Carter Caves State Resort Park

This review is for the campground…
Although it rained all three days and nights that we were there, we still were able to get out and explore some of the 26 miles of wooded nature trails that this beautiful piece of Kentucky has to offer.
It’s a bit over an hour from Lexington. Thirty minutes or so of the trek is after you exit off of the interstate. The winding road that leads to it isn’t all that bad. I read reviews online that hinted that it was easy to get lost when you depend on a GPS, I didn’t find that to be case at all. There were obvious signs that guide you directly into the park and then the campground.
We booked online on Reserve America sort of last minute and were a bit surprised that one of the last remaining sites was one of the most secluded. It’s an extra $ 7 to book Reserve America, but if you’re going out of your way to get here or going during peak season, don’t risk just driving up and depending that a site is available.
When we first pulled in, there were a bunch of taken spots that were a bit cramped and close together. We later discovered that those clustered sites had sewer hook ups, the ones near the more mature tree lines didn’t have sewer hookups, but they did have water and electric hookups. Our site was 28 and if I had to pick a site in the entire campground, that or 29 would be the one. Site 29 had two trees that was perfect for the hammock, but the pad seemed a bit short. The primitive sites were in a different area than the RV sites.
The bathrooms were average for a state park campground. There’s a hidden handicapped shower stall that was roomier and less used than the others, I went during non peak times and used it… shhhh, don’t tell. Hot water and decent water pressure, I’m happy.
The lodge with the restaurant is close but the road leading from the campground to the lodge, isn’t really walker friendly. I do recommend at least checking out the restaurant at least once. The lunch buffet is a five star, especially for the price and considering it saves you from having to cook… I recommend it

Review of the Natural Bridge Trail
This park is only about 1 ½ hrs from our home in Cross Lanes, WV. We had passed the park about a million times during our commute back and forth from Nashville, TN to WV. we kept saying we were going to stop one day. So, today was our day off, and YES we are going to go hiking at the park today.
We got there about 8am. The Park office was closed until 9 am so we decided to for a hike on NATURAL BRIDGE TRAIL located just off the side of the Gift Shop and Park Office. We parked the car and we went up the trail. There is a really nice picnic shelter there with 2 large grills and about 10 to 12 picnic tables under the roof and a few located round the setting. You have to cross a little foot bridge to get to the shelter. There is also a small cave overhang there also… and a creek or brook with a little rapid like water for the kiddies to wade in up to the ankles for fun.
The path to the Natural Bridge is an easy walk about 0.5 miles in loop so not far from the parking lot and shelter area at all… and well worth it. The Natural Bridge is very wide and large and there is a sink hole in the roof of the bridge. You can also drive across the bridge because the park routes the traffic over it.
When you go through the underpass of the Natural Bridge to the other side, there is a little path along the stream and good place for kids to swim and wade in the water. Some steps leading up to the road and the top of the bridge where the traffic crosses over. I like this small trail and highly recommend you do this hike. if none other, at least this small one… you will definitely enjoy it and get a view of the lovely Natural Bridge. I love to play in God’s Backyard… don’t you???
Box Canyon Trail Review
Tony and I was waiting for the tour of Cascade Cave tour to start and decided to take the quick hike that was .75 mile loop. We thought we could do this in the hour timeframe that we had. We head down the trail and found it was very brushy, but beautiful lush green weeds, flowers and trees. We went along the path and it forked, where you could go straight or turn Right so we took the Right fork. Almost immediately we started climbing up the hillside. There was some beautiful wildflowers and lots of weeds and grassy area. We went along this uphill climb for about 10 minutes or so, before we came to a level spot and there was some large boulder style rocks.
We had to go downward to get between the large rocks and noticed that one of them was extremely green covered with moss from the top to the bottom. The area was very wet, and had so many mosquitos. definitely needed the bug spray for this hike. We found that the trail between the boulders went to the left and you had to climb down between some rocks into WIND TUNNEL (what they call it) but it was a little neat to be rock climbing of sorts on this hike. definitely a nice surprise element and calorie burner. We then went along the trail for about another 5 – 6 minutes and came to a Cliff Wall that was about 3 stories tall. We had to climb down to the base of the stone wall and walk along the wet leafy floor. very wet and buggy here too… the noise sounded like running water and it was just water off the leaves, trees and rock constantly running.
Then we noticed the trail involved actually climbing of some rocks that were piled up. another exciting unexpected factor in our hike and again… GREAT CALORIE BURNER… I liked this hike mainly because of all the rocks we had to clamor over. After we climbed back up the rocks, we passed a natural shower. where the water came off the rock cliff like a small waterfall but once it got to the rock bottom it made a natural shower to take a bath… lol !!!
We went along the path another 15 minutes and started downwards and then leveled back up until we got to the original fork I mentioned earlier. Along the way, we found some very deep paw print in the mud, that was going back to the rock cliff… looks like a mountain lion or panther paw print… I am glad we didn’t meet him, even though we were climbing in the rocks near his apparent home…
This is a great hike and I highly recommend. It took us about 45 minutes to hike the path and I would definitely do this trail again.

