What is Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave is closed to entry every year from October 1 through April 30, when Townsend's big-eared bats hibernate inside, so plan it for summer or early fall.
Caves
Mammoth Cave
One of Utah's largest lava tubes, closed October 1 to April 30 for hibernating bats
At a glance
- Elevation
- 8,050 ft · Lava tube
- Drive time
- ~25 min from the inn
- Difficulty
- Moderate: an undeveloped lava tube with no lights and no stairs; the far exit narrows to a belly crawl
- Parking
- Small dirt pullout at the signed site. Just east of Duck Creek Village on Highway 14, turn onto Forest Road 067, go five miles, turn right onto Forest Road 064, then after about a mile turn left and watch for the sign.
- Pets
- Dogs are fine on a leash up top, but leave them there. Past the entrance it is pitch dark, the basalt is sharp, and the far exit is a crawl.
Mammoth Cave is closed to entry every year from October 1 through April 30, when Townsend's big-eared bats hibernate inside, so plan it for summer or early fall. When it is open, it is one of the largest lava tubes in Utah: over 2,200 feet of passage at about 8,050 feet on the Markagunt Plateau, formed by cooling lava and flowing water, some of it only a few thousand years old. From the surface it looks like a big hole in the ground. Below, nothing is developed — no lights, no handrails, no walkway. The Forest Service asks for a good light for every person, and it means it, because the cave goes pitch dark after the first turn. The far exit is a small tube with only enough room to slide through on your belly, so if you are broad-shouldered or claustrophobic, turn around and walk back the way you came.
The drive from the inn
Forest roads are where people get lost on the way to a cave, so every turn below is a numbered pin on the map. Tap a line to see what that stretch of road is like.
Highway 14 east 1.2 miles, left on Mammoth Creek Road (FR-067), 5.5 miles to the right turn onto FR-609, about a mile, then left onto Mammoth Cave Road for the last 0.4 mile. Eight miles total, the last 1.4 on dirt.
- Paved
- Graded dirt
- Rough dirt
Duck Creek Village Inn
Head east on Highway 14 for 1.2 miles.
Mammoth Creek Road (FR-067)
Signed junction on the left. Paved, and it stays paved for the next five and a half miles.
Right onto FR-609
The turn people miss, because the paved road carries on invitingly ahead. Five and a half miles up from Highway 14; the pavement ends at this corner.
Left onto Mammoth Cave Road
About a mile along FR-609. Rough dirt from here, but short.
Mammoth Cave
Dirt pullout at the signed collapse. No water, no toilet, no fee, and no lights in the cave.
Coordinates37.56823, -112.58805Elevation8,050 ft
Highlights
- Over 2,200 feet of passage in one of the largest lava tubes in Utah
- Closed to entry October 1 through April 30 for hibernating Townsend's big-eared bats
- About 8,050 feet elevation on the Markagunt Plateau; some of the lava is only a few thousand years old
- Completely undeveloped, with no lights, no stairs, and pitch dark past the first turn
- The exit is a belly-crawl tube; you can always turn around and return the way you came
- Bats use the cave as a nightly summer roost, along with small birds and mammals
Tips
Carry a good light for every person and a spare set of batteries — the Forest Service spells this out for a reason. Water seeps in near the back and glazes the rock, so wear real hiking shoes rather than sneakers. Move quietly, keep your beam off any roosting bats, and leave the rock where you found it. If you are not sure the seasonal closure has lifted, call the Cedar City Ranger District at 435-865-3700 before you make the drive.
When to go
Entry is prohibited from October 1 through April 30 each year for hibernating bats, which makes summer and early fall the only window. Snow lingers on the access road into spring and the last stretch is dirt, so give it time to dry out. Late June through September is the dependable stretch.
| Cave | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth CaveClosed to entry October 1 through April 30 by order, for hibernating bats. May opens on paper, but the forest road often has snow on it. | January: Closed | February: Closed | March: Closed | April: Closed | May: Open | June: Best | July: Best | August: Best | September: Best | October: Closed | November: Closed | December: Closed |
- Best
- Open
- Depends
- Closed
What to bring
- A good light for every person, plus a spare. This is the one rule the Forest Service spells out
- Shoes with real tread; seepage at the back of the cave leaves the rock slippery
- Long sleeves and a warm layer for the moment you drop below ground
- Gloves and clothes you do not mind scuffing on rough basalt
Stay planning
Once this stop is on your list, use Plan Your Days for itinerary ideas or compare our rooms and cabins to match the style of trip you want.
May 2026
Why trust this guide
Cave access, forest roads, and shoulder-season weather can change faster than people expect around Duck Creek. We use guest trip-planning experience here, but always recommend checking the official sources below before you commit to the drive.
Questions: Mammoth Cave
Cave basics, driving distance, and what to know before you go.
How far is Mammoth Cave from Duck Creek Village Inn?
Mammoth Cave is about ~25 min from Duck Creek Village Inn in the current cave guide.
What should I know before visiting Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave and Bower Cave are both closed to entry annually from October 1 through April 30 to protect hibernating Townsend's big-eared bats. Confirm the current status with the Cedar City Ranger District at 435-865-3700 before you drive out.
Go up one level
Start from the cave hub if you want the broader set of lava tubes and cave stops before picking one route.
Related stops
Sideways links to other caves and nearby stops that match this kind of adventure.
Next steps
These next-step guides help you connect a cave stop to a bigger Duck Creek or park day.
Duck Creek Village
ATV trails, fishing, fall colors, caves, and mountain-town living at 8,400 feet
View guideDuck Creek
A village day for trails, lake air, easy meals, and a slower Southern Utah pace
See itineraryDuck Creek Ice Cave
A classic cold-trap ice cave with one chamber that holds ice into summer
See caveChoose your stay
Keep the planning moving with room, cabin, and comparison options that fit the pace of the trip.
Stay Here, Explore Mammoth Cave Tomorrow
Book your room or cabin at Duck Creek Village Inn - ~25 min from Mammoth Cave.