Kentucky Department of Parks

Find A State Park

Kentucky offers seventeen state resort parks, more than any other state. This wealth of resort parks, each featuring a full-service lodge and dining room, has given rise to our reputation as "the nation's finest state park system."

The Kentucky State Parks operate 24 recreation parks that offer a variety of activities for visitors, whether you have a few hours, a day or a week to spend with us. You can visit these parks and enjoy camping, fishing, golf, boating, hiking, picnicking, tennis, mini-golf, horseback riding, historic sites and much, much more.

Kentucky offers eleven state historic sites, where the unique and colorful history and heritage of our Commonwealth comes alive. You can also visit our many State "Recreation" Parks, many of which have their own history to tell.

Explore Kentucky State Parks

Explore Trails!

Kentucky State Parks offer nearly 300 miles of trails suitable for all levels of enjoyment. From the remote 45 miles currently developed on the Pine Mountain Trail State Park to the .5 mile self-guided interpretive trail through the Civil War redoubts at Columbus-Belmont State Park, there is an outdoor experience that will satisfy everyone!

Find a trail!

Trail Shape Program

Explore Boating!

You don’t have to own a boat to go boating at a Kentucky State Park. The state parks oversee 15 marinas that offer pontoon and fishing boat rentals. The marinas also provide a variety of services including fuel, fishing licenses, ice and slip rentals. And many parks have canoes and paddle boats as well.

Find boating!

Explore Camping!

It is a great time to visit a Kentucky State Park campground!

More than $2.5 million has been spent in recent years on improvements at campgrounds, which offer 2,600 improved sites. Reservations are now available for the campgrounds. You can enjoy campground activities such as entertainment, arts and crafts, mini golf, cook outs and nature programs.

Find campgrounds!

Explore Dining!

Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with views of mountains or lakes while savoring entrees such as Kentucky Hot Brown, salmon, striped bass, crab clusters and catfish plus many other wonderful dishes. All 17 resort parks have themed restaurants that serve both regional and specialty dishes. As a strong supporter of KY Proud products, we buy locally grown products when possible.

Find a restaurant!

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow State Resort Park

 

Explore Fishing!

Kentucky State Parks offer a great variety of species and settings for fishing. Anglers have a choice of largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and many more kinds of fish at state parks. And for beginners, many parks have fishing equipment to loan to guests.

Find fishing!

Explore Golf!

Kentucky is famed for bluegrass, bourbon, beautiful mountains and thoroughbreds. And, spurred by a renewed focus from the State Park system, golf now is becoming a larger part of Kentucky's recreational reputation. With 19 State Park golf courses, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Find golf!

Pine Mountain's Wasioto Winds Golf Course

Explore Horse Opportunities

Looking to explore some new surroundings with your favorite equine companion? Visit one of our scenic Kentucky State Parks horse trails and escape for the day. Or, spend the weekend at a “horse campground” for some cowboy time under the stars. Don’t have your own a horse? No problem. You will find several parks are equipped with seasonal riding stables for the whole family to enjoy.


Find Horse Opportunities


Barren River State Resort Park

Explore Swimming!

There’s plenty of water to go around for a swim at Kentucky State Parks. The parks operate more than two dozen swimming pools and 11 beaches at lakes. And during the winter, there are indoor pools at Lake Cumberland and Lake Barkley resort parks.

Find swimming!

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park

Useful Information

Download $50 lodge room coupon good Sundays - Thursdays, 
             March 1 through May 21, 2009.

Buy one get one free Museum & Historic Site coupon download.

10% lodging or camping discount to the following guests:
    Current & retired military personnel with proof of service 
    Senior citizens (age 62 & older) with ID 
    Disabled adult discount - must present card from
        Department of Aging and Independent Living
    AAA members with membership card 
    KET members with membership card

Kentucky POWs camp for free (requires a POW card issued by
KY Dept. of Parks)

Let us know how we are doing...

We hope you enjoyed your stay with us! To help us better serve you, please select a survey below for the type of park visited, such as Resort or Recreation/Historic Site. Thank you, as your input assists in improving our facilities and service.

  • Click here for the Recreation Park/Historic Site survey.
  • Click here for the Resort Park survey.
  • Click here for the Golf Course survey.

Visit our Maps page for a variety of interactive maps, park facility maps, and directions.

Kentucky State Parks Foundation

A non-profit organization has been established for the benefit of the Kentucky State Park System.  Visit: http://kentuckystateparksfoundation.org

The Kentucky Department of Parks hires hundreds of staff members each year. Visit www.personnel.ky.gov to search seasonal as well as permanent job openings.

Did You Know ?

 

Join in Kentucky's Celebration of
Daniel Boone's 275th Birthday

Daniel Boone 275th Birthday Celebration


Daniel Boone re-enactor at Fort Boonesborough State Park







 

 

 

Please click here to view the open or close status of trails and golf courses. Also included are any cancelled or changed events due to the recent ice storm damage.

Gift Card

The Kentucky Unbridled Gift Card offers a unique way to give the gift of great history, great champions, great arts and crafts and great getaways in the state of Kentucky. More information ...


Make A Reservation

Make your reservations!

Come enjoy a relaxing visit to one of Kentucky's beautiful and majestic 52 state parks. Make your reservation online today: Campground or Cottage or Lodge.

Featured Adventures of the Week

Rocky Mountain Horse Association Rated Trail Ride - May 9, 2009

Green River State Park

The Rocky Mountain Horse Association Rated Trail Ride will be at Green River Lake State Park near Campbellsville. Riders will be judged on crossing water, bridges and logs, backing, mounting, dismounting and proper gait. Anyone may participate. Registration forms will be available at the ride. Registration starts at 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) and the ride begins at 10. Contact Sharion Abney at 270-465-8255 or Jan Culp at 270-777-3307.


Barkley Backpacking 101
5/9/2009 to 5/10/2009

Lake Barkley State Resort Park

Interested in spending a night under starry skies and a day surrounded by woods and water? Setting out on an overnight backpacking trip and investing in the gear to do it can be a chore - unless you've been on one of Barkley's Backpacking 101 Weekends! Join the Park Naturalist on Saturday morning for a one-night camping trip where we provide the gear, the experience, and the memories! Registration is limited, so call and reserve your spot.

Unbridled Adventure

     




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