The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide - The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide 2026
State Parks
2026-02-06 05:32:19
THE TIME TRAVELLER
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK, Henderson
A treasure trove of the ornithologist- artist’s masterworks, plus tranquil Audubon Wetlands, the nature center, a beautifully arrayed gift shop showcasing made-in-Kentucky items and the enchanting new Gnomes of Audubon Forest trail — find this and more at the John James Audubon State Park.
PERRYVILLE BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE, Perryville
Look across the grassy fields at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site to see what the soldiers saw in 1862 during one of Kentucky’s bloodiest Civil War battles. This is one of the country’s most intact battlefields. Guided ghost walks are offered in October.
FORT BOONESBOROUGH STATE PARK, Richmond
Come for the history, stay for a tour of the replica working fort at Fort Boonesborough State Park. Plan for living-historian demonstrations of 18th-century life skills, February Fireside Chats featuring notable historical figures who helped shape the Kentucky frontier, plus handmade pioneer items.
OLD FORT HARROD STATE PARK, Harrodsburg
Explore the 1770s fort and Mansion Museum at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Stroll among the gravestones at Kentucky’s oldest cemetery, visit the Lincoln Marriage Temple, grab souvenirs from the kid-friendly gift shop and take in a concert by the climbable Big Ole Tree.
WICKLIFFE MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE, Wickliffe
Take a self-guided Archaeology Walking Trail tour at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. See mounds built by Native People of the Mississippian Culture and pottery and stone tools excavated onsite.
MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME STATE PARK, Bardstown
Tour with guides in period garb and learn the history of the 200-year-old manse memorialized in the ballad by the Father of American Music, Stephen Foster. My Old Kentucky Home, aka Federal Hill, offers creative yearround programming and stars in this state park’s summer outdoor musical-theater production, “The Stephen Foster Story.”
BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK, Carlisle
Follow Daniel Boone’s footfalls along the remains of an ancient buffalo path at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, on the site of the Revolutionary War’s final battle. Inside the Pioneer Museum, a three-dimensional diorama recounts the dramatic 1782 ambush.
WAVELAND STATE HISTORIC SITE, Lexington
In this charming setting of flower gardens and footbridges, enjoy Tuesday Tea at the mansion at Waveland State Historic Site — especially stunning at Christmastime — or a vintage baseball game on its immaculate grounds. Enjoy guided tours and a picnic on the lawn.
THE WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
LAKE CUMBERLAND STATE RESORT PARK, Jamestown
Wish you were here: Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Houseboat Capital of the World. Boat, swim, hike, fish. Lounge on your Lure Lodge balcony. Explore Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Visitor and Environmental Education Center. Dine with a water view at Rowena Landing Restaurant.
BARREN RIVER LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Lucas
Rent a pontoon with a waterslide for lake-time fun with the family at Barren River Lake State Resort Park. Fish for bass. Play a round of golf. Hike nature trails abloom with wildflowers. Get blown away by February’s sandhill crane migration during Nature Watch Weekend.
LAKE BARKLEY STATE RESORT PARK, Cadiz
Swim at the outdoor pool or inside at the wellness pool; boat and fish from the marina. Play on the championship golf course and in the game room. Tennis, racquetball and pickleball? Of course! Hike, bike and dine deliciously.
KENLAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Hardin
Fish, boat and Jet Ski at Kenlake State Resort Park. Walk or bike Eggners’ Ferry Bridge, spanning Kentucky Lake and connecting to Land Between the Lakes’ trails. Hit the tennis courts — indoors or out. Homebase is a wooded cottage or lakeview lodge room.
GREENBO LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Greenup
Families adore pedal boating, paddling and picnicking at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park — not to mention whizzing down the community pool’s water slide. Divers love the 10-acre Scuba Refuge. And everybody relishes Angler's Cove Restaurant with its Kentucky fare and mountain scenery.
