2023-12-29 08:21:59
It’s morning coffee overlooking the lake from a private balcony, evening ghost stories and roasted hot dogs ‘round the campfire, your kiddo’s hole-in-one on the mini golf course or first time to saddle up for a trail ride and sharing the day’s adventures over fried catfish or cheesy Hot Brown.
Kentucky State Parks: This is where Kentucky vacations go to live their best life.
One Word: Wow!
See the “Niagara of the South” crashing over a sandstone outcropping and into a jumble of boulders below at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin. A pot of gold is overrated; what’s waiting at Cumberland Falls is not: a moonbow — a rainbow created by mist and a full moon in a rare and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
X Marks the Spot
A whole world yawns beneath your feet at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill. Headache Rock, Giant Turkey and the Great Chandelier await at the bottom of X-Cave’s stone staircase. Enter the Dragon’s Lair at scenic Cascade Cave and see a 30-foot underground waterfall.
Swamp Things
A fitting tribute to the naturalist/ornithologist for which Henderson’s John James Audubon State Park is named: The 649-acre Audubon Wetlands is where a bald cypress tree slough, shrub wetland and floodplain forest converge to form a unique ecosystem. A quartermile boardwalk overlooks a habitat lively with woodland birds, beavers, bald eagles, otters, fish, waterfowl and other creatures.
They’re Back …
A crowd-pleaser has returned to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg. Guided Elk Viewing Tours, which take place offsite at nearby viewing locations and include discussion of the history of the elk restoration in Kentucky, happen September through March. Eastern Kentucky reclaimed surface mines provide wildlife habitats for the nearly 11,000 elk.
Bison on the Horizon
See the bison herd that links Big Bone Lick State Historic Site to its Ice Age past and roams about not far from a diorama capturing a scene at the salt springs where a mammoth, ground sloth and other mega mammals are trapped. This National Natural Landmark in Union is considered the Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology.
Land of the Giants
Once upon a time, there was a family of 14-foot giants who brought their magic to Dunmor’s Lake Malone State Park. Meet the Twiggs: Bobber, Oakley, Happy and new additions Annette, Paige and Watson. These lovable larger-than-life characters relish the camping life — fishing, hiking, roasting marshmallows and catching fireflies and butterflies — in their beautiful lakeside setting.
Beachy-Keen
Here’s how to beach in Kentucky: Remove flip-flops. Dig toes in sand. Say ahh. Among Kentucky State Parks’ 10 beaches are the pristine white-sand beach at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in Dawson Springs, a sunseeker’s oasis with 775 feet of sandy shoreline at Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas and a sandy swath ready for sandcastle building at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park.
On the Waterfront
Wake up with the sun as it sets the water to shimmering; turn in at night as the water laps the shore’s edge and lulls you to sleep. Here is where vacation photos (and memories) happen: at scenic campsites with a forest backdrop and unobstructed views of Green River Lake in Campbellsville and at blue-green Nolin Lake in Mammoth Cave.
Rock On
In a park known for breathtaking views, natural streams, beautiful stonework and extraordinary rock formations — like Raven Rock, soaring 290 feet into the sky — is a massive sandstone rock house that time and Mother Nature have sculpted into an amphitheater. Kingdom Come State Park’s Cave Amphitheater has lighting and seating — a natural meeting space for small groups.
Among the First
History, nostalgia and magnificent views characterize Pineville’s Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Established along with Natural Bridge and two other locations to be the first four state parks, Pine Mountain is known for its trails — including Chain Rock, named for the boulder perched above Pineville and chained in place.
From Railroad to Resort Park
Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade is known for its massive sandstone arch. Lesser known, it was once owned by Kentucky Union Railway, which was chartered in 1854 and built the park’s first campground and trails.
One of the Fab Four
Old Fort Harrod at Old Fort Harrod State Park in Harrodsburg is near the site of the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. The park is one of Kentucky’s original four state parks.
Ancient Native American Village to Newest Park
Its earthen mounds built by native people of the Mississippian culture, Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site in Wickliffe is today an archaeological site — and the latest official addition to the Kentucky State Parks system in 2004.
Learn more about Kentucky State Parks >
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