Brief description of 10 State Parks that are located in Western Kentucky. Information includes locations, facilities, lodging, recreational activities, and contact information.
Kentucky's State Park system is home to many parks, resorts and historic sites, which offer nice accommodations, camping, recreational activities, educational opportunities, and facilities for meetings and conferences. The following ten places are all located in the Western Kentucky region. The Kentucky Department of Parks can be reached by writing to them at Kentucky Department of Parks, Capital Plaza Tower, 500 Metro Street, Suite 1100, Frankfort, KY 40601-1974. You may also call 1-800-255-PARK (7275).
Ben Hawes State Park is located 4 miles west of Owensboro off US 60. This 297-acre park offers an 18-hole and a 9-hole golf course, pro shop, hiking trails, an archery range, a softball field, a basketball court, picnic shelters, and a playground. For more information write, Ben Hawes State Park, 400 Bloomfield Road, Owensboro, KY 42301 or call 270-684-9808.
Columbus-Belmont State Park is located 36 miles southwest of Paducah on KY 58 and KY 123/80. This 156-acre site is where the 1861 Battle of Belmont took place in a battle to overtake the Confederate stronghold. The park features a cannon and anchor that were part of the artillery used against Union troops in 1861, a Civil War Museum, an activity center, historic hiking trails, a miniature golf course, picnic areas, snack bar, gift shop, and a 38-site campground. For more information write, Columbus-Belmont State Park, P.O. Box 9, Columbus, KY 42032-0009 or call 270-677-2327.
Jefferson Davis State Historic Site is located 9 miles east of Hopkinsville, Kentucky on US 68. This site was built in honor of Confederate president, Jefferson Davis who was born on this site on June 3, 1808. He was a distinguished politician, a West Point graduate, a Mexican War hero, a congressman and senator for Mississippi, and the Secretary of War for Franklin Pierce's administration. Davis founded the Army Medical Corps, suggested the purchase of the Panama Canal Zone, suggested that a transcontinental railroad connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and wrote "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government." The 351-foot obelisk rests on a foundation of solid Kentucky limestone and has seven-foot thick walls at the base and marks the site of Jefferson Davis' birth. It features an elevator and observation room at the top of the structure that offers a panoramic view of the countryside. The grounds consist of about 19 acres. A gift shop, picnic shelters, museum, and a playground are also located on this site. This site was closed for repairs on January 6, 2000 and a re-opening date has not yet been determined but the closing is only expected to last for a short time. For more information write, Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site, P.O. Box 10, Fairview, KY 42221-0010 or call 270-886-1765.
John James Audubon State Park is about 692 acres and is located on the northern outskirts of Henderson, Kentucky about one half mile south of the US 41 bridge over the Ohio River. The park is named for former resident John James Audubon. A museum features a unique collection of Audubon's engravings, oils and watercolors as well as some personal memorabilia. The Nature Center has a wildlife observatory. The Discovery Center displays the locomotion, habitat, feeding, and behavior of birds. The park has 6 cottages for visitors to stay in and a meeting room that can accommodate up to 200 guests. Visitors may also enjoy camping, golf, fishing, hiking, boating, tennis, picnics, and periodic special events hosted by the park. For more information write, John James Audubon State Park, P.O. Box 576, Henderson, KY 42419-1893 or call 270-826-2247.
Kenlake State Resort Park is located 40 miles southeast of Paducah, Kentucky. This 1,795-acre park is on the mid-west shoreline of Kentucky Lake and has the longest shoreline of any man-made lake in the world. Visitors may stay at the 48-room Kenlake Hotel, one of 34 cottages, or the 90-site campground. Dining and meeting rooms are available as well. Park guests may visit the Kenlake Marina or enjoy fishing, swimming, golf, tennis, hiking, picnics, or other park activities. For more information write, Kenlake State Resort Park, 542 Kenlake Road, Hardin, KY 40248-9737 or call 270-474-2211. For reservations call 1-800-325-0143.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park is located 21 miles south east of Paducah, Kentucky. It features the largest marina in Kentucky's park system and the largest lake in the state. This 1,352-acre park has a 72-room lodge, a 14-room inn, 72 cottages, and a 221-site campground. The marina has 100 open slips and 225 covered slips in addition to several types of rental boats. There is also a 4,000-foot lighted airstrip. The convention center can accommodate between 525 to 900 guests and the private dining room can seat up to 346 people. Visitors may also enjoy fishing, various water sports, swimming, golf, picnics, and more. For more information write, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, P.O. Box 69, Gilbertsville, KY 42044-0069 or call 270-362-4271. For reservations call 1-800-325-0146.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park is located 29 miles west of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. This 3700-acre park has a fitness center, marina, convention center, 18-hole golf course, and more. There is a 4,800 foot lighted airstrip just 3 miles from the lodge as well. Guests may stay at the 10-room Little River Lodge, the 120-room Barkley Lodge, one of 13 cottages, one of 5 suites at the lodges, or at the 78-site campground. The convention center can accommodate up to 500 guests and the private dining room can seat up to 331 guests. The fitness center is fully equipped with nautilus machines, fitness cycles, Olympic free-weight room, aerobic classes, tanning beds, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, locker rooms and more. Swimming, golf, tennis, trap shooting, hiking, picnics and other activities are available as well. The marina offers 112 covered slips, 60 open slips, boat-launching ramp, and boat rentals. For more information write, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Box 790, Cadiz, KY 42211-0790 or call 270-924-1131. For reservations call 1-800-325-1708.
Lake Malone State Park is a 325-acre retreat that is located 22 miles south of Central City, Kentucky. It has a boat dock with 72 open slips that can be rented seasonally. Boat rentals are also available. Fisherman can try out their skills in the 788-acre lake trying to catch bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and sunfish. Campers may choose from 100 primitive campsites with a central service building nearby to provide showers, rest rooms, and laundry facilities. A sand beach with lifeguard is also found at this park and it too offers showers and rest rooms as well as a vending area. The beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hiking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds are also available. For more information write, Lake Malone State Park, Dunmor, KY 42339-0093 or call 270-657-2111.
Mineral Mound State Park is located about 30 miles east of Paducah, Kentucky. This
541-acre park is on the shores of Lake Barkley. This park features a boat launching ramp, picnic area, and hiking trails. For more information about Mineral Mound State call Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park at 270-474-2211.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is located 20 miles northwest of Hopkinsville in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. This park is surrounded by over 800 acres of beautiful woods and is named for the tiny Pennyroyal plant that is found in this area. The rustic stone and wood Pennyrile Lodge offers 24 rooms and sits on a high cliff overlooking the Pennyrile Lake. Thirteen cottages are located on the shores of the lake and a 68-site campground is located in the Pennyrile Forest. A dining room and meeting rooms are also available for groups up to 100 or more. A 9-hole golf course and miniature golf are offered to guests as well as hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, tennis, picnicking, and more. For more information write, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, 20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road, Dawson Springs, KY 42408-9212 or call 270-797-3421. For reservations call 1-800-325-1711.
