Carter Caves State Resort Park events

Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ Sept. 5-8 at Carter Caves State Resort Park

August 21, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Carter Caves State Resort Park

When I think of “hidden gems” in the Kentucky State Park System, a few parks come to mind. Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hills is one of the first. While it is certainly a popular and well-loved park, somehow I think it deserves even more attention than it already receives.

It’s such a beautiful, special, and relaxing place! If you’ve never been (or have and simply looking for a great reason to return), here’s the perfect opportunity.

Press Release from the Kentucky State Parks:

Carter Caves will host the annual Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin’ from Sept. 5-8, 2018.

The festival that began as a family reunion honors old-time music and eastern Kentucky traditions as well as the late master fiddler J.P. Fraley. Musicians will be jamming in parking lots and sharing music around the campfires of Carter Caves State Resort Park. Musical instruments such as dulcimer, fiddle and guitar are used to tell stories about life long ago in the eastern Kentucky foothills.

The music at the Fraley Festival has not been confined to any one type. Folk, old-time, western, western swing, early country, and others are played on a regular basis at the festival. There are all sorts of musical configurations, from family bands or husband and wife duets, to people playing on stage who just met each other a few minutes ago in the parking lot.

Wednesday night is a free “jamming in the round” session at the Recreation Shelter House in the campground. Concerts will be held in the Park Amphitheatre on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday afternoon and evening. Concert fees range from $4-$10. A $25 weekend pass is available which admits you to all the concerts and jam sessions.

For more information visit the event website at www.fraleyfestival.com

Carter Caves State Resort Park features a lodge, vacation cottages, RV campsites and primitive campsites. The lodge restaurant offers a variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. There’s also hiking, mini-golf, fishing, horseback riding and swimming. The park is located in northeastern Kentucky, 4 miles off Interstate 64 between Grayson and Olive Hill (exit 161).

Bottom Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

2017 Pioneer Life Week at Carter Caves July 24-30

July 25, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The 26th Annual Pioneer Life Week at Carter Caves State Resort Park is taking place this week (July 24-30, 2017).

The week-long event focuses on special programs that show life on the Kentucky frontier in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Visitors can enjoy a step back in time in the pioneer camp near the Carter Caves campground registration building.

Re-enactors will demonstrate skills that were needed for life on frontier Monday, July 24 through Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, July 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This year’s event will also feature two special performances by Private William Greathouse, War of 1812 soldier, and Jemima Boone, child of Daniel Boone. These performances are sponsored by the Kentucky Humanities Council as part of its Kentucky Chautauqua program.

Greathouse, as portrayed by Harry Smith, will be Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. and Boone, as portrayed by Betsy B. Smith, will be Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Both performances will be at the park amphitheater located near the Caveland Lodge and are free.

You can contact the Park’s office of recreation at 606-286-4411 for details. Beautiful Carter Caves State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, campground including horse campground with full hook ups, and a restaurant featuring Kentucky fare.

Also See:

Pictures of Carter Caves State Resort Park

Carter Caves State Resort Park

Mining Show at Carter Caves State Resort Park

March 7, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever visited Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky, you know what I mean when I say it’s a breathtakingly beautiful park. If you’ve never been, here’s a perfect reason to go in just a matter of weeks.

The Eastern Mining Collectors Association will hold its sixth annual Spring Meet and Show at Carter Caves State Resort Park on April 1.

You can learn more about the rich and fascinating history of coal mining in Eastern Kentucky at this free event.

Vendors from across the country and as far away as California will be at the show to sell, buy and trade mining artifacts used in the mining of coal, gold, silver and copper. The artifacts include lamps, mine signs, photos, posters and other items. They will also be available to give free appraisals of mining-related items that you might have hidden in your attic, basement or barn.

Visitors will have an opportunity to talk about coal mining and understand the work that it takes for a miner today, and years ago, to produce coal used for electricity.

The show is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Contact Colin Gatland at 936-367-6295 or cgatland29@gmail.com for more information.

Carter Caves State Resort Park is located at 344 Caveland Drive in Olive Hill. The park has a lodge with a restaurant, cottages and campground. Besides cave tours, activities include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating and fishing. For more information about the park, call 1-800-325-0059.

Directions: From Interstate 64, Exit 161, take U.S. 60 east. Go approximately two miles and turn left on KY 182 north. The park entrance is three miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

Photo of Mining Equipment Courtesy of the Kentucky State Parks

Carter Caves State Resort Park: Wildflower Pilgrimage

April 6, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Carter Caves State Resort Park makes an especially beautiful setting for the “Wildflower Pilgrimage” that’ll take place April 22-24.

Throughout the weekend guests will experience the beauty of the area during wildflower walks, canoe trips and van tours. This is the perfect weekend for experienced wildflower enthusiasts, beginner bloomers or those who just enjoy being in the woods to get outside and experience the natural beauty of spring.

Just be sure to take your camera with you!

The registration fee is $20 for adults and $10 for children. An overnight lodging package for two including two night’s lodging and registration fees is available for $179.95, plus tax.

Call the park at 1-800-325-0059 to register.

In addition to cave tours, Carter Caves offers hiking, golf, mini-golf, fishing and a gem mine. Carter Caves also has a lodge, cottages and restaurant. For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or visit parks.ky.gov/

Directions to Carter Caves State Resort Park from Interstate 64 East: take exit 161 (Olive Hill exit). Turn left off the exit onto U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. Park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

Photo Credit: The photo of the beautiful Iris is from the Kentucky State Parks. The beautiful deer at the top was photographed by me during our last visit to Carter Caves. I thought her positioning by the sign was PERFECTION.

See more Carter Caves State Resort Park pictures on Genuine Kentucky.