Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky State Parks

Kentucky State Resort Parks: Coffeehouses Can’t Compare When it Comes to Scenery!

by Leave a Comment

Rough River Dam State Resort Park
My husband, Michael, and I are known to eat at Kentucky State Resort Parks pretty often. We ate at the parks more frequently before I had to stop eating gluten/wheat – but, as it is, I pretty much just order food I’m sure are “safe” for me to eat. For example, I feel completely confident ordering one of their delicious burgers off of a bun and I have no qualms whatsoever about making a salad off of their always colorful and delicious salad bars.

Whenever we DO eat at a Kentucky State Resort Park, we always, always, always enjoy a cup of coffee after our meal. The Kentucky State Parks have some of the most consistently delicious coffee you ever tasted.  Whereas Starbucks coffee is generally a 6, Ky State Park coffee is a perfect 10. Each and every time.

{Continued Below…}

Kentucky State Resort Park Coffee
We’re so fond of their coffee, in fact, that sometimes when we aren’t even hungry, we stop by a State Park simply to enjoy a cup of coffee in an especially relaxing atmosphere.  There’s nothing quite like great coffee with great conversation (usually about UK basketball or football or St. Louis Cardinals baseball!), followed by a walk around the beautiful park.

It’s an experience I highly recommend.

Not only is the coffee simply better, but coffeehouse can’t even begin to compare with a state park when it comes to scenery.

The pictures in this post are from a trip this past summer to Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park
Now that the weather’s warming up, I can’t wait to get out and visit as many Kentucky State Parks as possible.

One thing is for certain…. the coffee will be flowing!

Rough River Dam State Resort Park

Autumn and Winter at Kentucky State Parks: As Beautiful and Relaxing as Ever

by Leave a Comment

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Winter Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Winter
There is no place in the state quite like a Kentucky State Park. They’re always fun to visit – whether you go during the summer, spring, fall or winter.

You could actually make a case for the parks being EVEN more relaxing and enjoyable during the fall and winter, simply because they’re less crowded. Some of my favorite times to visit our Kentucky State Parks are during the Autumn and Winter. The parks are stunning when the leaves are changing and the resort parks could not be cozier than when winter is outside the window and you’re sitting beside a fireplace inside!

The picture below is from this past winter at Cumberland Falls State Park – as you can see, the beauty takes on a whole other dimension in winter and it makes for wonderful pictures.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park at Christmas

I also love visiting the parks around Christmas – the decorations are always so festive and beautiful, they really help make the season even more special.

Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland has announced that 16 Kentucky State Park resorts will remain open for lodging seven days a week this winter.

During previous winters, some resort parks were open four days a week. Holland said all functioning resort parks would be open for lodging to encourage more use and visitation.

“We want to encourage Kentuckians and our guests from out of state to stay at a Kentucky State Park any time of the year,” Holland said.

The winter remains a busy time for Kentucky State Parks with many outdoor and indoor events scheduled.

These events include wildlife viewing weekends for elk, eagles and sandhill cranes; guided hikes and annual events such Winter Adventure Weekend at Carter Caves State Resort Park. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails at Kentucky State Parks.

There are special events planned for Thanksgiving Day, the Christmas holidays, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day as well as dinner theaters, gift shops and two indoor pools, at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and Lake Barkley State Resort Park. There’s even an indoor tennis center at Kenlake State Resort Park!

Resort park restaurants may have different schedules. Visitors should check in advance for dining times and schedules.

The resort parks also have conference facilities that make excellent locations for conferences, weddings and other gatherings. Many resort parks serve alcoholic beverages at their restaurants and have them available for conferences.

Groups interested in lodging, meals and meeting space should call the parks’ sales department to check on availability.

Cottages at all resort parks and John James Audubon State Park in Henderson are available for rental seven days a week.

The park system’s golf courses remain open, weather permitting. Six park campgrounds will also remain open during winter months: Carter Caves, Columbus-Belmont, Fort Boonesborough, General Butler, Paintsville Lake and Levi Jackson. Some campgrounds may turn off water lines during winter months.

Recreational and historic site parks will have hours that vary by park during the winter. Check the parks website or call the park for hours and information. Many of these parks can also accommodate groups interested in visiting.

For more information about park hours and special events, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call 1-800-255-7275. To make a reservation, visit www.parks.ky.gov and click on the “Reserve a lodge/cottage” link at the top of the page.

“Pokemon Go” at Kentucky State Parks

by 2 Comments

 

John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

Apparently, players of the new “Pokemon Go” game are having luck catching virtual creatures at Kentucky State Parks! Just goes to show you, even virtual creatures know how fun Kentucky State Parks are.

“Pokemon Go” is a ridiculously popular game right now with people of all ages – the best thing about it is that it’s encouraging people to get out and explore as they collect virtual creatures with their Smartphone.

Naturally, visitors are welcome to play the game at state parks and historic sites, however the state parks do have a few safety guidelines.

“All we ask is that they be careful and obey a few basic rules for safety,” said state park Naturalist Robert Myers.

