First Creek Trail to First Creek Lake (Mammoth Cave)

Mammoth Cave National Park backcountry, north side

Mammoth Cave is known for what’s underground, but the park’s north side has about 60 miles of backcountry trail, according to National Parks Traveler, across karst ridges and hollows above the Green River. Thirteen designated backcountry campsites are spread through it, and two of them sit near First Creek Lake, a short walk from the Temple Hill Trailhead.

The short approach from Temple Hill makes it a gentle first night out, with a reserved site waiting.

The hike

National Parks Traveler lists the First Creek Trail at 6.3 miles. Recreation.gov’s campsite pages describe two ways to reach First Creek Lake: from the Temple Hill Trailhead, it’s about 1.1 miles on the First Creek Trail and 0.1 mile on a spur to either First Creek campsite, about 1.2 miles in all. From the First Creek Trailhead at the other end, it’s 4.5 miles to First Creek 1 and 5.3 miles to First Creek 2.

A 2008 trip report on Backpacking Light describes the short approach following an old roadbed, and a good pool for filtering “near where First Creek entered the lake” when the lake was low. A Thanksgiving 2008 trip on SummitPost started on the First Creek Trail and praised “magnificent” hiking on high ridges, with views toward the Green River and interesting rock formations.

The First Creek watershed is also one of the park’s wilder corners. Explore Kentucky describes a 2016 off-trail outing near the Nolin River to rock shelters, Eye Socket Arch, waterfalls with pools that disappear and reappear, old-growth hemlocks, and First Creek Lake, which it notes “is also a back country camping area.” The writer recommended that trip as “winter only” because of snakes; stay on the trail unless you know the area.

Longer loops are possible. The NPS backcountry map shows trailheads at Maple Springs, Temple Hill, Big Hollow, Lincoln, and First Creek, and campsites including Three Springs, Second Creek, Collie Ridge, Ferguson, Bluffs, Sal Hollow, Raymer Hollow, Homestead, Turnhole Bend, and McCoy Hollow. Recreation.gov lists Sal Hollow at 6.4 miles from the Lincoln Trailhead. The map warns hikers not to cross the Buffalo Creek ford when water covers it.

Both 2008 reports mention horse damage to the trails; some backcountry trails are shared with horses, according to the NPS map. The SummitPost hiker also found a reroute confusing at one junction, so carry the current map.

Tips

Reserve the site. Permits are required, through Recreation.gov or in person; print the permit up to 14 days before arrival.
Carry water. Recreation.gov suggests a gallon per person per day and warns that many streams run only after rain.
Treat everything. No potable water is available in the backcountry.
Watch for snakes. Venomous snakes live here; killing them is prohibited.
Use permethrin. National Parks Traveler warns of ticks and poison ivy.
Plan winter trips in person. From Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, permits are walk-up only at the visitor center.

Camping

The NPS says the 13 backcountry sites are reached only on foot or horseback and hold up to eight people each, with fire rings and horse hitching posts. Recreation.gov adds tent pads, a 14-day limit, and fires only in the metal rings, using dead and down wood. You’ll need a driver’s license and vehicle information for the permit. Pack out all trash. The park’s number is 270-758-2180.

Inside Intel: SummitPost’s “indianabob” stayed at First Creek #2 and recommended it for “plenty of level ground and a clear view of the lake.”

Trail facts

Distance: First Creek Trail 6.3 miles; about 1.2 miles from Temple Hill Trailhead to the First Creek sites
Route type: Out-and-back, or point-to-point between trailheads
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Campsites: First Creek 1 and First Creek 2 (designated, reserved)
Water: First Creek Lake and First Creek; unreliable in dry spells; treat
Permits: Backcountry permit through Recreation.gov
Group size: Eight per site
Fires: Metal fire rings only
Trailheads: Temple Hill and First Creek
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

Level ground at First Creek #2:

One camper praised First Creek #2 for plenty of level ground, and the sites have tent pads. If you still wake up sore on your side, try these fixes.

Try these fixes →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.