Big Bone Lick State Historic Site RV & Campground Guide
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Thousands of years ago, long before humans began exploring the area, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site was home to mastodon, wooly mammoth, and other prehistoric creatures. The natural salt springs that run through the park drew these mammals to the area. Multiple explorations and excavations over the past 300 years have unearthed the large fossils of these Ice Age creatures, which now sit on display in the park. Check out the museum to learn more about the land's early times and look at the life-like dioramas built from some of these early bones. A herd of buffalo also graze the grounds and are viewable all year. Nearby cities: • Lexington, KY • Louisville, KY • Florence, KY • Cincinnati, OH
Spring 58-77 F
Summer 63-85 F
Fall 57-81 F
Winter 41-45 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Big Bone Lick Campground •Water hookup: Yes •Electrical hookup: Yes •Sewer hookup: No •Wi-Fi: No •Pet-friendly: Yes •Max RV length: 47 feet •Other Amenities: Picnic tables, grills, swimming pool, laundry facilities, showers, restrooms, playground, grocery store
Oak Creek Campground
This family-owned campground has 99 sites including pull-thrus and back-ins and primitive tent camping as well. They’re open year-round and are a short drive from the park.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: n/a
Other amenities: pool, shelter building, planned activities, laundry, showers
River Ridge Park
River Ridge offers shady campsites, just 40 minutes from Cincinnati, and close to Big Bone Lick and other attractions as well.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: n/a
Other amenities: pool, rec area
What to Do at
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Start your visit with a stroll through the museum and dioramas, marveling at the fossils and displays from an entirely different period. Take a hike, stop by the basketball courts shoot a few hoops, dust off your old rackets, and take some swings on the tennis court. A mini golf course sits just outside the campground for visitors young and old, and the lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities. You can also check out the two orienteering courses in the park. One route is designed for beginners while the other is more challenging for experienced trekkers. Be sure to stop by the gift shop before you go for a t-shirt, keychain, or other souvenir to remember your visit!
Inside Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
While Big Bone Lick is known for the bison viewing, there are plenty of other things to do as well! Go for a hike, try mini-golf, or try your hand at orienteering. Activities at the park include:
Museum: Big Bone Lick has new museum exhibits. The park works with the Friends of Big Bone and the Cincinnati Museum Center, and has displays on paleontology, Ordovician geology, ice age mammals, Native American history, and other exhibits.
Bison viewing: You can see the bison at all times of the year. Due to weather, you may have to hunt for them in the wooded areas that provide shelter and shade. The last of the wild bison were seen in Kentucky around 1800.
Hiking: The Discovery Trail wanders along Big Bone Creek past interpretive panels that share the prehistoric drama of the area. Or try one of the other 4.5 miles of wooded trails that wind through the park and show different sections of terrain and wildlife along the forested ridges and by the sparkling creek.
Orienteering: Try finding your way in the woods with just your map and a compass. Big Bone Lick offers orienteering courses, including a beginner course that covers 2.7 km (about 1.6 mi) or a more challenging 4.5 km (about 2.8 mi) course.
Birding: Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive at the park in mid to late spring, along with a host of colorful warblers. You can find hawks in summer, and listen for the calls of owls at night. During the fall, watch the migrating species as they continue their journeys for winter. There are also more than 50 species of birds who make the park their home during winter.
Fishing
Big Bone Lake is home to several fish species including largemouth bass, green sunfish, black crappie, and rainbow trout.
Geocaching
An EarthCache is located in Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. To get credit, you must answer five questions. Check out the color of the water in the spring and the smell of the spring, and give a general description of the area and its effects on it. You also need to estimate the square feet of the surface of the spring and tell what you think the impact of the spring drying up will have on the area.
Nature Watching
A favorite of visitors at Big Bone Lick is to visit the bison area and watch these large, magical creatures roam and graze. Hummingbirds and other avian species fly overhead for amusement as well.
Stargazing
An open night sky in Kentucky is the perfect place to spot constellations, gaze at the moon, and perhaps even catch a shooting star in view.
Hiking
Big Bone Lick has 4.5 miles of hiking trails, including one that takes you to the bison habitat and one that rounds the lake. The trails range from easy to moderate in terms of difficulty, and all are less than one mile in length except the Coralberry Trail, which is 2 miles.
Swimming
A swimming pool is located in the campground for registered guests. This pool is available from spring through fall.
How to Get to
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is in northern Kentucky, near the Indiana border. The park is just minutes from Interstates 71 and 75. The entrance to the park is off of Highway 338.
Entering Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Entrance to Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is always free for all visitors.
There are several places for parking throughout the park including the lake, at the campground, in the picnic areas, and at the visitor center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
With all the recreational activities such as hiking, mini golf, and swimming, spring through fall is the perfect time to visit. During these months the weather is mild with warmer temperatures and little snow and ice.
A bison herd now calls Big Bone Lick home after being hunted to near extinction hundreds of years ago. There are also more than 50 species of birds such as red-breasted hummingbirds, hawks, and owls found in the park at different times throughout the year.
There are 62 RV camping spots at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site campground.
You may luck out and find an empty campsite upon visiting the park without a reservation, in which case you may reserve with the park office or self-register. However, reservations by phone or online are highly encouraged as the campground does fill quickly during the summer. Campsites are $30 per night.
Pets are welcome both in the park and in the campground. They must be properly restrained on a leash, controlled, and current on rabies vaccination.
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