Meet Tallulah and Fiona, who are looking for the best Mammoth Cave pet-friendly lodging. They are very particular about where we stay on our trips – nothing but the best will do!
Your puppers probably feel the same way, so if you’re planning a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park and you’re looking for pet-friendly accommodations, we’re here to help.
Published September 3, 2024…Updated January 8, 2025
The Best Pet-Friendly Lodging in Mammoth Cave National Park
The Woodlands Cottages at Mammoth Cave
You can stay in the Mammoth Cave National Park – not in the cave itself, but on the grounds. The park has three separate lodging areas – Sunset Terrace, the Historic Cabins, and the Woodlands Cottages. Only the Woodland Cottages are pet-friendly. They are conveniently located within easy walking distance of the Mammoth Cave Lodge and Visitor Center.
The Woodland Cottages are available with either one, two, three, or four bedrooms, meaning they can accommodate as few as two guests or up to 16 guests.
The cottages do not have AC or heat, so they are only available seasonally—usually from April 1 to November 1. However, each cottage has ceiling fans.
There is also a mini-fridge and coffee maker, but no other cooking is allowed. Fortunately, there are two restaurants located in the Lodge, as well as a coffee shop that serves Starbucks coffee. WooHoo!
Good to Know…
- Cost for Pets – $30/night; Kennels are also available
- Address – 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Website – www.mammothcave.com/lodging.
- Nearby Restaurants – Lantern Cafe; Green River Grill; Maple Springs Coffee & Gifts – All are in the Mammoth Cave Lodge
The Best Pet-Friendly Lodging in Park City, KY
The Maples Retreat at Park Mammoth
Park City is a small town located just 9 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park – a short 16-minute drive. There’s not a lot here – a gas station, a small diner, and The Maple Retreat.
This is where we stayed on our last trip to Mammoth Cave.
These cabins were perfect for us. They have a well-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, two full baths, a washer and dryer, and, of course, they are pet-friendly.
The Maple Retreat is located in a wooded area less than two miles outside of Park City. It is a quiet spot, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. It was also a good location for taking Tallulah and Fiona on walks.
Good to Know
- Cost for Pets – No added fees. A maximum of 2 pets are allowed with a maximum weight of 50lbs each.
- Address – 1 Jagni Loop, Park City, KY 42160
- Website – www.themapleretreat.com
- Nearby Restaurants – If you’re looking for some excellent small-town diner food, try Miss Betty’s Diner. So good! It’s only a couple or three minutes from The Maples Retreat. We had breakfast there, and we highly recommend it. Plus…I have two words for you – Homemade Pie! I had a big piece of coconut pie with breakfast!
The Best Pet-Friendly Lodging in Cave City, KY
Hampton Inn
Cave City is only 10 minutes up I-65 from Park City and only 20 minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park. There are more restaurants and more hotels here than in Park City. However, most of the hotels are not pet-friendly…but the Hampton Inn will welcome your pet.
As a part of the Hilton family of hotels, the Hampton Inn is a known commodity. It has all the usual amenities – an indoor pool, free breakfast, free Wifi, and a fitness center. It is in a convenient location, near the park as well as several restaurants.
Good to Know…
- Cost for Pets – $75.00 for 1-4 Nights; $125 for 4+ Nights; 75-pound weight limit
- Address – 803 Sanders St, Cave City, KY 42127
- Website – www.hilton.com
- Nearby Restaurants – Cracker Barrel; El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant; Bucky Bee’s BBQ; Cave City Pizza…plus every fast food restaurant known to man
The Best Pet-Friendly Lodging in Horse Cave, KY
Holiday Inn Express
Moving on up I-65, you will come to Horse Cave, KY. The town is just over 4 miles from Cave City, and about 25 minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park. This is where you will find the Holiday Inn Express.
This is a name you will recognize, just like the Hampton Inn. And its list of amenities is practically identical to the Hampton Inn—a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, etc. The Holiday Inn Express does have one amenity that Hampton Inn does not (at least right now) – EV chargers for your electric vehicle.
Choosing between the Hampton and the Holiday Inn may be decided by which travel rewards you collect and use – Hilton Honors or IHG Rewards.
Good to Know…
- Cost for Pets – $50/stay; only dogs allowed – no cats, snakes, alligators, or llamas
- Address – 750 Flint Ridge Rd, Horse Cave, KY 42749
- Website – ihg.com
- Nearby Restaurants – Horse Cave wins the reward for the most creatively-named restaurants – 5 Broke Girls; Two Birds Cafe & Sawdust & Splinters; Terrazul; Farmwald’s Dutch Bakery & Deli
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I bring my pup to Mammoth Cave National Park? That’s a definite “maybe”. We chose to bring ours because they are old and have health issues. Mammoth Cave National Park, unlike many parks, does allow you to walk your leashed dogs on the surface hiking trails (though not on the cave tours). However, bringing along pets can be challenging and restrictive.
The Wrap – Find the Best Mammoth Cave Pet-Friendly Lodging
I get it. Your pets are like your kids, and you want to bring them with you on your trip to Mammoth Cave National Park…and so you should!
You now have four good options for pet-friendly lodging. They are convenient to the park, convenient to restaurants, and ready to receive you and your pets. So…
Happy Hiking! (Woof!)
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The Author
Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of National Park Ventures. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers maximize their own national park ventures.
Jeff and Mary Ellen have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in the mountains outside Blue Ridge, GA.