List of Kentucky state parks
Maintained by the Kentucky Department of Parks, Kentucky's system of 49 state parks has been referred to as "the nation's finest" and experiences more repeat business annually than those of any other U.S. state. The state's diverse geography provides a variety of environments to experience. From mountain lakes to expansive caves to forests teeming with wildlife, park-goers have their choice of attractions, and they are all within a day's drive of each other.
Unless otherwise specified, data in the following lists are taken from Kentucky State Parks by Bill Bailey.
Although the Kentucky Horse Park is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, it is administered separately from the Department of Parks. Breaks Interstate Park is also separate, administered under an interstate compact with the state of Virginia, in partnership with the parks departments of both states.
State recreational parks
Kentucky's 24 "rec parks" span the state from Columbus to Pikeville. Each features outdoor camping areas with a variety of outdoor activities.| Image | Park Name | County or Counties | Size |
| Carr Creek State Park | Knott County | Lake: | |
| Columbus-Belmont State Park | Hickman County | ||
| Dawkins Line Rail Trail | Johnson and Magoffin Counties | ||
| E. P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park | Louisville | ||
| Fishtrap Lake State Park | Pikeville | Park: Lake: | |
| Fort Boonesborough State Park | Richmond | ||
| General Burnside State Park | Pulaski County | ||
| Grayson Lake State Park | Carter County | Park: Lake: | |
| Green River Lake State Park | Taylor County | Park: Lake: | |
| John James Audubon State Park | Henderson County | Park: Lakes: & | |
| Kincaid Lake State Park | Pendleton County | Park: Lake: | |
| Kingdom Come State Park | Harlan County | Park: Lake: | |
| Lake Malone State Park | Muhlenberg County | Park: Lake: | |
| Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park | Laurel County | ||
| Lincoln Homestead State Park | Washington County | ||
| Mineral Mound State Park | Eddyville | ||
| My Old Kentucky Home State Park | Bardstown | ||
| Nolin Lake State Park | Edmonson County | Park: Lake: | |
| Old Fort Harrod State Park | Harrodsburg | ||
| Paintsville Lake State Park | Johnson County | Park: Lake: | |
| Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail | Bell, Harlan, Letcher, and Pike Counties | Under construction | |
| Taylorsville Lake State Park | Spencer County | Park: Lake: | |
| Yatesville Lake State Park | Lawrence County | Lake: |
State resort parks
Kentucky offers more state resort parks than any other state. Each features a lodge complete with dining room and Wi-Fi wireless Internet access.| Photo | Park | Location | Area |
| Barren River Lake State Resort Park | Barren County | Park: Lake: | |
| Blue Licks Battlefield State Park | Robertson County | ||
| Breaks Interstate Park | Pike County, Kentucky; Dickenson and Buchanan County, Virginia | Park: Lake: | |
| Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park | Perry County | Park: Lake: | |
| Carter Caves State Resort Park | Carter County | Park: Lake: | |
| Cumberland Falls State Resort Park | Whitley County | ||
| Dale Hollow Lake State Park | Cumberland County | Park: Lake: | |
| General Butler State Resort Park | Carroll County | Park: Lake: | |
| Greenbo Lake State Resort Park | Greenup County | Park: Lake: | |
| Jenny Wiley State Resort Park | Floyd County | Park: Lake: | |
| Kenlake State Resort Park | Calloway and Marshall Counties | Park: Lake: | |
| Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park | Marshall County | ||
| Lake Barkley State Resort Park | Trigg County | Park: Lake: | |
| Lake Cumberland State Resort Park | Russell County | Park: Lake: | |
| Natural Bridge State Resort Park | Powell County | Park: Lake: | |
| Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park | Hopkins County | Park: Lake: | |
| Pine Mountain State Resort Park | Bell County | ||
| Rough River Dam State Resort Park | Breckinridge, Hardin, & Grayson counties | Park: Lake: |
State historic sites
Ten of Kentucky's recreational parks and two of its resort parks are simultaneously designated as state historic sites. An additional eleven state historic sites are also maintained by the Kentucky Department of Parks.| Photo | Park | Location | Area |
| Big Bone Lick State Historic Site | Boone County | Park: Lake: | |
| Butler-Turpin State Historic House | Carroll County | - | |
| Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site | Barbourville | ||
| Isaac Shelby Cemetery State Historic Site | Stanford | ||
| Jefferson Davis State Historic Site | Fairview | ||
| Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site | Tompkinsville | ||
| Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site | Perryville | ||
| Waveland State Historic Site | Lexington | ||
| White Hall State Historic Site | Richmond | ||
| Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site | Wickliffe | ||
| William Whitley House State Historic Site | Stanford |