What are some of the BEST Kentucky State parks?

History

A state park is a protected area managed by the sub-national level and is established by a state to preserve a location. While National parks are administered by the federal level, state parks are administered under state level.

The oldest state park in the United States is Niagara Falls, which was established in New York in 1885. In Kentucky, the first established state park was Pine Mountain State Resort Park in 1924. Kentucky has 6 national parks and a total of 45 state parks.

This is a photo of Natural Bridge State Park, which ranks highly on my list. It is located in Red River Gorge, a canyon system on the Red River.

Kentucky can be separated into five regions that contain state parks.

1. Great Lakes Region: This region is in western Kentucky and contains a total of eight state parks. I have not yet been to one, but I plan on going to one in the near future.
2. Cave Country Region: This region is in south central Kentucky, which includes four state parks and one national park. It includes Mammoth Cave and Lake Cumberland which are two parks I have been to and will be including in my story map.
3. Highlands Region: This region contains ten state parks which features Cumberland Falls, Carter Caves, Buckhorn Lake and Natural Bridge, which I have been to.
4. Heartland Region: This region contains six state parks and includes Rough River Dam and Fort Boonesborough.
5. River Region: This region contains four state parks including Blue Licks Battlefield.

This is a photo of a part of Lake Cumberland State Park. It is an ideal place to go in summer where you can fish, swim, and relax with friends and family.

History

The Salt Springs at this state park attracted prehistorical animals, Indians, and pioneers including those from the 19th century who used the bubbling water as a refuge for relaxation and where the animals licked salt from salt deposits. It is the site of the last Revolutionary War battle in Kentucky where Native Americans and British soldiers faced off with Kentuckians in 1782, including one of Daniel Boone's sons.

This is a photo of a sign in Blue Licks Battlefield stating its historical significance.

Recreational opportunities

There are a ton of things to do at Blue Licks Battlefield for every kind of person. A few of these activities include: bird watching, boating, hiking on one of the five featured trails, playing mini golf with friends/family, swimming, or exploring the history of Blue Licks through the museum. You can also stay the night at the lodge which offers 32 rooms and is open year round or stay at a camp site which is open from mid-March to mid-November.

This is a photo of someone canoeing down a river in the state park.

History

Fort Boonesborough is located southeast of my hometown, Lexington, Kentucky, and was founded in 1775 by Daniel Boone and his men. Prior to Boone, the area was settled by Native Americans and residents from 1400 A.D. Fort Boonesborough was a frontier fort and is the second oldest European-American settlement in Kentucky. It survived into the Revolutionary War and was eventually abandoned in the 19th century. Today, it is a historical landmark which hosts relics of the past and is one of the best preserved archaeological sites of westward expansion.

This is a drawing recreating the beginning of Fort Boonesborough.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boonesborough.gif

History

Rough River Dam became a state park in 1962 and is located in Grayson county, Kentucky and includes the 5,000 acre lake, Rough River. The Rough River Dam of 1959 sits on the lake and stretches 1,590 feet across and 135 feet high.

This is a photo of a portion of the Rough River Lake.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/77/ee/70/rough-river-dam-state.jpg

Recreational Opportunities

The first thing you have to do at this park is go hiking on the Lake Ridge Nature trail. You may spot a bald eagle and you will definitely enjoy views of the lake! There is also an 18-hole disc golf course, so be sure to stretch out your arms! You can also play basketball, go bird watching, go boating, fish, swim, or play mini golf!

Attached is a video of a tour displaying a state resort park cottage at Rough River Dam.

https://youtu.be/I5Ej4trUMaw

History

Lake Cumberland State Park is located outside of Jamestown, Kentucky and is one of the most popular parks in the state. It was created for the purpose of flood control and production of hydroelectric power. The Lake was created after it was impounded from the Cumberland River in 1952 to create the 25th largest dam in the United States, Wolf Creek Dam.

This is a photo of Wolf Creek Dam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wolf_Creek_Dam.jpg

History

Cumberland Falls State Park became a state park in 1931 and features a waterfall on the Cumberland River in southeastern Kentucky. It is the central feature of the state park and is sometimes called the "little Niagara." It is believed to have formed from the result of erosion and was occupied by indigenous people from pre-modern times.

https://somersetpulaskichamber.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/images/remote/i2-wp-com/Cumberland-Falls-3167047034.jpg

Recreational Opportunities

One of the things you must do at this state park is take in the breath taking view of the falls. You must also take the hiking path along Eagle Falls which leads to a little waterfall with a small swimming hole. You can also hike on other trails, take a horseback ride, raft, swim, and fish after viewing the waterfall.

Here is a photo of Eagle Falls found at the end of the hiking trail.

https://www.scenicusa.net/images/OC08EagleFallsPD.jpg

History

Carter Caves State Park was established in 1946, but did not receive funding until 1948. It is located in Carter county, Kentucky and is consists of Cascade caves and Carter Caves. This park was in private hands for about 200 years until it was donated to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

https://parks.ky.gov/sites/default/files/styles/listing_slideshow/public/listing_images/profile/4/797ae416796bfb19c84ae6035f5e8634_sliderCarterCavescaveentry.jpg?itok=7PsJ3JGP

Recreational Opportunities

Carter Caves features a resort park with a lodge, cottages, 18-hole mini golf course, campground, 26 miles of hiking trails, and cave tours along with horse-back riding available. You will not find yourself bored at this park because with the caves, lake, and multiple hiking trails, there is always something to do. You can also fish, repel, play tennis and basketball.

Here is a photo of Smoke Valley Lake in Carter Caves State Park.

https://parks.ky.gov/sites/default/files/styles/listing_slideshow/public/listing_images/profile/4/1c3501e4d5f5e62646652335b32de7a4_sliderCarterCavescanoe.jpg?itok=HVkxbGth

History

Natural Bridge was founded in 1895 as a private tourist attraction by the Lexington and eastern railroad. The land was required in 1910 by Louisville and Nashville railroad and eventually the 137 acres of land was turned over to the Kentucky State Park Commission and became one of Kentucky's four original state parks.

https://static.rootsrated.com/image/upload/s--LAsaI9dF--/t_rr_large_natural/ckqinssy3p4bs78zsufq.jpg

Recreational Opportunities

Natural Bridge State Park is located in the Red River Gorge area, meaning there is always a lot to do. You must visit Miguel's pizza near natural bridge! The first thing you must do is hike or ride the sky line up to natural bridge to experience life in the sky. You can also fish, swim, bird watch, kayak, and pedal boat.

https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1383379_569776163077783_1610402962_n-700x528.jpg

History

Mammoth Cave National Park became a park in 1941 after a group of private citizens formed the Mammoth Cave National Park Association to protect the park. It became a world heritage site in 1981 and an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990. Mammoth Cave is part of the Green River Valley and is home to more than 400 miles of cave systems.

Recreational Opportunities

There are a plethora of things to do at this state park such as attend cave tours, hiking, horseback riding, boating, bicycling, and much more. The cave is still being explored today and there are a countless amount of things to do in the cave such as boat tours.