KY Great River Road

08/19/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KY Great River Road Unveils Vibrant New Mural Celebrating Community Spirit and Local Heritage

Some special thank yous to:
-Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative, City of Wickliffe, Kentucky, Mississippi River Parkway Commission for their generous donations.
-Property owner, Chip Bisson for his collaborative work.
-JPEC Team for helping prepare the wall.
-Finally, Shanden Simmons with HUSH ART for his unbelievable creativity and artwork.

See more below.

08/01/2024

Hey all you teachers, head over to Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site for free admission and other goodies!

Teacher Appreciation Days this weekend!

07/26/2024

Someone had a party last night!

A shedding party, that is. Arrow here shed his skin once more last night and is looking particularly beautiful this morning!

Here's a couple of Cornsnake lighting facts this morning!

Did you know, that while corn snakes are native to our state, Red Corn snakes are found in two populations in Kentucky? It is most common within Mammoth Cave National Park and several of the surrounding counties. Records also exist within the Red River Gorge Geologic Area. Red Cornsnakes use a variety of habitats including hardwood forests, and agricultural fields and often hang around human inhabitants, especially barns.

Also, snakes can shed between 4 and 12 times a year! Not so little Arrow here sheds around once a month, so he falls into the latter category of shedding patterns.

Today is feeding day, and after the ruckus he caused last night, we expect Arrow to be hungry and active!

Stop by the park and check him out in his new, sleek enclosure, and catch this dude in action!!

(Now it's time to clean up and serve our boy some breakfast! - Erin, Park Interpreter)

(References:
Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus). Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus) | Kentucky Snake Identification. (n.d.). https://kysnakes.ca.uky.edu/snake/pantherophis-guttatus #:~:text=Habitat%2FRange,Red%20River%20Gorge%20Geologic%20Area. )

07/24/2024

07/11/2024

07/09/2024

Pottery class at Wickliffe Mounds?? YES!

As Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Kentucky celebrates 20 years and Kentucky State Parks celebrates 100 years, it’s a great time to stop by the site’s museum. ⚱️ On July 13, Wickliffe will host a special Pottery Program demonstrating how Mississippian Native Americans used natural clay for everyday uses. You can make a pinch pot of your own! Free with museum admission. For more info, visit parks.ky.gov.
Kentucky State Parks

07/08/2024

Aerial rough composite mosaic of the “Barlow Bottoms” Wetland Area of Western Ballard County, KY

Natural wetlands make up most of the western 1/3 of the county and flood when the rivers go up. The flooding in this area of wetlands can be 4-5 miles wide.

Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve is a 458 acre nature preserve located in Ballard County, in the Barlow Bottoms. The preserve is part of the 3,000-acre Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex which supports at least eight rare plant and animal species. The site has been recognized as a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

07/04/2024

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July from the KY Great River Road!

07/04/2024

Happy 4th!

07/03/2024

06/30/2024

Looking for a way to enjoy this summer along the KY Great River Road? Head down to the Ballard County Bottoms to Castor Lake for a kayak trip through the bald cypress trees🚣🐟

📸: Lindsey Hargrove, Ballard County

06/24/2024

In celebration with Kentucky State Parks 100 year anniversary we’re taking a closer look at 100 important people that helped shape the park system into what it is today or were simply a part of its history! Today we're featuring Kit W. Wesler.

Kit W. Wesler (1955-2016), professor of archaeology at Murray State University, was the Director of the Wickliffe Mounds Research Center from 1983-2004. He conducted summer field schools at the Wickliffe Mounds archaeological site each year, to teach and train students in the methods of archaeology and museum studies. Educational programs and scientific research were his primary contributions to Wickliffe Mounds, leaving a legacy for visitors, staff, and students alike. The Wickliffe Mounds was transferred to the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s State Parks in 2004, to honor and preserve the Native American mound site for future generations.

To learn about Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Kentucky go to: https://parks.ky.gov/explore/wickliffe-mounds-state-historic-site-7806.

06/23/2024

Columbus Belmont State Park will be a lil delayed on opening today. We had a huge oak tree fall blocking the entrance to the park as well as power lines down. We are working to clear the road and hopefully the utility company will have power restored soon.
We will post on on our page when we have things ready for our guests to enjoy the day at our beautiful park

06/19/2024

Saturday July 6 - at 10:30 is a FREE program about the Mammals of Kentucky - live animals, kid friendly, lots of fun to see! Presented by the Woodlands Nature Station -- come and see us!

06/10/2024

The Great River Road is an All-American Road that follows the Mississippi River through 10 states.

05/27/2024

Congrats to all the new BARK rangers at Wickliffe Mounds! 🐾

05/24/2024

Take your furry friend to this FREE event tomorrow at Wickliffe Mounds!

05/22/2024

We continue our virtual tour of the Kentucky Science Trail for National Travel and Tourism Week with another western KY wonder, the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site. With a museum, walking tour, and bird watching, this Kentucky State Parks site near the confluence of the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers, rich in Native American culture, has something for the whole family to learn from and enjoy!
https://www.kyscience.org/kentucky_science_trail.php
https://parks.ky.gov/explore/wickliffe-mounds-state-historic-site-7806 -to-do

05/21/2024

Happy National Travel and Tourism Week from the KY Great River Road!

05/20/2024

Check out the NEW signs across from Wickliffe Mounds as you come into Kentucky! We love them! Thank you to River City Printing for getting them printed and installed for us!

05/13/2024

Get outside!!

Please join us for Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Lots of outdoor activities with your whole family to enjoy – bring a picnic lunch. Gift Shop and Welcome Center are open 9 to 5.

05/10/2024

We are so excited to support the B.A.R.K Ranger Day at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, on May 25th!

Thank you to Aprils Grooming & Boarding, Coffee Memorial Animal Clinic, and Native Works for donating some awesome door prizes!🐶🦴

05/06/2024

Once again I'll say it: Hickman County is UNIQUE! What's now Cal, Graves, McC, Marsh, Ballard, Fulton and Carlisle were once part of Hickman County, the first County in The Purchase. This Betty Lamp is from Hickman County's earliest history, originally from the German word besser (better), it was an improvement over past lamps. One of your museum's many treasures! Last note: happy to report our historian JohnKRoss is back from the hospital after serious pneumonia, recovering at the ICF.

05/01/2024

WOW! A beautiful bobcat at Wickliffe Mounds today!

04/30/2024

Launched today by KAS: The KY Science Trail! It’s your guide to Kentucky's scientific wonders. Find museums, stargazing spots, engineering marvels, geological tours, sites with live animals, nature preserves, botanical gardens, educational centers and more. Start your adventure! https://www.kyscience.org/kentucky_science_trail.php