Mailing Address

Kentucky Department of Parks

500 Mero Street-5th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

Drone & Commercial Photography Forms

 

Below are permit applications for using a drone at a Kentucky State Park and for commercial photography. Completed forms should go to the park manager. Please note: Some Kentucky State Parks are on property controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If the property is shared by the Corps of Engineers and a drone flies over the property, the client must fill out two  entirely different requests. To learn more about the Corps of Engineers policy click here. Drone applications must be accompanied by a copy of the user license. At this time, the corps also must approve drone use and that process is separate from the state park permit process. Please plan in advance.

 

Drone applications must be accompanied by a copy of the user license and proof of insurance. Without these 2 documents the application cannot be processed.

Open Records Requests

To receive records maintained by and in the custody of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet (TAHC), Department of Parks, please submit your request in writing, identifying the specific records sought. Please be sure to provide your name, address, and daytime telephone number in the event we need to contact you. All requests for records must be signed by the requestor.

 

You may send your request by mail, fax or email to:

Records Custodian
Kentucky Department of Parks
500 Mero Street, Fifth Floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 
Phone: (502) 564-4270 
Fax: (502) 564-1079 
Email: [email protected]

TAHC has five (5) business days from the date of receipt to respond to an open records request. If the documents requested are not available for release within five (5) days, a response will be provided informing the requestor of the approximate date on which the requested documents will be available for inspection.

Latest News

Gov. Beshear Kicks Off 100th Anniversary of Kentucky State Parks, Calls for New Investments To Celebrate Centennial Year

At each stop, the Governor said this legislative session is the perfect time for lawmakers in Frankfort to pass his budget proposal

 

Gov. Beshear: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park To Offer Showers and Water for Clinton County Residents

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park will offer assistance to residents of Clinton County affected by the water shortage from Jan. 23 - 27

 

Carter Caves State Resort Park to Host Winter Adventure Weekend on Jan. 25-28

Kentucky State Parks’ 100-year celebrations are underway, and Carter Caves State Park will host a Winter Adventure Weekend on Jan. 25-28

 

Kentucky State Parks Receives Star of the Industry Award from Kentucky Travel Industry Association

The award recognizes travel professionals who have demonstrated exceptional frontline service

 

Salt Festival Set for October 20-22 at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Visitors can experience a glimpse into the past at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Boone County

 

Old Fort Harrod State Park To Host Sleepy Hollow Experience Sept. 28 – Oct. 31

Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m.

 

Four Kentucky State Parks Recognized as ‘Best in Kentucky’ by Kentucky Living M…

Four Kentucky State Parks were recognized as part of this year’s Kentucky Living 2023 Best in Kentucky

 

Carter Caves State Resort Park To Host Adventure Experience Sept. 23

Carter Caves State Resort Park will host an Adventure Experience on Saturday, Sept. 23.

 

Fraley Music Festival Returns to Carter Caves State Resort Park Sept. 6-9

The Fraley Festival of Traditional Music is set to take place September 6-9 at Carter Caves State Resort Park

 

Waveland Art Fair Returns to Waveland State Historic Site Sept. 9-10

Food trucks, local arts and crafts vendors and talented Kentucky artists will return to the Waveland State Historic Site in Lexington

 

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site To Host Chickasaw Nation Dancers August 25…

The Chickasaw Nation Dancers will present their traditional dances and songs at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site

 

Carter Caves State Resort Park To Host Crawlathon August 12

Carter Caves State Resort Park will host its annual Crawlathon event on Saturday, August 12.

 

My Old Kentucky Home State Park To Accept Portrait of Historic Resident Judge J…

Home Coming celebrates 100-year anniversary of the park

 

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park to Host American Indian Heritage Weekend Apr…

 

The event will explore the history, culture and ancient wisdom of the Indigenous people of the Cumberland Plateau

 

The event will take place 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at My Old Kentucky Home State Park

 

Funding will repair properties, boost tourism industry and economy

 

Orienteering is a navigation sport where competitors use a map and compass to find checkpoints on a course.

 

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park will host a special insect presentation and identification workshop, “The World Under Your Feet,” on March 7.

