Members and donors, we want you to be the first to know: We have a shiny new boat!
In 1990, a group of committed citizens, cavers, and conservationists joined together to clean up the cave. Shortly after a non-profit organization was formed, the Friends of the Lost River. The godfather of Lost River Cave, Dr. Nicholas Crawford, envisioned funding the conservation of the cave through Kentucky’s only underground boat tour. Determined to make it happen, he cut the top off his houseboat and set it afloat on the Lost River. His idea evolved when we acquired the aluminum flat bottom boats that once floated the waters on the Echo River deed beneath the surface at Mammoth Cave National Park.
Bringing the boats to Bowling Green required a mammoth effort. The mile-long trek from the Echo River to Mammoth Cave’s entrance meant that each of the three boats had to be cut into 4′ sections and carried out. Once here, Malcolm Cherry welded them back together. Since that day the cave boat tours have provided a major portion of the funding needed to support the cave’s conservation and our Mission.
Now, after twenty years in service, providing countless visitors with a glimpse of this amazing natural wonder, the boats needed to be replaced. Enter our intrepid property manager, Justin Jennings, who came to the rescue as he set out to design and source a new boat that would improve the experience for our visitors and increase seating capacity. With funding from the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the plans came to life and the boat officially glided into Lost River Cave in March 2021, just in time for the upcoming summer season. The new boat has more space, better motors, more reliable batteries, interior and exterior lighting, and built-in speakers.
We’re so excited for this next chapter of our history and even more excited to let you know about this wonderful improvement. It has truly been a group effort, thanks due to our board, our supporters like the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and members and donors like you!
In the coming years, we hope to generate enough funding to replace the other Mammoth-Cave-era flatboats and continue serving the mission. We are excited to make sure all of our guests get the coolest underground cave boat experience around.
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