Department of Parks
Cave Tours at Carter Caves Continue at Two Caves During Winter

OLIVE HILL, Ky. – Carter Caves State Resort Park continues to offer cave tours during the winter season in two caves.

Tours of Cascade Cave are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily through April 2. Cascade Cave is one of the largest of over 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 tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers a walking distance of about ¾ 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.

Tours of X-Cave are offered daily at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. through April 2. The tour begins at the welcome center. X-cave has two vertical joint passages that meander through a large layer of limestone which puts you up-close to many beautiful cave formations.  Some of the highlighted features include turkey rock, the pipe organ, and the giant column which is 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 ¼ 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.

Besides the cave tours, Carter Caves offers hiking, golf, mini-golf, 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 (Olive Hill exit). Turn left off the exit onto U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. Park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

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