Camping at Big Bone Lick State Park: A Complete Guide

Big Bone Lick State Park Camping

In the Fall of 2023, we had our second camping adventure at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site! The park’s central location provided a PERFECT home base for our exploration of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati! We lived in Northern Kentucky for years and never ventured over to this park…in hindsight that was a mistake!

Let’s get the potty humor out of the way, Big Bone Lick is a funny name.

Big Bone Lick has a long history which truly explains the name. While funny sounding today, Big Bone Lick perfectly describes the giant animals, AKA megafauna, that frequented the site during the last ice age!

Pro Tip from Mike and Sara: Big Bone Lick is the birthplace of American Palenotogy.

Fortunately, being a fossil nerd or science geek is not required to have an awesome weekend of camping at Big Bone Lick State Historical Site. Keep reading to learn more about:

Camping at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Family Fun Activities at Big Bone Lick
Exploring Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati

One Minute Review: Big Bone Lick Kentucky

Big Bone Lick State Park’s heard of bison and close proximity to a major city help this park stand out in the Kentucky State Park network! With a nice fully developed campground, hiking trails, mini-golf, swimming pool, and more this campground offers fun for the whole family. The campground is well-maintained and offers outstanding value for your camping dollars!

Keep reading to learn why we enjoyed our visit to Big Bone Lick State Park!

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground

Big Bone Lick Historic Site Campground offers 62 RV / Tent Camping sites. The campground sits atop a large hill and offers campers tons of fun amenities.

Big Bone Lick’s campground has an interesting layout. All sites are back in. Down the main road of the campground are sites on either side of the road and two “pin-wheels” with campsites in the center of the main campground loop.

Each site is spacious, with a nice amount of space between neighboring campsites. On our first visit to Big Bone Lick Campground, we camped in site 7, located in one of the pin-wheels. This time, we camped in site 18.

What Were Our Impressions of the Campground?

We arrived around 6 PM on Friday evening at a campground full of life and energy. Everyone was enjoying a beautiful fall evening. Tents were being set up, campfires built, kids riding bikes and playing. This campground exuded positive energy.

Our check-in process was easy as was navigation to our site. At the camp store, Donna greeted us before we could get out of the truck. She quickly checked us in, and we were off!

Upon arriving at our site (Site 18), we found Site 18 to be very unlevel both side to side and front to back. Our Andersen Levelers worked perfectly to bring us up to level.

We quickly set up our campsite and went to enjoy an evening hike!

Big Bone Lick Campground Amenities

Big Bone Lick Campground provides many fabulous amenities. In our travels, many state parks offer fantastic amenities. While the facilities may be older, the facilities are generally well cared for.

Here are some of the amenities we found most enjoyable:

Easy access to hiking trails. As a family that loves to hike, trailheads that start in the campground are awesome!
Mini-Golf! Mini-golf is not usually high on our to-do list. But, the park went all out decorating the mini-golf course for Halloween. The course was packed with visitors all having a wonderful time!
Swimming Pool. The swimming pool operates seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We missed out on swimming season on both of our visits!
Camp store for all the last-second items. Big Bone Lick Campground’s store was well stocked with essential items for camping. The store offered basic RV camping items, shirts, ice cream, and ice!
Shower house. This is one area where we believe the park can make a big upgrade. The shower houses are dated and don’t feel super clean. I’m sure these bathhouses receive a ton of use. First, there was one bathhouse for all 62 sites. Second, there were a lot of tent campers. In the words of Madeline, “It wasn’t that awful…I guess.”
Laundry. Onsite laundry is an excellent amenity for campers staying over several days on visiting as part of a more extended trip! I believe there were four washers and four dryers. All coin operated.
Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings

What Do I Need to Know About Big Bone Lick State Historical Site Campground?

Here are a few quick tips to make sure you arrive with all the equipment necessary to enjoy your stay at Big Bone Lick State Park Campground!

Campsites have water. Water faucets are sometimes a long way from your camper’s water hook-up. At site 18, we needed nearly 50 feet of hose to reach. Some sites need longer hoses!!
Electric service is 30 AMP. If your RV is 50 AMP make sure you bring a converter.
The campground sits on top of a large hill. From the main highway turnoff into the park, there is about half a mile to three-quarters of a mile drive to the campground. The last third of the drive is up a very steep hill. According to our truck, the grade was 8%!

