7 National Parks in Kentucky with FREE Printables for Kids

Kentucky is a beautiful state with a rich history and surrounded by by three rivers and the Appalachian Mountains. But did you know that the national parks in Kentucky also have FREE activity books, enrichment activities and even traveling trunks to help your kids learn about it’s history, ecosystems and more?

National Parks in Kentucky

Kentucky, also called the Bluegrass State, is full of rolling hills, deep river valleys and amazing nature and history opportunities. It has one national park, two national historic parks, a national river and recreation area, a national battlefield and two national monuments.

If your family has history buffs, or an outdoor enthusiast, there is something for everyone when visiting Kentucky. It is a great place to take a road trip to visit the national park sites, and historic sites in the area, as well as spending time in the great outdoors.

And even if you can’t visit in person, these sites have FREE printables and resources to add to your homeschool lessons. Let’s explore the parks to see what they have to offer.

1. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is located in located in south-central Kentucky and is home to the longest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles of explored passageways and natural resources.

This national park has human history with evidence of the early life of prehistoric explorers, as well as a diversity of plant and animal life. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

Things to Do:

• Cave Tours – Take a guided tour through a cave, with many different options and difficulty levels as well as history themed tours. For the adventurous you can take a tour where you crawl through small passaged in the cave. There is even a wheelchair accessible tour available for those with limited mobility.
• Ranger Led Programs – There are ranger talks and ranger walks on walking trails throughout the park to learn more about the history and nature and wildlife in the area.
• Educational Programs – Learn about geology, history, and conservation.
• Visitor Center -Features interactive exhibits on the cave’s geology, history, and ecosystems. Visitors can learn about cave tours, purchase tickets, and maps for hiking. There’s also a gift shop, short film screenings, and a café.
• Outdoor Activities – Hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and more.
• Water Activities – Go canoeing, kayaking and boating along the Green and Nolin Rivers.
• Camping – The park has has three frontcountry campgrounds that offer common camping amenities which is close to the visitor center area and cave tours. There are even primitive backcountry camping sites.
• Special Events – The park holds special events throughout the year. Check their calendar or contact the park to confirm dates. Events can include:
  – Bat Night in August
  – Cave Sing in December
  – Black History Month in February
  – International Dark Sky Week in April
  – Wildflower Day in April

Mammoth Cave Free Printables for Homeschool

Mammoth Cave has multiple free educational resources that can be used to study caves, bats, and more. Here are a few to explore:

– Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger

Mammoth Cave has both an in-person and online Junior Ranger program for kids ages 4-13+. It’s a great way to add this amazing cave system to your homeschool lessons when you visit the cave or complete the activities at home.

If you aren’t able to visit in person, simply download the Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger book from the NPS site. Once completed you can either download a virtual Junior Ranger badge or purchase a patch online. To get your copies of the book & virtual badge, head over to the Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger page.

– Junior Cave Scientist Program

If your kiddos really love caves, then we also recommend the Junior Cave Scientist activity booklet from the National Park Service. They will have the opportunity to learn more about caves, karsts and what cave scientists actually do. A certificate, badge and title are included.

– Free Curriculum

This National Park in Kentucky has free lesson plans with activity sheets called “Making Connections: A Curriculum Guide to Mammoth Cave National Park, GrK-3” available for educators. You can get your copy by emailing the park.

If you are looking for the enrichment or activity ideas without the activity pages then check out these 7 ideas available online on their Curriculum Materials page:

• Webbing the Wonders
• Tasty Trees
• Squirrels Need a Home – or – Bats Need a Cave
• Shapes of the Season
• Park Puzzle
• Mammoth Cave Mobile
• Clay Caves

Mammoth Cave Special Distance Learning Program

If you do not live in Kentucky, or aren’t planning a visit there, you can participate in special distance learning programs.

The Environmental Education department at Mammoth Cave National Park is offering free virtual programs for K-12 students across the nation during 2024. The project is called: “The Longest Cave in the World to the World”.

Program topics include: geology, plants and animals, Mammoth Cave history, and National Park Service careers. Programs will last approximately 45 minutes and can be presented on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.

2. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace is located in central Kentucky, near the town of Hodgenville. This historic park preserves the early life of the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky’s frontier shaped his character and prepared him to lead the nation through the Civil War. 

