BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE

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Contact Info

Kentucky Department of Parks

3380 Beaver Rd
Union, KY 41091

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Details

Campsites: 61 (jump to sites)

Accepts Reservations: Yes

Site Types:

Online Reservations

Reservations for this campground are handled through ReserveAmerica

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Overview

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is known as the Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology because it was the first site in North America to have an organized excavation, conducted by William Clark in 1807. The fossilized remains of American Mastodon, Columbian Mammoth, and Giant Ground Sloths were discovered at the site in 1739 and are now displayed at museums throughout the world. Notable Americans such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin personally examined the fossils, many of which are displayed at Big Bone Lick, Monticello, and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. According to paleontologists during the Pleistocene Epoch, when ice covered much of North America, prehistoric animals were attracted to the plentiful salt springs that still bubble from the ground at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. These animals were hunted and processed by Paleoindians who left the large bones behind that were later preserved by flood sediments. Come visit the museum and the Discovery Trail to learn about the history for yourself and stop by the live bison herd to take a glimpse into the past.

Additional Information

Please note:

The maximum reservation window is 12 months in advance to the date.

New Inventory is made available when the call center opens.

There is a 1 night minimum stay during the week at all parks.

There is a 2 night minimum stay on peak season weekends at all parks with the exception of the Kentucky Horse Park.

The minimum stay on peak season weekends at the Kentucky Horse Park is 1 night.

Customers may arrive on a Friday or Saturday and stay a minimum of two nights.

Customer service is authorized to fill in any empty spaces caused by the 2-night weekend stay rule.

Please note the following:

Longer minimum night stays are required at most campgrounds during holiday periods.

Parks prohibits the importation of firewood by campers from any state outside of Kentucky. This is in an effort to help prevent the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer into the state. Firewood is available for sale in the state park campgrounds.Click on the link for more details: https://parks.ky.gov/firewood-policy

Golf carts are allowed in the campground by purchasing a permit at check-in. Permits are $25 for the week or $100 for the calendar year. Annual permits can be used at all Kentucky State Park campgrounds and the Kentucky Horse Park. Disabled guests are not required to purchase a permit if they display their disability hanging tag.

Kentucky Campground sites can be occupied by a maximum of 8 occupants. Four (4) adults and children 16 and under are included in the base rate. Each additional adult is $5.00 per night will be collected upon arrival at the park.