Multi use trail within Tygart State Forest that explores the picturesque valley of the stream less Cave Branch Creek which is flowing underground through Bat Cave before it resurfaces near the park entrance. We didn't have enough time to see the caves or some of the other bridges. Is there a swimming beach at this campground, or near here if so where. Hotels near Carter Caves State Resort Park: Restaurants near Carter Caves State Resort Park: offers amazing natural beauty and opportunity for hiking. Other cave passages will require prolonged stooping, bending and scrambling over slick rocks. Blue blazes mark trail. more. I am reviewing the on site lodge too as we stayed there on our visit. This popular trail highlights three of the parks natural bridges including Smoky Bridge (the park's largest), Raven Bridge and Fern Bridge. You walk over a cleaning mat to wash your shoes. We got our 45' MH up the tight curvy access road and through the tighter campground roads but did I mention it was tight ?!? We toured three caves: Cascade, Salt Peter, and X-Cave. Littering or in any way defacing any natural feature will be considered an offense subject to prosecution. This 8.6-mile trail is steep and rocky in places. They have mold all of the shower curtains and dont look like they are ever cleaned. Its premiere attraction is the caves themselves, which act like a doorway to the past, giving RV visitors a peek into the natural history of the park, dating back millions of years ago. WHEELING | Enjoy 3 nights accommodations at Oglebay Resorts Wilson Lodge and 2 rounds of golf at Oglebay Resort Palmer & Jones Courses. Others are undeveloped or access is limited. We stayed in one of the cabins. Cave highlights include the Great Chandelier, the largest formation of stalactites in the cave, cave coral, and formation with such tell-tale names as the Giant Turkey, the Pipe Organ and Headache Rock. Are linens available from the lodge for use in cabins? 1-800-325-0059. Excellent birding opportunities about throughout the park, but of special note is in the mature forests around the campgrounds, cottage area red-headed Woodpeckers, the Box Canyon Trail, and the short trail to Carter Caves Natural Bridge. The entrance to Cascade Cave is located on the side of one of the many sinkholes in the area. Contained in this tract are some of the most impressive caves in the state. Depending on what time of year you go, you can see a lot of bats hanging up on the ceiling. Orange blazes mark trail. Smokey Valley Lake is a 45-acre (180,000m2) lake within the park. Thank you for your post we appreciate your feedback. Swimming is not allowed in the lake. A must-see while you're at Carter Caves is X Cave, where, for millions of years, nature has formed luminous stone fans, pipes and spirals. Over thirty miles of hiking trails encounter seven natural bridges throughout the park. Carter Caves State Resort Park is located in Carter County, Kentucky, United States, along Tygarts Creek. Beneath the forested hills of this resort, nature has hidden more than 20 twisting caverns. Instead, the water is underground. Located close to Carter Caves State Park and Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns, Carter Caves State Resort Park provides mini golf, a playground, and laundry facilities. WNS does not have any effect on humans, livestock or pets. We truly appreciate your feedback. Visit Cascade Cave, where you'll discover a 30-foot underground waterfall. Camping in the Equestrian Campground is open to Equestrian Campers year round. Beware if you own a large rig! The rooms were spacious and they have awesome "private" balconies where you can watch the sun set. Reservations for the Equestrian Campground are accepted ONLY by contacting the Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground directly at 606-286-4411. We did not examine the literature closely enough to realize that all water in the main camping area was shut-off in November. Page content has changed. We went to the Welcome Center to buy gifts and get tickets for a Cascade Cave tour. Perfect for either walking or bicycling, this 2.2-mile trail is paved and located along what used to be the park golf course. Since we love the beauty of the area and the hiking, we w It is so beautiful all through out the park. Carter Caves State Resort Park - Tripadvisor The cave system houses a variety of organisms including: Former Ranger station, now storage and laundry, midway between Visitor Center and Lodge, View of Saltpeter Cave from Visitor Center, Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves, "Preliminary studies on the cavernicolous invertebrates of Carter Caves, Kentucky", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carter_Caves_State_Resort_Park&oldid=1146263056, This page was last edited on 23 March 2023, at 19:48. Bat Cave is the longest cave found within the park. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Our site (and many of the sites) wasn't overly level - but also wasn't obnoxiously not level. In mid-May, the ticks had to be removed every time we took the dog out, even if just along the roads. Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible. Kentucky State Park campgrounds are spread out across the state so you're not too far from being able to enjoy the outdoors. We stayed at Carter Caves SRP over Thanksgiving 2021. Carter Caves State Resort Park (Olive Hill) - What to Know BEFORE You Go. Orange blazes mark trail. Beautiful natural setting. Above ground, enjoy a relaxing game of golf on our 9-hole golf course, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking on 20 miles of single and multi-use trails. Explore the underground wonders of Cindy Cave with a wild cave tour led by a knowledgeable guide. For the current cave tour schedule CLICK HERE then go to the Maps, Menus, More section. Park has many special events yearly and worth checking out. The newly-built structures offer modern conveniences such as automatic dishwashers and microwave ovens along with covered decks that offer scenic views of the parks wooded hills. Longer trails include the 7.2-mile (11.6km) Carter Caves Cross Country Trail (The 4Cs Trail) and the ten-mile (16km) Kiser Hollow multi-access trail, which parallels the 4Cs trail for a couple of miles before encircling the outer boundaries of the park's property. What year did Carter Caves State Resort Park Golf Course open? Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preserves were dedicated for the protection of the Indiana bat, mountain maple, and Canada yew, all endangered species. Carter Caves State Resort Park, a Kentucky State Park located near The course is definitely hilly and a bit short but accuracy is required. Had a great time.THANKS GOLF-NOW!!!! Roads are narrow but can drive RV up/down. Or are they in the center of every two sites and you share? Find out what works well at Carter Caves State Resort Park from the people who know best. Fishing license required for both residents and non-residents and are available at the front desk. Regular grass fairways. Most of the activities were closed while we were visiting (mini-golf, pool, horseback riding). See 165 traveler reviews, 115 candid photos, and great deals for Carter Caves State Resort Park, ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Olive Hill and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Well worth the visit for the caves, hiking trails, etc. We stayed in the lodge, so I can't answer the amenities for the cottages question. Receptionist in Olive Hill, KY. 3.0. on March 17, 2023. love it but no info online about employment. The tent sites do not have water or electric. We do have an outdoor public pool. We really enjoyed it. Carter Caves State Resort Park is located in Carter County, Kentucky, United States, along Tygarts Creek. Helmets and headlamps are provided for the tour. Boat ramp, fishing. Carter Caves State Resort Park - Yelp Discounted lunches from the restaurant, good management, solid work hours. http://parks.ky.gov/regulations/firewood.htm, Please read our Fees and Cancellation Policies, Carter Caves State Resort Park information on Parks.KY.gov, Other Kentucky State Parks Accommodations, Halloween Campout Celebration & Ghost Stories in the Cave, Wildflower and Campers Appreciation Weekend. Permits my not be issued due to bad weather conditions & high water levels. We arrived on a Thursday in May. All that being said, its beautiful here! A few nights there were a few other rigs in the campground - but mostly it was just us. 344 Caveland Drive Olive Hill, KY 41164. Great trails but would never camp here on the weekends. I love this place, but it upsets me that i cant find info about work hour or salary. Please come see us again. The folks at the Welcome Center gave us a nice introduction to what to do at the park. AT&T was worse than Verizon at our campsite. White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is killing 70-100% of hibernating bats in infected caves. Very friendly staff. Footnotes: (applicable only where specifically marked above), Beneath the forested hills of this resort, nature has hidden more than 20 twisting caverns. Then back into where you were first and out of there for a short walk to another section of the cave to see a gorgeous waterfall inside the cave. You are taken in one part of the cave and then out to another section since it is closed off. Please visit us again. Carter Caves State Resort Park Camping | The Dyrt There is lots of good hiking available, with surprises around every turn. Bat Cave is also toured in the summer months, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and is considered a "wild" cave tour since the cave has not been improved for walking tours. GET A DISCOUNT WITH PRO. Great place to visit whether you just want to chill or if you want to hike, bike or kayak. Another reason to Not wear sandals! Secondly, center sites are very close together and many sites slope downward quite a bit. The 0.1-mile trail takes you alongside some striking sandstone cliff faces. Excellent day trip to Carter Caves State Park. Horn Hollow Cave is open year round. We reserved for the weekend. Please note that the Kentucky Department of Parks permits the use of non-licensed vehicles in campgrounds, including golf carts, only by those individuals with a disability. Sandals are not recommended by the way. The par of Carter Caves State Resort Park Golf Course is 35. Contained in this tract are some of the most impressive caves in the state. They end the tour with a free shoe washing due to the "White Nose Syndrome" with bats. WNS was found February 2013 in some of the Park Caves.