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Camper Appreciation Events Planned At State Parks April 24-26

By: Gil Lawson

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Celebrate the return of spring at one of Kentucky’s State Park campgrounds. With over 30 campgrounds located throughout the Commonwealth, guests can be assured of finding the perfect location to meet their adventure tourism needs.

Campgrounds will be opening up in April. (Due to the winter storms, campers should call the park they are interested in visiting to check on the opening date.) All parks will be hosting the annual Camper Appreciation Weekend April 24-26 with two nights for the price of one. Most parks will be holding special events this weekend for campers.

All campgrounds have sites with water and electric hookups. Campers with horses can be accommodated at Dale Hollow Lake and Taylorsville Lake.

Reservations can be made by visitingFor reservations, where there is a new feature this year. Guests reserving online can now view pictures of the individual campsites available, allowing them to better select a site to suit their individual needs. Guests may also call 1-888-4KYPARK for reservations.

or more information about Kentucky State Parks, including camping information, events and other park details, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Listed below are state park campgrounds and events planned for Camper Appreciation Weekend April 24-26:

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas Enjoy the great outdoors this weekend at our Nature Fest weekend which will include activities for all ages. A variety of nature related sessions will be offered, including but not limited to: bird walks, wildflower and tree identification walks, introduction to canoeing, backpacking, composting, eco-arts, water safety and much more. This is your time to experience nature and the outdoors with great savings. We ask that registered campers bring a covered dish for the dinner on Saturday night and we will provide the hot dog and buns. Call Lisa Deavers, Parks Program Services Supervisor at 1-800-325-0057 or lisa.deavers@ky.gov for more details.

Big Bone Lick State Park, Union If you are a camping enthusiast, you don't want to miss your chance to camp two nights for the price of one! While camping, you can take part in our guided hikes, crafts and naturalist programs here at the park. 859-384-3522.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet Campers pay for one night and get the second night free during this weekend where we say thank you to all our campers! Special programs and entertainment throughout the weekend. Call 859/289-5507 for details.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill This weekend has been set aside as a special weekend for campers. Those camping this weekend will get two nights camping for the price of one. Special rates will apply to campers for mini-golf and cave tours. Some of the recreation programs include a Smoky Lake canoe trip, crafts, homemade ice cream and a magic show by David Cottrell on Saturday night. For Wildflower Weekend we will have several wildflower walks and programs to show guests the beautiful array of the wildflowers of Carter Caves. 800-325-0059.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus Columbus-Belmont State Park would like you to join us in celebrating the opening of the 2009 camping season! We'll have a cookout on Saturday along with free mini golf and museum admission. We will have a Civil War demonstration and a guest speaker to give a presentation on Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site. Also, if you camp with us on Friday night you'll receive Saturday night free. 270-677-2327.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin Camp Friday night and receive Saturday night free of charge! Activities include Saturday lunch and selection of activities offered with the Family Spring Adventure. Canoeing, archery, bird walks, wildflower walks, fire tower tours, astronomy, wildlife programs, and hikes to other waterfalls and arches. Some activities are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. 1-800-325-0063.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville It's camping season again and that means it's time to show our appreciation to our Dale Hollow campers. Campers can camp two nights for the price of one. Enjoy special crafts, activities and live entertainment. For more information call 1-800-325-2282.

Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond Join us for our official kick-off to the 2009 camping season. We will have lots of scheduled activities throughout the weekend including bingo, The Appalachian Troubadours singing group, arts and crafts, free historic tours, free putt-putt, a bonfire, a movie and a whole lot more. In addition when you pay for Friday night's camping we will give you Saturday night for free. For registered campers only. 859-527-3131.

General Burnside Island State Park, Burnside This is a weekend devoted to campers. Campers can buy one night and get the second night free. We will be having crafts, games and lots of prizes to give away to our winners. The Lake Cumberland Square Dancers will be here at about 10:30 a.m. to perform. Then lunch is served at noon for all campers. Another special guest for the kids, a magician, will be performing at 1:45 p.m. 606-561-4104.

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton Do we have a deal for you! Pay the first night camping fees and stay the second night on us! General Butler's Campground will open its gates to a campsite swap meet. Campers are welcomed to sell their wares. Selling areas are limited to one's campsite for Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The general public is invited with special parking. Also weekend entertainment and activities will be planned to highlight this weekend for campers. 866-462-8853.

Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville Camp two nights for the price of one! Enjoy great food and fun with family and friends this weekend. Free mini-golf on Saturday. 270-465-8255.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup Start the camping season off with Greenbo Lake’s Camper Appreciation Weekend. Camp Friday night and get Saturday free. Friday night campers will be treated to a Bean Supper 6-7 p.m. Other weekend activities will include hayrides, crafts, and games. Come and join in on all the fun. 606-473-7324 or 800-325-0083

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg Camp one night and get the second night free! Planned nature and recreation activities for all ages. A free cookout for all campers on Saturday night. Please bring a covered dish, as the park will supply the hotdogs and buns. 800-325-0142.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson Enjoy fun family activities Friday-Sunday as we celebrate John James Audubon's birthday and thank our visitors for making Kentucky State Park's system the nation's finest! For more information please contact Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov

Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora Kenlake is offering two nights of camping for the price of one with special recreation activities planned throughout the weekend. Pay for Friday night and get Saturday night free. 800-325-0143.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville Camp two nights for the price of one! Our weekend will feature activities from our Kentucky Heritage and Culture with games, crafts and entertainment. Bring a program to Wickliffe Mounds State Park for a discount on tours and museum entry. Enjoy several quilt shows that will be in the area including Paducah's National Quilt show. 800-325-0146.

Kincaid Lake State Park, Falmouth Kincaid Lake’s recreation area will be open Saturday afternoon for activities and games. Join us for a hot dog roast in the campground on Saturday evening. 859-654-3531.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown Campers come and enjoy a weekend of great camping, beautiful spring weather and scenery. Camp Friday night and stay Saturday night free! 800-325-1709.

Lake Malone State Park, Dunmore Join us at Lake Malone State Park in our campground for a special rate of two nights of camping for the price of one night. A complimentary breakfast will be served Saturday morning. 270-657-2111.

Levi Jackson State Park, London Levi Jackson State Park would like to show appreciation to all our campers by giving one free night on Saturday when you pay for Friday. A dinner will be served Friday evening and activities are planned for both days. Start the camping season off by joining us at Levi Jackson for this kick off celebration. 606-330-2130.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade Two nights camping for the price of one! Come enjoy the beautiful spring colors and sounds of Natural Bridge State Resort Park while staying in one of our two campgrounds. We’ll have activities for the whole family including canoeing on Mill Creek Lake, guided hikes and live animal programs. The famous Natural Bridge square dance on Hoedown Island begins at 7:30 pm on Saturday! Camp Friday night and get Saturday night for free! 1-800-325-1710.

Nolin Lake State Park, Bee Spring Campers come join the fun. Camp two nights for the price of one! You pay for Friday, and Saturday is on us. There will be special activities planned for the entire weekend. 270-286-4240.

Paintsville Lake State Park, Paintsville Paintsville Lake State Park would like you to join us in celebrating the opening of the 2009 camping season! We'll have a cookout in your honor and live entertainment. Also, if you camp with us on Friday night you'll receive Saturday night free. 606-297-8488.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs Pennyrile Forest Resort State Park would like to show our appreciation to our beloved campers by offering them a rate of two nights camping for the price of one night. There will be entertainment on Friday night and a full schedule of programs on Saturday. Programs will have Arbor Day and Earth Day oriented themes. 800-325-1711.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough Spend one night in the campground for regular price and get one free! Activities and special entertainment for kids and adults will be provided all weekend long! Join us at Rough River and we will get the camping season started together! For more information, please contact Sheila Jones at 1-800-325-1713 or Sheila.Jones@ky.gov

Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville Taylorsville Lake State Park invites you to join us in celebrating the opening of the 2009 camping season! We'll have live entertainment and other programs throughout the weekend. Also, if you camp with us on Friday night you'll receive Saturday night free. 502-477-8713 or 502-477-0086.

Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa Campers pay for one night and get the second night free during the weekend of April 24-26. On Saturday morning, meet the park manager and staff for coffee and donuts from 8-9:30 a.m., pontoon boat rides and nature walks follow during the afternoon and a hot dog dinner with all the fixins' at 5:30 p.m. It’s all free for campers. Call 606-673-1492 for details.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at www.parks.ky.gov

The information in this article was posted as a free service to the Department of Parks, it is public information that was written and posted by the department of parks we are not the author and all additional information should be directed to them.

Good Fishing
Chris "Trimmer" Erwin