Mammoth Cave National Park is overcoming federal budget cuts to register some of the strongest summer cave tour attendance in recent memory.
The park's public information officer, Vickie Carson, says four cave tours were not offered this summer because of cuts related to the federal sequestration. But she says cave tour numbers are up one to two percent over last year.
"If we continue at this rate through the end of the year, we'll probably be at 405,000 visitors through the cave this year. That would be a high point for at least the last ten years." --Vickie Carson
Carson says with gas prices still well above three dollars a gallon, Mammoth Cave has remained an attractive day trip option for those within close driving range.
The cave also recently announced it is seeking public comment on plans to raise cave tour fees by one to two dollars in 2014. Written comments may be submitted through September 16, 2013 by accessing the National Park Service planning website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MACA