Department of Parks
Kentucky State Parks Move Into Full Swing With Memorial Day Weekend
FRANKFORT, Ky. – With the Memorial Day weekend just a few weeks away, now is the time to make plans to visit a Kentucky State Park for camping, hiking, golf, swimming, boating, fishing or enjoying a meal and overnight stay at one of the system’s 17 resort parks.
Memorial Day weekend is the traditional opening for state park swimming pools and beaches. All 17 state park resorts and selected recreational parks begin daily recreation and nature programming starting with the holiday weekend through Labor Day.
The state park system’s golf courses are in good condition across the state and two new pro shops at Dale Hollow State Resort Park near Burkesville and Mineral Mound State park near Eddyville have just opened. The Kentucky State Parks offer Tee’s and Zzz’s golf packages that include golf fees, meals and overnight lodging.
All Kentucky State Park campgrounds are now open. You can make reservations by visiting www.parks.ky.gov or by calling 1-888-459-7275.
All state park historic sites and museums are also open. Renovations have been carried out recently at Federal Hill mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, at the visitor center at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site at Wickliffe and at Waveland, a Lexington mansion built in 1847.
And if you have children, you’ll be interested in state park playgrounds. Many playgrounds across the state have had all equipment replaced and are ready for play.
Several state parks will be holding special events during the holiday weekend May 25-28. Below is a list of events planned at state parks. The park phone number is included.
For more information and to make reservations for a lodge room, cottage or campsite, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
Barren River will offer variety of activities throughout the park over the weekend including arts and crafts, beach games, pool games, nature hikes and fun and games. There will be a campfire program on Friday evening at the beach. The Starr Mountain Band will be playing on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on the beach and Albert Baumann, the clay man, will be here on Monday at 9:30 a.m. to round out a weekend of fun. 800-325-0057.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Carlisle – Blood Drive – May 26
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You can be someone’s hero! It takes only a few moments of your time and yet the impact is profound. Donating blood saves lives. Join Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park in their fight to save lives in Kentucky by rolling up your sleeves and donating blood on Saturday, May 26, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Every blood donor will receive free pool passes and be registered to win door prizes. Call the park at 859-289-5507 or 800-443-7008 for overnight accommodations, directions, and additional information. |
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
Activities throughout the weekend will include a guided nature hike, sports activities, arts and crafts, pool games, kids fishing tournament, folk dancing, campfire program and more. From Memorial Day to Labor Day enjoy recreation and naturalist programs six days a week that are geared to the whole family. 800-325-0058.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
Carter Caves State Resort Park's Memorial Day Weekend recreation schedule is packed full of family fun activities and entertainment. All of our cave tours will be operational including tours of Bat Cave and Saltpetre Cave, which open for the season on May 26. If you would rather be on the water, then take a guided canoe trip with us on Smokey Lake while you are here. Our special entertainment for the weekend includes a square dance on Friday night, a family-oriented movie will be shown in Cascade Cave on Saturday night (admission charged) and the popular Bluegrass band Brushfire will be playing in the amphitheatre on Sunday night. Other weekend programs include a scavenger hunt, a homemade ice cream social, tye-dye t-shirts and more. All of our facilities will be operational including our public pool, 18-hole miniature golf course , horseback riding stables, nine-hole regulation golf course, cave tours and the Tierney's Cavern Restaurant. 800-325-0059.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin – Pottery and Jam Session -- May 26 and 28
On Saturday, May 26, Albert Bauman will be presenting a hands-on pottery program at the pavilion behind the pool.
Come and jam on the last Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. inside Dupont Lodge. This is an opportunity for musicians to play (acoustic) and everyone to hear some great music. The Riverview Restaurant offers a country buffet on those nights for a reduced price ($8 per person). Guided tours of the waterfall, known as the "Niagara of the South" will be conducted throughout the weekend. Arts/crafts programs and family fun abound at this riverside resort. Relax in the Riverview Restaurant and enjoy some good cooking and a spectular view of the Cumberland River. 800-325-0063.
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
On Friday night at 8 p.m., naturalist and humorist John Tierney will be a guest. Throughout the holiday weekend Dale Hollow will have games, crafts, guided cave tours, hikes, and pontoon trips. On Sunday at 5 p.m. the park will host Albert Bauman demonstrating using his pottery wheel. He’ll also allow you the chance to make your own clay pot at the wheel. 800-325-2282.
