Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
There’s Plenty of Adventure In Kentucky This Spring

FRANKFORT, Ky. – You don’t have to travel far to find your next adventure in Kentucky. All across the state this spring, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures and scenery.

Looking for some exercise? Try a state park hiking trail. Want to try a horseback ride? Check out the stables at Mammoth Cave, Woodford or Knott counties. There are also ATV rides and bicycling in Southeastern Kentucky and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities across the Commonwealth.

“Spring is a great time of year in Kentucky to get outside and tackle a new adventure,” said Elaine Wilson, director of the state’s office of adventure tourism. “Many of these attractions are a short drive for most Kentuckians and make for great weekend trips.”

Listed below are examples of some of the adventure tourism opportunities available this spring. For more information about adventure tourism and other travel information, visit www.unbridledadventure.com. For details about Kentucky State Parks, including lodge, cottage and camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov

March 20 - 21

Elk Viewing Tours

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park

4441 KY Highway 1833

Buckhorn, Ky. 41721

Times vary, call for times.

View the magnificent elk that were reintroduced back into Kentucky setting. Hundreds of elk are often seen during the tours. Wear warm and dry clothing and boots. Package of $150 per couple includes lodging and dinner the night before your scheduled Elk Watch with a sack breakfast and transportation to and from the elk site. Stay an extra night with the package for $50. Contact: Sue Thomas, sue.thomas@ky.gov or call 800-325-0058 or 606-398-7510. Nearby: Daniel Boone National Forest, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

March 15 - May 15

D Bar K Horse Camp Rental

510 Ollie Rd.

Mammoth Cave, Ky. 42259

9 a.m. - 4 p.m., call for reservations.

Come ride the Mammoth Cave National Park on horseback. We offer a 20 percent spring break discount! Enhance your ride and visit the longest cave system in the world!  Contact: Debbie King, debbieking@dbarkhorsecamp.com Web: http://www.dbarkhorsecamp.com. Phone: 270-286-0217

March 15 - May 15

Saddle Up Elk Tours

Knott County

Call for reservations. Morning or evening tours available.

Saddle Up Elk Tours offers 2 ½ hour guided trail rides through elk country to view elk and other wildlife by horseback. Ride through wooded areas, streams and on reclaimed strip mine land. Enjoy mountaintop panoramic views, spring wildflowers along with the redbud and dogwood trees in full bloom. Students will receive $5 off during spring break March 15 - April 30, 2010. Contact: Bernice Amburgey, beha726@hotmail.com Web: http://www.trailsrus/saddleuptours. Phone: 606-642-3656

March 18 - May 20

Tai Chi Chuan at Bernheim

Education Center, Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

Clermont, Ky. 40110

Thursdays 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Dr. M.O. Serikali continues his popular 10-week class series at Bernheim’s Education Center beginning Thursday, March 18. The 10-session class meets each Thursday

evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The last session of this series will be on Thursday,May 20. The class combines instruction for beginning (Yang Style 13 posture

Wudan Form) and intermediate (Yang Style 24 posture Bejing Form) students. Join the series any time prior to the start of the April 8 class. Members, $85; non-members $100. Visit http://bernheim.org or phone: 502-955-8512

March 19

Bernheim at Night: Planets, Stars and Stories in the Sky

Garden Pavillion, Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

Clermont, Ky. 40110

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., no cars admitted after 9 p.m.

Powerful telescopes reveal the visual splendor of the night sky over Bernheim. The Louisville Astronomical Society will captivate you and your child with springtime “star

Stories” and views of the moon, Saturn and Jupiter. Members, $5 per car; non-members, $10 per car. Web: http://bernheim.org. Phone: 502-955-8512

March 19 - 21

Woods Lore and Tracking Weekend

Carter Caves State Resort Park

344 Caveland Dr.

Olive Hill, Ky. 41164

Times vary. Call park for times.

Step back in time, when American Indians and European Americans lived closer to nature. Paw print identification, hunting/gathering, tracking walks, fur trade, scavenger hunt, a medicinal/edible/useful plants program and a native supper. Day and overnight packages are available. Call for pricing. Pre-registration is required, call the park to make your reservations. Contact: Coy Ainsley, coy.ainsley@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-0059 or 606-286-4411. Nearby: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching and camping.

March 27 - 28

Beginners Backpacking Workshop

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

2135 Natural Bridge Road

Slade, Ky. 40376

Starts 9 a.m. Saturday through Sunday afternoon

Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles roundtrip. Registration is required and space is limited. Contact: Tyler Morgan, Tyler.Morgan@ky.gov Phone: 800-325-1710 or 606-663-2214. Nearby: Red River Gorge National Geological Area. Rappelling, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking. (Note-some of these activities are not permitted on state park property. Please check in advance.)

March 27

Adventure Pennyrile Forest

Pennyrile State Resort Park

20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road

Dawson Springs, Ky. 42408

Times vary. Call park for times.

Hike half of the Pennyrile Nature Trail for a registration fee of $12 per person. Registration fee includes: transportation, water, snack and a State Park patch. The hike is over 6 miles. Participants can get a 10 percent discount off park lodging. Contact: Becky Clark, RebeccaE.Clark@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-1711 or 270-797-3421. Nearby: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, boating, fishing and mountain biking, Pennyrile State Forest, Lake Barkley and Kentucky Dam State Resort Parks.

March 27 & April 17

Tygart Creek Regretta

Carter Caves State Resort Park

344 Caveland Dr.

Olive Hill, Ky. 41164

Times vary. Call park for times.

