Favorite Flower Sites in
Mammoth Cave National Park
A list of park trail distances can be found at
https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Trail maps are available at
https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Click on "Brochure Map" in the top left corner of the map to see trails.
It is illegal to pick flowers or dig plants in
Mammoth Cave National Park.
Spring wildflowers are mostly found in wooded areas, before the canopy leaves have fully emerged. There are several locations which provide extravagant flower displays from late March through mid-April.
Cedar Sink Trail. (37.15599 -86.15957) Probably "the" wildflower hotspot in the park. The trail leads down into a large sinkhole. The top portion features cranefly and rattlesnake plantain orchids, wild ginger, Jacob's ladder, wild geraniums, rue anemone, May apples, foam flowers, and several species of violets. Down in the sink, sessile and bent trilliums flower in profusion, along with larkspur, Celandine poppies, Dutchman's britches, squirrel corn, Solomon's seal and false Solomon's seal, yellow trout-lilies, widow's cross, and stonecrop. There are spring days when it would be impossible to leave the trail without stepping on the abundant carpet of flowers (stay on the trail!) Patches of columbine appear a little later in the spring.
River Styx trail to Green River Bluffs trail. (Starts behind the visitor center.) This hike down to the Green River and back up the bluffs leads you through deeper woods than Cedar Sink trail. Spring flowers are abundant, including early phlox, rue anemone, false rue anemone, bloodroot, purple phacelia, larkspur, and celandine poppies. The dryer walk back up the hill includes beautiful patches of twinleaf, May apples, Virginia bluebells, dwarf crested-iris and fire pinks. Up near the top, one finds pussytoes, yellow stargrass, bluets, and occasional birds-foot violets.
The Echo River Spring trail (37.1796, -86.1117), now a one-mile loop, is a good spot for river bottom species in spring.
The boardwalk trail around Sloan's Crossing Pond (37.15116, -86.09812) can be good in both spring and summer. Wet soil species thrive here, including Virginia meadow-beauty, swamp rose, and button bush.
Another brief hike is found on the Turnhole Bend Nature Trail (37.16240, -86.15845). Large sinkholes and a panoramic views of the Green River Valley add to a nice variety of spring and summer flowers. Watch for flowering spider lilies in August.
Farther from the visitor center, but worth the drive, is the trail from the Temple Hill trailhead (37.2189, -86.2219) down to First Creek Lake. (not the much longer First Creek Trail.) This switchback trail goes from sandstone caps at the top down to the river bottoms, revealing a great collection of woodland ferns and flowers along the way. This 1.2 - mile downhill spur can be combined with a loop around First Creek lake for a four- to five-mile hike. The hike coming back up includes a notable uphill grade.
Summer and Fall flowers. These species tolerate, and often prefer, full sunlight; they are frequently found in fields and along open roadsides.
The southern end of the MC Railroad Bike and Hike Trail (37.10420, -86.0582) leads through an open prairie patch. Heading north from the small parking lot at the trail head, one traverses a lightly wooded and then a more open area. The trail crosses the Diamond Caverns parking lot about one mile north of the trailhead, and continues north through another mile of open fields. This walk is excellent for goldenrods, sunflowers, tick-trefoils, and blazing-stars, along with numerous others. Eggert's sunflower can be found not far north of the trailhead.
Park Roads can be an excellent source of interesting plants throughout the growing season. Most are well-shaded during the late spring and summer, but open patches and wet spots can host a nice variety of species. Unless otherwise labeled, it is OK to pull well off the road and explore when you see something that beckons.
The roadsides down to Houchens Ferry (37.19930, -86.23660) and the riverside trail west the adjoining campsite are rich with flowers in the spring. The ferry has been closed for several years, and there is little or no traffic in this area. This area is rich with larkspur, foam flower, Solomon's seal, Jacob's ladder, and other spring species.
Flint Ridge Road west of the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church has lots of good plants, including boneset, rue-anemone, false aloe, blazing-stars, and many more. Some of the mowed shoulders provide mini-prairie patches, with coneflowers, Western sunflowers, narrow-leaved vervain, and silky asters being present in season. Park at the church (37.19762, -86.07324), or at one of the gates at 37.19713, -86.07935 or at 37.19341, -86.08725. Be careful not to block access to the gated roads. Be careful on Flint Ridge Rd, as there are several spots with minimal road edges. There is not much traffic, but you must stay alert.
Joppa Ridge Road (37.17915, -86.10435) is a little-traveled one-way gravel road through mature and second-growth forest. It is a nice place to explore at any season.
On the north side of the park, Ugly Creek Rd (also labeled Little Jordan Rd) cuts through a five-mile section of mature forest. This road washes out after heavy rains; a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive is preferred. Starting from the west end of the road (37.23861, -86.12440) and driving east, you will encounter some downhill stretches that are easier to navigate than if you travel in the opposite direction. This road can be a gold mine of woodland species throughout. The ford at Ugly Creek (37.23372, -86.10495) is especially bountiful. Park in the small space just west of the creek and explore its banks. Orchids, spurred violets, loosestrife, tall bellflower, and numerous other wildflowers can be found here in season.
