Last updated: April 4, 2025
Thing to Do
Explore Wildflowers at Cedar Sink
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to an incredible variety of seasonal wildflowers due to the abundance of forest habitats. One such place an enormous sinkhole called Cedar Sink. It hosts a stunning variety of spring and summer wildflowers, making it a favorite spot for hikers and floral enthusiasts.
The hike is 1-mile roundtrip, with several sets of stairs that will lead you down into the sink hole and back out. A total of 295 stairs will be traveled during the hike.
Details
Duration
45-60 Minutes
This is a 1-mile (1.6 km) loop trail that begins and ends at the Cedar Sink trailhead.
As Cedar Sink is located approximately 10 minutes away from the visitor center, you will need to factor travel time and parking into your schedule for the day.
Activity
Front-Country Hiking
Age(s)
Consider your abilities; visitors will walk down approximately 150 feet of stairs into the sinkhole and return back up.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Owners must keep pets on leashes no longer than 6 feet and clean up after their pets.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Cedar Sink Trailhead
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
There are many striking wildflowers to see throughout the warmer parts of spring, summer, and fall.
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.
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
For a quiet hike into Cedar Sink, visitors may like to visit early in the morning before the park begins to fill up.
Accessibility Information
Cedar Sink trail is not accessible for all visitors.
The trail to Cedar Sink is a rolling dirt path, roughly 6 feet wide. This section extends for approximately 0.75 miles before arriving at the sink.
To enter the sink, visitors must descend 150 feet of stairs and return up another 150 feet of stairs at the other end of the sinkhole.
Once inside the sinkhole, footing is fairly flat and stable.
Parking is at located at the trailhead, and may fill up quickly depending on visitation.
Service animals are welcome on this trail.