Things to Do:

• Tour the Memorial Building – This is a massive granite and marble memorial building that houses a symbolic log cabin representing Lincoln’s birth home.
• Visit Lincoln’s Farm Sites – See the Sinking Spring and Knob Creek Farm sites, where Lincoln lived and worked as a child.
• Visitor Center– Here you can see the Lincoln family Bible and watch a short film about Lincoln’s early life in Kentucky.
• Ranger Programs and Guided Tours – Learn more about the childhood of Abraham Lincoln with these educational programs, tours and special events.
• Go hiking and picnic in the many beautiful picnic areas on the property.

Abraham Lincoln Historic Park Free Printables for Homeschool

The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park also has multiple free educational resources that can be used to learn more about the 16th President of the United States.

– Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Junior Ranger Book

This park has an in-person Junior Ranger program for ages 6-13+, while students who aren’t able to visit the park can still learn more about Abraham Lincoln through questions, match, mazes and more with the digital Jr. Ranger book.

– Lesson Plans & Enrichment Ideas

This Kentucky National Park has multiple lesson plans and enrichment ideas to use for an Abraham Lincoln Unit study, sinkholes, erosion and more. There are currently 16 free lesson plan ideas for K-2 grade students and 11 lesson plan ideas for 3-5 grade students available here including:

• Abe’s Child Adventures
• Happy Trails: A Natural Exploration Activity
• 1800 and Froze to Death
• Lincoln’s Legacy
• Building a Cabin: Math

3. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is located in both Kentucky and Tennessee. It Kentucky it is located in McCreary County. The National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries.

There are miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs and outdoor recreation activities for the whole family.

Things to Do:

• Birthday Celebration – Right now it is hosting many special events for its 50th birthday celebration!
• Visit the Blue Herring Mining Community – Learn about the history of coal mining in this mining town that was owned by the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company.
• Extreme Outdoor Activities – Go whitewater rafting on the Big South Fork River, mountain biking through the backcountry or rock climbing on the miles of cliff lines throughout the park.
• Hiking – Take a short hike around the river, or a multi-day backpacking hike.
• Nature Viewing – In the springtime, there are beautiful wildflowers on display through the bluffs, gorges and hiking trails.

Big South Fork Free Printables for Homeschool

Big South Fork also has free resources to help you homeschool including:

– Big South Fork Junior Ranger

The Junior Ranger program at Big Fork is available in person as well as online in both English and Spanish. Kids ages 6+ can learn about animal tracks, water safety and more. Grab your free copy here.

– FREE Teacher Guides

If you would like to prepare your kids for a visit to the Big South Fork then these free teacher guides discussing plants, animals, forest ecosystem, plant lifecycle and more are worth looking at.

4. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park is is located in the southeastern part of Kentucky, near the town of Middlesboro. It also into the states of Tennessee and Virginia as well.

This National Historic Park encompasses the Cumberland Gap, a natural pass through the Cumberland Mountains that was historically used by Native Americans and later by early American pioneers heading west during Westward expansion.

Things to Do:

• Cumberland Gap – Explore the historic gap that was a crucial passage for early settlers moving west. There’s a scenic overlook and interpretive signage.
• Visitor Center – See exhibits about the park’s history and natural features.
• Historic Sites – Visit the Hensley Settlement, a preserved mountain community that offers a glimpse into early Appalachian life.
• Cave Exploration – The park has several caves to explore, such as the Gap Cave, though some may require guided tours or permits.
• Scenic Drives – Enjoy scenic drives through the park with various viewpoints and pull-offs.
• Wildlife Viewing – The park is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, black bears, and a variety of bird species.
• Camping, Hiking and Backpacking
• Guided Ranger Tours
• Special Events – The park can offer Civil War living history experiences. Check their calendar or contact them for specific dates.

Free Homeschool Resources at Cumberland

Cumberland Gap National Park has fewer resources than the parks listed above but they do have a Junior Ranger activity book that can be used as a part of your homeschool lessons. Get your free copy either in person or email the park to get a downloadable copy to print.

5. Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is located primarily in Tennessee, but also at the border of Kentucky. It is home to a significant Civil War site. The battlefield commemorates the February 1862 battle that was a major Union victory and marked a turning point in the Union’s efforts to control the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Things to Do:

• Visitor Center – Get maps, brochures, and information about the battlefield. The center also has exhibits about the battle and its impact.
• Battlefield Tour – Take a self-guided driving tour through the key sites of the battle, including the fortifications, artillery positions, and key terrain features.
• Historic Fortifications – Explore the remains of the original fortifications, including the earthen walls and defensive structures that played a critical role in the battle.
• Cemetery = Visit the National Cemetery where many soldiers who fought in the battle are buried.
• Walking Trails – There are several trails around the battlefield that offer a closer look at the terrain and historical markers.
• Ranger Led Programs: There are ranger led tours and educational programs to learn more about the battle and its importance in history.

Free Printables about Fort Donelson

If you want to expand your Civil War lessons this year, then these Fort Donelson freebies can help your students and families learn more.

– Fort Donelson Junior Ranger

The Junior Ranger program at big fork is available in person as well as online. Kids ages 6+ can learn about cannons, rivers as highways, honoring our heroes and more. Download your free copy, complete it, and then mail it to the park to get your badge.

– FREE Curriculum Materials

Learn about the Freedman’s Camp, fortifications, Civil War nurse Mary A. Newcomb and more with these free lesson plans geared toward 3rd-12th grade students.

– Traveling Trunks

Fort Donelson currently has three traveling trunks available to borrow for FREE. This is a great way to give older elementary students a tangible, hands-on link into the past. While some parks are willing to mail trunks, Fort Donelson offers these for pick-up only. Current traveling trunk topics are:

• The UGRR and U.S. Soldier at Fort Donelson
• Life as a Civil War Sailor in the US Navy
• Sarah’s Journey

6. Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument is is located in Nancy, Kentucky. It commemorates the Battle of Mill Springs, which took place on January 19, 1862. This battle was one of the early engagements in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and marked a significant Union victory.

Things to Do:

• Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and Museum – Watch a short film about the Battle of Mill Springs. The museum features the Combat on the Cumberland exhibit with Civil War artifacts and replicas.
• Battlefield Tour – Take a self-guided driving tour through key areas of the battlefield, including significant sites and viewpoints.
• Historic Sites – Explore the preserved areas of the battlefield, including the locations of key engagements and military positions..
• Ranger Programs – There are ranger led tours and educational programs that provide in-depth information about the battle and its historical context.
• Interpretive Exhibits – There are various signs and markers around the park to learn about the battle’s strategies and key figures.

Free Mills Springs Battlefield Junior Ranger Book

The Mills Springs Battlefield has a FREE Junior Ranger activity booklet available for kids to learn more about the battle. Because the activities need to be completed onsite, it does not have an option to download. If you are visiting Kentucky then this is one National Park to be sure to visit in person in order to get your FREE copy.

7. Camp Nelson National Monument

Camp Nelson National Monument is located in Jessamine County, Kentucky, near the city of Nicholasville. The site preserves the history of Camp Nelson, which was one of the Union Army’s largest recruiting and training camps for African American soldiers during the Civil War. It also served as a refuge camp for formerly enslaved people and their families.

Things to Do:

• Historic Structures – Explore the preserved and reconstructed buildings that were part of the camp, including barracks and officer’s quarters.
• History Exhibits – The visitor center and site include exhibits that highlight the role of Camp Nelson in recruiting African American soldiers and providing refuge for freed slaves.
• Walking Tours – Take a self-guided tour of the site to see key locations, including the cemetery where many soldiers and civilians are buried.
• Ranger Led Programs – There are ranger led tours and talks to learn about the history and significance of Camp Nelson during the Civil War era. Learn about the contributions and experiences of African American soldiers and their families.
• Interpretive Trails – Walk along trails that have interpretive signs detailing different aspects of the camp’s history.

Be a Camp Nelson Junior Ranger for FREE

Did you know that Kentucky had a supply depot that became the largest recruitment center for the United States Colored Troops? The FREE Junior Ranger activity book will give kids 5-11+ a fun and engaging way to learn more. It’s available at the park or download a copy to complete at home.

In Conclusion

The national parks in Kentucky are definitely worth exploring if you live or visit the state. Their FREE activity books, lesson plans and traveling trunks can also make learning history and science more enjoyable for your kids. Be sure to get your free copies today!