Mammoth Cave has no RV camping from December 1 to February 28. The one campground that stays open is tent-only.

From December 1 to February 28 there is nowhere to camp in an RV or trailer inside Mammoth Cave National Park. Two of the park’s three campgrounds close for the winter, and the one that stays open, Houchin Ferry, is tent-only. We read the park’s pages, its campground data and the Recreation.gov listings on November 11, 2026.

What closes and what stays open

The park’s camping page gives Mammoth Cave Campground and Maple Springs a March 1 to November 30 season, and Houchin Ferry “Year Round.” The park’s campground data puts exact dates on it: Mammoth Cave Campground has a “Seasonal Winter Closure” from December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027, and Maple Springs is closed for the same window.

That leaves Houchin Ferry: 12 sites on the south bank of the Green River, about two miles east of Brownsville, at $20 a night or $10 with a Senior or Access Pass. The data lists potable water year-round, portable toilets and no dump station. The Recreation.gov listing says it in one line: “No RVs or Trailers. No generators.” The park’s own rules summary for Houchin Ferry still lists generator hours, so the two disagree. Leave the generator home.

Why a rig can’t just park somewhere

The park’s camping regulations say: “Overnight camping is not permitted in parking lots, overlooks, or along roadsides in the park.” Backcountry sites are reached on foot, by horse or by boat, and floodplain camping “is only accessible by boat.” So from December through February a van, RV or trailer has no legal overnight spot inside the park.

The catch

The stay limit is written two ways. The regulations page says “Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive nights.” The fee listings for all three campgrounds say 14 days “in a calendar year.” Plan on the stricter one.

Houchin Ferry is “tent-only,” and we couldn’t find a line on sleeping in a car or van at a site there. Ask before you count on it.

The floodplain permits are issued “at the Mammoth Cave Campground in person only on the day of your trip,” and that campground closes December 1. We couldn’t find where they’re issued in winter. Call the park at (270) 758-2180.

The Green River Ferry is out too. A November 9 alert says it “has temporarily suspended operation due to low water levels,” with no return date. Through November 30, Maple Springs is still reachable the long way: the park’s directions page routes you through Brownsville and over Nolin River Dam. Houchin Ferry is on the south bank, reached by road from KY-70 near Brownsville, so the ferry outage doesn’t affect it.

What to do

1. If you’re in an RV or trailer, book Mammoth Cave Campground for a night before December 1, or plan to stay outside the park.
2. If you’re tenting, Houchin Ferry is the winter option. Bring your own trash bags. The park’s rules for the campground say to put refuse in dumpsters or carry it out, and its data lists no trash collection there.
3. For an RV option in Kentucky, Big South Fork says its Blue Heron Campground will stay open December 2026 to March 2027 as a pilot. Its campground data still lists an April to November season and seasonal water, so call 423-569-9778 before you go.

The posted sign and what the ranger tells you beat this page. For the rules that apply in every park, see our national park camping rules guide, and for national forest options in the state, our Kentucky free camping page.