Cub Run Cave

Useful Information

Location:	15101 Cub Run Hwy, Cub Run, KY 42729. At Cub Run, north of Mammoth Cave National Park. I-65 exit Munfordville, into Munfordville, in the center turn right on Hwy 88 west, 22 km to Cub Run, follow Hwy 88 for 2.5 km, turn left opposite Macedonia Baptist Church. Western Kentucky Parkway, exit Leitchfield, Hwy 259 south 10 km, turn left on Hwy 226 for 2 km, turn right on Hwy 88 east, turn right after 21 km opposite Macedonia Baptist Church. (37.317930390561685, -86.09252620800376)
Open:	closed. [2024]
Fee:	closed. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=2,400 m.
Guided tours:	L=800 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Cub Run Cave, 15101 Cub Run Hwy, Cub Run, KY 42729, Tel: +1-270-524-1444.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

18-AUG-1950	discovered by Kenneth Childress and his cousin Duvall Logsdon.
1951	opened to the public.
1951	closed after a lawsuit between the three owners due to land disputes.
NOV-2005	bought by Terry and Judy Schneble.
MAY-2006	cave opened to the public.
2016	cave permanently closed.

Description

Cub Run Cave was discovered by two teenage farm boys, Garland Kenneth Childress and his cousin Duvall Logsdon. At a small spring in a wooded bluff they felt a strong cold breeze. It was so strong, leaves on trees five meters away stirred. After a little digging they crawled in, equipped with a kerosene lamp. After about 20 m, the small stream passage opened into a large room filled with amazing formations. Extraordinary are the rare boxwork speleothems.

The cave was soon opened for the public. Unfortunately, surface land was owned by three different owners, and they could not agree on how the attraction should be managed. Soon they went to court, and finally all lost, and the cave was sealed.

After several decades, the cave was reopened. 200 acres of land, which covers the entire cave, was bought by Terry and Judy Schneble. They renovated the paths, constructed 800 m of wooden walkway, installed a new electric light system, and built a new restaurant in front of the cave. They operated the cave for about a decade, but in the end, the owner got sick and was not able to operate it any more. For some time a friend took over, but after some time they obviously decided to close the cave. As far as we know, the cave is permanently closed. The owners tried to sell the cave, which would possibly mean a reopening, but they could not find a buyer. The cave is now closed for almost a decade, and we are convinced it will not be reopened.

Cub Run Cave has a cave river, once called Otter Spring. Blind crawfish and minnows living in the river, are presented in a pool along the trail.