Department of Parks
Carter Caves Expands Cave Tours Starting April 3

OLIVE HILL, Ky. – Carter Caves State Resort Park will expand the number of cave tours it offers beginning April 3.

The park will offer 11 tours on Saturdays and Sundays at Cascade Cave and X-Cave. There are five scheduled tours on every weekday. Carter Caves can also provide special tour times for school groups and other large groups.

“These cave tours are a great way to experience adventure while learning about geology and history,” said Coy Ainsley, the park’s naturalist. “Our guests – especially school-age children – really enjoy these tours because they get to see the underground world.”

Cascade Cave is one of the largest of more than 200 caves in Carter County and is noted for its large chambers and numerous cave formations.  Highlights of the tour include the reflecting pool in the Lake Room, the unique cave formations in the Cathedral Room and an underground waterfall over 30 feet high. The 75-minute tour covers a walking distance of about three-fourths of a mile.

Ticket sales stop 15 minutes before Cascade Cave tours. A short drive from the welcome center is required and transportation is not provided. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. Children under three are free.

X-cave has two vertical joint passages that meander through a large layer of limestone that allows you to see up-close many beautiful cave formations.  Some of the highlighted features include Turkey Rock, the Pipe Organ and the Giant Column, the largest cave formation found at the park.  Be aware of your surroundings and you will discover how this cave became known as “X-Cave.”  

The X-Cave tour covers about a quarter of a mile and lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-12. Children under three are free. The X-cave tour begins at the welcome center. 

Group discounts are available. The park is also taking reservations for spring school field trips.  The park can offer tours and other educational programs for K-12 students.  Call the park for tour times and reservations. 

Besides the cave tours, Carter Caves offers hiking, golf, mini-golf, camping and fishing. Carter Caves also has a lodge, cottages and restaurant. For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or 1-606-286-4411.

To get to Carter Caves State Resort Park from Interstate 64 east, take exit 161, the Olive Hill exit. Turn left off the exit onto U.S. 60 east. Go approximately two miles and turn left on KY 182 north. Park entrance is three miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

--30—