Kentucky State Parks

It would be a real shame for any visitor to by-pass the interesting Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Memorial Park, which was the first monument established to honor the 16th president of the US. The park has been established on the site of the great man’s birthplace in rural Kentucky, where an impressive monument has been built from donations received from the public. Today you can see a replica of the simple log cabin where the Lincoln family lived (which has been enshrined inside the monument) and see the Sinking Spring, from which the family received all their water. You can watch a 15-minute introductory video at the Visitor’s Center and children can join a Junior Ranger’s program to learn about the life and times of Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Memorial Park, 2995 Lincoln Farm Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748, Phone: 270-358-3137

Big Bone Lick is named for the amazing mammoth fossils which have been found on the site. It is believed that the prehistoric animals were drawn to the site by a natural salt lick deposit around the sulphur springs. Visitors are encouraged to start their exploration at the Visitor’s Center and Museum where you can get an overview of what the park offers and see some remarkable fossils and other exhibits. As you make your way along the Discovery Trail you will find interpretive panels explaining everything you see. You can go hiking along 4.5 miles of trails, do some bird watching or simply enjoy a few days of outdoor fun at the well-equipped campground which boasts a swimming pool, tennis courts, miniature golf and two playgrounds.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site , 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, Phone: 859-384-3522

Located on the 125,000 acre Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky and Tennessee, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, creating a magnificent playground for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. With such a large area of scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs and river frontage to explore you will need to spend a few nights in one of the park’s five campgrounds. Highlights of your visit could include white-water rafting (equipment rentals available), kayaking excursions, hiking and backpacking, horse-back riding excursions and rock climbing. Ranger-led activities include star-gazing, guided hikes and nature talks. Other activities include visiting a coal mine or riding the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.

Big South Fork National River Recreation Area, 4564 Leatherwood Rd, Oneida, TN 37841, Phone: 423-569-9778

Romantic Kentucky State Parks

Located in the Jefferson National Forest, which spreads across southwestern Virginia and southeastern Kentucky, the Breaks Interstate Park is the ideal destination for an active family vacation. You can choose from several accommodation options including lodge rooms, lakeside cabins, forest cottages and campgrounds. There is a long list of activities to keep everyone in the family happy. Water activities include canoeing and kayaking, boat tours, fishing, swimming and white-water rafting. Those who prefer to keep their feet dry can enjoy more than 20 miles of hiking trails, most of which are suitable for families. Golfing is available near-by and a seasonal outdoor theater offers movies and musical events.

Breaks Interstate Park, 627 Commission Circle, Breaks, VA 24607, Phone: 276-865-4413

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is the ideal getaway when you feel the need to escape the city and spend some time surrounded by natural beauty. The park lodge overlooks the beautiful 1,200 acre Buckhorn Lake which offers excellent water sports from May to October. In addition to the lodge there are five self-catering cottages where you can relax with family and friends. There are two short hiking trails suitable for the whole family and you can do some wildlife watching along the way. You can launch your boat at the marina which also offers fishing boats and pontoons for rental. Other activities include swimming, mini golf and a kiddies playground.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, 4441 Kentucky Highway 1833, Buckhorn, KY 41721, Phone: 606-398-7510

When you visit Camp Nelson National Monument outside Nicholasville you can combine a family day out with the chance to brush-up your knowledge of history. Camp Nelson played a prominent role during the Civil War, first as a supply depot and hospital and later as a recruitment camp and refugee center for escaping slaves. At the Visitor’s Center you can watch a short orientation film and see museum exhibits from the original camp. You can join a guided tour of the reconstructed barracks and the “White House” to learn about the part played by the camp during the war. In addition, you can explore over five miles of hiking trails to uncover various earthworks and fortifications which were used to safeguard the camp.

Camp Nelson National Monument, 6614 Old Danville Rd, Loop 2, Nicholasville, KY 40356, Phone: 859-881-5716

Kentucky Parks for Families with Kids

Carr Creek State Park in Knott County is a beautiful family-friendly recreational area offering camping, boating and excellent bird-watching. You are welcome to bring along your RV and spend a few days relaxing and “mucking about with boats”. The Littcar Campground offers 45 serviced campsites with water and electric hook-up for your RV (some sites also have sewer hook-ups). Facilities at the park include a beach area for swimming, a bathhouse, picnic areas and restrooms. Fishing and bird watching is rumored to be good and children can have fun biking, canoeing, playing horseshoes and toasting marshmallows around the camp fire.

Carr Creek State Park, 2086 Smithboro Rd, HWY 15, Sassafras, KY 41759, Phone: 606-642-4050

If you are looking for a great outdoor recreation area for a family vacation you need look no further than the Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill. Offering a long list of recreational activities for all ages, Carter Caves Resort can accommodate you in the comfortable lodge, a self-catering cabin or at the campground which boasts 89 serviced campsites. You can spend your days exploring by foot, bike or horseback (Equine campsites available) along 26 miles of trails or head to the lake for fishing and boating. There is a large pool where you can cool down on hot days. The highlight of any visit to the park is a subterranean adventure tour through Cascade Cave and X Cave.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, 344 Caveland Dr, Olive Hill, KY 41164, Phone: 606-286-4411

Scenically perched on a river cliff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, Columbus Belmont is a small but very attractive state park offering excellent views, hiking and a campground for RVs and tents. The park is built on the site of a Confederate fortification built during the Civil War and includes a small museum and a Civil War Trail where you can walk in the footsteps of the Confederate soldiers and see the trenches they dug. Also at the museum you will find a snack bar and gift shop and mini-golf (open from May to September). The shady campground is open all year round (but there is no water hook-up in winter).

Columbus Belmont State Park, 350 Park Rd, Columbus, KY 42032, Phone: 270-677-2327

You can leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind you as you head to the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park for a relaxing outdoor family vacation. You can stay in the delightful Du Pont Lodge or opt for a cabin, cottage or campsite – whichever you choose you will be close to the action. The highlight of any visit to the park is seeing the beautiful 125-foot wide Cumberland Falls – you can hike up to the large view-site or arrange to see the falls from the river by boat or kayak. Other activities at the park include hiking, bird-watching, gem mining at the Cumberland Falls Mining Company, swimming, rafting and fishing for bass, catfish, panfish.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701, Phone: 606-528-4121