Reviews

D M

We stay here every year when visiting family in Grayson. The park is beautiful, family friendly and pet friendly. The rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable! Nothing but good things to say. The only negative “for me” is driving back from Grayson into the park at night … the roads are very curvy and it’s dark!!

James C Davis

Booked my elderly parents at the hotel for a treat in their travels. The room ( whilst older in structure) was very, very comfortable. They were well treated, with extra care and their needs were meet. The resturant nearby the hotel is service by the park and they enjoyed the friendly waitstaff and the food was very good and within a reasonable price zone for them. They said they look foward to visiting the park again.

Pete Williams

Park is in great shape. Very cool drive into the park that winds along the river. We did the X cave tour with our 2 toddlers, they had a fantastic time. We also played mini golf and camped in the primitive campsite. Overall very impressed with this park and encourage anyone to visit!

Mark Blackburn

We had a wonderful time at Carter Caves State Resort Park. The weather was beautiful, so we focused on hiking to the 5 different natural bridges. There are cave tours, horse back riding, and even an area for repelling. If you are local, it is a great place for a day trip, picnic, or family get together. If you travel to the park, I would suggest staying 2 or 3 days at the campground, lodge, or one of the cottages. Carter Caves is very scenic with a number of beautiful views, streams, and a lake. The picnic areas have tables, grills, and access to play areas. Carter Caves has pavilions, but I would suggest contacting the park to see if you can reserve them. I would highly recommend visiting Carter Caves State Resort Park and beginning your visit at the welcome center to see everything they have to offer. Please see the pictures I posted which include the brochure, cave tour pricing, and maps. Important! Contact the park in advance regarding camping. Camping is either very limited or closed at this time. Carter Caves is renovating the campground and installing full hookups at many of the campsites.

Robert Olmstead

This is a hidden gem of a park and resort lodge. Stayed here 2 days in August, 2025. Rooms are clean and AC works. Shower good and bathroom exhaust fan worked. Price very affordable (under $100. a night). Lots of cave tours, and hiking was incredible -- amazing rock formations to see. Would not recommend the lodge restaurant. Did not try pool or lake, but they're included in a lodge stay. Lodge staff and park guides very responsive and informative. I do wish the web instructions on cave tour schedules were more clear, and how to book tours was clearer. The carpeting in the main lodge needs replacing, but it's a small detraction. This place is great.

Carla Miller

What an amazing hidden gem, we stay in a cabin, so many amazing trails and caves, our favorite was Laurel Cave, access by permit only, we were the first this season it opened May 1, be prepared to get wet. Horn Hollow cave was cool as well, also permit only. We saw salamanders in both of these. The guides cave tours were ama7as well, two different bats Indiana and Tri colored as well as salamanders. Be sure to check out all the natural bridges, Smoky Bridge was the best, Box Canyon was a pleasant surprise as well short trail amazing rock formations. Plenty of spring flowers still out. The staff and Park Rangers have all been very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Definitely coming back, bonus pet friendly our guys loved the trails.

keely harra-shepard

Very beautiful, very hidden state park, with lots of great hiking trails for the more experienced hiker! Lots of very beautiful woods all around! We came 10 yrs ago, and as a family, all of us loved it, and talked for 10 yrs about when we could go back - so we finally did a week ago! Very happy we stayed again!

Racheal Rauck

Cabin was clean and very nice. There were some minor issues: not all windows could be open and pots and pans were somewhat limited. Breakfast at the lodge was delicious and reasonable. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. The front desk staff were helpful and friendly. Trails were well marked and there were some nice spots to park next to creek.

Adena Gwirtz

Absolutely stunning place to go caving! Crawling, yes I mean crawling on all fours or belly sliding as some prefer was a fantastic treat to a full body workout. Getting permits was pretty easy and the rangers were very informative.

Scott S

I stayed one night along with a friend. We took the Cascade Cave tour on the first day. It is a beautiful cave.. it's a short tour but worth the $12. Hayden was a great guide. The lodge was average. The heat didn't seem to work well in our room, but the rooms were clean and reasonable for the price. We didn't check out the restaurant, but the food smelled good.

James Stearnes

Carter Caves has always been a favorite place or mine to go for a day or a week. I rented a cottage and did some day hiking. It is a great place to hike , mountain bike, canoe or kayak, and there is now a climbing and rappelling area. I like to go there in the Spring and Fall best. I go there dozens of times each year. Just did a overnight backpacking trip on the Four Cs trail to Johnson Home Place back country camping. You need a permit but you can get it at the lodge. Nice trip

Bluepriest18

Cool trail system with lots to see, will return. Only problem is the cave tours weren't running alot when I visited but it was off season so I understand but ill be returning. Great gift shop, lots of stuff. Lodge was a bit run down and looked more like a motel, so I don't think I'll be booking a room.

Ricky Adams

Anybody who has not went to Carter caves should really go with your entire family. I went with my kids and grand babies.every body had a great time. And to be completely honest with you. It really was amazing. Our tour guide flat knew his business. Everyone needs to go you will love it .and the resort was really nice and there is all kinds of hiking trails for everyone new and young and for the old so go check it out

Maria Topmiller

Came for a family weekend and it was a great time! We were able to get cabins all next to each other, the staff at the lodge were always friendly and helpful. Being close to the playground and trail head was a great bonus! Cabins were cozy and had enough space for all our stuff. There wasn't any wifi in the cabins we were in, but that wasn't an issue for us. I recommend this state park for anyone looking to get outdoors on some gorgeous trails!

Chris Walker

This is obviously a much smaller cave system and park than mammoth caves. However mammoth caves while impressive due to size doesn't really have quite as much cave feel to it because of that size... That being said these are not claustrophobic caves that make you crawl on your hands and knees it's just most areas are closer to a standard hallway with larger rooms scattered here and there. I enjoyed this trip more than I thought.