We stayed in the lodge for 3 nights. The room was basic — comfortable king size bed, dresser, table and 2 chairs. We had plenty of room to set up a pack-​n-​play for our daughter. They were changing out the old TVs for new flat screens, but didn’t do our room while we were staying there. The bathroom was old, but mostly clean — only a few moldy areas on the grout. I found it odd that the flooring was all laminate or tile — no carpet at all. I guess it’s easier to clean that way, but I felt like the floor was really dirty because there was no place to wipe your shoes (and even when we took them off at the door, you still had to walk by that area to come out of the shower.) Also, while the view was pretty from the balcony, I felt like ours was tilted away from the building and a little unsafe. Never-​mind the years of peeling paint chips on the floor of the balcony.
We did play the nine hole golf course — which was pretty fun despite our lack of golf experience. We also took one of the hiking tours lead by a park employee, which was good and worth doing. We enjoyed our tour of cascade cave (baby-​wearing friendly, DH wore DD on the front in our Tula). The pool was cold, but clean.
We ate at the restaurant twice, both for lunch. While the customer service was definitely lacking — the food was not that bad. The second day they had the salad bar open, which was a good addition to our meals.

sure, it’s beautiful and all, but everyone forgot to mention that their restaurant is actually really delicious. or maybe i was just starving…

A beautiful State Park just 1−½hours from Lexington! It was my first time visiting and I went with a group of 45 to the primitive camp sites. I wasn’t aware of how much this park has to offer: Camping, RV’ing, Bunk houses, cabins, a Lodge with restaurant, Caves Tours, Hiking, Equestrian facility, playground, putt-​putt and covered picnic areas.
The welcome center has fun souvenirs for kids and rocking chairs for the adults to relax in. Our group had a great weekend and I can’t wait to go again with my family!

I am from Columbus, Ohio but we have been coming down to Carter Caves every spring for about 10 or 12 years. We stay in the lodge most of the time but occasionally we stay in a cabin. I do not know what it is like to stay in the lodge during the summer (or for that matter the winter either), but it is generally about half full in the spring, which feels about right. The dining room has a quaint, old-​fashion feel to it, like a flashback to the 70s, a PLEASANT flashback to the 70s. The meat-​and-​potatoes food is actually pretty good. The lodge rooms are not the greatest, nor is the bed itself, but these things could be a lot worse too. The rooms’ balconies look over the forest. Sitting out on the balcony on a warm spring evening is very relaxing.
The trails make for some pleasant hiking and the cave tours are enjoyable, and if you know nothing of caves, educational too. The golf course is nothing to shout about, but I still play it once or twice a visit, so it isn’t that bad. And green fees are pretty darn reasonable.
If the lodge rooms were even slightly better, I would give Carter Caves 5 stars. As it is, I will give the park 4. I’d give it 4 ½ if I could.

I really enjoyed my stay here at the park. Beings that it was my first time staying here — much less my first real trip to Kentucky, it was quite a nice, relaxing spot. A true scenic spot along the main route of interstate 64, this area boasts tons of hiking trails, caves to explore as well as spots for a picnic with family or small games. On my trip out, we ventured to the mini-​golf area, played horseshoes near our cabin, and even spotted a few deer during our short hike. A lot of nature to take in and all of it is truly beautiful and serene. Coming from VA, we have a ton of beautiful spots but this place will surely have me returning again. With so much to see and do, one trip is never enough.

Great campground for camping! Plenty of things to do with family!

My family has been going to the Carter Caves as long as I can remember and they have stories to indicate that they were going even before then.
Any reunion has to take place here. KFC and a shaded picnic area. Head over to the gift shop to rock in the rocking chairs, use their restrooms and run a muck in the gift shop. The gift shop is super fun! They have ice cream, ring pops, rock candy and old fashioned candy too. They also carry Ruth Hunt candy in case you don’t plan on driving to get any at the factory. They have cork guns, walking sticks and of course bat themed merchandise.
The gift shop is where you go to get your cave tour tickets. If you are considering a cave tour, bring a jacket. It gets pretty cold in there. It’s a nice break from the summer heat. The kids like having flashlights for «exploring».
You can hike the trails and look at the outside of the caves and surrounding area at no cost.
The park is a bat preservation area and you might end up seeing some. They are cute little buggers and they are just sleeping away. Don’t let them scare you.
Kids and adults both enjoy visiting here. The tour guides do a great job keeping everyone together and do not rush you through. Before you buy the tickets they tell you how much step climbing is involved. In case you have someone is who is not up to the challenge.
Highly recommended even if you aren’t having a family reunion.

One of my absolute favorite places in the entire world. My family and extended family have been going to The Caves every year for decades and I’ve gone almost every year for the past 25 years. The trails and caves have a somewhat mystical and adventursome quality to them, especially if you’re a kid exploring the park. Cave tours range from easy to super grueling (you need scuba gear in some parts of the year to get through H2O cave). There is a full golf course, mini-​golf, pools, canoe and boat rentals, horseback riding, miles of hiking trails, live music and shows, campgrounds (both ‘modern’ and ‘rustic’) and more. I can’t wait to head down there again later this month!

Very cool park, close off the highway is you’re passing through the area. Guided tours of 2 different cave areas are offered, or you can explore some caves on your own with a permit– although those are currently closed to protect bats from a disease that’s killing a lot of bats.
Cascade Cave tour takes about an hour, the tour narrative is super thorough, but the cave is very neat. Wide open, and setup to be workable for almost anyone, there are some stairs, but not too many, and handrails are provided.
Enjoy!
Nice hiking trails as well, some long ones, but some nice shorts ones too. Great for families or leg stretching, and the Box Canyon Trail is ¾ mile and passes through a little canyon space, and goes past a natural bridge.