Our state is beautiful from border to border, and that includes underneath the surface. We have what could be considered a Kentucky underground world, just waiting to be explored. The Bluegrass State sits atop the most massive cave system in the world, and it is not just a rocky desert down there. In fact, over the decades explorers have discovered some incredible cave rooms, each more spectacular than the last. Some of these caves contain underground rivers, which could make them a sustainable place to live. Travelers often used caves as a natural means of underground shelter.

Here are 12 places that will draw you into the Kentucky underground:

  1. Mammoth Cave Historic Tour entrance

Joe Shlabotnik This gives us a view from on the outside looking in. Near the entrance is a thriving woodlands, probably capable of growing bountiful crops.

  1. Half circle patterns

Jeff Kubina A unique pattern in this formation gives it an almost wood-like quality to its appearance.

  1. Fresh water

Jeff Kubina A pool in Mammoth Cave provides all the water you need to drink. There are several water areas that could be utilized for different living needs.

  1. Frozen Niagara Tour

Jeff Kubina This is a beautiful area with natural formations reminiscent of a waterfall. Decorating would be completely unnecessary here.

  1. Underground restrooms

Jeff Kubina Everyone needs a place to potty, and Mammoth Cave has pretty cool restrooms compared to emptying a pot like the primitives did.

  1. Travertine Tour

Fritzmb This is part of Mammoth Caves Travertine Tour. The moisture encourages algae growth on the stalactites and other formations, giving areas like this one a burst of color. Most the water dripping is due to a natural limestone spring, which is wonderful water to drink. My family has a limestone well on the property and it’s highly refreshing.

  1. Carter Cave Natural Bridge room

KY Photo File This is the view inside the natural bridge, which is a unique underground home in itself.

  1. Guardian?

A Elizabeth This odd formation gives the appearance of a guardian perched above, looking over those that go by. In the shadows, it can look like the gargoyles perched upon old churches and Victorian buildings.

  1. Unique forms

Kueven This part of Mammoth Cave gives the vision that forms are forming out of the earth itself. Creepy, but very cool when you look closely. Some of them look very humanoid, similar to forms in Pompeii.

  1. Lost River Cave

Megan Morris This use to be a happening spot back in the ole’ days.

  1. Underground Bar

Megan Morris If you get thirsty, there is always somewhere to get a drink, be it a natural spring or a bar.

  1. Underground Night Club

Megan Morris This wondrous place has been all but forgotten on many levels, but it could still make a wonderful gathering place.

Mammoth Cave is mentioned several times due to the sheer size, along with the variety of unique caves and formations contained there. Carter Caves and Lost River Cave also offer beautiful experiences. One very positive aspect of the Kentucky underground is that it offers a unique sustainable environment, with a relatively consistent climate. As a matter of fact, the caves in Kentucky might be the only place in our state one can experience a consistent climate. Weather like we’re having now, I have to say a consistent temperature in a cave is appealing. What is your favored spot in Kentucky’s underground?

Joe Shlabotnik

This gives us a view from on the outside looking in. Near the entrance is a thriving woodlands, probably capable of growing bountiful crops.

Jeff Kubina

A unique pattern in this formation gives it an almost wood-like quality to its appearance.

Jeff Kubina

A pool in Mammoth Cave provides all the water you need to drink. There are several water areas that could be utilized for different living needs.

This is a beautiful area with natural formations reminiscent of a waterfall. Decorating would be completely unnecessary here.

Everyone needs a place to potty, and Mammoth Cave has pretty cool restrooms compared to emptying a pot like the primitives did.

Fritzmb

This is part of Mammoth Caves Travertine Tour. The moisture encourages algae growth on the stalactites and other formations, giving areas like this one a burst of color. Most the water dripping is due to a natural limestone spring, which is wonderful water to drink. My family has a limestone well on the property and it’s highly refreshing.

KY Photo File

This is the view inside the natural bridge, which is a unique underground home in itself.

A Elizabeth

This odd formation gives the appearance of a guardian perched above, looking over those that go by. In the shadows, it can look like the gargoyles perched upon old churches and Victorian buildings.

Kueven

This part of Mammoth Cave gives the vision that forms are forming out of the earth itself. Creepy, but very cool when you look closely. Some of them look very humanoid, similar to forms in Pompeii.

Megan Morris

This use to be a happening spot back in the ole’ days.

If you get thirsty, there is always somewhere to get a drink, be it a natural spring or a bar.

This wondrous place has been all but forgotten on many levels, but it could still make a wonderful gathering place.

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