A Guide to National Parks in Kentucky
Kentucky is home to five national parks, from the historic birthplace of Abraham Lincoln to the world’s longest-known cave system at Mammoth Cave.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
From the rich historic sites offering a glimpse into the past at Fort Donelson, Mill Springs Battlefield, and Cumberland Gap to the breathtaking underground scenes at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky’s national parks have something for everyone.
National parks are a popular getaway destination year-round for Americans across the country but not every state is lucky enough to have one.
Kentucky
, however, has a diverse collection of national parks that showcase this state’s natural beauty and historical importance. Jerry
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Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Hours of operation: The Memorial Building is open 9:00 am-4:30 pm, and the Birthplace Visitor Center and grounds are open 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Admission price: Free
What makes the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park special
As the birthplace of America’s 16th president, the famous and respected Abraham Lincoln, the
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
is the country’s first memorial to Lincoln, showcasing the one-room cabin this president was born in. Don’t miss these landmarks while you visit: - The Sinking Spring: This is the spring the Lincoln family farm was named after and where Lincoln would have sourced his daily water supply.
- The Memorial Building: This neoclassical building hosts the one-bedroom cabin where Lincoln was born and grew up. The cabin is pristinely preserved and has a limited viewing area for visitors.
What to do at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Whether you’re looking for a history lesson or a scenic walk around the Sinking Springs Farm grounds, the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace has you covered.
- Hiking: Explore the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park’s three differenthiking trailsshowcasing Kentucky’s natural wildlife where Lincoln roamed as a young boy growing up on Sinking Spring Farm.
- Historic tour: Take yourself on a historic tour of the grounds beginning at the visitor’s center, where you’ll view historic relics and educational films about Lincoln. Stop to view the Sinking Spring before advancing to the 56 granite steps, one for each year of Lincoln’s life, to the Memorial Building. From there, you can roam the grounds where Lincoln grew up.
When to visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
This national park experiences four distinct seasons, so it’s best to visit in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild with minimal crowds.
Summer weather is hot and humid, while winter is cold with snow and rain. Remember to dress seasonally!
Pro tip If you’re traveling with a large group, you can call ahead to make a reservation to ensure the park has capacity.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Hours of operation: The park is open 24 hours a day to pedestrians and cyclists, though some services aren’t available 24/7.
Admission price: Free; prices for tours vary.
What makes the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park special
The
Cumberland Gap
is not only a naturally breathtaking park featuring diverse landscapes—but it’s also the first great gateway to the west, where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle. Cumberland Gap offers special experiences that are unique to its geography and history: - Explore the same gap that allowed Indigenous Americans, settlers, and even bison to pass through the Appalachian mountains hundreds of years ago.
- Stand in three different states (Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia) at once by hiking the Tri-State Peak.
What to do at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
- Hiking or backpacking: This sprawling park has over80 miles of trail systems to explore. You can choose from short ¼ mile hikes to 21-mile-long treks. Backcountry camping is permitted with proper permissions.
- Gap Cave Tours: Embark on atwo-hour tour of Cumberland Gap’s cavesto marvel at glistening stalagmites and flowstone cascades.
- Hensley Settlement tours: Transport yourself back in time witha comprehensive tour of the historic Hensley Settlementon top of Brush Mountain. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll down fence-lined lanes, step into the blacksmith's shop, look into the springhouse and sit in the one-room schoolhouse.
When to visit Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap experiences all four seasons, so it’s best to visit when the weather is temperate and mild in the spring and fall, especially if you plan on completing any large hikes or camping due to fewer crowds.
If you love the heat, visit during the summer, where you’ll likely experience temperatures in the mid to upper 90s.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Hours of operation: The park is open 24-hours a day, although services such as cave tours and the visitor center are limited after-hours.
Admission price: Free; but tours, camping, and picnic shelter reservation prices vary.
What makes Mammoth Cave National Park special
Mammoth Cave National Park
is home to the longest-known cave system in the world, making it an incredibly unique and special US national park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve is home to diverse flora and fauna and thousands of years of natural history. - Mammoth Cave is an International Dark-Sky Park, making it an ideal place to stargaze!
- Paleontologists and cave scientists continue to find ancient shark fossils, proving that this cave system displays one of the most diverse Mississippian shark faunas in North America.
What to do at Mammoth Cave National Park
- Go on a cave tour: If you’re visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, you should definitelygo on a guided tour. The park offers a fully wheelchair accessible tour, short and long walking tours, lantern tours, and even adventurous crawling tours!
- Canoeing and kayaking: Exploreover 30 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers, which wind their way through Mammoth Cave National Park.
- Guided horseback riding tour: Go on a unique adventure onhorsebackthrough the park’s horse-friendly trails. You can bring your horse or borrow one and even go on multiple-day horseback camping trips.
- Hiking and camping: Mammoth parkoffers over 60 miles of hiking trails. Whether you’re after a shorter hike or a multiple-day backpacking journey, Mammoth Caves National Park has the hike for you.