BUCKHORN LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Buckhorn
Splashing in the lodge pool and building sandcastles at the beach. Horseshoes and hiking, basketball and boating. Mini golf on a wacky course, fishing near a quiet cove. Balcony snooze and sunset views. That’s life at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park.
PAINTSVILLE LAKE STATE PARK, Staffordsville
Experience every season at Paintsville Lake State Park: Fall fishing and spring wildflowers, winter sunsets and summer’s hand-dipped ice cream at the marina. The park is open year-round for camping. Enjoy the lakeside walking trail and firepit area, horseshoe pits and kayaking (with an ADA kayak launch).
GREEN RIVER LAKE STATE PARK, Campbellsville
Toes in the sand, fishing pole in hand. A putter for mini golf, a pontoon for a day of wallowing on the water. Hiking, birding, playing beach volleyball — whatever your vacation vibe, Green River Lake State Park has you covered.
THE TRAIL EXPLORER
TAYLORSVILLE LAKE STATE PARK, Mt. Eden
Equestrians, here is your happy place, with tent and RV camping and galloping along Possum Ridge. Hikers and mountain bikers, this is your jam, too, with a 24-mile multi-use trail system. Boaters, fishers, wildlife lovers — Taylorsville Lake State Park hasn’t forgotten you either.
CARTER CAVES STATE RESORT PARK, Olive Hill
Above ground and below, Carter Caves State Resort Park offers adventure with guided and self-guided cave tours, including gorgeous Cascade Cave and X-Cave, and repelling and rock climbing a sandstone cliff line. Don’t skip paddling Smoky Lake and panning for treasures at the Gem Mine, too.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Burkesville
Prepare to get muddy on a guided wild Cindy Cave tour at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. Chart your course along 12 miles of trails — on foot, wheel or hoof — or opt for boating, fishing, golfing and even scuba diving and snorkeling.
JENNY WILEY STATE RESORT PARK, Prestonsburg
From bourbon and Hot Browns to elk-viewing tours and bald eagle sightings, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is signature Kentucky. Laze away a day on Dewey Lake or visit the nature center. Evening means relaxing at May Lodge and drinking in those glorious Appalachian Mountain views.
NATURAL BRIDGE STATE RESORT PARK, Slade
You’ll find spectacular views year-round, but oh, those harvest hues captivate when fall sweeps through Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Resort Park — best enjoyed from the namesake natural sandstone arch. Hike, fish, paddle and swim, then sip a glass of wine at the Trail's End Tavern.
PINE MOUNTAIN STATE RESORT PARK, Pineville
Hike Chained Rock Trail at Pine Mountain State Resort Park to catch the view and see Chained Rock, secured in place with a 100-foot-long, 1.5-ton chain. Play the championship Wasioto Winds 18-hole golf course and dig into fried catfish and hushpuppies at the Mountain View Restaurant.
PENNYRILE FOREST STATE RESORT PARK, Dawson Springs
Magnificent views from Fisherman’s Rock. Postcard-pretty beach at Pennyrile Lake. Excellent fishing with bluegill and largemouth bass. Family-friendly boating with canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and standup paddleboards. A rustic, woodsy lodge set on a cliff overlooking the lake. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park beckons.
DAWKINS LINE RAIL TRAIL, Swamp Branch
Open year-round and unfurling along 36 paved miles through Appalachian forests, past streams and wildlife, Dawkins Line Rail Trail is a haven for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, with the first 25 miles showing off 24 trestles and the 662-foot Gun Creek Tunnel.
YOU’VE GOTTA SEE THIS!
CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK, Corbin
Get up close to the Niagara of the South, crashing into the gorge below. Witness a moonbow during a full moon at the only place in the Western Hemisphere — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park — to regularly produce one.
SCAN FOR MORE ON KENTUCKY STATE PARKS
©Kentucky. View All Articles.
State Parks
https://digital.milespartnership.com/article/State+Parks/5072157/856866/article.html