Big Bone Lick

Ahoy, ye land lubbers!  Pirate Week is coming to Big Bone Lick State Park.  There will be pirate games and pirate crafts.  Find the captain’s lost treasure and return it for a special surprise!  Don’t forget to visit the pirate’s cove, pirate’s hideout, and the shipyard pub.

So set yer sails ya swabbies and have a swimmin’ good time.  Just be careful or the cap’n might make ye walk the plank!

Pirate Week festivities run from Wednesday, June 9 through Saturday, June 12, 2010, and are available only to campers in the Big Bone Lick Campground.

Here is part of a report (edited for clarity) by Shannon of her paddling trip down Big Bone Creek on May 15, 2010:

We put the kayak in the water somewhere along the southwest edge of Big Bone Lick State Park (off Boat Dock Road) at about 12:30 p.m.  Almost immediately we had to get out for the first of a half-dozen or so portages.  The last and worst portage was at the Bender Road bridge, as it was dammed up with debris from recent flooding.

If we were to do this again, we’d start at the Bender Road bridge, because after that, there were no obstructions, just a smooth lazy paddle with nice stretches of shade and sky.

We ended up at the boat ramp at Jane’s Saddlebag — what a GREAT place, with great food, and the proprietor, Nancy, is a fantastic lady.  The trip was about 4 miles, and it took us 2 hours, portages included.  Your mileage may vary.

Read Shannon’s full report at Paddling.net

The Free Fishing Weekend on June 5-6, 2010 is a great time to gather some friends and head to Big Bone Lick State Park.  Enjoy the 7.5-acre lake, a stream stocked with trout, or visit the mighty Ohio River. 

Bait and year-round hunting and fishing permits are available at the park campground store.  A permit is not required to fish Kentucky waters during the Free Fishing Weekend.  Call 859-384-3522 for more information.