Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is a unique attraction located in Northern Kentucky, just 22 miles southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Summary
The site is famous for being the birthplace of American paleontology and for its significant role in the history of the early American bison.
There are several good reasons to visit Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Visitors can explore the park's hiking trails, picnic areas, and museum exhibits. The park has many natural and historical features to enjoy, including a lake, a bison herd, and a reconstructed American Indian village.
One of the main points of interest at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is the bison herd. Visitors can watch the bison graze and roam freely in their natural habitat. The park also offers a bison tour that provides a closer look at these majestic animals.
Another highlight of the park is the Big Bone Lick Museum, which features exhibits about the history of the area, including the Ice Age, the early American bison, and the role of Big Bone Lick in the birth of American paleontology.
Interesting facts about the area include that Big Bone Lick was once a critical site for early American hunters, who would come to hunt bison and other large animals. The park is also home to the largest known concentration of fossilized bones from the prehistoric bison, which roamed the area over 10,000 years ago.
The best time of year to visit Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the park is not too crowded. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter hiking and outdoor activities.
Overall, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is an excellent destination for anyone interested in history, nature, or outdoor recreation. Its unique history, natural beauty, and diverse activities make it a must-see attraction in Kentucky.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
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Big Bone Lick State Park
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Bullock Pen Lake Ramp - DFWR
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Dr Norman and Martha Adair Wildlife Management Area
Boone County Arboretum
Walton Community Park
South Fork Park
Boone County Cliffs