His suggestions for those playing the game include:

  • Be aware of your surroundings, especially along trails, roadways, cliffs, streams and lakes.
  • Stay on hiking trails; do not wander off trails.
  • Be aware of park hours. Some parks close at night.
  • Do not enter private campsites or property.
  • Look up and enjoy some of the great natural and historical surroundings at state parks. You may get to see some real wildlife like a bird or deer.

Pokemon hunters have reported success at Waveland State Historic Site in Lexington, John James Audubon State Park in Henderson and Green River Lake State Park near Campbellsville.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg is planning to have organized hunts for guests during the summer.

Pokemon Go players can also take advantage of the many events and programs at Kentucky State Parks. To find out more about lodging, camping, restaurants and other special events, visit parks.ky.gov.

You can also learn more about Kentucky State Parks and post photos of your Pokemon Go experiences on the Kentucky State Park Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

**** Be sure you download the OFFICIAL Pokemon Go app. I just saw a news item about a fake Pokemon Go app on Google Play infecting phones.

More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park:

Four Western Kentucky State Parks Getting Some TLC….

by Leave a Comment

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Lodge
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park’s Beautiful Lodge
If you love the Kentucky State Parks as much as we do, the following press release will excite you as much as it does us. I am SO thankful to Governor Matt Bevin and the General Assembly for looking out for the State Park System. Obviously they recognize what we’ve been saying all along – the state parks in Kentucky are something to be exceptionally proud of.

I hope you’ll see as many as you possibly can this year. And the next… and the next… and the next…

Press Release:

Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Don Parkinson and Commissioner of Kentucky State Parks Donnie Holland announced today that four western Kentucky State Park resorts will receive an estimated $3.7 million in safety and aesthetic improvements over the next two years. A video of the event is available here.

The funding is part of the $18 million approved this year by Gov. Matt Bevin and the General Assembly. The improvements include structural repairs, painting and interior and exterior upgrades. The work for the “Refreshing the Finest” campaign will be carried out through 2017.

“Kentucky State Parks have an $889 million impact on the economy of Kentucky,” said Sec. Parkinson. “This funding will ensure that these parks receive much needed upgrades.”

(Continued Below…)

Colorful Kenlake Marina

A Colorful Part of Kenlake’s Marina

Planned upgrades at the four resort parks include painting and repairing the exterior of the lodge and convention center at Lake Barkley State Resort Park; lodge repairs and painting at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park; painting the tennis center and lodge at Kenlake State Resort Park; and repairing and painting some cottages at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.

Much of the work currently underway is being carried out by Kentucky State Park crews, Holland said. Additional projects will be put out for bid.

“We’re glad to have this funding to start addressing some of the needs at our state parks,” Holland said. “It won’t cover all of our needs, but it’s a good start.”

Local leaders in attendance were glad to hear the news.

“The South West Kentucky Economic Development Council applauds this funding effort for our state parks system. Tourism is an essential component to economic growth in the Commonwealth.” – Liana Mitchell Wallace (Executive Director)

“The local communities are proud to see the investment in our state parks. The parks are economic catalysts for these communities,” said Bill Stevens, executive director of the Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist Commission.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Rock Climbing in Kentucky: Breaks Interstate Park

by Leave a Comment

If you’re planning your Kentucky adventures for the summer (and feel particularly adventurous!), here’s something you’ll find interesting: Breaks Interstate Park is now officially open for rock climbing.

Breaks Interstate Park  – located in the Commonwealths of Kentucky and Virginia –  is one of only two interstate parks in the nation. With an already impressive repertoire of recreational opportunities headlined by world class paddling in the Russell Fork River, rock climbing will strengthen its draw as a destination for adventure tourism.

Beginning in 2014 with a park-wide master planning process, local Pikeville climber Kylie Schmidt brought attention to the subject. Schmidt and other key partners worked to develop regulations, which were adopted by Breaks Interstate Park Commission in April of 2015.

“Having taken trips to the Red River Gorge and other popular climbing areas, I realized that the Breaks Park, my home park, had the same potential,” said Schmidt.

Park staff, the Access Fund and the Southwest Virginia Climbers Coalition worked to establish a Climbing Management plan that allows for a great deal of climbing access while still protecting sensitive areas of the park.

“Breaks is home to important plants and wildlife,” said Park Manager Austin Bradley. “We took a balanced approach and are now very excited to welcome rock climbers to the park. We expect this to have a positive economic impact on both the park and the entire region.”

“The Breaks is a fantastic and extensive sandstone climbing resource,” said Southeast Regional Director of the Access Fund Zachery Lesch-Huie. “This process has been one of the most successful park-climber partnerships.”

The Breaks Interstate Park canyon is lined with miles of orange and grey sandstone walls, similar to nearby climbing areas Obed Wild and Scenic River, and the New River Gorge in Tennessee and West Virginia, respectively. The Breaks currently contains 75 established routes, with the potential for hundreds more.

Climbers at the Breaks Interstate Park are required to get a free climbing permit which may be obtained at the Visitor Center or Lodge. Climbing is only open in approved areas of the park. Route information is available on www.mountainproject.com.

To learn more about all there is to do at Breaks Interstate Park, visit www.breakspark.com or the Breaks Interstate Park Section on Ky State Parks’ Official Website.

"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