Enriching lives through connections with nature
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Albert Einstein
EDUCATION
School Field Trips
That’s a wrap on the Spring 2025 Field Trip Season! Check back soon to book a field trip for Fall 2025.
Field trips for K-12 students will be available Monday – Friday after Labor Day (excluding peak spring and fall break times).
Want to bring an educational group here this summer? We’d love to have you here for a boat tour. Groups will be subject to public pricing, and we will not be able to run any supplementary educational programs. Book online with a credit card through our public portal, or email education@lostrivercave.org to explore other booking and payment options.
Cave Boat Tour - All Ages
Learn how water transforms rock on a guided boat tour of Lost River Cave.
Students will walk down to the cave with a tour guide, learn about how the valley was formed, visit Blue Hole #4, and then get into a boat to enter the cave itself.
This is our most requested experience. All other programs build on the boat tour.
Educational Programs
Geology Rocks – All Ages
Explore rock and mineral types
through a hands-on lesson,
experiment, and sluice for
gemstones to take home.
Birds of the Wetland – K-2nd Grade
Experience how adaptations
help animals survive in their
habitats through a wetland
walk, touchable samples,
and kinesthetic game.
Self-Guided Activities
Nature Explore Playscape
In a playground of all-natural elements, kids can use their imaginations to explore and create a world of their own.
Gift Shop
Our gift shop is stocked with kid-friendly souvenirs at kid-friendly prices. Don’t want kids losing their purchases? We can hold onto their goodies and pack everything onto the bus at the end of the day. Ask us for more details!
Hike the Trails
Several miles of hiking trails are free and open to the public. Resources for school hikes include maps, recommended routes and self-guided bingo activities to engage kids.
Picnic Tables
Bring your own sack lunch and enjoy a picnic under the trees!
| School Boat Tour - Elementary / Middle Schools | Large Groups (25 or more students) | Small Groups (24 or Fewer) |
|---|---|---|
| Local (Kentucky or Tennessee) | $10/student $24/parent chaperone* $0/teacher or school staff | $250 Flat Rate |
| Non-local (States other than KY or TN) | $12/student $24/parent chaperone* $0/teacher or school staff | $300 Flat Rate |
| *Please note that we may have limited space on the boats for parent chaperones. **Please contact us for more information about pricing for homeschool or multi-age educational groups. |
||
| School Boat Tour - High School/College Groups | Large Groups (25 or more students) | Small Groups (24 or Fewer) |
|---|---|---|
| Local (Kentucky or Tennessee) | $15/student $24/parent chaperone* $0/teacher or school staff | $375 Flat Rate** |
| Non-local (States other than KY or TN) | $20/student $24/parent chaperone* $0/teacher or school staff | $500 Flat Rate** |
| *Please note that we may have limited space on the boats for parent chaperones. ** If your small high school or college group would like to join a public tour rather than have its own dedicated tour, we can charge by the person rather than at the flat rate listed above. ***Please contact us for more information about pricing for homeschool or multi-age educational groups. |
||
| Educational Programs (K-12) | Large Groups (25 or more students) | Small Groups (24 or Fewer) |
|---|---|---|
| Local (KY or TN) & Non-local (States other than KY or TN) | $5/student* | $125 Flat Rate (or $250 if not combined with a boat tour)* |
| *Educational programs are commonly added to the Boat Tour or booked on their own. Please note that we have a $10/student minimum to run programs. | ||
Check back soon for our 2025-2026 reservation form!
Be prepared with a second choice of date — Spring and Fall months fill up quickly.
Need more information? Please email education@lostrivercave.org, submit the below form or call 270.393.0077 ext. 109.
Scouts
Lost River Cave continues to support the mission and vision of Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America, connecting youth to nature as we work together to build a better world.
During summer months, there are no group discounts for Cave Boat Tours
Click here to join a public tour, come volunteer with us or explore the many self-guided activities at the park.
Young Children
Join Miss Flora and her Forest Friends for sensory play & outdoor learning! Activities are not affiliated with Lost River Cave, just hosted at the park. Explore our partner’s website for prices, schedules and other details.