The study area includes five cities – Bowling Green, Plum Springs, Oakland, Smiths Grove, and Park City, crossing through Warren, Edmonson, and Barren counties. Riverfront Park near downtown Bowling Green to the Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail in Park City were selected as the two beginning and ending trailheads of the study. The trail is anticipated to enhance recreational opportunities, economic development opportunities, and tourist activities for each of the jurisdictions and surrounding communities.

From 2024 to 2026, BRADD has partnered with our local communities to conduct the Bowling Green to Mammoth Cave Trail Feasibility Study. The purpose of this study was to develop a plan for a dedicated, off-road trail as well as supporting trailhead facilities between downtown Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave National Park. The study included multiple rounds of public engagement to identify a preferred alignment and development of an implementation plan including right-of-way, cost estimates, construction impacts, long-term viability, and more.

Over the past three decades, southcentral Kentucky has experienced substantial growth. With that growth has come increased community needs for walking, running, and bicycling activities. To meet that growing demand, more pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is needed to enhance safety, accessibility, and connectivity near and around Mammoth Cave.

In 2017, the Cave Country Trails Master Planning Study was completed. This master plan included four counties around Mammoth Cave – Barren, Edmonson, Hart, and Warren. This spurred the creation of the non-profit organization, Cave Country Trails, Inc., to promote the network of trail recommendations throughout the four counties. The Bowling Green to Mammoth Cave corridor was identified as a high priority later at BRADD’s Regional Transportation Committee due to its potential to enhance tourism and economic development opportunities in rural communities within Warren, Edmonson, and Barren counties.

In January, 2025, BRADD, supported by the National Park Service and all affected jurisdictions, contracted with a team of consultants to conduct the Bowling Green to Mammoth Cave National Park Trail Feasibility Study. The Study was formally completed in March, 2026.