Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Kentucky

Besides gazing at the waterfall (and moonbow, if you're lucky), other favorite things to do in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park include guided horseback rides through the Daniel Boone National Forest, hiking the more than 17 miles of trails, uncovering colorful gemstones at the gemstone flume, birding, and fishing in the Cumberland River. You can book guided whitewater rafting and paddle trips through Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.

Part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and adjacent to the Red River Gorge Geological Area, this park is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the state, if not the entire country. Things to do at Natural Bridge State Resort Park include hiking or sky-lifting it up to the bridge (of course!), staying or dining at the Hemlock Lodge for spectacular views of the forest canopy, and hiking the assortment of 10 trails of varying difficulty. Canoeing and kayaking rentals are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Federal Hill mansion inspired American composer Stephen Wallace's 1853 song, "My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!" which quickly became an important song of the era and endures even today. During summer months, visitors gather at the park's amphitheater for the dramatic portrayal, "Stephen Foster - The Musical." Besides touring the mansion, other things to do in My Old Kentucky Home State Park include playing golf, picnicking, and strolling the beautiful grounds.

Civil War Union General Ambrose Burnside once patrolled the waters surrounding the island, which gives this park its name. Today, playing a round of golf at an excellent public golf course and exploring the lake are the top picks among the many things to do in General Burnside Island State Park. Those activities and the breezy lakeside air make it a top draw for camping, too. The park's campground is open from mid-March to mid-November and has 94 sites and two facilities with showers and restrooms among its many amenities.

This park memorializes and interprets several aspects of the Civil War Battle of Belmont, which occurred on November 7, 1861. Guests can reflect on this time in history while walking the park's 2.5-mile trail along the bluffs and earthworks. Other fun things to do in Columbus-Belmont State Park include birding (especially during spring and fall songbird migrations), playing mini golf, and grabbing a famous quickie dog at the snack bar. This park has 38 sites with electric and water hookups and is one of just a couple that offer fully equipped camper rentals. There are two on-site that include a kitchen and bathroom, and sleep up to six people. There's also a cabin that sleeps two.

This park draws a lot of people because of its proximity to Mammoth Cave National Park, where you can tour parts of the longest cave system in the world. Meanwhile, there are many things to do in Nolin Lake State Park without ever having to leave. While it's a favorite during the warm summer months for its public beach, park staff host holiday-themed and other events throughout the seasons. People also enjoy dropping a line to catch plentiful fish in the lake, which include bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye.

Choose among 145 campsites, including 24 wooded equestrian sites at this park that includes a 28,000-acre lake. Dale Hollow also has traditional cabins and camper cabin rentals. While playing a round of golf on the park's nationally recognized golf course is among the top things to do in Dale Hollow Lake State Park, people also enjoy birding, hiking, caving, and taking in incredible views. Not only can you hike to Eagle Point but you may also see eagles from December through February.

The resort campground is an awesome home base for anyone who wants to explore the many things to do in Kentucky Horse Park. This is the place for learning about the many aspects of why Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World. Park activities include three museums, daily equestrian presentations, and opportunities to ride horses and ponies, just to name a few. RVers can choose among 260 campsites with paved pads, electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The grounds also have laundry facilities, a grocery store, and recreation amenities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Things to do in Green River Lake State Park focus on enjoying its natural setting, which includes an 8,210-acre lake and the more than, 1,300 acres of land surrounding it. People can take to the park's many trails on foot, bikes, or horseback or go fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie, and muskie. There's also an 18-hole mini-golf course on-site. In the summer, the lake's beach area is a hotspot for volleyball games. The park has 167 full water and electric sites and 60 primitive campsites.

This park's campground is one of the state's most popular and features 166 sites, 18 of which have full hookups. Top things to do in Fort Boonesborough State Park include exploring the fort, interacting with living history interpreters, boating, fishing, birding, mini golf, and short nature hikes. Don't miss the gift shop, which stocks items like pottery, lye soap, and candles made on-site at the fort, plus lots of other handmade Kentucky treasures.

This park became Kentucky's first when it opened in 1924 and is part of the Kentucky Ridge State Forest of the Cumberland Plateau. It endures as a favorite natural destination, especially among those who've hiked its 12 miles of trails, which include the most popular, Chained Rock Trail, plus others like Rock Hotel and Hemlock Garden. Besides the great hiking, there are many other fun things to do in Pine Mountain State Resort Park. The nationally ranked Wasioto Winds golf course offers packages year-round, and the park's mini-golf course is open from April through October. During the summer, a pool is available to overnight guests staying in the lodge or cottages.

While cave tours are the most popular things to do in Carter Caves State Resort Park, hikers can truly get a lay of the land – above and below. This park in the northeastern edge of the state features more than 33 miles of hiking trails beckon with varied scenes that include five natural bridges, arches, cliffs, and a box canyon. Below ground, you'll find the state's largest concentration of caves, with tours offered in four of them – X Cave, Cascade Cave, Bat Cave, and Saltpeter Cave. In addition, there are several non-commercial caves. You can also paddle, fish, or both, in the park's 45-acre Smoky Valley Lake. Kids of all ages will enjoy a mini-golf course and gem mining, both of which are open seasonally.

While Pennyrile Lake activities are big draws among the things to do in Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, there's much to enjoy on the park's nine hiking trails. The trails range from easy to difficult, and one trail connector leads equestrians to the dozens of horseback riding trails in the Pennyrile State Forest. Visit the park's lodge for trail maps. The park's equestrian campground is open year-round, the other campsites are only available seasonally from mid-March to mid-November.

From the selfie perspective, the best things to do in Kingdom Come State Park is take the many short hikes to the many Pine Mountain overlooks, with the most popular being Creech Overlook and the 12 O'Clock Lookout. You can pick up a guide to the 14 miles of trails when you visit. The park also has a small fishing lake with rental pedal boats, mini-golf, and horseshoe pits. There are 14 campsites, with all but two being primitive sites and the others with basic electric service. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and restroom access.

The bison herd (including cute calves) top the attractions when it comes to things to do at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, and there's much more to discover at the site's museum and surrounding grounds. The bison are an important sign of the modern era's only connection to the Ice Age. Significant geological events occurred in the area during that time, which are interpreted along park trails, the visitor center and museum, and a large diorama. Five different trails cover 4.5 miles and range from easy to moderate. Mini-golf and tennis courts are available to the public during warm-weather months, while guests of the 62-acre campground can enjoy an on-site swimming pool.

Begin your adventure indoors by touring the more than 200 items on display at the museum and nature center, which interpret the life of famous naturalist John James Audubon and his family during their years in Kentucky. Audubon explored the property's wooded areas studying birds from 1810 to 1819, and so too, can you. Things to do in John James Audubon State Park include hiking 6.5 miles of trails, fishing on the 28-acre lake, playing the nine-hole golf course, picnicking, pickleball, and more.

Monthly stargazing parties, glow-in-the-dark pickleball, a huge swimming pool and splash pad, a six-acre off-leash dog park, an archery range, a fitness trail, and a nature trail are the tip of the ice berg when it comes to things to do in E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville. This 554-acre park also has fields for soccer and softball; courts for pickleball, badminton, tennis, and basketball; and an airfield for radio-controlled planes.