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Get step-by-step walking or driving directions to Big Bone Lick State Park, 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY. Avoid traffic with optimized routes.
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‹ Back. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. 859-384-3522 greta.gay@ky.gov 3380 Beaver Road, Union, KY 41091. Reserve A Campsite. View All Photos. Visitors can see still-active salt springs, a re-created Pleistocene marsh, 20,000-year-old fossils, or even the modern-day Ice Age descendants, bison!
- 3380 Beaver Road, Union, 41091, KY
- (859) 384-3522
Dec 12, 2023 · Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, located not far from the Ohio River, offers visitors unique experiences within the rich landscape. Visit the salty natural springs from which the Site gets its name. Catch a glimpse of the Site’s bison herd roaming the grounds, visible nearly anytime of the year!
2 days ago · Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is located in Boone County. It was designated as an official Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Site by the National Park Service in 2002. Recreation: Learn the history of Big Bone Lick in the museum, with displays of fossilized bones and artifacts from the last 18,000 years.
- (3K)
- (859) 384-3522
- Plan Your Visit to Big Bone Lick State Park
- A Brief History of Big Bone Lick State Park
- Come Face-To-Face with Fossils
- Take A Hike in Big Bone Lick State Park
- Grab Your Compass
- Wet A Line
- Watch The Wildlife
- Pitch Your Tent
- Play A Round of Mini-Golf Or Tennis
Although Big Bone Lick State Park is rich in its historical roots, that doesn’t mean there’s not something for the more adventurous visitors. Whether it’s hiking, orienteering, fishing, or fossil-hunting, Big Bone Lick’s wide selection of activities makes it a perfect place for a day trip or a weekend camping getaway.
Big Bone Lick State Park is named after the Pleistocene megafauna (mammoths) fossils that were found in the area prior to its founding, and for the salt lick deposited around the original sulphur springs. It is theorized that the salt lick drew large numbers of mammoths to the area, along with several other kinds of animals, many of which are relat...
Deemed the official “birthplace of American paleontology,” Big Bone Lick’s most obvious draw is the large collection of fossils to be found in and around the park. The visitor center onsite doubles as a museum, and features significant displays of fossils from the Big Bone Lick area, including mammal bones dating back to the Ice Age. In addition to...
The most prominent trail in the park is The Discovery Trail, which begins just behind the visitor’s center, and provides a comprehensive look at the history of Big Bone Lick State Park, with interpretive panels and detailed, staged models that showcase the prehistoric era of the park. The trail is considered family-friendly and highly accessible, s...
Big Bone Lick State Park also offers two permanent orienteering courses, which have served as sites for both collegiate level teams and professional orienteering organizations. The courses are separated into a beginner level course that covers 2.7 km and an intermediate course that covers 4.5 km. Each course features 10 checkpoints, as per standard...
Though Big Bone Lick is a preserved historical site (making most off-trail activities forbidden) the nearby lake offers excellent fishing for interested visitors. When the lake is full, it’s home to largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Note: According to park staff, the lake is currently closed for dam inspection. See the Big Bone Lake w...
For avid animal watchers, Big Bone Lick provides visitors the chance to see living wildlife as well. The park plays host to a variety of birds throughout the year, including the Red-throated Hummingbird, a variety of hawks, and several species of owls. Though the birds are active year-round, the winter provides the best viewing of multiple species,...
For visitors interested in camping at Big Bone Lick, a campground with 62 full hookup sitesare available to guests between mid-March and mid-November. The popular campground includes a swimming pool and playground, restrooms, laundry facilities, and showers. The campground also features close access to viewing stations for the park’s small herd of ...
The campground at Big Bone Lick State Park also features a miniature golf course, which includes 18 holes and excellent views of the park’s open area. The miniature golf course is open April 1 – October 31. To sweeten the deal, tennis courts are also available on a seasonal basis to campground visitors. Where you visit for the fossils, the salt, or...
Jul 28, 2021 · Hiking and Visiting Bison! The park offers 4.5 miles of easy trails through wooded areas, alongside the salt springs, and past the outdoor diorama area. The trails also will take you to see the bison herd – a big highlight of our visit! We even got to see a new baby bison!
Big Bone Lick State Park is located at Big Bone in Boone County, Kentucky. The name of the park comes from the Pleistocene megafauna fossils found there. [5] Mammoths are believed to have been drawn to this location by a salt lick deposited around the sulfur springs. [6]
