Mammoth Cave National Park

Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink

Wildflower SeasonPhotographersFamilies
1 mi Distance
60 min Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type

What to Expect

This is less a hike and more a geological living room — a one-mile loop that drops you into Cedar Sink, a massive sinkhole carved by millennia of dissolving limestone. The trail descends gently through hardwood forest on a well-maintained path before opening up to towering rock faces and cave springs that seep from the karst walls. The sinkhole floor is its own microclimate, cooler and damper than the surrounding ridgeline, which is exactly why wildflowers explode here in waves from April through October. You'll spot trillium, larkspur, and columbine in spring, then black-eyed Susans and ironweed taking over by midsummer. The rock amphitheater at the bottom feels almost cathedral-like — quiet, shaded, and surprisingly grand for such a short walk. Wheelchair-accessible and dog-friendly, this trail is perfect for botanists, photographers, and anyone who wants a taste of Mammoth Cave's world above ground.
Wildflower SeasonPhotographersFamiliesDog OwnersAccessible Trails

Safety Advisory

The rock faces and cave spring areas can be slippery when wet — stick to the established path, especially after rain when the limestone gets deceptively slick.

Ticks are aggressive in the tall grass sections from May through September — do a thorough check after your hike and consider treating clothing with permethrin beforehand.

Trail Details

Distance 1 miles round-trip
Estimated Time 60 min
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season <p paraeid="{ca28bdc5-8d21-4e1b-8aed-ca8e23cd9395}{173}" paraid="550379709">There are many striking wildflowers to see throughout the warmer parts of spring, summer, and fall.  </p> <p paraeid="{ca28bdc5-8d21-4e1b-8aed-ca8e23cd9395}{183}" paraid="1261641426">As wildflowers bloom and give way to other wildflower species, visitors are consistently rewarded by frequent visits to cedar sink throughout the year and even throughout single seasons.  </p>
Trailhead Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Visit multiple times across the season — Cedar Sink's wildflower display changes every few weeks as different species bloom and fade, so a May visit and a July visit feel like entirely different trails.

Trail Tip

Bring a macro lens or clip-on phone macro if you're into plant photography — the diversity here rewards close-up shots more than wide-angle sweeps, especially along the damp rock faces where ferns and mosses cluster.

Trail Tip

Park early on spring weekends; the Cedar Sink trailhead shares a small lot and fills by mid-morning when wildflower season peaks in late April and May.

Photos

Getting There

More Trails in Mammoth Cave

Explore Mammoth Cave National Park

3 campgrounds, 80 trails, 747K annual visitors

View Park Guide