Carter Caves State Resort Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carter Caves State Resort Park |
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Visitor Center
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| Type | Kentucky state park |
| Location | Carter County, Kentucky |
| Area | 2,000 acres (810 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,040 feet (320 m) |
| Created | 1946 |
| Operated by | Kentucky Department of Parks |
| Open | Year round |
Carter Caves State Resort Park is a fantastic place to visit in Carter County, Kentucky, USA. It's known for its amazing caves and beautiful nature. The park is located along Tygarts Creek. It includes the famous Carter Caves and Cascade Caves, which were added in 1959. A special part of the park, about 146 acres, became a nature preserve in 1981. This was done to protect important animals and plants. These include the Indiana bat, mountain maple, and Canada yew, which are all endangered species.
Contents
Park History: How It Began
This park has a long history! For almost 200 years, different private families owned the land. In 1946, the J.F. Lewis family and other local groups, like Rotary Clubs, gave a large part of the land (about 945 acres) to the state of Kentucky. Governor William Jason Fields, who grew up in Carter County, really wanted to buy the caves and land for the state. This is how Carter Caves became a public park for everyone to enjoy.
Fun Things to Do at Carter Caves
Resort Park Activities
Carter Caves is a "resort park," which means it has lots of fun things to do! You can stay at a cozy lodge or in cottages. There's an 18-hole putt-putt course for some friendly competition. If you love camping, there's a full-service campground with 18 sites. The park also has over 26 miles (42 km) of hiking trails. You can take cave tours all year long. During certain seasons, you can even go horse riding!
Explore the Amazing Caves
The park offers several exciting cave tours. Guided tours of Cascade Cave and X-Cave are available all year. Other caves, like Bat Cave and Saltpetre Cave, are open only in the summer. They close in winter to protect bats from a disease called white nose syndrome. This disease threatens many endangered bat species.
Cascade Cave: Underground Wonders
Cascade Cave is actually three different caves connected together. It's the biggest cave in the park! Inside, you'll find an amazing underground lake room. There's even a 30-foot (9 m) underground waterfall!
X Cave: Giant Rock Formations
X Cave gets its name because its passages cross each other like the letter "X." This cave is famous for having some of the largest and most impressive rock formations in the entire park.
Saltpetre Cave: A Glimpse into History
Saltpetre Cave was very important during the War of 1812. People mined saltpetre, also known as potassium nitrate, from this cave. Saltpetre was a key ingredient for making gunpowder! When you take the Saltpetre Cave tour, you'll learn all about its historical past.
Bat Cave: A Wild Adventure
Bat Cave is open for tours during the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It's considered a "wild" cave tour because it hasn't been changed much for walking. This cave is super special because it's a winter home for the endangered Indiana bat.
Laurel Cave: Popular and Permitted
Laurel Cave is one of the most popular non-commercial caves in the park. It has some really interesting passages to explore. You can visit Laurel Cave during summer business hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day). You just need to get a permit from the Welcome Center or Gift Shop. This permit also lets you explore Horn Hollow Caves and Rimstone Cave.
Hiking Trails and Natural Bridges
Carter Caves State Resort Park has over 30 miles (48 km) of hiking trails. Along these trails, you'll discover seven amazing natural bridges!
Cascade Trail: Box Canyon Beauty
The Cascade Trail is a short, three-quarter mile (1.2 km) path. It takes you through a cool area called Box Canyon.
Three Bridges Trail: Park's Largest Bridge
The Three Bridges Trail is about three and a quarter miles (5.2 km) long. It leads you to the park's biggest natural bridge, the Smokey Bridge. This bridge is huge, standing 90 feet (27 m) high and 120 feet (37 m) wide! This trail also passes by Fern Bridge and Raven Bridge as it winds through the park.
Natural Bridge Trail: Paved and Unique
The half-mile (0.8 km) Natural Bridge Trail goes under another natural bridge. This one is unique because it's the only natural bridge in Kentucky that is paved and supports traffic!
Longer Adventures: 4Cs and Kiser Hollow
If you like longer hikes, try the 7.2-mile (11.6 km) Carter Caves Cross Country Trail (also called the 4Cs Trail). There's also the 10-mile (16 km) Kiser Hollow multi-access trail. This trail runs next to the 4Cs trail for a bit before circling the outer edges of the park.
Smokey Valley Lake and Tygarts Creek
Smokey Valley Lake is a 45-acre (18 ha) lake right inside the park. If you enjoy fishing, you can find lots of largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie here. There's a boat ramp for easy access, but remember, no gasoline motors are allowed on the lake.
Park Ecology: Who Lives Here?
The cave system and surrounding areas at Carter Caves are home to many different kinds of animals. You might find various types of bats, including the endangered Indiana bat. There are also different kinds of salamanders, fish, and insects that live in the caves. Above ground, you can spot American toads, raccoons, and many birds like the Barn swallow. The park is a special place where many creatures thrive!
Gallery
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Former Ranger station, now storage and laundry, midway between Visitor Center and Lodge
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Roadway topography typical of the park
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View of Saltpeter Cave from Visitor Center