What to See and Do at Big Bone Lick State Historical Site?

Big Bone Lick State Historical Site offers tons of family fun! With over 500 acres of land outdoor enthusiasts can find many ways to enjoy the great outdoors!

Bison Viewing –

Take a short stroll down the half-mile walking path to the Bison Field. The field is large giving the bison plenty of room to roam about. We find evening time is prime bison viewing.

Throughout our Epic Western Adventure in 2023, we saw bison in Yellowstone, Badlands, and more. Even with all those sightings, viewing the bison in Big Bone Lick was our favorite.

Why?

Simple! We could get super close to their field without being in danger. Getting close to these gentle giants is really special, and we encourage you to check out this outstanding feature of the park.

Nature Trail

Directly behind the visitor center is a nature trail that winds through the woods to the Salt Springs. Along the way are signs explaining what visitors are seeing along with the park’s history. At the salt springs, the pure white ground from the salt was really cool to see!

As I ran along the trail on my morning run, I appreciated that Kentucky is no longer home to saber-toothed cats!

Tour the Museum

We have walked through the museum in the past, but not on our most recent trip. I recall it was well done and definitely worth visiting to understand more of the history of this really important park.

Fun Fact: We visited Breaks Interstate Park in the fall of 2023 and learned the same ice age glaciers that forced the megafauna south into Big Bone Lick helped create the Breaks Canyon! Truly unique how connected our world really is. Learn more about the Breaks in our recent article 5 Amazing Hiking Trails in Breaks Interstate Park.

Enjoy a Hiking Trail

Big Bone Lick State Park offers 5 hiking trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 2 miles. Many trails were going through some reconstruction. So, if hiking is your primary goal, you might better select a different park until Big Bone Lick’s trails are back online.

Gobblers Trace Big Bone Lick - Fall 2023

Picnic and Playgrounds

Big Bone Lick Historic Site provides visitors with numerous picnicking opportunities. Over 40 picnic tables are located throughout the park. Alternatively, visitors can spread a blanket on the open ground and enjoy an afternoon in the sun!

Two modern playgrounds near the visitor center would be a blast for younger kids. Our kids generally don’t spend much time at the playground anymore.

Other Park Ranger-Led Activities

Depending on the season, the staff of Big Bone Lick leads educational programs to share the rich history of the park. These include guided nature walks, school programs, workshops, and lectures. Even if a specific program is unavailable during your visit, check with the museum staff for any questions!

Enjoy an Excursion to a Nearby Attraction!

Big Bone Lick Historic Site’s location in Union, Kentucky is a short drive to some world-class attractions, including:

Newport Aquarium
Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Museums
Cincinnati pro sports (Bengals and Reds)
Ark Encounter
Creation Museum
Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail

How Many Days Should I Plan to Visit Big Bone Lick State Historical Site?

Visitors should plan one or more full days visiting Big Bone Lick State Historical Site.

Big Bone Lick is a perfect destination for a day trip from nearby Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Lexington, Louisville, or Indianapolis.

Visitors can plan on 2 or more days at Big Bone Lick State Historical Site Campground if they want to experience the park for one day and venture to one or more of the many attractions on days two, three, or four.

Day Trip Itinerary

Arrival – Plan to arrive mid-morning at the Big Bone Lick Historic Site Visitor Center. The Visitor Center opens at 9 AM ET
Museum – Enjoy 30 to 60 minutes touring the museum and becoming acquainted with the history of Big Bone Lick
Big Bone Creek Trail – Walk along the Big Bone Creek Trail. This trail includes numerous stops with signs describing the scene visitors see—for instance, the Salt Springs.
Enjoy a Snack Break! – We find offering our kids a snack break helps top off their energy levels, and they enjoy our activities more
Visit the Bison Exhibit – Take the half-mile path back to the bison. Once at the bison field, keep your eyes peeled for the bison, which could be anywhere in the massive field. Unlike out west, you generally don’t need binoculars to see the bison. Visitors may have to walk around the field on the gravel trail to spot the bison. This can be 60 or more minutes.
Picnic – Enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds of Big Bone Lick Historic Site
Take a Hike – Enjoy one of the hiking trails at Big Bone Lick. The Coralberry Trail is 2 miles long and provides a fantastic view of the forest in the park. There are a few hills on the trail. If the weather has been rainy, hiking boots are a plus!

Multi-Day Trip

Lucky you! You get to enjoy camping and sleeping under the stars at Big Bone Lick Campground!

First Day

Same as the Day Trip Itinerary with the bonus of enjoying a fun evening at the campground around the campfire, playing mini-golf, and/or connecting with family and friends

Second Day

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the campground
Enjoy an early morning hike. The Gobbers Trace Trail 0.9 mile leads to the bison. As of Fall 2023, this trail is being renovated, and part is re-routed in the forest. Follow the signs! Take the Coralberry Trail 2.0 miles back to the campground from the bison.
Plan a late morning / early afternoon excursion. Visiting the Ark Encounter is a perfect way to spend the day. Or arrive at the Ark Encounter early in the day and enjoy the rest of the day at the campground and State Park. The Ark Encounter is about 30 miles from Big Bone Lick Campground.
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Newport on the Levy has a lot of restaurant options in that entertainment district. A family favorite is Larosa’s Pizza. This is Cincinnati-style pizza.

Third-Day

Add additional excursions to local attractions as you see fit.
Enjoy the day relaxing at the campground.
Swim at the pool (depending on season) or enjoy some mini-golf as a family!
During the Fall, visit Louisville to check out the Fall Foliage!

Does Big Bone Lick State Historical Site Have Hiking Trails?

Big Bone Lick State Historical Site offers 4.5 miles of hiking trails. Trails range from 0.5 to 2.0 miles and can be “strung” together to create larger loops!

Casual hikers will enjoy this park. And if you enjoy walking through the woods while enjoying the sounds of nature, then you will feel at home!

What Attractions Should I Experience When Visiting Big Bone Lick State Historical Site?

Big Bone Lick State Historical Site is right in the middle of some great options! Head North about 25 miles and visit the Northern Kentucky Riverfront and Cincinnati. Or head South about 25 miles and see the Ark Encounter!

Heading North

Both Cincinnati and the Northern Kentucky Riverfront offer many great family fun options.

Newport on the Levee

The Levee is home to various restaurants, shops, and the Newport Aquarium. Restaurants include casual bites and tasty treats like Brother’s Bar & Grill and Cold Stone Creamery. If you’re seeking entertainment, the Levee has you covered with an AMC Theater to catch the latest movie releases.

When we lived in Northern Kentucky, visiting the Levee was a fun way to spend an afternoon or Friday evening. The atmosphere is full of good vibes and energy!

Newport Aquarium

The Newport Aquarium is located at the Levee. Kids of all ages will enjoy spending an afternoon or all day exploring the ocean’s depths, thanks to the fantastic exhibits at the aquarium. The Newport Aquarium is the only aquarium in Kentucky and is the crown jewel of this entertainment complex.

While visiting with our kids, we loved walking through the giant arched tunnel that allows the marine life to swim freely around visitors! I always felt like I was in the exhibit. The white alligators are a tremendous site to see as well! Plan on at least half a day to enjoy this fabulous attraction!

New Riff Distillery and Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail

If Bourbon Whiskey is your style, you’re in luck! Northern Kentucky’s bourbon trail has exploded with unique options.

New Riff Distillery - Fall 2023
Newport KY

Everyone is niching down, and Northern Kentucky bourbon is no different! They are officially part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. That means these are more newly established or re-established brands and distilleries.

No matter how you look at it, more great whiskey is good!

Mike and Sara recommend checking out New Riff Distillery. Located about three blocks from the Levee, this distillery is impressive! You will love the tour or at least the tasting. We were in the gift shop and overhead a tasting in progress. The guide’s enthusiasm was contagious. When we visit without kids, we will jump into the entire tour. The 60-foot copper still is showcased in the front window (like the lamp leg in Christmas Story!]. It’s a work of beauty!

