Looking for a weekend getaway before school started, we booked an off-trail tour at Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, Kentucky. It has the world’s longest underground suspension bridge and a beautiful Sunset Dome at the end of the regular tour. But we’ve never been off trail before. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hidden River Cave off-trail tour, including how long it is, what it costs, how to book it, and what items to bring with you.
Big thanks to Hart County Tourism for sponsoring this trip to Hidden River Cave. We love our weekend getaways to Kentucky, and how easy it is to get there from Nashville.
Our Hidden River Cave off-trail tour experience
We’ve toured the cave several times before, but this was the first time we did an off-trail tour. We were quite sure what to expect, but knew we’d get muddy!
It was so cool to experience parts of the cave we’d never seen before. There were some tight squeezes, and we had to crawl on our hands & knees in several spots.
Midway through the tour, there was a room you could belly crawl to. But you had to go one at a time because it was pretty small. I didn’t venture into the crawl space, but Timothy did (and so did about half of our tour group).
Where is Hidden River Cave located?
Hidden River Cave is located in the middle of Horse Cave, Kentucky. While driving through the city, you may not even notice the entrance to the cave if you’re not paying attention.
Horse Cave is in Hart County, Kentucky, about 40 miles northeast of Bowling Green, and it’s about a 90-minute drive north of Nashville. Visiting Hidden River Cave is one of the best things to do in Horse Cave, Kentucky.
How much does a trail tour cost?
There are different prices for the standard cave tour and if you want to go off-trail. For those looking for a bargain, you get to do everything that’s included in the standard cave tour when you book an off-trail tour.
Standard cave tour (approx 60-75 mins)
- Adult (ages 15+) – $25
- Child (ages 6-14) – $12
- Child (ages 5 and under) – FREE
- Active Military – FREE (must have a valid ID)
Off-trail cave tour (approx 3-4 hours)
- $53 per person for groups of 2-19
- $43 per person for groups of 20 or more
- Children are the same price as adults. You must be at least 10 years of age to go on the off-trail tour.
You can buy tickets and book your tour online, over the phone (270-786-1466), or in person inside the American Cave Museum. While you can purchase tickets in person, there’s always the chance that the tour will be sold out.
Our off-trail cave adventure tours require at least a 48-hour advance reservation.
How long does the Hidden River Cave off-trail tour last?
The whole tour takes about three to four hours from start to finish. Since you’ll be muddy, plan for extra time to clean up and change clothes after the tour.
You’ll go through the American Cave Museum to check in to your tour. It is free to enter, and it has several interesting exhibits featuring exhibits on karst geology, groundwater, archaeology and the many uses of caves. Although the museum is spread across two floors, you can go through the whole thing in about 30 minutes.
When you’re done with the cave tour and the museum, check out the local restaurants in and around Horse Cave. A few of our favorites include Farmwald’s Dutch Restaurant and Bakery (closed on Sundays), Green River Hill Grocery (rotating menu of homemade goodies), or Murray’s Restaurant (home cooking with daily specials).
What should I wear on the off-trail tour?
During the tour, you’re sure to get wet and at least a little muddy. Since you’re walking off-trail, there isn’t a defined path in some areas. We walked through shin-deep water in some spots, and the recent rains left it muddy throughout. In fact, just as we were finishing up the tour and almost at the stairs, I slipped and fell in the mud.
Here are a few items you should bring with you:
- Boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes are required
- Wear warm clothes, suitable for getting muddy
- Knee pads are suggested for crawling over rocks
- Rugged, waterproof gloves for tight spaces and crawling over rocks
- Phone case or dry storage bag to protect against water and dirt
- Change of clothes and a towel
Consider bringing a headlamp or a small flashlight for the tour. The Hidden River Cave staff has some headlamps to share, but it’s a good idea to bring your own. That way, you’re sure to have the best light to guide you.
Where to stay in Horse Cave, Kentucky?
For travelers who want to spend the night to experience everything that Horse Cave has to offer, there are a few different options to choose from.
- Horse Cave KOA. Bring your RV or trailer, or book a room in a cabin, treehouse, teepee, or Conestoga Wagon.
- Holiday Inn Express Horse Cave. Award nights start at just 17,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
- VRBO. Book a vacation rental through VRBO to travel like a local.
Use our Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline, Travelocity, or TripAdvisor referral links to view the latest rates and options.
The Bald Thoughts about the Hidden River Cave off-trail tour
If you’re looking for a unique experience, I highly recommend booking an off-trail tour at Hidden River Cave. It’s about 3 hours long and explores the world’s longest underground suspension bridge, Sunset Dome, and parts of the cave that few others have seen before. Be sure to visit the American Cave Museum, which is at the entrance of the tour, to take its free self-guided tour. You’ll be hungry when your cave experience is over, so support one of the local restaurants and enjoy the food.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can children go on the off-trail tour?
Yes, the Hidden River off-trail tour is challenging, but children 10 years and older can go on it with no problem. My kids, ages 14 and 10, did a great job. For younger children and toddlers, call Hidden River Cave to discuss how they may be able to accommodate their hiking abilities.
Do you need to be in good shape to go on the Hidden River Cave off-trail tour?
The standard tour has approximately 230 stairs down to reach the landing, and there are additional stairs to the bridge and up into Sunset Dome (plus all of the stairs to get back to street level). The off-trail requires hikers to fit into tight spaces and (at times) crawl through low-ceiling areas. If you have concerns or questions about your fitness, speak with your doctor and call Hidden River Cave to discuss.
This article was originally published on BaldThoughts.com on October 27, 2025.
