Tucked away in Kentucky, Carter County is home to the highest concentration of caves in the state. While exploring the underground might be a center of the town’s tourism, there is also more to see at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Adventure awaits you, both above ground and below. With miles of trails and over twenty caverns, you and your family can enjoy a weekend of outdoor adventure at Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Where to Stay?
As a tourist, you may be wondering what options are available to you when you are planning a trip to Carter Caves State Resort Park. There are a few different options to choose from for you and your family. On-site is a beautiful lodge that features rooms adorning full amenities. Lewis Caveland Lodge also features a welcome center and quaint gift shop. If you are a tourist that prefers something a little more private, you may enjoy the Carter Caves cabins. These two-bedroom cottages feature several amenities and also offer guests scenic views. However, you may want your family vacation to be completely outdoors or unplugged. While the Carter Caves campground offers some primitive camping sites, they also provide their guests with sites that come with utilities. There are also service buildings that have restrooms and showers.
What to Eat?
While staying at Carter Caves State Resort Park, you may be wondering where you can get a bite to eat. After a long day of hiking and exploring, you will surely be craving a hearty meal. Head on over to Tierney’s Cavern Restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of different foods, making sure to appeal to all different palettes.
Explore a Cave
As a tourist at Carter Caves, one of the first things you will want to do is explore one of there several caves. This region has the most caves that have been located in Kentucky. You can hop on a tour year-round through Cascade Cave and X-Cave. Stop in the welcome center to learn more about the history of the caves and find information about tours that are available.
Take a Hike
Although the beauty of the caves is the main driving force of tourism at Carter Caves, there is still much beauty to be held on the surface. Carter Caves is home to 26 miles of forested nature trails. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned professional, there are trails at all skill levels. Camping is not allowed on the trails. However, mountain bikes and horses are allowed on a few.
Mine for Gems
One of the most popular tourist attractions for people of all ages at Carter Caves is their gem mining experience. This is located in the welcome center. You will have to scoop out rough material and place it on a screen in front of you. You will then use clean water to help you remove away any debris to reveal what you have mined. There are many different gemstones you can find. These include fluorite, crystal points, topaz, and emerald.
Bring a Canoe
If you have a canoe or a kayak, make sure to bring it with you on your trip. A popular tourist destination for those visiting Carter Caves is Smokey Lake. Smokey Lake is 45 acres large and features a beautifully rugged landscape. Paddle your kayak across the lake and experience what natural beauty has to offer. The lake is also popular for fishermen, particularly those who enjoy fishing for bass.
Watch for Birds
One popular tourist activity at Carter Caves is bird watching. This is a fun hobby and activity for those of all ages. Carter Caves offers a prime environment for several different species of birds. These include purple finches, wrens, evening grosbeaks, and brown creepers. Head to the welcome center to find information on birds that frequent the area.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Carter County is Carter Caves State Resort Park. According to a recent poll taken by Gallup, in 2017 62% of Americans took a vacation away from home. Get outside and explore the caves, as well as hike the numerous miles of forested trails.
