All special events are subject to change and may be cancelled or postponed by the Kentucky Department of Parks due to unforeseen circumstances. Please confirm event schedule prior to arrival for date, time and fee information, especially if you plan to visit a Kentucky State Park for a specific event. Event details and contact information for all 52 Kentucky State Parks can be found on this website.
Carter Caves Crawlathon
1/23/2009 to 1/25/2009
Event has been cancelled.
Carter Caves Valentines Dinner Theater
2/13/2009 and 2/14/2009
Spend some time alone in a naturally beautiful setting nesteled away in the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. Romance that special someone in your life with a nice dinner followed by a theatrical performance. There will be a Friday and Saturday Night Show. Admission to the dinner and the show is $34.95 (+tax) per person. A lodging package will be offered including one night lodging dinner & show for two for $127.90 plus tax.
Carter Caves Quilt Show
2/21/2009 and 2/22/2009
This event is open to the public with free admission. Quilt shop vendors will be onsite on Saturday February 21st. Folks wanting to enter a quilt in the show for judging can do so on Friday February 20th at no charge. For more information contact the Carter County Extension Office at 606-474-6686.
Unbridled Adventure Program “Arches & Karst Trek”
3/7/2009
During the trek you will hike and see two amazing natural bridges, enjoy scenic views of Smoky Lake and see many exposed sandstone & limestone cliffs. The trek continues into the beautiful Horn Hollow Valley where you will get to view the entrance and/or peak inside of Horn Hollow Cave. From there we will hike back to civilization and the comforts of life. Required equipment includes sturdy shoes, a pack lunch, a couple of bottles of water, and a flashlight if you want to peak inside of Horn Hollow Cave. The fee includes the guided hike and a Carter Caves Souvenir. The fee is $20 per person. Meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30am. The trek is approximately 6 miles and 4-5 hours in length. Pre-registration required! Call the Recreation Department at the park to register.
Carter Caves Easter Weekend Getaway
4/11/2009 to 4/12/2009
We will have family oriented programs throughout the weekend. Some of the programs include Easter egg coloring, nature walk and evening entertainment. On Easter day we will be serving our Easter buffet and will have our annual Easter egg hunt with over 1,000 Easter eggs for children 12 and under. Tours of Cascade and X-cave will be on a regular schedule.
Wildflower & Camper Appreciation Weekend
4/24/2009 to 4/25/2009
This weekend has been set aside as a special weekend for campers. Those camping this weekend will be charged the regular camping rate on Friday night and will receive Saturday night camping free! Special rates will apply to campers for mini-golf and cave tours. Some of the recreational prorams include a Smokey Lake canoe trip, crafts, homemade ice cream, and a live performance on Saturday Night. For Wildflower weekend we will have several Wildflower walks and programs to show the guest the beautiful array of the Wildflowers of Carter Caves.
Unbridled Adventure Program “4 c’s Trek”
5/2/2009
Test your endurance into the backcountry of the park on the Carter Caves Cross Country Trail! This 7.5-mile loop excursion is on moderately difficult terrain. It highlights swinging bridges, views of the secluded Smoky Lake and a passage through Shangra La arch. Another bonus is the many spring wildflowers that will be in bloom along the trail. Required equipment includes a sack lunch, good hiking boots, several bottles of water and a backpack to carry your equipment. The fee is $20 per person. The fee includes the guided hike and a Carter Caves Souvenir. The trek is approximately 5-6 hours in length. Meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30am. Pre-registration is required! Call the Recreation Department at the park to register.
Pioneer Life Week
7/20/2009 to 7/26/2009
A week dedicated to the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812 and the settlement of lands around the Ohio river, Reenactors, musical entertainment and many historical programs brings this rich heritage back to life. The pioneer camp is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Other programs include lantern tours Saltpetre Cave, tomahawk throwing, black powder rifle demonstrations, spinning and weaving demonstrations, primitive fire making, and pioneer clothing interpretation. On Saturday is County Fair day which includes displays of flintknapping, arrowheads, old time machinery, woodcarving, appalachian toys and games. We will also have a pie auction, pioneer vittles tasting and a seed spitting contest.