When to visit Mammoth Cave National Park
To experience all that Mammoth Cave National Park offers, the best time to visit the park is in the late spring, early months of May and June, and the early fall. You’ll experience mild weather for camping and hiking while missing out on the crowds.
Summer is a popular time to visit as there’s less precipitation and temperatures reach the high 80s, although you’ll find it tough to find cave tour times, backcountry camping sites, and other key experiences you don’t want to miss out on.
Pro tip Plan early if you’re planning a camping trip at Mammoth Cave! Spots fill up quickly, and in most cases, you’ll need a camping spot reservation beforehand to camp at Mammoth Caves.
Fort Donelson National Historical Park
Location: New Concord, Kentucky, and Dover, Tennessee
Hours of operation: Fort Donelson Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 am-4:00 pm CST. The park tour route is open from 8 am to sundown seasonally.
Admission price: Free
What Makes Fort Donelson National Historical Park special?
Fort Donelson National Historical Park
is an incredibly significant historic landmark because it’s the site of the first major Union victory in the Civil War, which was a major accomplishment for Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. This national historical park is home to the Fort Donelson National Cemetery, the final resting place for the Union army soldiers and sailors who fought during the Battle of Fort Donelson.
What to do at Fort Donelson National Historical Park
- Visit Fort Donelson National Cemetery: You’re able topay your respects to war veteranswho fought during the Civil War. This beautiful cemetery is a quiet, picturesque place for contemplation, peace, and rest.
- Visit the Fort Heiman Unit:You can visit this preserved piece of historyalong with earthworks, other fortifications built by the Union Army, exhibits, and a small pavilion on this side of the park.
- Hike the Fort Donelson trails: You’ll find four different trail systems tohike at Fort Donelson: the Donelson Trail, the River Circle Trail, the Spur Trail to the Cemetery, and the Graves Battery to French's Battery Trail. The hikes are appropriate for all abilities and take about an hour to complete.
When to visit Fort Donelson National Historical Park
Fort Donelson is best visited in the milder, more moderate months of spring and fall, while the weather ranges from the mid-60s to 70s.
Summer temperatures can reach a low in the mid-90s with unpredictable rain, and the park tends to be more crowded during the summer months.
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Mill Springs Battlefield National Historical Park
Hours of operation: The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is closed Monday and Tuesday. The grounds and driving tour are open from dawn till dusk, seven days per week.
Admission price: Free
What makes Mill Springs Battlefield National Historic Park special?
Mill Springs Battlefield National Historical Park
is another site of a significant victory for the Union army during the Civil War. The decisive Battle of Mill Springs brought down an important sector of the Confederate defense line, moving the Union army closer to victory. The park is home to many historic monuments and buildings, such as Zollicoffer Park, the cemetery for Confederate soldiers, who died during the battle, the Brown-Lanier house, and the Mill Springs Mill.
What to do at Mill Springs Battlefield National Historical Park
- Browse the museum:The Mill Springs Battlefield Museumis perfect for history buffs. It includes the Combat on the Cumberland exhibit with Civil War artifacts and replicas.
- Driving tour: If you’re just passing through, or would rather stay in your car—you’re in luck! Much of the Mill Springs Battlefield can be seen from the park’s10-stop driving tour, which guides drivers through significant sites at the park.
- Tour the Brown-Lanier house: This historic home acted as headquarters for the Union army and the Confederates during the Civil War before and after the Battle of Mill Springs. You cantake a guided touron site from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for $2 per person.
- Tour the Mill Springs Mill: The historic Mill Springs grist mill still stands on the shores of Lake Cumberland.You can take a tour of the millwith the Army Corps of Engineers seasonally.
When to visit Mill Springs Battlefield National Historical Park
Similar to other national parks we’ve listed here, Mill Springs National Historical Park is best toured in spring and fall.
If you’d rather visit during a different time of year and the weather isn’t great, the Mill Springs Battlefield driving tour is the perfect way to visit the park without sacrificing comfort.
Pro tip The terrain at Mill Springs Battlefield National Historical Park can become slippery and muddy during wet months. We recommend hiking shoes or quality rubber boots when visiting on a rainy day.
How to prepare to visit Kentucky’s national parks
Before you head to any of Kentucky’s scenic and historical national parks, take note of these expert tips from car insurance super app Jerry to make sure the trip goes smoothly:
- Look into an annualAmerica the Beautiful nationwide passif you’re planning to visit more than one park—or if you want to visit more than once.
- Update your car insurance before any major road trip.
Jerry
can help with that last step. In 45 seconds, Jerry searches for customized insurance quotes from the nation’s top providers to find you the definitive lowest rate on the coverage you need. Want to upgrade your policy with towing and labor
coverage in case you run into trouble in the backcountry? Jerry can help with that. On average, Jerry users save $800+ a year on car insurance. That’s over 10 times the cost of an annual pass to all 63 national parks—including each of Kentucky’s breathtaking national parks.
“When usingJerry, I just put in a bit of information, and they found lots of different quotes for me. I was paying $305 a month for 2 brand-new cars, but now I’m paying $150 a month for both with full coverage!” —Robin U.
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