Department of Parks
Getaways with Girlfriends at Ky. State Parks

            FRANKFORT, Ky--Enter “girlfriend getaways” into any Web browser and scores of travel ideas and trips for gal pal groups appear.  Magazines, blogs and Web sites completely dedicated to women friends travel including everything from rustic outdoor adventure to posh treatments, are on the rise.  No doubt about it, groups of women and girls are enjoying each other’s company with gender specific vacations and travel.

            Several Kentucky State Parks are jumping aboard the girlfriend-getaway bandwagon with special events and packages that cater to the “fem” set.  Possibilities range from lodge spa retreat packages to adventures in the great outdoors.  Log on to www.parks.ky.org to see which destination surrounded by natural beauty and activities calls to you and your chums during the warm weather ahead. Or create a custom escape with your book club, church circle, women’s club, neighborhood coffee klatch or reunion groups at any one of Kentucky’s 17 state resort parks.  Reserve lodge rooms or a cottage or two, or set up camp outdoors at one of 32 state parks campsites throughout the state (s’mores anyone?).   It’s very easy to get away from it all without traveling very far or spending lots of cash. The natural beauty that surrounds every park is available free of charge as is the parking and general park admission (frugal moms welcome).   

            Make plans and book accommodations now to leave the day-to-day world behind for late summer gal getaways.   Carter Caves State Resort Park near Grayson, and Kentucky Dam Village near Benton on Kentucky Lake, are set in very different landscapes but both parks have arranged energizing weekends--Aug. 27-28 at Kentucky Dam Village and Sept. 24-25 at Carter Caves.   Relaxation, restoration and spa treatments are included in the packages along with two nights’ lodging, meals at the lodge restaurant and a variety of pampering sessions.  Check the Web site for prices and to make reservations.

            Invite Mother Nature to tag along for getaway experiences at Pine Mountain and Natural Bridge State Resort Parks.   Leave the boys behind and head for a Pine Mountain retreat on Aug. 20-22, which features how-to and hands-on for basic outdoor skills, an adventure hike and insight into avian friends as part of this weekend with gorgeous mountain scenery.  There’s a guided cave tour at nearby Cumberland Gap National Historic Park followed by star gazing far away from city lights.  You and your friends will talk about the memories created at this one-of-a-kind weekend for years to come. 

Another option is scheduled at Natural Bridge not far from Lexington, near Slade, at Kentucky’s “Land of the Arches.”   The women-only outdoor skills weekend is led by the park naturalist staff the weekend of Sept. 17-19.  The getaway includes canoeing, hiking, outdoor cooking and varied views of nature.  Space is limited and advance registration is required.

After the kids are back in school and routines settle in for the year, grab some chick friends and take a drive in the country to Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in Perry County.  There you’ll indulge in a weekend dedicated to relaxation and wellness surrounded by the early changes of fall.  Massage, makeover, manicure and movie night are included in this package scheduled for Oct. 1-3.

A variety of gift shops at various parks offer up some bling, fine, Kentucky-made crafts and purses (among other items) for a special souvenir to remember great friends on a great trip. Your purchase can be a reminder to go ahead a book a getaway for sometime during 2011.

            The warm months ahead provide ample opportunities to create plans now to build more great experiences with friends, to share quality time and create memories at Kentucky State Parks.   It’s a girl thing.

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Kentucky State Parks are made up of 53 state parks plus one that is shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges – and has more acreage in the system than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions for Kentucky’s economy. For more information about amenities, events and other aspects of KySP, visit the Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov