Maintaining a strong showing for yet another year, more than a third of  the parks were selected from more than 3,000 evaluations from parks professionals and campers and based on family-friendly criteria including kid-friendly atmosphere, scenic views, hiking trails, children’s activities and more.

ReserveAmerica is the largest provider of campsite reservations in North America facilitating more than 4 million transactions per year and manages reservations for Kentucky State Park campgrounds.  It provides comprehensive reservation systems to its clients.

State Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer said the ReserveAmerica recognition speaks highly of Kentucky State Parks as a whole.  “That Kentucky State Parks repeatedly earns the confidence and gratitude of users and parks professionals says a lot about the quality we offer.  Not only are five parks out of thousands of campgrounds in the top 100, some parks rank in multiple categories,” he said.  “These awards reinforce how valuable our parks are for the state’s economic development, preserving Kentucky’s natural resources and providing quality recreation and camping opportunities that attract people from all over the nation.”

Five parks named to the Top 100 in North America include Fort Boonesborough State Park, General Butler State Resort Park, Big Bone Lick State Park, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Barren River State Resort Park, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.

The following parks in the system were selected in the top 25 or 50 parks in these categories:

• Amazing Spots– Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Big Bone Lick State Park;
• Bird Watching– John James Audubon State Park;
• Canoeing— Cumberland Falls State Resort Park;
• Educational and Historical Facilities — Fort Boonesborough State Park, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and Big Bone Lick State Park;
• Fishing— Green River Lake State Park and Dale Hollow State Resort Park;
• Hiking— Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Greenbo Lake State Resort Park;
• Horse-Friendly— Dale Hollow State Resort Park, Green River Lake State Park and Taylorsville Lake State Park;
• Kid Friendly— Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and Carter Caves State Resort Park;
• Romantic Spots— Cumberland Falls State Resort Park;
• Scenic Views— Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Dale Hollow State Resort Park and Columbus-Belmont State Park;
• Tours & Events— Carter Caves State Resort Park, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Kenlake State Resort Park; and
• Water Recreation— Nolin Lake State Park and Yatesville Lake State Park.

To view the full Top 100 Family Campground list and all categories, check their website at www.reserveamerica.com/.

“Kentuckians as well as the parks’ staff have much to be proud of with each and every park in the system,” van der Meer added.  “This kind of appreciation is worth gold to all of us who work for the parks department.  We fully intend to continue to meet the high standards that our guests expect for years to come.”

Kentucky State Parks are made up of 51 state parks plus one that is shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 51 parks with lodges, campgrounds, swimming and restaurants.   Each year, Kentucky parks draw millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions for Kentucky’s economy but admission and parking are always free.  Follow us on Facebook.

 For more information about amenities, events and other aspects of KySP, visit the website at www.parks.ky.gov