McCoy Hollow Trail

Overview

McCoy Hollow is Mammoth Cave’s problem child: a 6.4‑mile one‑way backcountry corridor connecting Temple Hill Trailhead to the Wet Prong Trail, most often hiked as a 12.4–13 mile out‑and‑back. It’s a solitude-forward, obstacle-heavy trek, not a “views every mile” kind of outing. Expect a lot of attention on your feet and the blazes rather than the scenery.

What You’ll See

You’ll catch intermittent Green River peeks and pass rock ledges and formations, but much of the route travels forested ridge-and-ravine terrain. Reports are split: some appreciate the quiet woods and occasional ledges; others find the payoff thin for the work. If you value backcountry character over postcard vistas, this corridor delivers.

Trail Experience

From Temple Hill, the first half‑mile drops steeply (short pitches around 20%+), much of it in a narrow, eroded gully shaped by years of horse traffic. After that, the trail rides ridgelines with a “kiddie‑rollercoaster” of short ups and downs, rocky tread, soft edges on sidehills, and muddy low spots—especially near creek crossings. Expect blowdowns, briers, spider webs, and occasional erosion-control ties on the steep bits. A notably steep, rocky climb appears around mile 3.75–4.25.

Navigation Watch‑outs

Blue blazes mark the main route, with MH mileage posts (some missing). Two traps snare plenty of hikers: an unsigned T around 0.5 miles (stay left to remain on McCoy Hollow) and a notorious false path near 4.2–4.25 miles where the obvious track continues straight along a rock ledge while the actual trail pivots sharply left to run atop it. Campsite spurs are blazed orange.

Camping and Water

Backcountry sites accessible from the trail include Three Springs (about 0.9 mile from Temple Hill via a signed spur) and McCoy Hollow (around 4.5 miles). Reservations are required. Water can be unreliable—carry what you need and treat anything you collect.

Access Notes

Temple Hill Trailhead sits off Houchin Ferry Road, which can be potholed and slow. The old ferry no longer carries vehicles, so reaching Temple Hill from the main campground area is a longer drive than it looks. At the trailhead, the blue-blazed start can be easy to miss—scan carefully near the info board.

Best Time to Hike

There’s no single “best” season called out, but the pattern is clear: go in drier spells to dodge the worst mud and consider cooler periods to reduce overgrowth, ticks, and spider webs. Start early to bank daylight for detours around mudholes and blowdowns.

Should You Hike It?

Choose this if you’re an experienced hiker who enjoys rough tread, route‑finding, and backcountry quiet. If you want frequent vistas on a well‑groomed path, you’ll likely be happier elsewhere in the park.