Cincinnati Attractions

Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky’s neighbor, is a thriving river city. The city has re-emerged into a lively and fun place in the region. Visitors of all ages can find fun things to do year-round!

Butterfly Show

Every spring, the Krohn Conservatory hosts the Buttery Show. During the show, thousands of butterflies are flying freely around the conservatory. Visitors are free to walk through the exhibit and interact with the butterflies.

We visited when Madeline was less than 12 months old, and she loved it! Her face lit up with excitement as butterflies flew around her face and landed on her nose! It’s hard not to smile when surrounded by the innocence of the butterflies!

Kings Island

If you need speed, coasters, and thrills, you will want to drive about 25 miles further north to Mason, Ohio, to Kings Island! Kings Island offers some of the best coasters in the region.

With coasters like The Beast (an old-school wooden coaster), Banshee, or Diamondback, even the biggest coaster fan will walk away impressed with this park. Our kids visit annually and discover a new favorite ride each season. I find it interesting how the names of rides live on. The rides improve, but the name continues to live.

Mike’s tip on coasters: Ride The Beast just after sunset. The coaster travels through the woods, and the low light makes the ride more thrilling! At least that’s how I remember it when I was my kid’s age! This coaster has stood the test of time!

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Cincinnati is home to an outstanding zoo! With Historic sites thanks to the historical architecture of the elephant house, reptile house, and passenger pigeon memorial, the zoo is world-class in every way.

Mike and Sara’s Pro Tip: Wear good shoes! The Cincinnati Zoo has several hills!

During our years living in Northern Kentucky, we visited the zoo annually and created fond memories of spending the day walking around observing the variety of animals. I particularly enjoyed the bald eagle. There is something spectacular about this bird!

Heading South or Staying More Central

Visitors who want to stay more central to Big Bone Lick State also have that opportunity.

Boone County Arboretum

The Boone County Arboretum, also known as Central Park, offers 120+ acres of manicured green space and plant life. This attraction is FREE. The Boone County Arboretum provides a visitor guide to guests, which helps explain the plant species you see as you enjoy the grounds. And provides visitors with an opportunity to walk in a beautiful setting.

Collection areas include trees native to Northern Kentucky, like Oak, Birch, and Cherries, and a butterfly garden designed to attract butterflies throughout the summer!

Check out the Boone County Arboretum visitor guide before you visit!

Boone County Distilling Company

If you’re new to the bourbon whiskey scene, visiting a smaller-scale distillery is a fun way to get close to the distilling process. Kentucky sits on a bed of limestone, which filters our water and makes it ideal for making bourbon whiskey.

Pro Tip: Bourbon is America’s only native spirit.

Boone County Distilling uses a pot still to distill the sour mash into bourbon whiskey. Copper pot stills are beautiful, so take a few minutes and enjoy a quick tour at Boone County Distilling!

Generally, tours run about 45 to 60 minutes and provide a fantastic overview of the history of the distillery and the brand, and in the end, offer a taste of their products. Sara and I find even non-bourbon drinkers enjoy visiting distilleries to learn about the process.

What makes bourbon, well bourbon?

Bourbon, by law, must contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill (e.g., the recipe for making bourbon). And it must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Earning an “age” statement has a few other requirements. The remaining ingredients include Rye and Barley. Of course, some water and yeast are mixed in as well. Otherwise, this is a simple spirit without any added color or flavoring!

Because bourbon is an American spirit, it can be produced anywhere in the country. Most bourbon is made in Kentucky, but distilleries have spread nationwide.

Why Does Kentucky Produce So Much Bourbon?

Kentucky’s rich farmland is perfect for corn production. In early American history, as corn crops were harvested, farmers needed a way to store their crops to prevent spoilage. So, some of the corn was distilled into alcohol. This allowed for trade and fun Friday nights on the prairie!

History of Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

During the last ice age (about 12,000 years ago), colossal ice sheets drove animals like American Mastodons, Giant Ground Sloths, Wooly Mammoths, and more south of the ice sheets. This region provided salt licks and mineral springs the animals needed for survival.

By the late 1730s, explorers began uncovering mega bones of these massive creatures. Thanks to these huge fossil discoveries, Big Bone Lick, by default, became the birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology.

