Carter Caves State Resort Park Things to Do

If you walk all the way through Laurel Cave, come out the other side, hike up a dry creek bed (about .2 mi.), you will come to Horn Hollow Cave. It can also be reached off of the Horn Hollow Trail which is a 2 mile hike. There is standing and running water in here and the ceiling gets quite low. Not low enough to crawl, but an adult of average height will have to stoop....which can be quite uncomfortable. This cave is not as long as Laurel, but more difficult to get through. You will need a flashlight and good shoes!! This is a wild cave and you will need a permit for this one, as well!

This is a Wild Cave that you explore on your own. You will need a flashlight and a pair of shoes with good tread. There is standing and running water and it's VERY slippery. The main path doesn't require stooping or crawling, but there are 2 other levels (which I did not explore) that do require climbing wet logs and belly crawling. The walls don't get too close...if anything, it makes it easier because you can hold onto them while walking through the water. There are many potholes so take your time in here!
A permit is required for this cave. There's no charge, you just have to let them know you're going in and you have to sign out when you are finished. This is done at the welcome center.

The stables offer horseback rides on a 3 mile bridle trail. It's a rough ride with lots of inclines so I don't recommend this for people with back problems. Other than stopping to sample the trailside plants, the horses are well behaved for children. Ages 7 and under not allowed, but can take a pony ride around the stables for $5.

$15 per person

This short hike (.1 mi.) includes descending a steep incline AND steep stairs, but the reward is magnificent! I recommend doing this in the morning as the sun shines right on it through the trees and brings out the brilliant greens of the ferns. You can continue hiking past the bridge and meet up with the 3 Bridges Trail. The trailhead is behind the cottages.

This bridge can be reached via the Raven Bridge Trail (.7 mi. in length) or on the 3 Bridges Trail, which is 3.5 miles in length and will take you by the Smokey Bridge, Fern Bridge, and Raven Bridge. This is , by far, the best hike I did in the park. The area around this bridge is VERY picturesque!

You will want to stop in here to get all the information you will need to make your trip more enjoyable. In addition to maps and information, you can pick up a schedule of daily activities offered in the park. This is where you reserve and pay for cave tours. You can also purchase Kentucky handcrafts, souvenirs, and snacks.
Open 9 am - 5 pm (6:30 in the summer months)

This impressive bridge is the only natural bridge that supports a paved road and one of the landmarks of the area. The trailhead is behind the Welcome Center and is less than a half mile in length. It is also the easiest trail to a bridge! Beyond it, the trail becomes more difficult.

The trail to reach this bridge can be found behind the lodge. It's about .2 mi. and not too difficult. It's hard to get photos of any of the bridges because of their locale. This one is the largest in the park.