Name: Buffalo Creek Trail
Rating: 3.5

“A widely used trail to access the Mammoth Cave backcountry.”

— Clinton Lewis

GPX File

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Though the full trail is a bit long, enjoying an out and back hike from the parking area is a great way to explore the Mammoth Cave backcountry on scenic and easy trail.

Description

This trail is the access point to many parts of the Mammoth Cave backcountry, so it sees lots of use. The first 2.4 miles from the Maple Springs trailhead are on an old service/fire road. There are interesting sinkholes and small cave openings to see along the trail, so keep your eyes open! The intersection with the Bluffs Campsite and the continuation of the trail to singletrack is easy to miss, so pay attention to the small signs.

The singletrack leg of the trail is not as heavily used, and that's a shame since it is the most fun. Around the 3-mile mark, be careful of the climb from the creekbed. Due to horse use, it is really sloppy and challenging. The trail continues uphill to the intersection of the Collie Ridge and Wet Prong Trail. There is also a connector trail to the Collie Ridge Campsite.