Dry Prong Trail

Dry Prong is a 2.4-mile one-way path between two junctions on Buffalo Creek Trail in Mammoth Cave National Park. It makes the most sense as part of a longer backcountry walk, not as a stand-alone destination hike: the route has no loop of its own and no viewpoint payoff. The segment takes about an hour and a half; from Maple Springs Trailhead, add roughly 1.1 miles on Buffalo Creek Trail to reach its eastern junction. Plan your return on the Buffalo Creek network or retrace your route.

The narrow woodland track climbs gently from the eastern junction, levels along a ridge, then dips and climbs again before rejoining Buffalo Creek Trail. Near the Homestead campsite spur, route descriptions place a small creek crossing on a grassy bridge; farther along, the path drops into a rocky ravine and climbs back out on loose rock and two short steep pitches. There is no summit or sweeping view here. Older descriptions report overgrowth, erosion and deep mudholes, especially toward the western end, so expect rough footing and allow the possibility that conditions have changed.

The National Park Service's current backcountry list still includes Dry Prong, but a 2024 draft trail plan proposed removing it because of erosion and mud. That proposal does not establish that the trail was closed; ask the park about its current maintenance status before relying on this connector. Leashed pets are allowed on park surface trails, with a leash no longer than six feet. Horses also use backcountry trails, so give riders room to pass.