Floodwaters halt Kentucky state park visitation for several months

The Kentucky River overflowed, leaving campsites underwater and camping on hold for months at Fort Boonesborough State Park.

Fort Boonesborough State Park announced on Facebook that the campground closure is extended to Sept. 30.

“People who have been in parks for years—I’m saying 30-plus years—it is the worst event that they have seen in Kentucky state parks,” said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer.

He said the electric and water systems will now need repairs.

“Bathhouses were submerged, all our campsites were submerged here,” Meyer said.

More than a week and a half later, puddles of water are still scattered across the property, along with lots of mud.

Fort Boonesborough is the state’s top-earning park, drawing approximately 20,000 campers a season and bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Our people have always stood up to challenges presented, and we’re going to stand up to this challenge,” Meyer said.

With camping off the table for now, Meyer encourages families to explore other options.

“Enjoy the trails, enjoy the lakes, enjoy the pools that we have at our parks, and, you know, create those memories that our parks have created for years and years and years for Kentuckians,” Meyer said.

The rest of Fort Boonesborough is expected to reopen on April 23.