E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, Louisville – Storytelling and S’mores – May 26
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Meet at Picnic Grove for storytelling and s’mores. Join us as we gather around the campfire and listen to old folk tales. $5 fee per family includes s’mores snack. 502-429-7270. |
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond – 18th Century Trade Fair -- May 26-28
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Visit a social, political, and business gathering of merchants, traders, artisans, Native Americans, militia members, beggars, longhunters, scouts, and other characters. Listen to period music, visit camps and shop for 18th century goods as you compare life today to life 225 years ago. See a weekend of 18th century history come to life! This event is free with a paid admission to the Fort. The event is 9 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday.
The swimming pool at Fort Boonesborough will open Memorial Day weekend. Adults $4, children under 13 are $3 and children under 2 are free. 859-527-3131. |
General Burnside Island State Park, Burnside – Trash to Treasure Sale – May 26
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Registered campers can set up and sell on their own campsite. The public is invited to come in and browse the campsites for great bargains. So pack up some of those unwanted items lying around the house and come and enjoy. No firearms permitted. All items must be suitable for family viewing. 606-561-4104. |
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup – Rosie the Riveter – May 25-27
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Rosie the Riveter was World War II's best known female icon, the home front equivalent of GI Joe. Come to the new Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre for this Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua presentation. Starts at 6 p.m. Friday, $3 per person. Bring your own folding chair or blanket.
In addition, Greenbo Lake kicks off its summer recreation program. Saturday will feature arts & crafts at 10 a.m., tye-dye t-shirts at 1:30 p.m. (bring your own white t-shirt), mini-golf at 2:30 p.m., a nature program on bugs at 3 p.m., a scavenger hunt at 4:30 p.m., and an evening hayride at 7 p.m. On Sunday there will be arts & crafts at 10 a.m., a nature program on tracks at 2 p.m., and a kid’s hayride at 4 p.m. 800-325-0083. |
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will start recreation and nature programs. Pontoon boat rentals are also available for $60 for two hours, $100 for four hours and $180 for the day. Folk and line dancing will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The East Kentucky Tyme, a Bluegrass group from Letcher County, will play Saturday at 6:30 p.m. 800-325-0142.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson – Homefront Heroes – May 25-28
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The Kentucky-Indiana-Illinois tri-state region played a vital role in military production during and leading up to World War II. Planes, ships, tanks, military clothing, and ammunition were manufactured in this area during the 1930s and 40s. CCC boys and other citizens became “Homefront Heroes.” Come and celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day with this unforgettable program 2-3 p.m. Sunday presented at the museum by one of the leading authorities on this region’s involvement in WWII. Harold Morgan has written four genealogical books, authors a monthly article, “Homefront Heroes,” for the Maturity Journal and is publishing a book with the same name.
Other programs during the weekend include painting butterflies, a hike and s’mores on Friday; a tree identification program at 10 a.m., a reptile program at 2 p.m. and bingo at 6 p.m. Saturday and fishing fun on Monday at 10 a.m. 270-826-2247. |
Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin – Memorial Day Weekend -- May 25-28
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Activities throughout the weekend with a live band, recreation activities and some other great fun! Activities include a campground patriotic decoration contest, basketball tournament, pool games, crafts, a ping-pong tournament and more. 800-325-0143. |
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville – Arts and Crafts Show – May 26-27
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An outdoor-juried crafts show located on a point over looking beautiful Kentucky Lake. The show features handcrafted items crafted by artists from Kentucky and neighboring states. Artist demonstrations, bluegrass music, and traditional Kentucky food fare mark this weekend "Made in Kentucky." 800-325-0146. |
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
Join us for boat tours, live music, trail hikes, archery and trap shooting, golf, swimming, and many more family festivities at Lake Barkley. 800-325-1708.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs – Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-28
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Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park will begin offering daily naturalist and recreation activities on Friday night. On Friday at 7 p.m. at the Amphitheater, Scott Kelley of the Natural History Education Company will give a live animal presentation. On Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Andy Tanas will perform Southern rock/country alternative music at the Amphitheater. On Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the Glover Room at the Lodge, artist and children’s author Mark Adams, a Dawson Springs native, will introduce his new children's book "Good NightMare" with a book signing following his presentation.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day enjoy four or more recreation programs six days a week. Activities include but are not limited to: junior naturalist programs, guided nature hikes, story telling, camp fire programs, sports activities, and arts and crafts. 800-325-1711. |
Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville – Mountain Laurel Festival – May 24-27
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A spring mountain celebration hosted by the City of Pineville featuring an assortment of gala events including concerts, dances, fun run, golf tournament, carnival, and the crowning of the Mountain Laurel Queen. The event punctuates the arrival of spring to the mountains and the blooming of the Mountain Laurel. The park participates as the host site for the Queen’s coronation on Saturday and the Queen’s breakfast on Sunday. 800-325-1712. |
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 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