Carter Caves State Resort Park
Olive Hill, KY
A wooded park in eastern Kentucky with cave tours, natural stone arches and quiet forest trails. Book a guided cave walk on arrival, and bring a light jacket since the caves stay cool all year.
Carter Caves State Resort Park covers about 2,000 acres (roughly 800 hectares) in Carter County along Tygarts Creek. It was established in 1946, after the J. F. Lewis family and local investors donated 945 acres to the state. The largest cave is Cascade Cave, with an underground lake and a waterfall about 9 m (30 ft) high. X Cave is named for its crossing passages. There are also seven natural bridges, among them Smoky Bridge, 27 m (90 ft) high and 37 m (120 ft) wide, and about 42 km (26 miles) of hiking trails.
Bat Cave is a protected nature preserve because it is the winter home of endangered Indiana bats; it is open only in summer, as is Saltpetre Cave, to protect bats from white-nose syndrome. According to the park, tours of other caves run year-round. Plan half a day for a cave tour and a walk to one of the bridges. The park has a lodge, cabins and a campground. Check current tour schedules in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Olive Hill, KY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 38.3739, -83.1222
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Carter Caves CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Carter Caves State Resort Park
- Horse CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Carter Caves State Resort Park
- Greenbo Lake State Park CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Carter Caves State Resort ParkCaravans
- Shawnee State Park Ohio River CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Carter Caves State Resort ParkTentsCaravans
- Camp OyoCampsite24 mi from Carter Caves State Resort Park
- Shawnee State Park Turkey Creek CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Carter Caves State Resort ParkTentsCaravans
All campsites in Kentucky · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Carter Caves State Resort Park?
Carter Caves State Resort Park is in Olive Hill, KY, at GPS 38.3739, -83.1222. It is about 67 mi from Chillicothe.
Can you camp near Carter Caves State Resort Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Carter Caves Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Carter Caves State Resort Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Sky Bridge (46 mi), Serpent Mound (48 mi), Nada Tunnel (49 mi) and Natural Bridge State Resort Park (51 mi).
When is the best time to visit Carter Caves State Resort Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)