+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service      | Mammoth Cave     |   | P.O. Box 7        |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
| U.S. Department of the     | National Park    |   | Mammoth Cave, KY  |
| Interior                   |                  |   |                   |
|                            | Use the complete |   | 42259             |
|                            | site name here   |   |                   |
|                            | (e.g. Palo Alto  |   | 270 758-2192      |
|                            | Battlefield      |   | phone             |
|                            | Historic Site).  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 270 758-9297 fax  |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Mammoth Cave National Park** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release, March 31, 2005

Vickie Carson, 270/758-2192

Gary Berdeaux, 270/749-2233

**Five Area Show Caves Offer Discounted Tickets**

Last summer, five area show caves teamed up to promote multiple cave
visits and encourage visitors to extend their stay in the Cavelands. In
June 2004, Diamond Caverns, Hidden River Cave, Kentucky Down
Under-Kentucky Caverns, Lost River Cave and Mammoth Cave National Park
began cross-selling their cave tour tickets, discounting each ticket at
an average of \$2.00 per ticket.

"Since June, the five caves have cross-sold 2,855 tickets," said Bruce
Powell, acting superintendent at Mammoth Cave NP. "Cross-selling our
tours is something that hadn't been tried before in this area. It has
worked well and can be deemed a success. There is a definite benefit to
the traveling public, but many local residents are taking advantage of
the discounts as well."

Gary Berdeaux, manager of Diamond Caverns and author of the
cross-selling idea agrees with Powell. "Area residents and travelers
alike can purchase discounted cave tour tickets on the same day of their
trip or make reservations for a future date," said Berdeaux. "Lost River
Cave and Diamond Caverns have received the largest portion of
cross-selling business to date."

Here's how it works: a traveler at any of the above listed caves can
purchase discounted tickets for any of the other caves. Each ticket is
discounted an average of \$2.00 (ranging from \$1 to \$2.72 per ticket)
and guarantees the holder a place on a cave tour. The discount applies
only to off-site purchases. Tickets must be purchased at one of the five
cave locations; daily sales and advanced sales are available.

"Every cave is different and each has its own story," said Peggy Nims,
of Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum in Horse Cave, Ky.
"Mammoth Cave is genuinely mammoth. Lost River offers Kentucky's only
underground boat adventure. Hidden River, once too polluted to enter, is
a miracle in ecosystem recovery. Kentucky Caverns holds a wonderland of
flowstone formations, amid the outback of Kentucky Down Under. Historic
Diamond Caverns sparkles with stalactites and stalagmites."

For more information about cross-selling, please contact Gary Berdeaux
at 270-749-2233. For further tourism information about Kentucky's
Cavelands, go to [www.mammothcave.com](http://www.mammothcave.com/).

\- more -

**AMERICAN CAVE MUSEUM & HIDDEN RIVER CAVE**

Kentucky\'s Official Cave & Karst Museum

The tour begins at the American Cave Museum where history and science
exhibits introduce visitors to the world of caves. From the museum,
visitors descend into Hidden River Cave where the roar of a rushing cave
stream flows through massive underground Horse Cave. Open year-round
except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year\'s Day. For more info call:
270-786-1466 or visit: [www.cavern.org](http://www.cavern.org/)

**DIAMOND CAVERNS**

Discovered 1859 Rediscovered Daily

The cave is presented by a state-of-art lighting system that brings to
life the most highly decorated cave in the region. On tour you are
surrounded by a profusion of stalactites, stalagmites, drapery deposits
and more. Guided tours are offered every 20 to 30 minutes. Located one
mile from I-65, Exit 48 in Mammoth Cave National Park. Open year-round.
Reservations are not required. For info call: 270-749-2233 or visit:
[www.diamondcaverns.com](http://www.diamondcaverns.com/).

**KENTUCKY CAVERNS - KENTUCKY DOWN UNDER**

Visitors to Kentucky Caverns are delighted by the density, variety and
color of formations in the cave. From spring through fall Kentucky
Caverns can be seen as part of the combined activities of Kentucky Down
Under. Explore life in the great outback of Australia and the world of
caves. Located off I-65, exit 58. Cave remains open year-round. For more
information call: 1-800-762-2869 or visit: [www.kdu.com]{.underline}

**LOST RIVER CAVE AND VALLEY**

Kentucky\'s Only Underground Boat Tour

Treetop Bridge is the starting point for a guided tour into the scenic
karst valley that leads to one of the largest cave openings in the U.S.
Daylight disappears from view as you board the boat to explore Lost
River Cave, a Kentucky Natural Wonder. Enjoy nature trails, blue holes
(springs), and butterfly gardens. Open year-round. Located in Bowling
Green, KY, on 31‑W at Cave Mill Road. I‑65 use exit 22. For info:
866‑274-2283 or 270-393-0077 or visit:
[www.lostrivercave.com](http://www.lostrivercave.com/)

**MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK**

A World Heritage Site

Located beneath the protective sandstone of the Mammoth Cave Plateau,
the Mammoth Cave system is best known for being the longest surveyed
cave in the world with over 365 miles of passageways. Tours at Mammoth
Cave National Park provide access to over ten miles of the system.
Located off I-65 at exits 48, Park City or 53, Cave City. Open
year-round except Christmas. Information: 270-758-2180 or visit:
[www.nps.gov/maca](http://www.nps.gov/maca). Reservations: 800-967-2283.

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