Department of Parks
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park Adds Two Elk Tour Weekends For 2007

BUCKHORN, Ky. – Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is offering guests another chance to see the remarkable return of elk to Eastern Kentucky with two weekend tour packages during  2007.

These weekends give visitors a chance to see elk herds during the weekends of Jan. 12-14 and Feb. 23-25.

The package includes dinner on the day of arrival, one night’s lodging, a bagged breakfast and transportation to and from the elk preserve the next day for $119 a couple ($80 for a single). Stay an extra night for $45. Reduced rates for cottages are also available for the elk tour weekends.

For more information or reservations, call Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park at 1-800-325-0058. Buckhorn Lake, in Perry County, has a lodge, cottages, gift shop and restaurant.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park near Prestonsburg is also offering elk tours in 2007. Tours dates are January 6, 13, 27, 28; February 10, 17, 24; and March 3, 10. The tours cost $12 a person and include a van ride to the viewing area at a reclaimed surface mine. Reservations are required. The number for Jenny Wiley is 1-800-325-0142.

Jenny Wiley also has a lodge, cottages, gift shop and a restaurant.

The restoration of elk in Eastern Kentucky began in 1997 with just seven elk. Prior to the release, elk had been gone from Kentucky for nearly 150 years. Since then, about 1,500 elk have been transported to Kentucky and released on reclaimed surface mining land, leading to a population of about 5,700. The elk program is considered to be one of the most significant achievements in the history of Kentucky wildlife management.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov