Recreational Programs
Are you looking for something else to do in the park beside our famous cave tours or hiking trails? Our recreation and interpretation staff have organized several recreational opportunities for the whole family! Whether it's tie-dye at the campground or learning to throw a tomahawk Carter Caves has so much more to offer outside of our traditional programming.
Campground Social: We’ll provide all our families with a great place to hang out and make some memories at YOUR Kentucky State Park! Giant block tumble, giant connect 4, and cornhole. Come out and get to know your fellow campers. Meet us at the Campground Shelter. Cost: Free Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr
Carter Caves Idol Karaoke: That’s right, 1 stage, multiple mics, and an endless opportunity for ear piercing bad notes…or maybe not!! Come out to the Campground Shelter and listen as campers give their versions of famous songs, and maybe even give your own performance. Cost: Free Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 2 hrs
Cave Branch Critter Walk: Experience Cave Branch Creek like never before! Come along on an adventure with park interpreters as we explore the creek and identify all the critters that live there. We will stop to peek inside the entrance of a cave for a one of a kind expedition. This quest is free and helmets with flashlights will be provided! Cost: Free Age: 8 and up (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr
Cave-In Movie: Join us (and the bats!) at Cascade Cave for a movie watching experience you will never forget. We will be showing a family friendly title on the big screen right inside of Cascade Cave. Tickets are sold at the Cave beginning 1 hour before showtime. Concessions will be sold by Friends of Carter Caves. Requirements: Chair Cost: $6 per drop per person Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: Length of movie
Corrugated Cave: This crazy maze of cardboard boxes was thought up by some demented cavers for the historic Carter Caves Crawlathon. The “cave” is multi-leveled, contains hundreds of feet of dark passages for you to explore, and presents its own set of special “challenges” that mimic the tight squeezes found on some of our very own crawling tours. Check out the new cave passages our volunteer cavers created for you to enjoy! Meet us in the lobby of the Lewis Caveland Lodge and get some beginner experience spelunking in a manmade setting. Cost: $5 Age: 6 and up (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr
Glow-in-the-dark Mini Golf: Come and play a round after dark on our 18-hole miniature golf course. Participants will be using glow-in-the-dark golf balls and will receive a glow-in-the-dark necklace. Last Game goes out at 10:00 PM. Cost: $6 Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 45 per game
Ice Cream Social: Making ice cream the old-fashioned way: CRANK IT. Join us at the Campground Shelter and do your part to be able to enjoy this cool summer treat. We will be making both vanilla and chocolate ice cream! Cost: Free Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: Until we run out of ice cream
Natural Bridge Rappel: Adventure lovers, listen up: this is the ONLY way to see Natural Bridge! Participants will descend nearly 60 ft. through the skylight in the top of one of the park’s largest natural arches. This activity is suited for both beginners to rappelling and for those more experienced on rope as well. All necessary equipment is provided. SPACE IS LIMITED. Tickets sold for 10 AM-3 PM slots on the half-hour. Reserve your spot by calling the lodge at 606-286-4411. If we have remaining tickets they will be on sale the day of at the Welcome Center starting a 9:00 AM. Requirements: Must wear closed-toed shoes Cost: $7 per drop per person Age: 6 and up (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 15 min per drop
Night Time Critter Safari: Join park interpreters on this night time safari to find and identify some of the parks nocturnal residents! We will be meeting at the mini golf parking lot for a hike through the forest to search for night time critters, then over to the campground fire pit for some moth fishing! Cost: Free Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr
Photo Scavenger Hunt: Want a chance to win a free cave tour?! Come to the Welcome Center and pick up a list containing photo challenges to complete with your team! This is an activity unlike anything else here at Carter Caves. Winning team will be decided and announced after judging at 4:30 PM on the Welcome Center porch. Cost: Free Age: All Ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: ALL DAY
Shelter House Dance: We will be kickin’ up our heels tonight at the Campground Shelter. Steve Kitchen will be calling dances for all ages from the Chicken Dance to the Electric Slide. If you don’t like to dance, just come out and watch the foot stompin’ fun. We will have concessions: popcorn and drinks. Cash and card accepted onsite. Cost: Free Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 2 hrs
Smoky Lake Paddle Trip: Enjoy a leisurely flat water excursion across the lake and into the diverse headwaters which make up the Smoky Creek/ Tygart’s Creek watershed. For this Smoky Lake paddling trip participants will be provided with the use of a single person sit-in kayak or a two person canoe. There is the option to have a third-passenger in the middle of the canoe. No guarantees will be made on the availability of either type of watercraft. Limited seating is available for each. Paddles and life vests will also be provided. Life vests must be worn at all times while on or around the water. Participants must weigh at least 30 lbs. and fit properly into their provided life vest in order to participate in the trip. Each participant must read and sign a waiver of liability claims—guardians need be present to sign for any participating minors. This activity may be cancelled or stopped early due to adverse weather. Refunds are not permitted for any circumstance. Requirements: Transportation to Smoky Lake boat ramp Cost: $15 Age: 5 and up (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult), Children Under 13 may not use a kayak Length: 2 hrs
Squeezebox Competition: Due to the nature of their amusement, cavers have always wondered how tight of a place they can fit through. That was when the squeezebox was invented and later constructed. This evening we will be splitting participants up in weight categories and hold a competition to see how low you can go! Competition will take place at the Campground Shelter. Cost: Free Age: All Ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr
Tie-Dye at the Campground: Meet us at the Campground Shelter and make your own tie dye design on our custom t-shirt, pillowcase, or bandana. All the supplies will be provided. We have shirt sizes for adults and children and one-size-fits-all bandannas and pillowcases. This is a messy activity, so don’t wear your good duds. Can’t make it right at the start? Come any time within the 1.5 hour time window and take part in this exciting activity and make your one-of-a-kind souvenir shirt, bandana, or pillowcase. Cost: $15 per shirt, $5 per bandana or pillowcase Age: All ages (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1hr 30 min
Throwin' Hawks: The ability to successfully throw a tomahawk in pioneer days could have made the difference of life and death. We will be demonstrating this skill next to the Campfire Circle located in our campground. You will get the chance to throw a tomahawk yourself and take on the challenge. Cost: Free Age: 6 and up (15 and under must be accompanied by an adult) Length: 1 hr