The Cave Guide
The sinkhole entrance to Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, KentuckyPhoto: James St. John, CC BY 2.0

Hidden River Cave

Horse Cave, KY
230
steps on the tour
1 hr
on the main tour
$26
adult ticket

A cave in Horse Cave, Kentucky, off I-65 exit 58, with the free American Cave Museum on site and what it calls the world's longest swinging underground bridge.

The story

The cave was used as a source of drinking water and hydroelectricity for Horse Cave. Commercial tours were offered from 1912 through 1943. Pollution and other factors led to the cave's closing in 1943. The American Cave Conservation Association relocated to Horse Cave in 1987 and worked to restore the cave. The American Cave Museum opened in 1992, and the cave is now open year-round for tours.

Open to visitors since
1916

History source: hiddenrivercave.com.

What you'll see

  • Sunset Dome
  • World's longest underground swinging bridge
  • Historic hydroelectric remains

Tickets and timing

Adults
$26 (ages 13+)
Kids
$15 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under)
How long it takes
1 hour (can run 75 minutes based on group size)
Hours
Daily 9:30am–4pm Central. Closed Christmas, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving.
Booking
Book tours online.

Getting around underground

The walk
The cave tour travels down approximately 230 stairs to a landing, with additional stairs to the bridge and up into Sunset Dome for a total of 325 steps (one way).
Wheelchairs
The American Cave Museum and the Hidden River Cave sinkhole are handicap accessible. The cave tour is not handicapped accessible.

Dogs, weather and what to wear

Dogs
Pet friendly.

Good to know

Elevator
An elevator ride is available in the museum to the observation deck.
Wildlife
Visitors may see unique wildlife; the cave was once home to blind cavefish and blind cave crayfish.
On site
gift shop, museum, nature area

Special tours and events

Sunset Dome and off-trail adventure tours.

Getting there

NashvilleLouisvilleLexingtonBowling Green

119 East Main Street, Horse Cave, KY 42749

Directions in Google Maps

Distances are straight-line from each city center.

Before you go

  • The American Cave Museum is free.
  • About 90 minutes from Nashville and 75 from Louisville.

Questions people ask

How long does a visit to Hidden River Cave take?

1 hour (can run 75 minutes based on group size)

Can you visit Hidden River Cave in a wheelchair?

The American Cave Museum and the Hidden River Cave sinkhole are handicap accessible. The cave tour is not handicapped accessible.

Are dogs allowed at Hidden River Cave?

Pet friendly.

Do you need to book Hidden River Cave in advance?

Book tours online.

Where is Hidden River Cave?

119 East Main Street, Horse Cave, KY 42749

Checked on 2026-10-22 against hiddenrivercave.com (official site). 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