A six-mile canoe excursion and canoe experience is required! Along the way we will see high cliff sides and the natural beauty that the spring has to offer. Canoes, paddles, life jackets and transportation to and from the creek are provided. The cost is $25 per person. Contact: Coy Ainsley, Coy.Ainsley@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-0059 or 606-286-4411. Nearby: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching and camping.

March 29

Spring Break Camps at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

570 Milner Rd.

Versailles, Ky. 40383

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Adventure Camp: Spend the day in the woods and in the trees on our ropes course! Ages 9-12 / $35 per camper. Scholarships available – please inquire. Contact: Beth Coffey, beth@lacbg.com. Web: http://www.lacbg.com. Phone: 859-873-3271.

March 30

Spring Break Camps at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

570 Milner Rd.

Versailles, Ky. 40383

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Beginner Rider Camp: Spend the day with our horses- learning the basics in the morning and riding in the afternoon! Ages 7-14 / $50 per camper. Scholarships

available – please inquire. Contact: Beth Coffey, beth@lacbg.com Web: http://www.lacbg.com. Phone: 859-873-3271.

March 31

Spring Break Camps at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

570 Milner Rd.

Versailles, Ky. 40383

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Advanced Rider Camp: Riders will be involved in advanced flatwork, jumping outside of the arena, and trail riding. Ages 11-16 / $50 per camper. Scholarships

available – please inquire. Contact: Beth Coffey, beth@lacbg.com. Web: http://www.lacbg.com. Phone: 859-873-3271.

April 9 - 11

Barren River’s Family Night Out (side)

Barren River Lake State Resort Park

1149 State Park Road

Lucas, Ky. 42156

Times vary. Call park for times. Learn outdoor skills for camping, hunting, fishing many outdoor adventures. Designed primarily for families, this is an excellent opportunity for anyone if - you are a beginning camping family who wants to improve their skills. A package includes two nights camping, a campfire dinner on Saturday night and the scheduled activities. Pre-registration is required. Call for pricing. Contact: Lisa Deavers, Lisa.Deavers@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-0057 or 270-646-2151. Nearby: Mammoth Cave National Park. Caves, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping and fishing.

April 10

Michael Tygart Hike

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

965 Lodge Road

Greenup, Ky. 41144

9 a.m. – approximately 2 p.m.

The moderately easy trek leads past a mid-19^th century iron furnace, historic cemetery, and iron ore pits, descends into Pruitt Fork Valley, site of several pioneer

homes and numerous wildflowers and concludes along the scenic lakeshore.Contact: Paul Verespy, Paul.Verespy@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-0083 or 606-473-7324. Nearby: Carter Caves State Resort Park, caves, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching and camping.

April 10

Canoeing for Beginners

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

2135 Natural Bridge Road

Slade, Ky. 40376

Times vary. Call park for times. Learn the basics of canoeing on Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge and then experience river canoeing on the beautiful Red River within the Red River Gorge. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration is $30. Contact: Tyler Morgan, Tyler.Morgan@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-1710 or 606-663-2214. Nearby: Red River Gorge National Geological Area. Rappelling, rock climbing, hiking,

fishing, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking. (Note-some of these activities are not permitted on state park property. Please check in advance.)

April 10 - April 11

Ramp Fest & ATV Ride

Trail Head

122 Walnut St.

Evarts Ky.

Ramp Fest is April 10 at 5 p.m., ATV Ride starts April 11 at 9:30 a.m. Less than 90 minutes from I-75, using Hwy 25E to Pineville, Ky., Hwy 119 to Harlan, Ky., and Hwy 38 to Evarts, Ky. Come try the unique taste of our “Wild Mountain Onions” along with a full line of “Kountry Kookin” side dishes and desserts. Like outdoor motorized recreation? Then you will love our ATV Park. We have more than 7,500 acres of easy, moderate and extreme trails for all. Grab a map and go it alone or fall in line with one of our FREE guided rides. Permits are required to ride the Park. $35 per year. No fee for guided rides. Contact: bellman30@windstream.net

Web: http://www.ridgerunnersnation.com. Phone: 877-737-0778 or 606-837-3710.

April 17

Redbud Bicycle Ride

Downtown London, Ky.

7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. start. View the best scenery that Kentucky has to offer, including one of the top 10 redbud sightseeing routes in the state! Registration includes breakfast, a t-shirt (if registered before April 7th and as supplies last for later registration), cue sheets and maps, well-stocked rest stops and sag support. Registration is only $25 before April 7^th  and $30 after April 7^th. There will be SAG stops approximately every 15 miles where snacks and refreshments will be provided. Contact: info@redbudride.com

Web: http://www.redbudride.com. Phone: 606-877-2859

April 23 - 25

Barren River Nature Fest Weekend

Barren River Lake State Resort Park

1149 State Park Road

Lucas, Ky. 42156

Times vary. Call park for times.

Join us for a sampling of everything outdoors. There will be activities for all ages. Prior event activities have included: canoeing, bird watching, nature hikes, nature crafts, composting and more. There will be 15-20 different activities to participate in. Spend the weekend with us in the campground where you can camp two nights for the price of one during our camper appreciation weekend. Contact: Lisa Deavers, Lisa.Deavers@ky.gov. Phone: 800-325-0057 or 270-646-2151. Nearby: Mammoth Cave National Park. Caves, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping and fishing.