Kentucky State Parks

2018-2019 Winter Schedule for Kentucky State Resort Parks

November 7, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

Spring and Summer aren’t the only times you’ll enjoy a visit to the Kentucky State Parks – they’re just as warm, welcoming, and fun during the fall and winter. In fact, maybe even more so because they’re quieter and less crowded!

The resort parks have different hours during the colder months, so always double check before leaving home. Below is their recently announced schedule for the winter months.

Each of the Kentucky State Park Resort Parks will be open on weekends through the winter months in 2018-2019.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will be open seven days a week; the other 15 resort parks will have different schedules, with many of them closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Restaurant schedules will also be based on the resort schedules during the winter.

All resort parks have lodges and food services; 15 parks also have cottages. Cottages will be open daily at these parks through the winter.

There will be no changes for full-time staff within the Parks – all will be working their normal hours during the winter. On days the resort parks are not open to the public, staff will be cleaning and repairing park facilities.

Below are the winter dates and schedules for the 17 resort parks. The first day listed is the day of the week available to check in a lodge room, the second day is the check-out day.

Barren River Lake, Dec. 3, 2018-March 2, 2019, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Blue Licks Battlefield, Nov. 12-April 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out)

Buckhorn Lake, Nov. 1-March 31, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Carter Caves, Dec. 27-March 3, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Cumberland Falls, Dec. 16-March 3, open Tuesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Dale Hollow Lake, Nov. 11-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

General Butler, Dec. 23-March 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Greenbo Lake, Nov. 1-March 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Jenny Wiley, open daily.

Kenlake, Dec. 9-March 10, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Kentucky Dam Village, Nov. 12-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Lake Barkley, Nov. 25-Feb. 27, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Lake Cumberland, Dec. 1-Feb. 28, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Natural Bridge, open daily.

Pennyrile Forest, Dec. 14-March 3, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Pine Mountain, Jan. 1-Jan. 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Rough River Dam, Nov. 4-April 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Many resort parks will host seasonal events such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas programs and New Year’s Eve parties.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov

St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

March 14, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Gorgeous John James Audubon Museum

One of the most beautiful Kentucky State Parks can be found in Henderson, Kentucky. John James Audubon State Park (and its on-site museum) are absolutely gorgeous. You could easily spend the entire day there and only complain that you’d ran out of time. Many restaurants are well within driving distance – in fact, they’re just minutes from the park and couldn’t be easier to find. They’re all on one road!

That’s the wonderful thing about small to medium sized towns in Kentucky, everything is within reach. More about the restaurants in a minute, I want to share with you some fun St. Patrick’s Day events the park has planned.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

Wear something green and get in free on St. Patrick’s Day at the John James Audubon State Park museum.

The park in Henderson is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with specials for visitors at the museum, gift shop, and golf course.

Guests who wear green on Saturday receive free museum admission. They can also enjoy “Shamrock baked goods” at the gift shop and receive 20 percent off anything green in the store and 10 percent off any other item in the store. Wear green at the golf course and play 18-holes for the price of 9 (standard cart fees apply); and receive 20 percent off anything green in the pro shop store.

The museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. The golf course is open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

John James Audubon State Park is the site where Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819. The park is equipped with cottages and offers many recreational opportunities, including a nine-hole golf course, six miles of hiking trails, fishing and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets Audubon’s life through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at 270-826-2247.

Now, back to those restaurants! The following are restaurants in Henderson that are within minutes of the park. As you’ll see, you can easily find breakfast, lunch, and/or supper. Trust me, if you explore the wonderful trails or golf course at Audubon, you’ll work up an appetite!

Applebee’s
Denny’s
McDonalds
Taco John’s
KFC
Burger King
Arby’s
Taco Bell
Rally’s
Subway
Mr. B’s Pizza & Wings
Pizza Hut
Grandy’s

These are just a few that come to mind – Henderson has a lot of other restaurants as well. A quick Google search will find you whatever your heart (or stomach!) desires.

More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park, its wonderful trails and BEAUTIFUL Museum:

John James Audubon State Park Museum and Nature Center

Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center

Bald Eagle Statue at John James Audubon State Park

The Worker Statue at John James Audubon State Park

Hummingbird Bird Bath at John James Audubon State Park

John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

March 7, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

As I’m typing this information about Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Parks, I am seriously (I mean SERIOUSLY) wishing I was sitting in one of the Park’s restaurants with my husband enjoying a cup of their wonderful coffee. Their coffee is the stuff legends are made of.

