Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

0 review

3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky, 41091, United States

Quick Facts

646 ft

Price

$25 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

62 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Kentucky State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

646 ft

Price

$25 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

62 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Kentucky State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

$25.00 - $100.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Golf cart permits are $25 for the week or $100 for the calendar year. Additional fees may apply during holiday periods. Minimum stay requirements...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

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Campground Map

3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky, 41091, United States

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky, 41091, United States

Driving directionsThe park is located 22 miles southwest of Covington on KY 338, off US 42 - 127 and I-71/I-75.

The campground is accessible via KY 338, off US 42 - 127 and I-71/I-75. Roads are paved and accessible year-round.

Nearby places

Covington, KY - 22 miles (approximately 30 minutes)

Cincinnati, OH - Approximately 30 miles (45 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Basic camp supplies are available on-site at the camp store. Additional supplies, groceries, and fuel are accessible within a 10-mile radius.

Best Time to Camp at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Experience Kentucky's dynamic seasons at Big Bone Lick, where each time of year paints the landscape in different hues. Bundle up for crisp winter adventures when temperatures dance around 29°F, creating frost-kissed mornings perfect for wildlife watching. Spring arrives with gentle coolness, awakening the ancient salt springs and bringing fresh life to the trails. Summer transforms the campground into a warm retreat, with temperatures climbing to a pleasant 87°F—ideal for evening campfires and stargazing. Throughout the year, moderate rainfall nourishes the lush landscape, with occasional dramatic downpours that remind visitors of the powerful forces that shaped this prehistoric wonderland.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season is summer; pool and trails available, busiest time for visitors.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Dynamic seasons noted; fall likely offers pleasant hiking and foliage viewing.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring likely favorable for trails, wildlife and learning programs as seasons change.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Open year-round with cold winters (~29°F) but limited winter-specific activities noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season weekends require a two-night minimum stay, except at Kentucky Horse Park.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round with peak seasons aligning with Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Current Alerts: No current advisories or warnings were provided in the authoritative source.

About Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Step into a world where prehistoric giants once roamed at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, celebrated as the 'Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology.' This extraordinary campground invites you to pitch your tent or park your RV at one of 62 generously sized sites, each offering modern conveniences including utility hookups. After a day of fossil hunting and hiking, refresh yourself with hot showers, clean restroom facilities, and convenient on-site laundry services, making your journey through time as comfortable as it is fascinating.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site offers versatile camping options, including sites suitable for RVs and tents. Group and primitive camping options are available within a 10-mile radius of the park.

Historical SignificanceWalk in the footsteps of history at this remarkable site, where in 1807, William Clark himself excavated fossils that would revolutionize our understanding of prehistoric America. As an official Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Site, Big Bone Lick connects visitors to the legendary expedition that mapped our nation. Here, the story of American paleontology began, making every trail and every fossil discovery a link to our continent's ancient past and the brave explorers who first documented its wonders.

Weather and SeasonsExperience Kentucky's dynamic seasons at Big Bone Lick, where each time of year paints the landscape in different hues. Bundle up for crisp winter adventures when temperatures dance around 29°F, creating frost-kissed mornings perfect for wildlife watching. Spring arrives with gentle coolness, awakening the ancient salt springs and bringing fresh life to the trails. Summer transforms the campground into a warm retreat, with temperatures climbing to a pleasant 87°F—ideal for evening campfires and stargazing. Throughout the year, moderate rainfall nourishes the lush landscape, with occasional dramatic downpours that remind visitors of the powerful forces that shaped this prehistoric wonderland.

ElevationThe gently rolling terrain of Big Bone Lick creates an accessible landscape for explorers of all ages, where ancient geological forces have crafted a unique topography perfect for camping and discovery.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a landscape that time forgot, where mysterious salt springs bubble up from the earth just as they did when mastodons gathered here thousands of years ago. Wander through atmospheric swamplands that preserve echoes of the Pleistocene Epoch, then emerge onto wooded trails that wind through diverse ecosystems. The crown jewel of the park awaits at the bison enclosure, where a living herd grazes peacefully—descendants of the mighty beasts that once dominated these lands. This rare combination of wetlands, mineral springs, and forest creates a photographer's paradise and a naturalist's dream.

Geological RegionNestled in the heart of Boone County, Kentucky, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site showcases a geological marvel where ancient salt springs created a prehistoric magnet for Ice Age megafauna. These mineral-rich waters, combined with the surrounding swampland, formed nature's perfect preservation chamber, trapping and fossilizing the remains of mastodons, mammoths, and giant ground sloths. Today, visitors can explore this Pleistocene time capsule, where every bubbling spring and marshy hollow tells the story of a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological drama.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time details are not explicitly stated.

Check-out

Check-out time details are not explicitly stated.

Stay Limit

Maximum reservation window is 12 months in advance.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Details on the maximum number of guests per site are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground features 62 sites with utility hookups and a central service building with restrooms and laundry facilities.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Kentucky State Parks' website or call centers.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo specific details are provided about walk-up availability.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations must align with the reservation window, with adjustments made for holidays and peak seasons. Details on penalties for cancellation are not explicitly stated.

AccessibilityThe site offers a disabled-accessible Discovery Trail and amenities designed for accessibility, ensuring that visitors with mobility challenges can enjoy the park and its facilities.

Site SizeThe campground offers 62 utility-equipped campsites suitable for a range of setups, from RVs to tents.

PrivacyThe source does not specify the level of privacy at individual campsites.

Total Campsites62 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommendations for site selection based on privacy, views, or amenities are not provided.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site provides a mix of recreational and educational activities. Campers can enjoy hiking on the Discovery Trail and Big Bone Creek Trail, viewing the live bison herd, fishing in the 7.5-acre lake, and participating in sports like volleyball, basketball, and softball. The park also hosts seasonal programs, including an annual Salt Festival.

HikingHiking trails include the disabled-accessible Discovery Trail, which is part of the Outdoor Museum, and the paved Big Bone Creek Trail that explores the swampland and salt-sulphur spring.

FishingFishing is available in a 7.5-acre lake that contains largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish, primarily for bank fishing.

SwimmingA swimming pool is available for visitors to enjoy; however, no details on size, operating hours, or specific seasonal availability are provided.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities include observing a live bison herd as part of the site's efforts to reestablish the American bison. The park's natural areas also support diverse flora and fauna.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsEducational programs include displays at the museum that showcase the site's paleontological significance, as well as interpretive programs covering history, archaeology, and nature.

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include natural wildlife, such as bison, and the terrain of the salt springs and swampland.

Active AlertsNo current advisories or warnings were provided in the authoritative source.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted, but campers must use firewood purchased from the park to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No specific quiet hours are mentioned.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are available within 10 miles, including a hospital and medical clinic.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available, but no specific details on locations or pickup schedules are provided.

Water FeaturesThe campground is near a 7.5-acre lake offering fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.

Camp HostA campground host is available on-site.

Weather at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Reviews

0.0

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Limited Reviews

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

No user reviews were provided in the source materials.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Positive aspects of the campground include its educational opportunities, the availability of utility hookups, and the unique bison viewing experiences.