Diamond Caverns - Park City, Kentucky - Historic Cave Tours In International Biosphere Reserve

Diamond Caverns, a privately owned historic cave within the Mammoth Cave Area International Biosphere Reserve, houses stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formations, viewed in state-of-the-art white lighting by the thousands. Located at 1900 Mammoth Cave Parkway, the cave is neighbor to Mammoth Cave National Park in Park City, Kentucky. The caverns were "discovered'' in 1859, exchanging hands many times over the years. With its rich history, it is now the second oldest show cave in the Central Kentucky Cave Region and fourth oldest operating commercial cave in the U.S. During the 60s, 70s and 80s, Diamond Caverns even played host to wedding ceremonies, still displaying an altar made from cave bacon formation during that period.

On-site guided tours have been conducted for over 140 years and continue to be led year-round with the exception of Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years days, for which they are closed. Tours, lasting approximately one hour, leave every 20-30 minutes, and are a 1/2 mile total in length. The 350 stairs distributed throughout the cave make for a moderately strenuous hike and by-nature, prevent handicapped access. Although snapshot photography is allowed inside of the cave, the use of tripods, monopods and video cameras is prohibited. Other restricted items include: camera bags, backpacks, baby strollers and back-mounted baby carriers. If a child requires a carrier, front-mounted carriers are allowed on the tour.

Operating on Central Time, tours run from 9am until 5pm March 15th through Labor Day; 9am until 4pm, Labor Day through October 31st; and 10am until 4pm November 1st through March 14th. Both individual and group tours are available, with a qualifying group consisting of 10 or more persons. To obtain a group discount one representative must buy all tickets for members of the group. Though reservations are not required of group tours, they are requested. General admission is $16.00 for adult entrance and $8.00 for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Discount rates are available for qualifying groups, with deeper discounts for groups of 25 or more. Diamond Caverns also offers student and scout group rates for K-12, and a student discount for college level visitors. In support of U.S. troops, free admission is granted to all military personnel who are considered to be on active duty.

Throughout the year, the cave holds steady at a temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, which visitors have described as comfortable in both summer and winter seasons. Tourists warn that the cave tends to be wetter than some others, including the neighboring Mammoth Cave that most people visit the same day, cautioning visitors to sport proper footwear and to prepare for possibly frequent dripping. To make the most of a trip to the historic caverns, travelers suggest staying at the nearby Diamond Caverns Resort & Golf Club, offering lodging in condominiums or at their campground.