Volunteer for nature and enjoy cocktails on August 4th in Bowling Green’s Lost River Cave. Support conservation efforts while exploring beautiful trails and making a difference outdoors.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–5 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have a basic level of fitness suitable for light physical activities like trail maintenance and walking.
Wildlife
History
Lost River Cave has been an important landmark for centuries, with Native American artifacts found in the area and a rich history linked to early Kentucky settlers.
Conservation
The park emphasizes sustainable stewardship, with volunteer efforts vital to preserving the cave ecosystem and surrounding woodlands for future generations.
Lost River Cave
Volunteer for nature and enjoy cocktails on August 4th in Bowling Green’s Lost River Cave. Support conservation efforts while exploring beautiful trails and making a difference outdoors.
Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a natural destination offering guided tours, hands-on workshops, seasonal events, and educational programs focused on the region’s karst landscape and native ecology. The site operates Kentucky’s only underground boat tour, a 45-minute Cave Boat Tour that combines scenic walking and a guided ride through the cave’s passageways and historical sites. Beyond the boat tour, Lost River Cave hosts a rotating lineup of experiences that include woodworking demonstrations with Wildland Woodworks, tree walks led by certified arborists, hiking focused on karst hydrogeology, and craft workshops such as hiking stick building and pollinator seed bomb making. Educational events extend to meadow BioBlitz plant inventories, composting workshops with Compost Bowling Green, and periodic community fitness and wellness activities like Yoga at the Cave and timed races such as the Snow Flurry Scurry 5K.
Programs are presented in partnership with local experts and community organizations, including Wildland Woodworks, Wild Ones Southern Kentucky Chapter, Compost Bowling Green, and certified arborist Chad Singer, ensuring subject-matter knowledge during guided experiences. Lost River Cave balances recreational access with interpretation of natural and cultural history, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about karst features, groundwater dynamics, native plants, and wildlife while participating in conservation-minded activities.
Visitors can expect scheduled programs that emphasize hands-on participation, natural interpretation, and stewardship. Lost River Cave serves as a regional hub for outdoor education, local partnerships, and experiential learning rooted in the unique geology and ecology of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Programs accommodate families and individual explorers.
Location
Bowling Green, KY
Central Kentucky natural attraction
Signature Tour
Underground Boat
Kentucky's only underground boat tour
Programs Offered
10
Guided tours and workshops
Tour Length
45 minutes
Cave Boat Tour duration
Check event schedules and register for cave boat tours, hikes, workshops, and seasonal programs in Bowling Green, KY.
Wear appropriate closed-toe shoes
Sturdy footwear will protect your feet during trail upkeep and hiking activities.
Stay hydrated
Bring plenty of water to keep refreshed while volunteering and exploring outdoor areas.
Apply insect repellent
Kentucky’s warm weather can bring mosquitoes and ticks, so use bug spray before starting your shift.
Follow volunteer instructions carefully
Safety and preservation depend on following guidance from Lost River Cave staff during activities.
Closed-toe hiking shoes
Protect your feet from uneven terrain and trail maintenance tools.
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated while working outdoors in warm weather.
summer
Insect repellent
Prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks during spring and summer months.
spring
Light rain jacket
Be prepared for occasional showers while volunteering.
spring