With Earth Day (April 22) and National Park Week (April 19-27) just around the corner, there is no better time to explore Kentucky’s stunning national and state parks. From the towering sandstone arch at Natural Bridge State Resort Park to the moonbow at Cumberland Falls and the prehistoric fossils at Big Bone Lick, the Bluegrass State offers unique outdoor adventures that highlight the state’s diverse landscapes and rich history.
Below, I have outlined some must-see destinations that showcase the unique beauty and character of Kentucky’s parks. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information and please consider including these in any spring travel coverage you might be working on.
One-of-a-Kind State and National Park Adventures in Kentucky:
- Slade, KY – Natural Bridge State Resort Park: Take a skylift or hike to the massive sandstone Natural Bridge, a stunning rock formation that stretches 78 feet long and 65 feet high. Neighboring the Red River Gorge Geological Area, this region is known for its towering cliffs, natural arches and world-class rock climbing.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/ZFSB1wQ5QZ
- Corbin, KY – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park: Known as the “Niagara of the South,” Cumberland Falls spans 125 feet wide and plunges into the Cumberland River, creating a spectacular mist. It’s the only place in the Western Hemisphere where visitors can regularly see a moonbow, a rare nighttime rainbow visible on clear, full-moon nights.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/n5enpOPyND
- Henderson, KY – John James Audubon State Park: Visit the John James Audubon Museum, home to one of the finest collections of Audubon’s original artwork, including the ornithologist painter’s masterpiece, The Birds of America. The park’s wetlands and woodlands, inspired by Audubon’s love for nature, offer a peaceful retreat for birdwatchers and art lovers alike.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/pFJD1zIOgt
- Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave, KY: Explore the world’s longest cave system, at Mammoth Cave National Park, spanning over 400 miles of underground passageways filled with towering rock formations, vast chambers and rich history. Above ground, visitors can enjoy scenic hiking, kayaking on the Green River and diverse wildlife within the park’s lush forests.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/qVgeZxhdwq
- Harrodsburg, KY – Old Fort Harrod State Park: Step back in time at Old Fort Harrod, the site of Kentucky’s first permanent settlement, founded in 1774. Explore reconstructed historic blockhouses, a working blacksmith shop and the famous, over 200 years old, Osage orange tree.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/8Q66nObpBE
- Union, KY – Big Bone Lick State Historic Site: Known as the “Birthplace of American Paleontology,” Big Bone Lick State Park features prehistoric fossils from Ice Age mammals, including mammoths and mastodons. Today, visitors can observe a live roaming bison herd, a reminder of the species that once roamed the region in vast numbers.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/aDNAXAlSlM
- Cumberland, KY – Kingdom Come State Park: Perched at an elevation of 2,700 feet, Kingdom Come State Park is Kentucky’s highest state park, offering sweeping mountain vistas. Take in a breathtaking sunset from Creech Overlook, or explore unique rock formations like Log Rock and Raven Rock, created by millions of years of natural erosion.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/vPIQQzZadV
- Columbus, KY – Columbus-Belmont State Park: Walk through Civil War history along the well-preserved 19th-century trenches at Columbus-Belmont State Park, once a strategic Confederate fortification along the Mississippi River. The park features a massive six-ton anchor used to block Union forces, as well as stunning riverfront views.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/AhhGxzCmaf
- Olive Hill, KY – Carter Caves State Resort Park: Home to over 20 caves, Carter Caves State Resort Park invites visitors to explore underground wonders, including Cascade Cave’s 30-foot underground waterfall and the striking rock formations of X-Cave. Above ground, the park offers scenic hiking trails that wind through natural bridges and sandstone cliffs.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/2xQ12iSwlC
- Burkesville, KY – Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park: Discover panoramic views from Eagle Point Overlook, one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. With over 600 miles of pristine shoreline, the lake is perfect for boating, fishing and stargazing, offering some of the clearest night skies in the region.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/Ohhp0BcNmO
- Sassafras, KY – Carr Creek Lake: Relax on the shores of Carr Creek Lake, home to the longest sand beach in Kentucky’s state park system. Once home to some of the state’s earliest pioneer settlements, this park is now a hidden gem for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching.
