FRANKFORT, Ky. – If you’re planning to enjoy the outdoors this year and go camping, make sure to try out a Kentucky State Park campground.
The parks have 31 campgrounds across the state. And to kickoff the camping season, the state parks will hold its annual “Camper Appreciation Weekend” on April 25-27, when campers can get two nights for the price of one.
“State park campgrounds are a great way to enjoy our parks and the outdoors,” said Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer. “All of our campgrounds are near recreational or historic sites and make great vacation or weekend trips.”
Campgrounds are offering a variety of activities to kick off the camping season. These include entertainment, arts and crafts, putt-putt golf, bonfires, movies, cookouts and nature programs.
All state park campgrounds have water and electric services with dump stations or sewer hookups, along with picnic tables and fire rings at each improved site and bath houses. Primitive sites are also available.
New for campers this year are six camper cabins at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park’s campground. These small cabins have a double and single bed with heat and air conditioning. Guests bring their own linens or sleeping bags. A picnic table and fire ring is also provided.
The campgrounds at Levi Jackson State Park and Greenbo Lake State Resort Park are being renovated and are scheduled to open by Memorial Day. All other campgrounds will be open by April 1.
In addition to the 31 state parks, the Kentucky Horse Park Campground features 260 paved sites with water and electric hookups. Unlimited primitive camping is also available, as well as a trading post, swimming pool, lighted game courts, playground, bathhouses/laundry, seasonal events and more.
For reservations at the Horse Park, call (888) 4KY-PARK, (888) 459-7275, or visit www.parks.ky.gov. For information and group reservations call (800) 370-6416, (859) 259-4257, or e-mail campground@kyhorsepark.com.
The ban on out-of-state firewood remains in effect for state park campgrounds. The ban is intended to keep the emerald ash borer, an insect that kills ash trees, from entering the state. The insect has been found in states north of Kentucky – including Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Firewood gathered or purchased in Kentucky should be used.
Check the Department of Parks web site at www.parks.ky.gov for more information on Camper Appreciation Weekend. Reservations are accepted (but not required) for the 2,600 improved sites by going to www.parks.ky.gov or calling 1-888-459-7275. (For the Camper Appreciation Weekend, campers will be charged half price for the nights of April 25-26.)
The following state parks have campgrounds:
Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Big Bone Lick State Park
Blue Licks State Park
Carr Creek State Park
Carter Caves State Resort
Columbus Belmont State Park
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Dale Hollow State Park
Fort Boonesborough State Park
General Burnside State Park
General Butler State Resort Park
Grayson Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park (opening later this year)
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
John James Audubon State Park
Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Kincaid Lake State Park
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Lake Malone State Park
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park (opening later this year)
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Natural Bridge State Park
Nolin Lake State Park
Paintsville Lake State Park
Pennyrile Forest State Park
Rough River Dam State Resort Park
Taylorsville Lake State Park
Yatesville Lake State Park
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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