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BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE

We watch every site at BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE 24/7, then email you the moment a cancellation opens up.

88% of weekends booked at top sites·Peak May–Jul·62 sites

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Park favorites

The 10 most popular campsites at BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE

The hardest sites to book at this park, reserving 88% of weekend nights in peak season (May–Jul). Set up an alert and we'll email you on cancellations.

Site 016

Best here

Ranked #1 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 048

Top pick

Ranked #2 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 052

Top pick

Ranked #3 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 038

Top pick

Ranked #4 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 023

Standout

Ranked #5 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 005

Standout

Ranked #6 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 050

Standout

Ranked #7 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 027

Standout

Ranked #8 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 011

Decent

Ranked #9 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

Site 014

Decent

Ranked #10 of 62

STANDARD ELECTRIC · Sleeps 8 · Electric

These sites rebook within minutes of being cancelled. Set an alert at BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE and we’ll email you the moment one opens up.

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About this park

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is known as the Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology because it was the first site in North America to have an organized excavation, conducted by William Clark in 1807. The fossilized remains of American Mastodon, Columbian Mammoth, and Giant Ground Sloths were discovered at the site in 1739 and are now displayed at museums throughout the world. Notable Americans such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin personally examined the fossils, many of which are displayed at Big Bone Lick, Monticello, and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. According to paleontologists during the Pleistocene Epoch, when ice covered much of North America, prehistoric animals were attracted to the plentiful salt springs that still bubble from the ground at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. These animals were hunted and processed by Paleoindians who left the large bones behind that were later preserved by flood sediments. Come visit the museum and the Discovery Trail to learn about the history for yourself and stop by the live bison herd to take a glimpse into the past.

Location
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is located in Boone County. It was designated as an official Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Site by the National Park Service in 2002.

Recreation
Learn the history of Big Bone Lick in the museum, with displays of fossilized bones and artifacts from the last 18,000 years. The disabled-accessible Discovery Trail, part of the Outdoor Museum, gives visitors a glimpse of the drama that unfolded at the springs in pre-history. The paved Big Bone Creek Trail wanders through the original swampland, now growing wild with brush and flowers, and the last remaining salt-sulphur spring. The Bison Trace brings a live buffalo herd, the park's effort to reestablish the American bison, into view. For anglers, the 7.5-acre lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish for bank fishing. Other popular activities include picnicking, hiking, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, and horseshoes. A recreation staff conducts activities Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the annual Salt Festival is one of the most popular events in the area.

Nearby
There are many attractions within a half hour of Big Bone: The Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Art Museum, Newport Aquarium, Devou Park, Boone County Arboretum, Paul Brown Stadium, the All American Ballpark, Florence Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Florence Mall, and the Florence Freedom Ballpark.