Pine Mountain State Resort Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Chained Rock
Location	Bell County, Kentucky, United States
Nearest city	Pineville, Kentucky
Area	1,159 acres (469 ha)
Established	1924
Governing body	Kentucky Department of Parks

Pine Mountain State Resort Park is a special place in southeastern Kentucky. It's located in Bell County, right on the Pine Mountain ridge in the Appalachian Mountains. This park first opened in 1924, making it Kentucky's very first state park!

Every spring since 1933, the park has been home to the yearly Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Part of the park is also a protected nature area, watched over by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves. It's a great spot to explore nature and have fun.

A Look Back: How the Park Started

When Pine Mountain State Resort Park first opened in 1926, it had a different name: Cumberland State Park. But in 1938, its name was changed. This was to avoid confusion with another new park called Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

In the park's early years, there weren't many buildings or facilities. Then, in 1933, during a tough time called the Great Depression (when many people didn't have jobs), President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a program. This program was called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Young men from the CCC helped build many important things across the country. At Pine Mountain Park, they built the main office, cabins, roads, bridges, shelters, and hiking trails. They helped make the park a wonderful place for everyone to enjoy.

In the 1960s, the Kentucky State Park System decided to make their parks even better. At Pine Mountain State Park, they added a new section to the main lodge, which gave visitors 30 more rooms. They also built 10 more cottages, a swimming pool, and a golf course. Today, the park is one of the best state parks in southeastern Kentucky.

Fun Things to Do and See

Pine Mountain State Resort Park offers many exciting activities and places to visit.

Stay at the Lodge or in a Cozy Cabin

The Herndon J. Evans Lodge has 30 guest rooms where you can stay. It's a comfortable place to relax after a day of exploring.

If you prefer a more private stay, the park has different kinds of Cottages. Nine of these are one-room cabins built by the CCC way back in the 1920s. There are also eleven newer, two-bedroom cabins that were built in the 1970s.

Grab a Bite at the Mountain View Restaurant

The Mountain View Restaurant can seat 125 people. It also has a smaller, private dining area for groups of up to 25 people. It's a great place to enjoy a meal with a view.

Play a Round of Golf

The Wasioto Winds Golf Course is an 18-hole course. In 2003, Golf Digest Magazine said it was one of the best new and affordable public golf courses in the country!

See the Famous Chained Rock

Chained Rock is a very unique attraction. Back in the 1930s, people from the nearby town of Pineville, Kentucky wanted to create something special for tourists. In 1933, a group of people carried a super long chain (101 feet!) all the way to the top of Pine Mountain. They attached it to a huge boulder that looked like it might roll down the mountain. They joked that the chain was there to keep the rock from falling and hitting the town below!

Other Adventures and Activities

There are many other fun things to do at the park:

• You can play miniature golf.
• Go for a swim in the swimming pool.
• Explore the park on its many hiking trails.
• See beautiful artworks by Ray Harm displayed inside the lodge, restaurant, and convention center.
• Visit the interpretive center to learn more about the park's nature and history.
• Kids can have fun at the playgrounds.
• Enjoy a meal outdoors at the picnicking areas.
• Find souvenirs and gifts at the gift shop located at the front desk.

Exciting Events at the Park

Pine Mountain State Resort Park hosts several special events throughout the year:

• Elk Viewing Tours - You can go on tours to see elk in January, and from September to December.
• Kentucky Writers Workshop - This event for writers takes place in March.
• Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival - A popular festival held every May.
• Great American Dulcimer Convention - Musicians gather for this convention in September.