Attention: Campground utilities may be further than expected so campers are encouraged to bring extensions for water hoses or electrical cords.
Attention: Burn Bans may be in effect. Please contact the Park for details on restrictions.
Attention: Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible. Please contact the park directly for available resources if traveling during months that are conducive to freezing temperatures.

BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE, KY

Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Rating: 4.4
2731 Ratings
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...
Status: Open through Sun Nov 10 2024   Season Dates
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62 site(s) found
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62 site(s) found
Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 62 Previous | Next
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Equip length/ Driveway
Amenities
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
38 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
44 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
42 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
37 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
41 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
42 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
42 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
47 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
38 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
38 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
40 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
44 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 1-14, 55-62
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
41 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
43 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
45 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
37 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
38 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
37 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Sites 15-18, 35-54
Standard Electric
8
39 Back-In
Electric Hookup: 30 Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 62 Previous | Next
Footnotes: (applicable only where specifically marked above)
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
Overview

Description

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.

Geography:

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. The disabled-accessible Discovery Trail, part of the Outdoor Museum, gives visitors a glimpse of the drama that unfolded at the springs in pre-history. The paved Big Bone Creek Trail wanders through the original swampland, now growing wild with brush and flowers, and the last remaining salt-sulphur spring. The Bison Trace brings a live buffalo herd, the park's effort to reestablish the American bison, into view. For anglers, the 7.5-acre lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish for bank fishing. Other popular activities include picnicking, swimming, hiking, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, and horseshoes. A recreation staff conducts activities Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the annual Salt Festival is one of the most popular events in the area.

Facilities:

A gift shop adjoins the museum area and features Kentucky handcrafts and souvenirs of all types. The spacious campground features 62 campsites with utility hookups, grills, and a playground. Showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities are available at a central service building. There is also a basic camp supply store on-site. Nearly 40 acres of picnic grounds with tables, grills, and a playground are ideal for family outings. The two picnic shelters have tables, grills, water, and electricity and may be reserved for rental.

Nearby Attractions:

There are many attractions within a half hour of Big Bone: The Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Art Museum, Newport Aquarium, Devou Park, Boone County Arboretum, Paul Brown Stadium, the All American Ballpark, Florence Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Florence Mall, and the Florence Freedom Ballpark.

Booking Window
Wed Mar 20 2024 - Wed Mar 19 2025

Reservations must be made 1 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.

Season Dates

Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Non Peak
Fri Mar 15 2024
Tue May 21 2024
Peak
Wed May 22 2024
Sun Sep 01 2024
Non Peak
Mon Sep 02 2024
Mon Sep 30 2024
Peak
Tue Oct 01 2024
Thu Oct 31 2024
Non Peak
Fri Nov 01 2024
Sun Nov 10 2024
Services and Amenities
Within Park
  • 18 Hole Miniature Golf
  • Bathhouse
  • Bird Watching
  • Campground Host
  • Camping, Improved Site
  • Convenience Store
  • Dump Station camper
  • Field Sports/Activities
  • Fire Rings
  • First Aid Supplies
  • Fishing Lake
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sites
  • Historic Structure/Feature
  • Horseshoe Pits
  • Horseshoes
  • Information/Contact Station
  • Interpretive Center
  • Interpretive Display
  • Jogging/Running
  • Laundry
  • Museum
  • Nature Study
  • Newspapers
  • Officer/Ranger Station
  • Park Lake (Fishing Only)
  • Parking
  • Pay Telephone
  • Photography
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicking
  • Playground
  • Programs, Archeology
  • Programs, History
  • Programs, Instructional
  • Programs, Nature
  • Programs, Recreational
  • Recreation Programs
  • Restrooms
  • Retail, Bait & Tackle
  • Retail, Firewood
  • Retail, Ice
  • Retail, Snacks
  • Retail, Store/Gift Shop
  • Retail, Supplies
  • River/Stream
  • Seasonal Festivals
  • Shelters
  • Showers
  • Stargazing
  • Sunbathing
  • Swimming - Pool
  • Walking
  • Water Access, Park Lane
  • Water Drinking
  • Wildflower Viewing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • ball field
  • interpretive trail
Within 10 Miles
  • ATM / Cash Machine
  • Boat Ramp
  • Boating
  • Boating, Power
  • Botanical Garden
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Canoe Rental
  • Canoeing
  • Churches
  • Dining
  • Dock, Boat
  • Docks, Fishing/Crabbing
  • Driftwood Collecting
  • Emergency Services
  • Fishing
  • Fuel, Boats
  • Geological Formations
  • Golf
  • Golfing
  • Kayaking
  • Maintenance, Rv/Camper
  • Marina
  • Paddle Boating
  • Rentals, Boat, Jon (paddle)
  • Rentals,Boat,Canoe
  • Restaurant
  • Retail, Drinks
  • Town
  • Water Access, River/Stream
Greater Than 10 Miles
  • Airport
  • Antiquing
  • Aquarium Display
  • Arboretum
  • Art & Museum
  • Cabins
  • Car Rental
  • Catering
  • Cottages
  • Cultural Activities
  • Cultural Sites/Exhibits
  • Fuel, Vehicles
  • Gardens, Botanical Displ
  • Hospital
  • Kennel
  • Lodging goroup facilities
  • Lodging, Cabins
  • Maintenance, vehicle
  • Mall
  • Medical Clinic
  • Meeting Space
  • Motel
  • Orchard/Produce Farm
  • Propane
  • Scenic driving routes
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Theme Park
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
38.88361, -84.74722
38°53'1"N, 84°44'50"W

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

Mailing Address:

BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE
3380 Beaver Road
Union  KY  41091
Phone Number:
Information:  (859)384-3522
Campground Information: (859)-384-3495

Additional Information