All special events are subject to change and may be cancelled or postponed by the Kentucky Department of Parks due to unforeseen circumstances. Please confirm event schedule prior to arrival for date, time and fee information, especially if you plan to visit a Kentucky State Park for a specific event. Event details and contact information for all 52 Kentucky State Parks can be found on this website.
Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes
1/10/2009
For the adventurous only! Enjoy a day of hiking throughout Kentucky's Land of the Arches! On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features as well as some little known secrets! Each trip is different. Total distances vary from 6 to 12 miles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. $10/person registration fee. Adults and children ages 12 and up welcome.
Arches Hiking Weekend
2/6/2009 to 2/7/2009
Event cancelled.
Invasive Species Volunteer Workshops
3/7/2009
Help stop the invasion of non-native exotic plants by volunteering to assist the naturalist staff in pulling and cutting some of the worst invaders! This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to improve the enviromental health of our public lands! Each Volunteer day begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Hemlock Lodge lobby and ends whenever you get tired! Pre-registration is required. Fighting off these alien invaders is an ongoing battle at Natural Bridge. If you are unable to help during these days but can come out and help some other time please give us a call. This is a great opportunity for community service for scouts and schools! To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Beginner's Backpacking Workshops
3/14/2009 to 3/15/2009
Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 400’. Participants must be able to hike this distance carrying 30 pounds. Space is limited and participants must be 18 or older. The registration fee of $85 per person includes instruction, equipment and meals for the duration of the trip. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Beginner's Backpacking Workshops
3/21/2009 to 3/22/2009
Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 400’. Participants must be able to hike this distance carrying 30 pounds. Space is limited and participants must be 18 or older. The registration fee of $85 per person includes instruction, equipment and meals for the duration of the trip. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Canoeing for Beginners
4/4/2009
Learn the basics of canoeing on the Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and then experience river canoeing on the beautiful Red River in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The river trip is 8 miles on an enjoyable class I section of the Red River. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration fee of $25 per person includes guide, canoe, paddle, and life jacket. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Wildflower Weekend
4/17/2009 to 4/19/2009
The beautiful area around Natural Bridge is home to hundreds of native plant species; enjoy them this weekend with other botanists, gardeners, and nature lovers. Our field trips are for all levels of participation, from beginner to advanced wildflower enthusiasts and from short, easy walks to longer hikes at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge National Geologic Area! Evening speakers will focus on the native plants in the region. The on-site registration fee is $10/adult, $3/ages 13-17, and free for children 12 and under. For more information, contact park naturalist Brian Gasdorf at brian.gasdorf@ky.gov or call 1-800-325-1710, ext 2104.
Herpetology Weekend
5/1/2009 to 5/2/2009
Discover nature's most misunderstood critters! Experienced herpetologists will lead field trips into the Red River Gorge National Geologic Area to observe reptiles and amphibians in their native habitat. Most Saturday fieldtrips will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Collection is prohibited. Friday and Saturday evening presentations will focus on reptile and amphibian natural history and conservation. Some demonstrations will include live venomous snakes! On-site registration fee is $10/adult, $3/ages 13-17, and free for children 12 and under. For more information contact park naturalist Brian Gasdorf at brian.gasdorf@ky.gov or call 1-800-325-1710, ext. 2104.
Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes
7/11/2009
For the adventurous only! Enjoy a day of hiking throughout Kentucky's Land of the Arches! On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features as well as some little known secrets! Each trip is different. Total distances vary from 6 to 12 miles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. $10/person registration fee. Adults and children ages 12 and up welcome. To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Invasive Species Volunteer Workshops
8/1/2009
Help stop the invasion of non-native exotic plants by volunteering to assist the naturalist staff in pulling and cutting some of the worst invaders! This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to improve the enviromental health of our public lands! Each Volunteer day begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Hemlock Lodge lobby and ends whenever you get tired! Pre-registration is required. Fighting off these alien invaders is an ongoing battle at Natural Bridge. If you are unable to help during these days but can come out and help some other time please give us a call. This is a great opportunity for community service for scouts and schools! To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes
8/8/2009
For the adventurous only! Enjoy a day of hiking throughout Kentucky's Land of the Arches! On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features as well as some little known secrets! Each trip is different. Total distances vary from 6 to 12 miles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. $10/person registration fee. Adults and children ages 12 and up welcome. To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Beginner's Backpacking Workshops
9/19/2009 to 9/20/2009
Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 400’. Participants must be able to hike this distance carrying 30 pounds. Space is limited and participants must be 18 or older. The registration fee of $85 per person includes instruction, equipment and meals for the duration of the trip. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Beginner's Backpacking Workshops
9/26/2009 to 9/27/2009
Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 400’. Participants must be able to hike this distance carrying 30 pounds. Space is limited and participants must be 18 or older. The registration fee of $85 per person includes instruction, equipment and meals for the duration of the trip. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Invasive Species Volunteer Workshops
10/3/2009
Help stop the invasion of non-native exotic plants by volunteering to assist the naturalist staff in pulling and cutting some of the worst invaders! This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to improve the enviromental health of our public lands! Each Volunteer day begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Hemlock Lodge lobby and ends whenever you get tired! Pre-registration is required. Fighting off these alien invaders is an ongoing battle at Natural Bridge. If you are unable to help during these days but can come out and help some other time please give us a call. This is a great opportunity for community service for scouts and schools! To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes
10/10/2009
For the adventurous only! Enjoy a day of hiking throughout Kentucky's Land of the Arches! On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features as well as some little known secrets! Each trip is different. Total distances vary from 6 to 12 miles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. $10/person registration fee. Adults and children ages 12 and up welcome. To register contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Beginner's Backpacking Workshops
11/7/2009 to 11/8/2009
Enjoy the beauty of Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge area while learning the basics of Leave No Trace backpacking! The overnight trip is 8-10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 400’. Participants must be able to hike this distance carrying 30 pounds. Space is limited and participants must be 18 or older. The registration fee of $85 per person includes instruction, equipment and meals for the duration of the trip. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.
Canoeing for Beginners
11/14/2009
Learn the basics of canoeing on the Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and then experience river canoeing on the beautiful Red River in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The river trip is 8 miles on an enjoyable class I section of the Red River. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration fee of $25 per person includes guide, canoe, paddle, and life jacket. To register or to request more information contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or call (606) 663-2214.