© 2024 WMKY
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kentucky State Parks Offering ‘First Day’ Hikes

Country Time Gazette

Get 2015 started on the right foot with your New Year’s resolution by taking a guided hike at a Kentucky State Park on Jan. 1.

Several state parks are offering “First Day” hiking opportunities on Jan. 1, 2015, for guests. State park hiking trails remain open (weather permitting) through the winter season.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn: First Day Hike

Awake to the New Year amid mountain tranquility. The First Day walk starts at 10 a.m. and will cover 1½ to 2 miles through the park. Enjoy some hot chocolate around the lobby fireplace afterwards. All activities are open to the public. Call 606-398-7510 or 1-800-325-0058 for more information.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin: First Day Hike

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park will offer its First Day Hike on Jan. 1. Join your guide for a 5-mile hike along the upper Cumberland River on the Sheltowee Trace. This hike is moderate in difficulty. Meet at the visitor center near Cumberland Falls at 9 a.m. Call 606-528-4121.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg: First Day Hike and Bike

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will host two outdoor opportunities on Jan. 1, 2015. The first, a hike along Sassafras Trail, will start at 10 a.m. This will be a moderate, ¾-mile guided hike. Learn about identifying trees, birds and local history. Must be at least 8 years old, and children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No pets please. The second event is a mountain bike trip along the Mountain Bike Trail starting at 1 p.m. This trip is considered strenuous and participants must be at least 10 years old. Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bicycle. Call 606-889-1790 for information.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs: First Day Hike

Hikers will meet with the Pennyrile Forest naturalist on New Year’s Day in the lodge lobby to begin a 3.25-mile hike on the park’s Lake Trail. Wear proper clothing and bring your own water, snacks, and hiking stick. This hike is not recommended for children under the age of 5. Leashed dogs are welcome on the hike. Hiking sticks are available for purchase in the park’s gift shop. The hike is free and will last approximately 2 hours. The park plans to continue with guided hikes on the first of every month in 2015. To register for the hike, contact the park naturalist at 1-800-325-1711.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville: First Day Hike

Start the year with a free guided hike on the Fern Garden Trail at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. As one of the more remote hikes on the park, it is sure to offer a genuinely peaceful experience. Hikers will meander through a lush, ravine forest of hemlock, tulip poplar, and rhododendron, as well as mixed deciduous forest and large sandstone boulders. Bring water and dress for the weather. This 1.2-mile hike will start at 11 a.m. Participants must register by Dec. 29 by calling Beth Byrnes at 606-337-3066.

For more information on these and other Kentucky State Park events, visit: http://www.parks.ky.gov

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 49 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state.

The Kentucky State Parks are part of Gov. Steve Beshear’s effort to improve the health of all Kentuckians. The Governor launched kyhealthnow as an aggressive and wide-ranging initiative to significantly reduce incidence and deaths from Kentucky’s dismal health rankings and habits. It builds on Kentucky’s successful implementation of health care reform and uses multiple strategies – including participation in outdoor activities at state parks -- over the next several years to improve the state’s collective health. Visit the website at: http://kyhealthnow.ky.gov

(Story provided by Kentucky's Department of Parks)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
Related Content