Mammoth Cave and the Ghost of Stephen Bishop

Mammoth Cave National Park is not only the longest cave in the world but also a place steeped in history and mystery.

More than 150 documented paranormal events have been reported. Park Rangers and many visitors have reported seeing apparitions of slaves who guided tours for wealthy tourists before the Civil War.  One ghost, in particular, is seen most often wandering through… that’s the ghost of Stephen Bishop. 

The Ghost of Stephen Bishop

Bishop, a slave who spent nearly twenty years guiding tours in Mammoth Cave, is a figure of great respect. He is credited with exploring the cave’s deep depths. No one knows why or how Bishop died, but what is known is that he is buried at the Old Guide Cemetery close to the cave entrance.   

Today, it’s said Bishop is still exploring the gloomy cave. Take the three-mile Violet City Lantern Tour for the best chance at seeing Stephen Bishop’s spirit. 

Park Rangers walk you through the nostalgic route Bishop used to guide tourists in the 1800s. It is all lit by kerosene lanterns. There is no flashlight or headlamp. It is just you, a few others, and the ghost of Stephen Bishop.