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Natural Bridge Trek Series Starts March 19, 2016

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No doubt you’re as ready to get outside as I am, so this Kentucky State Park press release is just for you. The Natural Bridge Trek Series starts March 19. Other Trek Dates are May 14, June 11, September 24, and November 12.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

The Natural Bridge Trail Trek Series is an incredible opportunity to get to see much of what Natural Bridge State Resort Park has to offer through five naturalist-led hikes.

Participants will have the opportunity to leave their boot prints on every mile of trail at the park. While many people have visited before, most folks don’t know that the park has much more than just the Natural Bridge Arch itself. Natural Bridge State Park Trail

The park has more than 25 miles of trails, other natural arches, a variety of trees, and a lot of interesting history. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get out in the woods with an experienced naturalist. Participants must sign up ahead of time and spots are limited. Participants who attend all five hikes will receive a free t-shirt.

The cost is $8 per person per hike. Ages 10 and up are welcome, but participants ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The other hikes dates are May 14, June 11, Sept. 24 and Nov. 12. All hikes begin at 9:30 a.m.

To register and for information, call 606-663-2214.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to one of the larger and most famous natural arches in Kentucky and is surrounded by breathtaking topography and unique flora and fauna within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Natural Bridge offers lodging, dining, cottages, and campground accommodations. Hiking trails and other recreational opportunities are available. For more information call 1-800-325-1710 or visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb.

Photo Credit: One of the many trails at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Courtesy of the Kentucky State Parks.

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Herpetology Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park: April 17-18, 2015

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If you know anything about me, you know I’m an animal lover from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. In fact, my obsession with feeding, photographing, and loving any and all animals has earned me the nickname “Snow White” in my family.

And then there are snakes. Frogs. Lizards. And Turtles.

This “Snow White” used to draw a line in her Kentucky forest between those with fur or feathers and those without. But, to be honest with you, I’ve come to love frogs and turtles – and lizards and salamanders are working on me.

As for the other… well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  I don’t wish them any harm, but you won’t find me cuddling one either.

The following event has passed, but you can find up-to-the-minute Kentucky Events on our Events Page. Also, check out some of the best things to do in Kentucky… most importantly, just get out there and enjoy our beautiful state!

 

Below is information from Natural Bridge State Park and if you love these “critters,” you’ll want to mark your calendar right away.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is hosting Herpetology Weekend, April 17-18. This weekend is a great way to learn about some of nature’s most misunderstood critters: snakes, lizards, turtles, salamanders and frogs!

On Saturday, April 18, experienced herpetologists will lead morning and afternoon field trips into the Red River Gorge and surrounding areas to observe reptiles and amphibians in their native habitat. This is a great opportunity for the entire family to come enjoy nature and see some fairly secretive wildlife up close and personal!

All field trips depart from the Hemlock Lodge lobby. Saturday morning trips will stagger starts from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and the Saturday afternoon field trips will stagger starts from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Evening presentations by leading experts in the field will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Woodland Center. A live reptile show will be presented by the staff of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo on Saturday night.

On-site registration fee is $10 per adult, $3 for ages 13-17 and free for ages 12 and under. Registration opens 30 minutes prior to field trip departure or presentation.

For more information about Herpetology Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, contact the Natural Bridge Naturalist Office at 606-663-2214 or email andrew.stevens@ky.gov

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to one of the larger natural arches in the state and is surrounded by Daniel Boone National Forest. Natural Bridge offers lodging, cottages, and campground accommodations. Hiking trails and other recreational opportunities are available. For more information call 606-663-2214 or visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is 52 miles southeast of Lexington and 2 miles off the Mountain Parkway at Slade, Exit 33.

 

Wood Frog at Natural Bridge State Park

Wood Frog at Natural Bridge

Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

Wildflower Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

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Black-Eyed Susans
 

The following event has passed, but you can find up-to-the-minute Kentucky Events on our Events Page. Also, check out some of the best things to do in Kentucky… most importantly, just get out there and enjoy our beautiful state!

 

If you love flowers even half as much as I do, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t busy on the weekend of April 10-12.  The Kentucky Native Plant Society will hold its Wildflower Weekend during these dates at the beautiful Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

The weekend will feature field trips, starting Friday morning, led by professional and amateur biologists around the state park and surrounding areas such the Rock Garden Trail, Whittleton Arch Trail and Sheltowee Trace.  All trips leave from Hemlock Lodge.

The cost is $10 for adults, $3 for ages 13-17 and free for ages 12 and under.

Kentucky Naturally by Thomas G. BarnesThere will be a program Friday at 7 p.m. on the photography of Thomas G. Barnes, a former society president who died in 2014. Barnes was a University of Kentucky professor and conservationist whose photographs were published around the world. His most recent book will be featured.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to one of the largest and most famous natural arches in Kentucky and is surrounded by breathtaking topography and unique flora and fauna within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The park offers lodging, dining, cottages, and campground accommodations.  Hiking trails and other recreational opportunities are also available. For more information call 1-606-663-2214 or visit Natural Bridge State Resort Park –  the Park’s official website.

You can also find more information about the Kentucky Native Plant Society online.

 

Congrats to Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s Chef, Kendra Epperson!

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Kendra Epperson, Chef at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
The husband, aka Michael, and I were talking about Kentucky State Resort Parks recently.  We do that a lot – as you probably know, we love them greatly.   During this particular conversation, we were weighing in on which park might be especially nice for a wonderful autumn visit.

I have a front runner.

This summer, Kendra Epperson (a chef at Natural Bridge State Resort Park) was a Cast-Iron Chef cooking competition winner during the 2014 Kentucky State Fair.

Epperson also picked up a Cast-Iron Chef win in 2010 – obviously the lady knows her cast-iron!  This year, she was given secret ingredients to prepare in 30 minutes. She cooked sirloin steak with sauteed onions, Fettuccine Alfredo with vegetables and a creamy southwest roll up.

She had me at sirloin.

An Ohio native, Karen Epperson, graduated from the culinary school at Ashland Community and Technical College. She began working for Kentucky State Parks at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and has been the chef at Natural Bridge’s Sandstone Arches Restaurant for the last two years.

She also serves on the advisory board for the Ashland culinary school.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to one of the largest and most famous natural arches in Kentucky and is surrounded by breathtaking topography and unique flora and fauna within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Natural Bridge offers lodging, dining, cottages, and campground accommodations.  Hiking trails and other recreational opportunities are available.  For more information call 1-800-325-1710 or visit www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb

Three Kentucky State Parks Recognized for Excellence by Trip Advisor!

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Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Lodge

As a family who loves the Kentucky State Parks with unlimited enthusiasm, we couldn’t be more excited about this: Three Kentucky state resort parks have been honored by TripAdvisor with certificates of excellence for receiving top ratings from guests for 2012.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park recently received the awards from TripAdvisor, which provides reviews and other information about hotels, lodges, resorts and other destinations.

ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re honored by this recognition for these resorts and our hardworking staff,ââ?¬Â said Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker. ââ?¬Å?We appreciate the positive comments we get from our guests and are always working to improve what we offer.ââ?¬Â

It’s funny, my first reaction was (and is) happiness and pride – then I couldn’t help but think…. “But what about the rest?!!?”Ã?  We have so many excellent State Parks in Kentucky – I guess it’d be impossible for each to be recognized every time. This would be me trying to be reasonable and mature.

Big congratulations to the three parks honored by TripAdvisor!

The Kentucky State Parks system includes 17 resort parks that feature lodging and restaurants. Most resorts also have cottages, as well as recreational opportunities such as hiking trails, golf courses, boating and campgrounds. For more information and reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

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