Gem Mining at Carter Caves State Resort Park!
Although beautiful Autumn isn’t all that far off, there’s still quite a bit of summer left. Kentucky’s Trail Towns want to celebrate this fact and they’re doing so with a great variety of outdoor events for you and your family.
Kentucky’s certified Trail Towns are some of the friendliest and charming communities you could ever hope to visit. What’s more, they’re filled with great adventure and endless things to see and do:
- hike
- bike
- paddle
- ride horses
- fish
- camp
- walk
- take photographs
- and more!
You’ll also enjoy my favorite activities – learning all about that particular Trail Town’s unique history and culture. These events include live music, theatrical performances, farmers markets, Kentucky Proud restaurants and food.
Upcoming Events at the Six Trail Towns:
Dawson Springs
Dawson Springs in western Kentucky provides access to the Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Tradewater River.
July 24 – Annual Barbecue and Homecoming Festival
July 25 – Barbecue 5K Run/Walk
Aug. 15 – Forget Me Not 5K Run/Walk for Alzheimer’s
For more information, visit: www.dawsonspringsky.com
Livingston
Livingston, an hour south of Lexington, serves the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and the Rockcastle River.
Sept. 5-6 – Homecoming Festival
For more information, click here.
London
London, located along Interstate 75, serves the Daniel Boone National Forest and Sheltowee Trace and offers several quality cycling routes.
Aug. 14-16 – Laurel County Homecoming
Sept. 24-27 – World Chicken Festival
Oct. 10 – Kentucky Adventure Games Thriller Ride Bicycle Tour
For more information, visit: www.laurelkytourism.com
Morehead
The city of Morehead, in Rowan County, provides access to the northern region of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Sheltowee Trace, as well as Cave Run Lake.
July 26 – 4th Sunday Bike Ride
Aug. 9 – 2nd Sunday Hike
Aug. 23 – 4th Sunday Bike Ride
For more information, visit: www.moreheadtourism.com
Stearns
Stearns is near the Kentucky-Tennessee border just south of Somerset and provides access to both the southern section of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
July 26 – Join a Ranger Hike at Yahoo Falls, Big South Fork
Aug. 1 – Moonshine Limited dinner and scenic train ride at Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Aug. 15 – Banjo Boogie at Big South Fork Scenic Railway
For more information, visit: www.mccrearytourism.com.
Olive Hill
Olive Hill in northeast Kentucky connects visitors to Carter Caves State Resort Park and Tygart’s Creek.
July 20-26 – Pioneer Life Week at Carter Caves State Resort Park
For more information, click here.
Gem Mining at Carter Caves!
If you visit Carter Caves during Pioneer Life Week (or any other week!). be sure to check out the Carter Caves Gem Mine (Pictured at the Top)? This VERY cool attraction is located at Carter Caves State Park Welcome Center Gift Shop.
From Kentucky State Parks’ Website: You can buy bags for $6.00, $8.00 and $10.00 (fossils) and begin your discoveries of real, colorful gemstones and fossils at the gemstone flume. Just place a scoop of rough material on the screen…then rinse with clean water. The gem stones, when wet, will reveal colors and crystal shapes!
There are lots of different gemstones to discover! Anything from locally-found Pyrite, Fluorite and Quartz, to Ruby, Moonstone, Topaz, Crystal Points, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, Garnett, Citrine, Aventurine, Obsidian, Sodalite, Calcite and Raspberry Quartz could be found.
Sharing the experience of mining at the flume mine is a lot of fun. You can compare finds and help each other to identify what you’ve found. We invite individuals, families, and groups of all sizes. Mining is available during regular business hours of the Welcome Center Gift Shop, April through October. – Read More About Carter Caves State Resort Park on the official website.
To find information about all of the outdoor opportunities in Kentucky, as well as a calendar of events happening all across the state, visit the Office of Adventure Tourism’s website at www.getoutky.com.
