Kentucky Parks

There Are National and State Parks in Kentucky

Kentucky State Parks

Learn more about Kentucky's 51 state parks

National Park Guide

National parks located in Kentucky

COLUMBUS BELMONT STATE PARK, KY

Columbus-Belmont State Park is a 156-acre site that played a fascinating role in the War Between the States. This is the site of a fortification build by the Confederates and later occupied by Union forces. The 1861 Battle of Belmont, fought to overtake the Confederate stronghold here, marked the opening of the Union's Western Campaign. It was also Grant's first battle.

LAKE BARKLEY STATE RESORT PARK, KY

The park is nearby to several local attractions. In the quaint town of Cadiz, many antique shops line the downtown area. The U.S. Forest Service manages a 186,000 acre tract known as "Land Between the Lakes" which offer wildlife viewing, elk and bison prarie, living history farm, and a planetarium.

KENLAKE STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Kenlake State Resort Park is a polished vacation and business retreat in the heart of one of the nation's finest outdoor recreation areas.

KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Kentucky Dam Village is one of three resort parks on the waters surrounding Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area; a 170,000 acre wooded peninsula bound by Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

PENNYRILE FOREST STATE RESORT PARK, KY

The park is situated in the middle of 14,000 plus acres of forest.

ROUGH RIVER STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Enjoy the unspoiled beauty surrounding the 66-site campground, next to Rough River.

BARREN RIVER LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, KY

After a day exploring the caves at Mammoth Cave National Park, enjoy the above-ground delights to be found at Barren River Lake State Resort Park.

BIG BONE LICK STATE PARK, KY

The scientific community recognizes the site of Big Bone Lick State Park as the "Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology."

CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Known as the "Niagara of the South," Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is named after the largest waterfall south of the Niagara. 125 ft wide wall of water drops into a boulder-strewn gorge. With a full moon and clear night sky you can see the "moonbow," a (lunar rainbow) that appears in the base of the waterfall. A phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere! The area is also a natural choice for water-sports enthusiasts, offering *white-water rafting, *canoeing, *swimming, and fishing. Landlubbers will enjoy hiking and *horseback riding in this lovely area.

DALE HOLLOW LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is located in south central Kentucky near the Tennessee border. Our facilities include 144 site campground, 60 room lodge, convention center, dining room, 18-hole championship golf course, and a full-service marina with boat ramp access to a 28,000 acre pristine highland resevoir.

GENERAL BURNSIDE STATE PARK, KY

General Burnside Island State Park was named for the sideburn-whiskered Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. Burnside led patrols along the Cumberland River,circling this 400-acre island to keep watch for Confederate soldiers. The only island park in the Kentucky state park system.

GENERAL BUTLER STATE RESORT PARK, KY

This hilltop resort that sits where the the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers meet honors a prominent military family. Named for General William Orlando Butler, the familys military fame spanned from Colonial times through the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War.

LAKE CUMBERLAND STATE RESORT PARK, KY

With a normal level of more than 52,000 acres of water and 1,225 miles of shoreline, Lake Cumberland is considered one of the finest fishing and boating areas in the Eastern United States.

CARR CREEK STATE PARK, KY

Enjoy a variety of recreational activities at this park on Carr Fork Lake. Park your RV or pitch your tent and relax in one of the best campgrounds in southeastern Kentucky. The park features the longest sand beach in Kentucky State Parks system.

BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Throughout history, the salt springs at Blue Licks State Park have attracted prehistoric animals, Indians and pioneers such as the legendary Daniel Boone. Many 19th-century southerners came to the area seeking the rejuvenation of the therapeutic, bubbling waters. Blue Licks is more widely known, however, as the site of the last Revolutionary War battle in Kentucky.

CARTER CAVES STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Beneath the forested hills of this resort, nature has hidden more than 20 twisting caverns. Visit Cascade Cave, where you'll discover a 30-foot underground waterfall. A must-see while you're at Carter Caves is X Cave, where, for millions of years, nature has formed luminous stone fans, pipes and spirals. Above ground, enjoy a relaxing game of golf on our 9-hole golf course, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking on 20 miles of single and multi-use trails.

FORT BOONESBOROUGH STATE PARK, KY

Fort Boonesborough State Park is the site of Ft. Boonesborough, founded in 1775 by Daniel Boone. A full scale replica of the original fort, complete with living historians is the parks main feature. The park is located in the Central Kentucky Bluegrass Region along the Kentucky River and is near to such attractions as the horse farms around Lexington, the arts and crafts of Berea, and White Hall State Historic Site that is only 8 miles away.

GREENBO LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, KY

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is named for its central feature, placid Greenbo Lake, in which visitors love to fish. Spending the afternoon on a boat on this peaceful lake is a great way to relax.

KINCAID LAKE STATE PARK, KY

Kincaid Lake State Park offers a campground, a 183 acre lake with a 10hp motor limit, hiking trails, picnic area, meeting room, mini-golf, recreation area, junior olympic swimming pool, rental boats, and a new 9-hole golf course. The golf course is set in wooded, rolling terrain and features undulating fairways.

LEVI JACKSON STATE PARK, KY

Hike in the footsteps of pioneers on two historic trails, the Wilderness Road and Boone¿s Trace. These thoroughfares carried more than 200,000 settlers from the eastern colonies into the western frontier between 1774 and 1796.