I am unable to eat very often at the restaurants any longer because, for health reasons, I have to eat gluten-free. Unfortunately (as of now), the restaurants do not offer gluten-free menus or information. I have, however, gotten their hamburgers (off bun, of course) and had ZERO problems. I’ve also eaten salads off of their salad buffets.

I really, really, really hope that sometime in the near future the wonderful Parks will offer more in the way of gluten-free options and information because, quite frankly, I miss dining with them!

The 2018 Easter Buffet

Kentucky State Parks will be serving the annual Easter buffet April 1 at 15 resort park restaurants.

The menu includes beef carved on the line, baked country ham and local favorites. The meal will also include fresh fruit, a cheese bar, garden vegetables, salad and desserts.

The price for adults is $19.50, and children (12 and under) are $9.50, not including tax. The price does not include a beverage. The buffet will be served starting at noon with various ending times.

Buckhorn Lake and Kenlake state resort parks will not be serving the Easter buffet. All other resort parks will host the buffet.

Several parks are planning egg hunts and other activities for guests. For more information, or to make lodging reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

NOTE: When you get a chance to support our State Parks in any way, shape or form, please do so. Eat at their restaurants, shop in their gift shops, and partake in all they have to offer. I want them to be available for our children and grand-children for years and years to come!

Cumberland Falls Offers Campout at the Fire Tower

February 21, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

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Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Enjoy an evening camping with a great view on four special camping trips this year at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

The park is offering guests an opportunity to spend part of the evening in Pinnacle Knob fire tower with a spectacular view of the night sky and the Cumberland Plateau. The dates of the “Campout at the Fire Tower” are March 10, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, and Nov. 3.

Your camp will be on the ground near the tower, which is no longer used for spotting fires. When the sun comes up, you’ll break camp for a short hike back to the park lodge for breakfast.

The park provides a sleeping bag and pad, tent, pack and astronomy equipment. Participants will leave after dinner and return the next morning for breakfast at the park lodge. The cost is $35 per person and includes a snack and breakfast.

Registration is required. Call Steve Gilbert at 606-528-4121 or email steve.gilbert@ky.gov.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has a lodge, Riverview Restaurant, cottages, campground, hiking trails, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, other recreational activities and a great view of Cumberland Falls.

Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower

My Old Kentucky Home State Park Celebrates Federal Hill’s 200th Year With Culinary New Tours and Additions to Collection

February 20, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

My Old Kentucky Home State Park is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the construction of Federal Hill mansion with new tours and new displays at the popular Bardstown historic site.

Federal Hill was built by the Rowan family in 1818 and became popular because of its connection to Stephen Foster’s famous song “My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!” Visitors can tour the home and learn about the Rowan family history.

New this year is a “Culinary Biscuit Tour” that explains how to make beaten biscuits as well as southern ham biscuits. This tour is offered to groups of 15-30 people.

Also new is the “Mint Julep Tour,” which explains the history of one of the earliest mixed cocktails and symbolizes southern hospitality. It is the favorite drink for the Kentucky Derby.

Other new culinary tours include the “Lemonade Tour,” and “Apple Cider Tour.”

This year has been declared “The Year of Kentucky Food” and the Kentucky Department of Tourism and Kentucky State Parks are celebrating all the local flavors, spirits and delicious foods of the bluegrass state.

School groups can take tours at My Old Kentucky Home on architecture, furniture made from wood, and farm to table, as well as the mansion tour.

The park also has some new items on display for 2018. They include:

The Rowan family’s original Victorian style parlor set, crafted from walnut and upholstered in woven horse hair, has been fully restored and returned to My Old Kentucky Home’s parlor. Consisting of two settees, a gentleman’s arm chair, a ladies chair, and multiple side chairs, the set was likely purchased by the mansion’s second owner, Rebecca Carnes Rowan, in the mid to late 19th century.

An original 19th-century painting of the birthplace of Stephen Foster, known as “The White Cottage,” was purchased by My Old Kentucky Home State Park for inclusion in the park’s permanent collection and will be on display in the mansion’s parlor.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park acquired an original 19th-century portrait of Stephen Foster that once belonged to Oliver Ditson, a publisher of Foster’s music during the mid to late 1800s. The oil on canvas portrait was painted by Frederick R. Spencer has been placed in the mansion’s central hall.

Visitors to the park gift shop will notice a new collection of Kentucky Proud jellies, jams, sauces, and mixes from My Old Kentucky Home. The new collection of food products include blackberry jam, strawberry jam, pepper jelly, biscuit mix and Henry Bain sauce.

Besides historic Federal Hill and the visitor center, My Old Kentucky Home State Park also has a campground and an 18-hole golf course.

For more information about tours and other events at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, visit https://www.visitmyoldkyhome.com/ For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov