Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park near Dawson Springs will host nature photography workshops Friday through Sunday, April 17-19, 2009.

Cumberland Falls, the park with the largest natural waterfall south of Niagara, has hosted an annual nature photography weekend for more than 25 years.  The program offers photographers inspiring guest speakers as well as a 24-hour competition.

Competition this year is digital only, and there will be six categories to enter. All shots must be taken during the weekend within the Cumberland Falls area. Cost of the event is $40 per person, and registration is limited to 100 participants. The registration deadline is April 10.

The region surrounding Cumberland Falls is a nature photographers’ dream come true.  Featuring abundant waterfalls and natural stone arches mixed with unique and diverse plant life, the location inspires the photographer with limitless image-making opportunities.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park will also hold a spring photography weekend April 17-19. This weekend consists of a digital photography contest with point and shoot, intermediate and masters divisions, evening programs, critique and an award ceremony. Bring your own camera. Registration is $35. Register by April 10 and receive a $5 discount. Children 16 and under can enter the competition for a reduced fee of $10. The park will offer a 10 percent discount on lodging this weekend.  Evening programs are at 8 p.m. CST.  For more information, call Rebecca Clark at (270) 797-3421 or 1-800-325-1711 or email rebeccae.clark@ky.gov .

Contestants in Pennyrile Forest’s competition will be able to take photographs anywhere within the neighboring 14,000-acre Pennyrile State Forest as well as certain locations within the state park. Possible photograph categories are water, nature’s fury, and wildflowers.

Guests at Cumberland Falls may stay in the historic DuPont Lodge or in a fully furnished cottage.  The Riverview Restaurant serves a variety of cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If camping is more your style, there are RV and tent sites.  To make a lodging reservation or to request a brochure of the event, please call 1-800-325-0063 or email BretA.Smitley@ky.gov.  

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is 20 miles southwest of Corbin. Take US 25W to KY 90. From I-75 south, take exit 25. From I-75 north, take exit 15. Follow directional signs leading to the park.

Guests at Pennyrile Forest may stay in Pennyrile Lodge or a fully furnished cottage.  The accommodations tend to fill-up quickly for photography weekends, so reserve early. The Clifty Creek Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At this time we are unsure if our campground will be open for spring photography weekend, due to the ice storm damage.  To make a lodging reservation or ask about camping availability please call 1-800-325-1711.

Pennyrile Forest has a lodge, cottages, restaurant and hiking trails. The resort is 20 miles northwest of Hopkinsville, on KY 109 N. From the Western Kentucky Parkway, exit at Dawson Springs and take KY 109 south.