With Earth Day (April 22) and National Park Week (April 19-27) just around the corner, it’s a good time to explore Kentucky’s stunning national and state parks.
From the towering sandstone arch at Natural Bridge State Resort Park to the moonbow at Cumberland Falls and the prehistoric fossils at Big Bone Lick, the Bluegrass State offers unique outdoor adventures that highlight the state’s diverse landscapes and rich history.
One-of-a-Kind State and National Park Adventures in Kentucky:
- Slade, KY – Natural Bridge State Resort Park: Take a skylift or hike to the massive sandstone Natural Bridge, a stunning rock formation that stretches 78 feet long and 65 feet high. Neighboring the Red River Gorge Geological Area, this region is known for its towering cliffs, natural arches and world-class rock climbing.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/ZFSB1wQ5QZ
- Corbin, KY – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park: Known as the “Niagara of the South,” Cumberland Falls spans 125 feet wide and plunges into the Cumberland River, creating a spectacular mist. It’s the only place in the Western Hemisphere where visitors can regularly see a moonbow, a rare nighttime rainbow visible on clear, full-moon nights.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/n5enpOPyND
- Henderson, KY – John James Audubon State Park: Visit the John James Audubon Museum, home to one of the finest collections of Audubon’s original artwork, including the ornithologist painter’s masterpiece, The Birds of America. The park’s wetlands and woodlands, inspired by Audubon’s love for nature, offer a peaceful retreat for birdwatchers and art lovers alike.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/pFJD1zIOgt
- Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave, KY: Explore the world’s longest cave system, at Mammoth Cave National Park, spanning over 400 miles of underground passageways filled with towering rock formations, vast chambers and rich history. Above ground, visitors can enjoy scenic hiking, kayaking on the Green River and diverse wildlife within the park’s lush forests.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/qVgeZxhdwq
- Harrodsburg, KY – Old Fort Harrod State Park: Step back in time at Old Fort Harrod, the site of Kentucky’s first permanent settlement, founded in 1774. Explore reconstructed historic blockhouses, a working blacksmith shop and the famous, over 200 years old, Osage orange tree.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/8Q66nObpBE
- Union, KY – Big Bone Lick State Historic Site: Known as the “Birthplace of American Paleontology,” Big Bone Lick State Park features prehistoric fossils from Ice Age mammals, including mammoths and mastodons. Today, visitors can observe a live roaming bison herd, a reminder of the species that once roamed the region in vast numbers.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/aDNAXAlSlM
- Cumberland, KY – Kingdom Come State Park: Perched at an elevation of 2,700 feet, Kingdom Come State Park is Kentucky’s highest state park, offering sweeping mountain vistas. Take in a breathtaking sunset from Creech Overlook, or explore unique rock formations like Log Rock and Raven Rock, created by millions of years of natural erosion.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/vPIQQzZadV
- Columbus, KY – Columbus-Belmont State Park: Walk through Civil War history along the well-preserved 19th-century trenches at Columbus-Belmont State Park, once a strategic Confederate fortification along the Mississippi River. The park features a massive six-ton anchor used to block Union forces, as well as stunning riverfront views.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/AhhGxzCmaf
- Olive Hill, KY – Carter Caves State Resort Park: Home to over 20 caves, Carter Caves State Resort Park invites visitors to explore underground wonders, including Cascade Cave’s 30-foot underground waterfall and the striking rock formations of X-Cave. Above ground, the park offers scenic hiking trails that wind through natural bridges and sandstone cliffs.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/2xQ12iSwlC
- Burkesville, KY – Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park: Discover panoramic views from Eagle Point Overlook, one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. With over 600 miles of pristine shoreline, the lake is perfect for boating, fishing and stargazing, offering some of the clearest night skies in the region.
- Images: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/Ohhp0BcNmO
- Sassafras, KY – Carr Creek Lake: Relax on the shores of Carr Creek Lake, home to the longest sand beach in Kentucky’s state park system. Once home to some of the state’s earliest pioneer settlements, this park is now a hidden gem for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching.