Exploring Carter Caves State Park With Kids

Carter Caves State Park is an absolute gem to explore with kids. We love exploring state parks with our kids whenever we travel.  Often smaller and easier to manage in a weekend trip than national parks, they also often have more amenities that make them really fun for kids. 

Don’t get me wrong- national parks are still my all time favorite places to go- but state parks are fantastic for short getaways with little kids that may not have the endurance to really explore a park as large as Yosemite or as remote as Glacier. One of our favorite state parks to visit in Kentucky is Carter Caves State Resort Park.

Located in eastern Kentucky, this park is only about an hour and a half from Lexington, KY.  It features cave tours, hiking trails, a lodge, a lake, and horseback riding.  Additionally, there are campgrounds, an incredible playground, and picnic areas that are right next to some of the park’s most popular features.

As a state park, they also host more seasonal events than national parks tend to with fun events such as guided wildflower hikes, a Christmas tour of Cascade Cave, and crafts for kids.

Think Mammoth Cave- but cheaper and possibly a bit more “little kid friendly.”

We took our daughters when they were a preschooler and a toddler and we had an absolutely fantastic weekend, with things left on our list that we definitely want to do again if we return.  So if you’re considering a trip to Carter Caves (especially with kids), here’s what my family recommends: 

The Cave Tours

There are multiple cave tours available.  While the schedule varies based on the time of year, the X-Cave tour and Cascade Cave tours seem to be the most frequently offered all year long.

Cascade Cave

I highly recommend Cascade Cave- especially if you have little ones!  We chose this cave because it had higher ceilings and didn’t involve as much stooping.  With my toddler on my back in her hiking pack, I definitely wanted as much clearance as possible to avoid bonking her little head on the cave or having to stoop all the way to the ground with an extra 25 pounds on my back!  And while there were a couple of spots that I had to bend down just a bit, we made it through the cave without any head bonks!

While we chose this cave just for the clearance, it was incredible for the features.  Anything you could want to see in a cave- this tour had it all in less than an hour.  Stalactites, stalagmites, and columns?  Check.  Underground streams?  Check.  Bats?  Check.  Underground waterfall?  Check.  Part of the tour where they turn off the lights and let you experience total darkness?  Check.  Strange place where the floor was incredibly flat because people had cleared it out generations ago to use as a space to hold ballroom dances and possibly store their moonshine?  Double check.

In all honesty, I couldn’t believe how much this cave had to offer on such an accessible and family friendly tour.  Our four year old absolutely loved how each stop on the tour had a new feature to marvel at.

At Christmas time they decorate Cascade Cave with lights for a special Christmas event.  While we haven’t been, this might have to get added to our travel list one year!

Additional Caves

Cascade Cave was great, but if you’re looking for even more adventure, they also offer wild cave tours.

When we visited in the spring, there were several tours for each cave throughout the day.

You can purchase your tickets for the tours in the welcome center, and while you more than likely don’t need to purchase in advance, I do recommend purchasing as soon as you arrive to the park so that you make sure your preferred tour isn’t sold out.

I also thought the tickets were reasonably priced (especially compared to larger cave systems) and kids under two years of age were free. 

The Hiking

Come for the caves, stay for the hiking.  In an area of Kentucky known for its geological features, the hiking here is fantastic.  Natural bridges, arches, rock outcroppings- it’s a fantastic place for seeing really unique and distinctive geological structures.

Even better- there’s a variety of hikes in terms of length and difficulty, ranging from less than a quarter of a mile to nearing 10 miles.

Natural Bridge Loop

For families with younger children or families who may not want a full hike, I highly recommend checking out the Natural Bridge Loop.  Immediately behind the welcome center, this trail has the feel of a longer hike without any of the commitment.  After just a short walk on the trail following along a creek bed, you’ll see a beautiful natural bridge.  It’s a sight that would be well worth hiking several miles for- I couldn’t believe how close it was to the welcome center.

This is also a great one to pair with a cave tour as it won’t add on too much time to your day.

Three Bridges Trail

For families looking for more of a challenge, I also recommend the Three Bridges Trail.  You can break this up into smaller portions to only do one or two arches, but we chose to do the entire loop and I’m so glad we did.  Featuring a lake view and multiple natural arches, this trail was a great day hike for our young family.  

The next time we go back, I want to try the Horn Hollow Trail.

(And if you’re looking for more tips on hiking with little ones, check out my post here.)

The Welcome Area and Gift Shop

I really think a great welcome area can make or break a trip, and this welcome center is great.  While small, it has a lot to offer.  There’s a small gift shop, but it’s not so large that your kid will spend hours begging for everything in there and a small camp shop with basic necessities.

The staff was helpful and welcoming and helped us really pick out the best cave tour for our family.

Additionally, there’s a great porch out front with large chairs to rest for a second and our kids loved running up and down the porch.  Picnic tables are right outside of the welcome center and right next to the parking lot, making picnics super convenient.

There’s also a large water feature for kids to pretend they’re filtering for gemstones.  While we didn’t spring for the gemstones, my kids still enjoyed putting their hands in the water and exploring how it works.

Lastly, the location of the welcome center couldn’t be more convenient.  Not only is it right inside the park, but it’s right next to several of the main attractions of the park.  The tours for X-Cave meet right outside of the welcome center and several of the park’s most popular hiking trails, including the Natural Bridge Trail, leave right from the parking lot. 

The Playground

With kids, you know a playground can often be their favorite part of the trip.  This playground was AWESOME.  It was in great condition and had a whole variety of slides, swings, and things to climb on suitable for all different ages.

My girls, even though they were tired from their hikes and cave tour, still absolutely loved it and we definitely could have spent a lot more time there.

The playground is also near a picnic area that offers grills.

Benefits of Visiting in Different Seasons

This park is open all year round and each season offers different benefits.

In the winter when the trees are bare you definitely have the best view of the geological features.  Plus, there’s less of a concern with ticks.  Additionally, the caves stay the same temperature all year, so this could be an option even when the weather is too cold to hike.

In the spring, several of the trails feature an abundance of wildflowers, and guided wildflower hikes are also offered.

Summer offers more water activities and the caves can be a cool respite from the heat, but definitely take precautions against ticks.

Fall offers incredible foliage color in Kentucky, but you also want to pay attention to where trials are closed for hunting seasons and be sure you wear visible colors while hiking (more information on this can be found on their website.)

Additional Attractions

While we haven’t camped here yet, there are campgrounds and are something we’d consider doing on a future trip to have more time for the hikes, additional cave tours, and more time to play on the playground.

There’s also a public pool, water activities, horseback riding, and a small mini golf course.  While the mini golf course was incredibly small, it offered a real retro feel.

There’s also a lodge near a lake that offers dining and a variety of room styles. The lodge also offers special occasion meals such as a Thanksgiving dinner and a Mother’s Day brunch.

Plus, you’re near the town of Olive Hill if you need anything that the welcome center doesn’t provide.  There’s several restaurants and a Dollar General.

Carter Caves is a great place for a family to explore. With multiple caves and numerous trails to explore, there’s no shortage of adventures here.