From hiking trails, boating, swimming, camping and breathtaking mountain views, Kentucky has you covered. Below are 5 of Speedy Blaze's top favorite State Parks in the state of Kentucky.
Kentucky’s State Parks offer breathtaking views of shorelines enclosed with sandstone cliffs, incredible mountains, and scenic hiking trails. Most have facilities to fish, boat, swim, and camp, and some even offer majestic cave tours, trails for horseback riding, and opportunities for birding. We’ve created a list of our favorite state parks in Kentucky to help you plan your next adventure!
“The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
Kingdom Come State Park
Kingdom Come State Park is known for its extraordinary rock formations and its 1,283 acres of unspoiled wilderness. This park has an elevation of 2,700 feet, making it a wonderful location to get beautiful views from eight overlooks, bike or hike some trails, and fish with friends. The Little Shepherd Trail is perfect for bikers who want to follow the 38-mile route along the crest of Pine Mountain from Whitesburg to Harlan. There are 14 hiking trails, ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 of a mile, that vary in difficulty. If you are looking to fish, Kingdom Come State Park has a 3.5-acre mountain lake stocked with bass, catfish, and trout. There are primitive campsites available for $12 a night that provide a fire ring, a picnic table, and access to nearby restrooms. Kingdom Come State Park is open year-round and is pet friendly as long as they are restrained.
Grayson Lake State Park
Grayson Lake State Park has facilities for fishing, hiking, swimming, biking, boating, and camping. It even has an 18-hole golf course that encircles Grayson Lake! There is a marina located 3 miles from the park that has boat rentals, fishing supplies, restrooms, and grocery to prepare you for your fun day on the lake. Grayson Lake State Park has a 71-site campground that has utility hookups if needed and nearby restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail circles the campground along the lake and is .8-miles long. Your furry friends are allowed, but much be on-leash!
Taylorsville Lake State Park
This state park is perfect for hikers, boaters, bikers, and even equestrians! It has plenty of campsites for RVs, Equestrians, and primitive campers. The RV and equestrian sites have electric and water hookups, and all sites are located nearby bathhouses with laundry facilities. There is a 24-mile trail available to mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. There are also excellent birding opportunities around the park! Taylorsville Lake Marina offers boat rentals, tubing and skiing equipment rentals, fishing supplies, and a full-service deli. The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, and crappie and there is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier available! Your restrained pets are welcomed.
Carter Caves State Resort Park
At Carter Caves State Resort Park, you can mine for gems, bird watch, fish, hike, repel and climb, and kayak, canoe, or paddleboard! There is even an 18-hole miniature golf course open seasonally and cave tours available year-round. Here you can explore the 33 miles of nature trails which exhibit caves, sinkholes, arches, and natural bridges. The trail system has 15 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. At Carter Caves State Resort Park, experienced climbers and rappelers can self-guide their climbs on a 30-40 foot sandstone cliff line. It also offers pet friendly lodging and also a 129-site campground which includes eight equestrian sights.
Lake Malone State Park
Lake Malone spans over 788 lake acres and is surrounded by incredible sandstone bluffs. This park has it all- fishing and boating, trail hiking, swimming, and campsites for primitive camping or recreational vehicles. There are pontoons, fishing boats, and pedal boats available for rental and also a place to stock up on supplies and food for your time on the lake. The 1.5 mile hiking trail gives you amazing views of the lake, the sandstone bluffs, and the native Kentucky flowers. Lake Malone State Park also has a sand beach perfect for a day of swimming in the lake! This beach has a lifeguard and a nearby bathhouse and restroom. Dogs are welcomed but must be kept on-leash!
No matter what your summer plans are, Speedy Blaze’s fire kit is a perfect travel companion for your adventures! You can find our kits at select Speedways and you can always order directly through Speedy Blaze online.