Bill Lepp "Liar" Comedy Dinner Show
8/7/2009
This will be a night full of good food (buffet style) and comedy from the "Side Splitting Funny Man." Bill Lepp, a preacher and five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest, will be on stage to entertain you this evening. He tells original, hilarious tales that will bring a smile to the face of even the most ill humored person. The cost for the dinner and show is $34.95 plus tax per person and $29.00 plus tax per child 12 yrs and under.
Bill Lepp "Liar" Comedy Dinner Show
8/8/2009
This will be a night full of good food (buffet style) and comedy from the "Side Splitting Funny Man." Bill Lepp, a preacher and five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest, will be on stage to entertain you this evening. He tells original, hilarious tales that will bring a smile to the face of even the most ill humored person. The cost for the dinner and show is $34.95 plus tax per person and $29.00 plus tax per child 12 yrs and under.
Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin'
9/9/2009 to 9/13/2009
Traditional musical instruments such as the dulcimer, fiddle and guitar are used to tell stories about life long ago along the foothills of Eastern Kentucky. Wednesday night is a free concert in the Campground. Thursday open stage concert in the ampitheatre. Friday afternoon includes open stage, banjo gathering & dulcimer gathering. Friday night concert in the Ampitheater. Saturday afternoon includes open stage, ballads, storytelling, fiddle gathering & guitar gathering. Saturday night concert in the Ampitheater. Sunday morning there will be a musical gathering in the campground. Concerts and Jam Sessions Ranging from $4 - $10 or get a festival pass for $25 per person.
Unbridled Adventure Program “Trekking into Kiser Hollow
10/3/2009
This is approximately a 7-mile loop excursion on moderately difficult terrain. The extended hike will lead you into the scenic Kiser Hollow Valley during the start of the fall color season. About halfway through the hike we will stop and eat lunch along the secluded Smoky Creek which feeds the parks 45-acre lake. Required equipment includes a sack lunch, good hiking boots, several bottles of water and a backpack to carry your equipment. The fee is $20 per person. The fee includes the guided hike, and a Carter Caves souvenir. The trek is approximately 5-6 hours in length. Meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30am. A short drive to the trailhead will be required. Pre-registration is required! Call the Recreation
Carter Caves Haunted Trail
10/16/2009
The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends. If you dare come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail and don't forget to bring your "Mummy." Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail as one of the best Haunted trails in the region. Admission is $8 per person for the trail. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are each event night from 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Carter Caves Public Pool.
Carter Caves Haunted Trail
10/17/2009
The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends. If you dare come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail and don't forget to bring your "Mummy." Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail as one of the best Haunted trails in the region. Admission is $8 per person for the trail. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are each event night from 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Carter Caves Public Pool.
Carter Caves Haunted Trail
10/23/2009
The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends. If you dare come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail and don't forget to bring your "Mummy." Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail as one of the best Haunted trails in the region. Admission is $8 per person for the trail. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are each event night from 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Carter Caves Public Pool.
Carter Caves Haunted Trail
10/24/2009
The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends. If you dare come and take the walk through our 1/2 mile haunted trail and don't forget to bring your "Mummy." Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail as one of the best Haunted trails in the region. Admission is $8 per person for the trail. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are each event night from 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Carter Caves Public Pool.
Halloween Campout Celebration & Ghost Stories
10/30/2009 to 11/1/2009
Campers come join us for our 6th annual Halloween Campout Celebration. Some of the special activities include site-to-site trick or treating, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, spooky mini golf and a campsite decorating contest. On Saturday night you can imagine yourself encased in total darkness with only the sounds of bats flying through the air. Sounds like a perfect place to spend your Halloween evening with our Ghost Stories in a Cave Program. Bring along a chair and your imagination.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
11/14/2009
This interactive Murdery Mystery Dinner Theater will make an wonderful evening of mystery, comedy, music and great food. Fantastical Theatricals will be back with a new show for this years event. At this time the title has not been released. The title will be released as we get closer to the event. The cost for the dinner and show is $34.95 + tax for adults and $29.00 + tax for children. A one night lodging, dinner and show package is being offered for $127.90 + tax (based on double occupancy). Call 1-800-325-0059 to make reservations.