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Wide, gravel trail that descends from the Historic Entrance to the River Styx Spring.


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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.8

KM

81%

Runnable

771' 235 m

High

547' 167 m

Low

16' 5 m

Up

225' 68 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

15%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring

Description

The River Styx Spring Trail can be accessed from the visitor center by taking the Historic Entrance trail from the visitor center. Once you pass the entrance to the cave, the River Styx Spring Trail transforms into a crushed gravel trail that remains wide. The trail descends through the forest where you may see deer feeding or resting throughout the day. Depending on rain fall, water may be flowing down a creek bed on the right hand of the trail. The trail rounds the corner at the bottom of the hill and approaches a boardwalk that allows you to go out and view the River Styx Spring, where the River Styx emerges from Mammoth Cave. Due to its short distance, crushed gravel, and proximity to the historic entrance, this is a pretty popular trail. Rangers do guided hikes from the visitor center to the spring throughout the year, so check in at the visitor center that day to see if there is a free ranger tour if you want to learn more about the spring.

From here, you can either retrace your steps on the wide gravel trail, or you can follow one of several narrow dirt trails that lead back uphill toward the visitor center. If you continue straight uphill, the Sunset Point Trail provides access to the visitor center. If you turn back and follow the Green River Trail to the Dixon Trail, you can make your way back to your car that way.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 9 votes

#7

in South Side

#12793

Overall
  3.6 from 9 votes
5 Star
11%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
11%
Trail Rankings

#7

in South Side

#134

in Kentucky

#12,793

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,109 Since Nov 13, 2023
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The underground River Styx emerges.
Jun 1, 2017 near Brownsv…, KY
The River Styx spills from the cave mouth down to the Green River.
May 1, 2017 near Brownsv…, KY
View from sunset point.
Oct 13, 2020 near Brownsv…, KY
River Styx
Oct 13, 2020 near Brownsv…, KY
The trail ends at the Old Guide's Cemetery where you can learn more about how slaves and their descendants have been part of Mammoth Cave's visitor experience for years.
Nov 9, 2023 near Brownsv…, KY
It's always a good idea to take in the view of the River Styx Spring.
May 25, 2016 near Brownsv…, KY

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All Clear 39 days ago
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