Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for 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

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

by Leave a Comment

John James Audubon Museum

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:

2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

by Leave a Comment

Kenlake Hotel at Kenlake State Resort Park

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

by Leave a Comment

”Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

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

Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower

"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")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox