Get your red, white and blue on at Kentucky State Parks this July.
Enjoy Fourth of July activities at a Kentucky State Park this year. Events include fireworks displays, picnics, entertainment and more.
Some parks are having weekend events, while others are hosting events earlier in the week. See the list below for event dates and descriptions. Kentucky State Parks have lodges, cottages, restaurants, campgrounds, historic sites, marinas, golf courses, hiking trails, fishing and many more recreational activities.
To make lodging or camping reservations or to learn more about Kentucky State Parks and events, click here.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
Fireworks on July 4
It’s a blast at Barren River’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration sponsored by The Friends of Barren River Lake. There will be plenty of patriotic fun including tie dye T-shirts and the annual Float Your Boat contest. There will be live entertainment starting at 6 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at dusk on July 4. Call 1-270-646-2151.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Celebrate Independence Day Weekend, July 3-5
Activities at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park will begin Friday, July 3, at 2 p.m. with water raft races (bring your own water raft), water balloons, corn hole, horseshoes, and beach volleyball. There will be music with a DJ before the fireworks. Food booth will be open near the beach. Fireworks Friday at dusk. A Friday dinner buffet from 5-8 p.m. will include ribs, catfish, chicken and dumplings, vegetables, and assorted desserts. The price is $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 6-12, and free for all children 5 and under. This price does not include drink, tax or gratuity. On Saturday from 5-8 p.m., there will be a buffet with pot roast, fried chicken and catfish, vegetables and assorted desserts. Price will be $14 for adults, $7 for children 6-12, and free for all children 5 and under. This price does not include drink, tax or gratuity. Family activities will continue through Saturday and Sunday around the park. Call 1-800-325-0058 for more information.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Laser Light Show July 3
Enjoy a laser light show after dark at Cumberland Falls on July 3. Bring your camp chairs to this family event. Tickets are $5 a person; children under 12 are $3. Tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance by calling 800-325-0063. Friday and Saturday, the park will have games, music, crafts and food.
Jefferson Davis State Historic Site, Fairview
Fourth of July Celebration
Visit the park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a re-enactment of the signing of the document, a parade of soldiers old and new, period music and vendors. For more information, call 270-889-6100.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
Fourth of July Weekend, July 3-5
Enjoy recreational and nature programs along with holiday activities and crafts all weekend. Tickle your taste buds and your ears during “Friday after 5” on July 3, with live music on the May Lodge patio overlooking scenic Dewey Lake. If you are looking for some interactive historical fun, check out the Kentucky Chautauqua program featuring Mel Hankla as George Rogers Clark beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at the campground dance pad. If you want to kick up your heels, take part in the square, folk, and country line dancing program each night starting at 8 p.m. Fireworks can be seen in nearby downtown Prestonsburg on Saturday, July 4. For more information call 1-800-325-0142.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
Fourth of July Celebration
The annual free fireworks display will begin at dusk Saturday over Kentucky Lake and can be viewed at multiple locations around the park. A free concert by the classic rock band Cantageous will play from 7 p.m. until the fireworks begin at the Old Beach. Numerous recreation activities will be available over the holiday weekend. Call 1-800-325-0146 for more information.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
Third of July Celebration
Lake Barkley State Resort Park will present a free fireworks show on July 3 at the beach. Donations will be accepted. Vendors will be selling food and glow in the dark items at this event. The park’s Windows on the Water restaurant will be serving a seafood buffet on July 3. The cost is $16.99 for adults; $8.99 for kids 6-12, and 5 and under eat free. For information, call 270-924-1131.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown
Independence Day Celebration July 3-5
Family activities will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a corn hole tournament, youth archery, balloon launcher, and other outdoor games and activities. On Saturday at 7 p.m. there will be a live magic show featuring Dave Cottrell at the campground amphitheater. Fireworks will be held at the park on Saturday evening at dusk. Call the park for more information at 1-800-325-1709.
Levi Jackson State Park, London
Holiday Celebration July 3-4
On Friday, July 3, the Kentucky Reptile Zoo presents “The World of Reptiles” with Scott Shupe at 2 p.m. at the campground shelter. On Friday at 8 p.m., “Tales of the Thunderbolt People” Cherokee demonstration by David Owens will be held. On Saturday, July 4, the annual Fourth of July bicycle parade starts at noon. Decoration and face-painting begin at 10:30 a.m. Call 606-330-2130 for more information.
Paintsville Lake State Park, Paintsville
Holiday Weekend Fun
Weekend events at Paintsville Lake State Park will include “The World of Reptiles” with Scott Shupe on Friday at 7 p.m.; and Dave Stahl, “the Piano Doctor,” on Saturday at 6 p.m. Both events will be at shelter No. 3. Call 606-297-8486 for more information.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
Independence Day Celebration July 4-5
Celebrate Independence Day at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Family activities will be held at the beach on both Saturday and Sunday. Join them for a beach party including a limbo contest. There will be a sidewalk chalk art competition, tie-dye T-shirts ($8 per shirt) and a beach volleyball tournament. A sand sculptor will be hard at work carving a sand sculpture on the beach both days; he will hold a short class at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Food will be available for purchase at the beach shelter. Fireworks will be held at Riverside Park in Dawson Springs on July 3 after the Mila Mason concert that begins at 8:30 p.m. The fee for the concert and fireworks is $10 per car. Call 270-797-3421 for details.
Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough
Rumble over Rough River, July 4
Rough River Dam State Resort Park will host the annual Rumble over Rough fireworks display on July 4. The park will offer a variety of recreational activities throughout the day for park guests and visitors. At dusk, tune your radios and listen to patriotic-themed music as you watch the fireworks display rumble over Rough River Lake. Call the park directly for more information at 1-800-325-1713.
Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville
Third of July Fireworks
The third annual Fireworks over Taylorsville Lake on Friday, July 3, at the Possum Ridge Ramp at Taylorsville Lake State Park will begin at dark. Call 502-477-8713 for details.
From the Kentucky State Parks