FRANKFORT, Ky. – Head for the great outdoors and enjoy the season in front of the beautiful backdrop of Kentucky's natural beauty.
Discover underground scenery during exploration of miles of caves where temperatures remain nearly constant year-round. Diamond Caverns in Park City has halls lined with cascading calcite and many other visual jewels. Winter tours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is $16 for adults, $8 for children 4-12, and ages three and under enter free. The caves are closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. Call (270) 749-2233 or visit
http://www.diamondcaverns.com/.
Several Kentucky venues across the southern parts of the state provide the thrill of spotting American Bald Eagles in their natural winter habitat. The Ballard County Wildlife Management Area in La Center, about 25 miles west of Paducah, has two tours in January that are organized by Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park (800) 325-0146. Board the yacht CQ Princess to spy majestic birds from the water. Call to find which cruises are scheduled at:
- Kentucky Dam Village Jan. 15-17
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park Jan. 29-31 - (800) 325-1708
- Kenlake State Resort Park Feb. 5-7 - (800) 325-0143.
Call (800) 325-2282 to schedule custom barge tours Jan. 15-16, Jan. 22-23 and Feb. 5-6 at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. Tickets cost $20 to $55 per person. Van tours are also offered. More info is available at www.parks.ky.gov.
Gear up and zip off on an off-road ATV for some four-wheel action. Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park in Harlan has a year-round schedule. Make repeat treks with a 30-day permit for $20 or enjoy a full year of roaring action for $35. The park has 7,000 acres and trails that range from easy for beginners to moderate and extreme for the more adventuresome. Call (606) 573-9156 or visit
http://www.harlancountytrails.com/ to find out more.
The impressive Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a spectacular place to view elk and bison in the wild. Drive your own vehicle for a self-guided tour of the prairie lands being restored to their natural state on a 3.5 mile paved loop that’s open dawn to dusk. Pay $5 per car at LBL’s Golden Pond visitor center or call for information about van tours. Call (270) 924-2000 or check out
http://www.lbl.org/.
Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country is along miles of trails that wind through any part of the state. Venture to Pine Mountain State Resort Park (800) 325-1712 in southeastern Kentucky and explore wooded areas where deer, rabbits, squirrels and many types of birds roam. Kentucky’s 17 resort parks located throughout the state have lodges with stunning views of the natural world and cozy accommodations in lodges and cabins. Special activities and programs run through the winter and into early spring. Visit
http://www.parks.ky.gov/ to see what's available at each park and which special room rates apply.
Whether you’re a novice or experienced rider, saddle up and take in winter landscapes from horseback.
Holly Creek Farms in Campton provides the horse and guidance for trail rides along wooded terrain in the foothills of the Appalachians, just off the Daniel Boone Parkway. They also offer guided ATV rides and hiking around the farm. Call (606) 668-3180 to reserve a spot. In the Bluegrass, Big Red Stables near Harrodsburg offers riding on spotted saddle horses or Tennessee walking horses all year round. Make it a weekend getaway to nearby Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill or Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg and kick back in historic surroundings with modern amenities. Call (859) 734-3118 to make an appointment and check fees.
Hunters can find plenty of winter time game in portions of the more than 700,000 acre
Daniel Boone National Forest where hunting is permitted. Visit the Web site for seasons and restrictions or go to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Web site and click on Hunting and Trapping. Licenses may also be purchased at the site. Hunting options are available at John A. Kleber Wildlife Management Area's 2,600 acre preserve. Call (502) 535-6335 or click
here for more information.
Brave the elements, get in gear and head outside to generate some heat of your own on winter time adventures. For more ideas about Kentucky’s many outdoor options during the season, click
here.
