened to visitors.

History source: parks.ky.gov.

What you'll see

  • 30-foot underground waterfall (Cascade Cave)

Tickets and timing

Adults
$10–$12 for the main tours (13+)
Kids
$6 (ages 3–12), free for 2 and under
How long it takes
X-Cave: approximately 45 minutes; Cascade Cave: approximately 75 minutes; Saltpetre Cave: approximately 60 minutes; Bat Cave Walking Tour: approximately 2.5 hours; Saltpetre Crawling Tour: approximately 3 hours.
Hours
X Cave and Cascade Cave year-round; Saltpetre, Bat Cave and specialty tours Memorial Day–Labor Day.
Booking
Tickets only at the Welcome Center on the day, first come, first served. Free permits for self-exploring Horn Hollow (year-round) and Laurel Cave (May–Labor Day), groups of 2+.

Getting around underground

The walk
X-Cave: ¼ mile long, 75 stair steps, some narrow passages and stooping; Cascade Cave: ¾-mile long, easy terrain, 225 stairs throughout the cave; Saltpetre Cave: ½-mile long, flat walking, some stooping, approximately 30 stairs; Bat Cave Walking Tour: 2 miles long, prolonged stooping and bending, slick and muddy terrain, duck walk for approximately 130 feet, one quarter mile hike above ground to and from the cave.
Wheelchairs
The caves are not ADA accessible.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Pets are not permitted on cave tours; only trained service animals are allowed.

Good to know

Minimum age
No minimum age for X-Cave, Cascade Cave, or Saltpetre Cave tours; Saltpetre Lantern Tour requires ages 8 and up; Bat Cave Walking Tour requires at least 8 years old; Crawling Tours require at least 12 years old.
Wildlife
Laurel Cave is home to several thousand Indiana Bats and is managed for these bats.

Special tours and events

Bat Cave walking and crawling tours (2.5 hours, 8+, squeeze test), blacklight and ghost tours in summer.

Getting there

LouisvilleLexingtonBowling GreenCincinnatiColumbus

Carter Caves State Park is in Kentucky.

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Carter Caves State Park take?

X-Cave: approximately 45 minutes; Cascade Cave: approximately 75 minutes; Saltpetre Cave: approximately 60 minutes; Bat Cave Walking Tour: approximately 2.5 hours; Saltpetre Crawling Tour: approximately 3 hours.

Can you visit Carter Caves State Park in a wheelchair?

The caves are not ADA accessible.

Are dogs allowed at Carter Caves State Park?

Pets are not permitted on cave tours; only trained service animals are allowed.

Do you need to book Carter Caves State Park in advance?

Tickets only at the Welcome Center on the day, first come, first served. Free permits for self-exploring Horn Hollow (year-round) and Laurel Cave (May–Labor Day), groups of 2+.

Is there a minimum age for Carter Caves State Park?

No minimum age for X-Cave, Cascade Cave, or Saltpetre Cave tours; Saltpetre Lantern Tour requires ages 8 and up; Bat Cave Walking Tour requires at least 8 years old; Crawling Tours require at least 12 years old.

Listed in: wild caving tours

Checked on 2026-10-22 against parks.ky.gov (Carter Caves caving page). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.

Other caves in Kentucky

Onyx Cave

Cave City, KY, 60°F inside, from $12.50

See all 15 caves in Kentucky