Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky State Parks

Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019

by Leave a Comment

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Salt Festival.Big Bone Lick State Historic Site wants to take you back in time during the 37th annual Salt Festival next weekend (Oct. 18-20, 2019).

The festival features live demonstrations of pioneer lifeways and frontier skills. Enjoy folk and Bluegrass music, listen to a storyteller, view prehistoric Ice Age artifacts, and observe a blacksmith working red-hot iron. See how salt was extracted from the waters of Big Bone, watch a flintknapper make a stone point, and discover how bison hair was spun into yarn. Browse the crafters corner to see the many local, handcrafted items for sale, and take advantage of the good eats at the food court.

This year’s festival entertainment will feature “The Journey of York,” the story of William Clark’s slave along the transcontinental expedition of the Corps of Discovery. Big Bone Lick was recently added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Also returning to the festival field is All Nation’s Drum, an Intertribal Native American group showcasing traditional song and dance.

While visiting the park, be sure to drop by the park’s museum and visitors center to see some of the “big bones.” A shuttle van will transport event-goers to and from the festival field, museum, and campground at regular intervals.

Don’t miss seeing the bison herd, the park’s living link to Kentucky’s early history.

On Friday, Oct. 18, the park will host school groups. Schools interested in bringing classes to the festival should call the park at 859-384-3522 as pre-registration is required to receive the discounted school admission rate. Deadline to register is October 9. Regular festival admission is $5 per person; children 5 and under are free. Admission is open to the public all three days of the festival. The festival is cash only.

For information about the park, visit http://parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/big-bone-lick/. ; Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology for its significant role in the development of scientific thought regarding extinction and the relationship between geology and paleontology the world over. The park is located 22 miles southwest of Covington on KY 338, off US 42/127 and I-71 & I-75.  From I-75 north or south, take exit 175 to KY 338.  From I-71 north or south, take exit 62 to 127N/42E to KY 338.

Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

Civil War Days Weekend at Columbus-Belmont State Park (Oct. 11-13)

by Leave a Comment

Civil War Days

If you’re a Civil War buff, you’ll want to be at Columbus-Belmont State Park during the weekend of October 11-13!

The Park’s popular Civil War Days returns to the banks of the Mississippi River and will feature battle re-enactments, history and museum tours, soldier camps, entertainment, food and more. (Admission is free.)

This marks the 29th year of Civil War Days at Columbus-Belmont.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

This three-day event begins with an Education Day on Friday, featuring cannon and rifle demonstrations, life of a soldier, camp cooking and medical procedures.  Students, scouts, and groups are encouraged to participate, but everyone is invited to attend and take a closer look at our history by taking a step back in time.

The opening ceremony begins Friday evening at 5 p.m. with food and entertainment.  Cannons will fire from the bluffs to end the ceremony, followed by a Ghost Walk through the Confederate earthworks with lanterns lighting the way.

Saturday features a full schedule of events, including music and the Ladies Tea at 11 a.m.Civil War Days

The Civil War Ball on Saturday night will feature music by The 52nd Regimental String Band, along with dance instruction so you don’t have to be experienced to participate.

If you want to shop, you can find everything you need on “Sutler Row” where there will be tents set up with period clothing and accessories. There will be a Beautiful Belle and Handsome Gent contest before the dance and a Best Beard and Scraggly Beard contest during intermission.

Sunday begins with a period morning service at 8:30 a.m. as well as a memorial service in Columbus Cemetery at 10 a.m.

The battles are at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. They will feature guns firing, swords swinging, horses charging, and cannons blasting.

The Civil War Days event is co-sponsored by Columbus-Belmont State Park, Civil War Days Committee, and the Hickman County Judge Executive’s office/Hickman County Fiscal Court.  The park is located on the Mississippi River in far western Kentucky at the junction of highways 58, 80, and 123.

For more information, contact the park office at 270-677-2327, email cindy.lynch@ky.gov or visit www.parks.ky.gov.

Fireside Chats During February at Fort Boonesborough

by Leave a Comment

Kevin Hardesty as Daniel Boone4-Week Series Features Kentucky Historical Figures!

From Kentucky State Parks: Featuring famous characters from Kentucky history, a series of “Fireside Chats” sponsored by Fort Boonesborough State Park and the Fort Boonesborough Foundation will start at the Richmond park beginning Feb. 2, 2019.

The fireside chats will be offered every Saturday during February, starting at 6:45 p.m. each day in the museum blockhouse. A “Taste of Frontier Fare” will be offered each Saturday from 5:30-6:15 p.m., and the 18th Century Tavern blockhouse will be open from 5-6:30 p.m. with free cider, treats and games.

Below is the schedule of portrayals of Kentucky historical figures:

  • Feb. 2: Daniel Boone, Kentucky explorer and pioneer, portrayed by Kevin Hardesty.
  • Feb. 9: Jemima Boone, daughter of Daniel, portrayed by Betsy B. Smith
  • Feb. 16: George Rogers Clark, Revolutionary War hero and founder of Louisville, portrayed by Mel Hankla
  • Feb. 23: Maggie Delaney, indentured servant, portrayed by Carol Jarboe.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and children under 12 are $5 each. Reservations are required due to limited seating. All proceeds benefit the Fort Boonesborough Foundation.

The gift shop will also be open.  Guests interested in browsing are encouraged to make time to come a few minutes early.  Call 859-527-3131 or visit fortboonesboroughlivinghistory.org for more information.

In addition to a reconstructed fort, the park also has a campground, hiking trails, mini-golf, picnic shelters and a gift shop. Fort Boonesborough is located near Richmond. From Interstate 75, take Exit 95 to KY 627. On I-64, exit at Winchester to KY 627.

Photo Credit: The picture of Kevin Hardesty as Daniel Boone is from the Kentucky State Parks.

Sandhill Crane Tours Jan. 23-27, 2019 at Barren River Lake State Resort Park

by 1 Comment

Sandhill Cranes at Barren River Lake State Resort Park

Fellow bird lovers, here’s something I know you’ll be interested in! Beautiful Barren River Lake State Resort Park (Lucas, KY) is hosting its Nature Watch Weekend from January 23 to January 27 (2019).

Each year, thousands of Sandhill Cranes make Barren River Lake a stop on their journey back home.  Join fellow bird enthusiasts as you get up close to these beautiful cranes as they migrate through the area.  Just imagine the photography opportunities.

Participants can register for one of two trips. The morning sunrise trip takes guests to the roosting site before sunrise to experience the beauty of the cranes leaving the roost as they journey to nearby cornfields to spend the day. The sunset trip begins by viewing the birds in the cornfields and ends at the roosting site so you may view the magnificence of thousands of cranes circling overhead as they get ready to settle down for the night.

Each of these trips will be lead by naturalists from the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Please note that the dates selected are based on historical records under normal weather conditions in January and past trends of the cranes’ arrival in this area.  This narrow window of opportunity can vary by several days based on weather and the cranes’ migration schedule.

Registration is $45 per adult, $40 for seniors, and $30 per child 8-12 years old (must be at least 8 years old to go on van tours). The registration fee includes all educational sessions, a box lunch, a long sleeve t-shirt, and your choice of a morning or afternoon tour by van.

Call the park at 270-646-2151 for information and reservations.  Barren River Lake State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages and restaurant.

Photo Credit: The beautiful picture is from the Kentucky State Parks. Visit the Kentucky State Park website for more information about Barren River Lake State Resort Park as well as the other parks.

2018-2019 Winter Schedule for Kentucky State Resort Parks

by Leave a Comment

Kenlake State Resort Park's Lodge

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

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Fraley Music Festival
Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest