Carter Caves State Resort Park
The beautiful setting of Carter Caves State Resort Park is ideal for the Winter Adventure Weekend. Nestled in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Carter Caves has 2,000 acres of wooded hills rich in plants, animals and geologic formations both above and below ground. Carter Caves is home to over a dozen caves. The park offers year round guided tours of some of the region's most impressive cave systems, including tours of Cascade Cave and X-Cave. Over half of the total endangered Indiana Bat populations hibernating in the state of Kentucky find their winter homes in Bat, Saltpetre and Laurel Caves -- all located in the park. Wild cave tours are offered for both kids and adults in Bat Cave and Saltpeter Cave from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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Above ground, the park has close to 30 miles of trails highlighting many fascinating geological features, including natural bridges, arches, caves, sinkholes, cliffs and a boxed canyon. The trail system supports over 15 miles of multi-use trails that offer hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders a place to escape. There is a designated area for experienced Rock Climbers and Rappellers to "get on rope" while at the park.
Paddlers and anglers can enjoy some good water time on either the secluded 45-acre Smoky Valley Lake or seasonally along a stretch of Tygarts Creek that borders a portion of the park. Other day amenities include playground areas, a gem mine, tennis courts, a basketball court, picnic areas and shelters.
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Seasonally, visitors can enjoy guided horseback riding, a swimming pool with a diving well, an 18-hole miniature golf course, guided Smoky Lake canoe trips and summer recreation and naturalist programs. Special events are regularly scheduled throughout the year, including Winter Adventure Weekend, Cave-in Movies, Pioneer Life Week, Fraley Mountain Music Festival, and the Carter Caves Haunted Trail.
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Staying over for several days is made easy with several overnight accommodations available, including a 28-room field stone lodge and 11 modern 2-bedroom vacation cottages and one 3-bedroom vacation cottage. The campground provides many overnight options including RV sites, tent sites, bunkhouses and equestrian campsites. Tierney’s Cavern restaurant, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offers a wide variety of sandwiches and country dishes. The restaurant has specific winter seasonal hours, please call for details.
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Carter Caves State Resort Park Web Site
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Carter Caves State Resort Park is a convenient drive!
City Distance
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Huntington 40 miles
Lexington 90 miles
Charleston 90 miles
Cincinnati 120 miles
Columbus 130 miles
Louisville 160 miles
Dayton 170 miles
Indianapolis 230 miles
Knoxville 240 miles
Cleveland 270 miles