Following the great Lewis & Clark expedition, President Jefferson dispatched William Clark and his brother George Rogers to Big Bone Lick to uncover megafauna fossils.

Salt Production

In my sheltered world, salt comes from the grocery. In the 1800s, salt production was much more involved. Big Bone Lick played a role in the salted production. Daily salt production involved boiling 500 to 600 gallons of spring water to separate the salt. This method produced a bushel of salt. A bushel is equivalent to the space 8 gallons of liquid would occupy.

Salt deposits were later located throughout the Ohio River valley, and salt production in Big Bone Lick stopped.

Healing Power of the Mineral Springs

In the 1800s, with salt production ending, visitors began coming to the area to soak in the mineral springs. I suspect the visitors were limited to the mega-wealthy of the period because the everyman was unlikely to have the cash flow or the time to go sit around in mineral springs. Prominent businessmen constructed hotels to welcome visitors to the area.

In only a few short decades, the economic prosperity we have achieved allows us to take short and long vacations regularly!

Visiting the Ark Encounter

After visiting The Ark Encounter, our best description is that it’s a Christian Disneyland. Picture how the grounds are well kept, the exhibits are world-class, amiable staff, and an overall experience centered around helping visitors have a fantastic day. The Ark Encounter rolls all of that into the total experience.

Despite living close to the Ark and Creation Museum for several years, we never visited until our latest Big Bone Lick Campground camping trip in 2023.

Ark Encounter: Our Review

Visitors of all faiths will find elements they appreciate about the museum. Keeping an open mind is important. Want to read more about our visit to the Ark Encounter?

The creators of the Ark Encounter showcased their creative genius when creating this venue. As soon as visitors enter Floor 1, there are signs disclaiming the creators and designers took liberties to imagine the animals and people on the Ark. While the Ark is a literal and visual interpretation of the story of the Flood during the days of Noah, the museum provides citations for nearly all the statements they present.

The areas surrounding the Ark Encounter offer numerous RV campgrounds. We wrote about the 5 Best Campgrounds near the Ark Encounter to help visitors select the best campground.

Helpful Hints and Frequently Asked Questions

What is Big Bone Lick known for?

Big Bone Lick is the home of American Paleontology

Why is Big Bone Lick Lake closed?

Unfortunately, the 7.5-acre lake is closed. The lake’s dam and if it were to fail, those in or around the lake could be seriously injured. Please respect the signs and keep your distance from the lake.

How much does it cost to go to Big Bone Lick State Historical Site?

Big Bone Lick State Historical Site and the museum are FREE! The campground and mini-golf do have nominal charges.

What animals are in the Big Bone Lick?

Bison are the main attraction. Otherwise, the animals include deer, birds, squirrels, humans, and other small game. There are not any bears…at least that we saw. And thankfully, no saber-toothed cats!!!

Are there any bison in Kentucky?

Yes, and Big Bone Lick Historic Site has a nice size heard. Annually, you are likely to see baby bison!

What dinosaurs lived in Kentucky?

Sadly, no dinosaurs were alive when the ice age pushed the mammoths and other big-boned animals south to Big Bone Lick Historic Site!

Are dogs allowed at Big Bone Lick?

Yes, but keep your side-kick on a leash.

Why is it called Big Bone Lick?

It’s a funny name, but descriptive. Big Bone Lick describes the massive size of the animals that visited the area to enjoy some salty mineral water from Big Bone Lick Creek.

What other campgrounds are nearby?

There are several campgrounds nearby, including:

We have not stayed at these parks, but Kincaid Lake is on our list!

Want to visit Louisville but unsure what to do while visiting? Check out our guide of 27 amazing things to do near Louisville! The top pick is to go on a Bourbon Tour!!

Pulling it Together: Big Bone Lick State Historical Site Camping

We truly enjoyed our time at Big Bone Lick State Historical Site. Big Bone Lick is a true gem in the Kentucky Park system because of the history it preserves and its proximity to so many fun activities. Visitors can have a wonderful time without leaving the campground or can explore Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky while creating once-in-a-lifetime memories!!