Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave, KY, 54°F inside, from $15
75
steps on the tour
X Cave
Kentucky, part of Carter Caves
45 min
on the main tour
$10
adult ticket
A short Carter Caves tour of a quarter mile with 75 steps, open year-round.
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 X Cave was discovered or when it opened to visitors.
History source: parks.ky.gov.
Tickets and timing
- Adults
- $10 (13+)
- Kids
- $6 (ages 3–12), free for 2 and under
- How long it takes
- About 45 minutes
- Hours
- Year-round.
- Booking
- Tickets only at the park Welcome Center on the day, first come, first served; no advance or online sales.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- A quarter mile with 75 steps.
- Wheelchairs
- 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.
Getting there
X Cave is in Kentucky.
- Lexingtonabout 79 miles
- Cincinnatiabout 90 miles
- Columbusabout 110 miles
Distances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to X Cave take?
About 45 minutes
Can you visit X Cave in a wheelchair?
Caves are not ADA accessible.
Are dogs allowed at X Cave?
Pets are not permitted on cave tours; only trained service animals are allowed.
Do you need to book X Cave in advance?
Tickets only at the park Welcome Center on the day, first come, first served; no advance or online sales.
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
Lost River Cave
Bowling Green, KY, 57°F inside
Carter Caves State Park
Kentucky, from $10
Onyx Cave
Cave City, KY, 60°F inside, from $12.50
Diamond Caverns
Park City, KY, 58°F inside, from $24