First Creek Trail, McCoy Hollow Trail and Wet Prong Trail Loop

This is a roughly 16-mile circuit through Mammoth Cave’s western backcountry, joining First Creek, McCoy Hollow, and Wet Prong. Start and finish at First Creek Trailhead: follow First Creek to Temple Hill, take McCoy Hollow to its Wet Prong junction, then head north on Wet Prong to close the loop. It’s a linked trail circuit, not three out-and-back hikes. Published totals range from about 15.7 to 16.4 miles, so plan for the longer figure. Allow around eight hours for the distance and rough ground.

First Creek follows wooded hillsides beside the Nolin River, with creek views and spring wildflowers along the way to Temple Hill. McCoy Hollow drops into a narrow, horse-worn gully, then repeatedly climbs in and out of ravines. Expect uneven, rocky footing rather than a smooth park path; muddy and overgrown stretches have been reported on this corridor. This is a hard day even before you add stops.

The Wet Prong section works down into Wildcat Hollow to reach a shallow creek crossing, then climbs out toward First Creek Trailhead. Water can be too high for a dry crossing, so conditions there can decide whether it’s safe to continue. A small rock shelter sits beside Wildcat Hollow Creek, with the stream running through it. Some forks in this backcountry network are unsigned, so keep the route map handy, especially where side trails branch off.

Start from the First Creek Trailhead parking area; the loop also passes Temple Hill, but this mapped version begins at First Creek. Treat it as a self-supported day: no food or drinking-water stop was confirmed along the route. Park rules allow pets on surface trails on a leash up to six feet. Horses also use the backcountry trails, so move to the side and keep a dog calm when a rider passes.