 

Certification will increase activity in the Casey County community

 

Rough River Dam State Resort Park will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its lodge during the weekend of November 4-6

 

Certification will encourage visitation to the Cumberland County community

 

Certification will encourage visitation to the Cumberland County community

 

The Salt Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Kentucky Battlefield to Host 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville with a National Civil War Reenactment

 

Kentucky State Parks Recognized as ‘Best in Kentucky’ by Kentucky Living Magazine

 

Federal Funding will aid in rehabilitation efforts

 

Now Open for Submissions through October 31, 2022

 

Beach access will be limited to registered campground and lodging guests on weekends and holidays effective May 28, 2022

 

Sealed bids must be submitted by Feb. 14

 

Cherokee State Park served as only state park for African-Americans during Jim Crow Era

 

Kentucky State Parks Recognized as ‘Best in Kentucky’ by Kentucky Living Magazine

 

Big Twigs attraction expected to bring new guests to Muhlenberg County

 

Golf course renamed “The Cullan at Mineral Mound” to honor Brown’s legacy

 

New 16 court complex to bring guests and tourism dollars to Louisville

 

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Beach Access to be Limited Due to Ongoing Safety Concerns

 

Employees share their favorite spots for the perfect Kentucky safe-cation

 

Park remains open to the public

 

Lincoln Homestead is one of 13 Kentucky State Park Golf Courses

 

Lower lake levels expected through summer/early fall

 

All Kentucky State Parks Remain Open to the Public

 

Special Camping Deals Available During April

 

Has worked at park since 2007

 

Bardstown native recently managed Taylorsville Lake State Park

 

Deadline for bids is Feb. 10

 

4-Week Series Features Kentucky Historical Figures

 

First Program is Jan. 25

 

Offered at Lake Barkley, Kenlake and Kentucky Dam Village state parks

 

No injuries reported

 

Located in Mayo-Underwood Building

 

Event in its 11th year

 

Has authored books on Civil War, active in history organizations

 

Learn about frontier customs and traditions

 

Part of effort to make repairs and safety upgrades at parks

 

Plans call for wastewater treatment, roof and safety upgrades

 

16 Resort Parks Serving 10,000 Guests

 

Passes for single courses offered for 2020

 

No Camping, Military Demonstrations or Food

 

37th Annual Event Scheduled for Oct. 18-20 in Boone County

 

Battle re-enactments, soldier camps, ghost walk and more planned

 

Learn about 18th century life at Fort Boonesborough

 

Arts, Music, Food, Kids Games and More

 

Learn about life in the 18th century

 

Part of Archaeology Month

 

My Old Kentucky Home Awarded First Place for Historic Site

 

Musical instruments tell stories about traditions in Eastern Kentucky

 

Recommended for guides, outdoor groups, emergency medical personnel

 

Parks veteran Jack Winburn is new manager

 

Sign Up For Free Prizes

 

Learn about life in late 18th and early 19th centuries

 

Free Event Starts at 5 p.m.

 

Chris Fugate, Chris Cary Named to Manager Positions

 

Authors To Discuss, Sign Books at Free Event

 

Kentucky State Parks Also Recognized for Preservation Support

 

Free with fort admission

 

Lodge pools, community pools and beaches available this summer

 

Races Also Planned at Yatesville Lake and Natural Bridge

 

First Weekend is May 18-19 at Barren River Lake

 

Starts May 25 at Northern Kentucky Park

 

Program Helps Send Students to Kentucky State Parks

 

Up to 10 percent discounts available at 17 resort parks

 

Free demonstrations and activities planned

 

Egg Hunts For Kids Planned

 

Vine Grove Native Has Pro Fishing Background

 

Available at Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley and Kenlake

 

Six Dates Available

 

Has worked at Pine Mountain State Resort Park Since 2001

 

Ash Trees Infected by Emerald Ash Borer

 

Has Worked at Park Since 2011

 

Held under Land and Water Conservation Fund Act

 

Part of Land and Water Conservation Fund Act

 

Deadline for bids is Feb. 18

 

Park to open Moonbow Café across from Gift Shop until Riverview Restaurant reopens in Spring 2019

 

4-Week Series Features Kentucky Historical Figures

 

Festival features live demonstrations of pioneer life and frontier skills.

 

Weekend includes battle re-enactments, museum tours, soldier camps

 

School of the Soldier featured this year

 

Battle re-enactments both days

 

Part of Kentucky Archaeology Month

 

Announced at 2018 Kentucky State Fair

 

Food, local brews, talented artists return for fair

 

Background Includes Tennessee State Parks

 

Folk, old-time, western, western swing, early country, and others are played

 

Pennyrile Forest, Mineral Mound Courses To Close

 

Step Back in Time at Pioneer Encampment

 

50 percent off Sunday-Thursday

 

Good Weekdays Sunday-Thursday

 

Lake Being Drained Due to Leak

 

Lake Level Being Lowered

 

Officials Monitoring Lake

 

Visiting Several Parks In July

 

Events at White Hall and Waveland historic sites

 

On Saturdays During Summer

 

Quilt Event is June 8-10

 

June 23 event offers information about ancestors

 

June 9 event held at state parks across the state

 

Arts and Crafts Festival Set For May 26-27

 

The New Kentucky State Parks Culinary Trail and nine regional signature meals

 

Buffet on May 13

 

Corbin Native Wes Lanham Named