Department of Parks
Guided Horseback Rides Offered At Six State Parks and Kentucky Horse Park

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Six Kentucky State Parks are offering guests a chance to dress up like cowboys and cowgirls and ride a horse.

Or you can just wear jeans and leave the 10-gallon hat at home.

The six parks across the state, along with the Kentucky Horse Park, offer guided trail rides during the summer months. Guests can enjoy a 45-minute ride while viewing forests, wildlife and lakes. The rides are a great family activity – especially for those who don’t have regular access to horseback riding.

Here are the details on the six parks and the Kentucky Horse Park horseback rides. (For more details, call the park):

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park at Gilbertsville. Guided rides are offered seven days a week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rides last 45 minutes and cost $18. The trail goes along the lakeshore and through woods. Pony rides are also available for $5. Call 270-362-0711.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz. Enjoy a guided 45-minute scenic ride through the woods of Lake Barkley State Park.  Trail rides run seven days a week, departing every hour, on the hour (except for the noontime lunch break) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day.  Helmets are provided for young riders and pony rides are available for riders age 6 and under.  Rides are $15 per person.  Group scheduling and reservations are available by calling 270-924-1131.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas. Guided rides are offered every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. During September, open on weekends only. The 45-minute rides, which include scenic views of the lake, cost $15. Reservations recommended. Call 270-646-2151.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown. Rides are offered daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations accepted for large groups, but walk up rides are accepted. The 45 minute rides cost $15 a person. Riders must be 6 or older. Call 270-343-3111.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin. The rides are offered 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Weekend rides are offered in September and October. Reservations are recommended for the 45 minute rides that cost $15 per person. Call 606-528-4121.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. Guided rides are offered every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The rides last 45 minutes and reservations are not required. The stables are open through mid-October and the cost is $15 per person.

Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington. The park offers horseback rides and pony rides every day from March 15 to October 31.  Horseback rides are $22, or $15 with the purchase of park admission.  Pony rides are $5.  Certain restrictions may apply. Call 859-233-4303 for information.