Description

Top Five Things to Do

1. Stay overnight in a quaint park cottage
2. Visit the world class museum
3. Explore the nature center
4. Stroll the Audubon Wetlands boardwalk
5. Enjoy hiking over 6 miles of trails

ALERT: Pets are not permitted on the John James Audubon State Park hiking trails – except for the Eagle Glen Pet Trail and Audubon Wetlands Trail. Most trails at Audubon are within a dedicated Kentucky State Nature Preserve, and pets are not permitted as a part of the management guidelines.


Lodging & Camping
The park has 5 1-bedroom cottages and 1 ADA-accessible 2-bedroom cottage. Each of the 1-bedroom cottages has a king-sized bed, pull-out sofa, fireplace, living room, full kitchen, and bathroom. The fireplaces are open October 1st – April 15th. The 2-bedroom cottage has 4 queen-sized beds, 2 bathrooms, living room, and full kitchen. Tableware, cooking utensils and linens are provided. Cottages are available by late afternoon. Check out by 10 A.M., Central Time. Contact park for cottage reservations. Price ranges are seasonal from $129 - $279 per night. Cottages open year-round.

The park has a 69-site campground, with a central service building housing showers and restrooms. Picnic tables, grills and a playground are also available in the camping area. Pets are allowed, if restrained. 

Meetings
The conference room at John James Audubon combines an incredible outdoor environment with interior museum, art gallery and nature center. The 1,556 square foot conference room can accommodate 200 guests lecture-style without tables and 80-110 people classroom style with tables. This meeting space serves as an art gallery, frequently displaying the work of local artists. The state-of-the-art Audubon Theater has high speed internet, webcast ability, desktops on theater seats and a sound system. The Audubon Theater can seat up to 46 people. For more information about hosting a group or wedding CLICK HERE.

Museum
The museum interprets the lives and work of John James Audubon and his family within a timeline of world events. Three galleries chronicle the Audubon story, including the family’s 1810-1819 residency in Henderson, Kentucky. Over 200 objects are on display, including artifacts from Audubon’s Kentucky years, a complete set of his masterwork, The Birds of America, and many original artworks. Admission rates apply. Special group tours can be arranged through our Curator. Call (270)826-2247 for more information.

Museum Gift Shop
Browse the Audubon Museum Gift Shop throughout the year for unique nature-inspired gifts. Many items are created by Kentucky artisans and are beautifully displayed for your perusal.

Nature Center
The Audubon State Park Nature Center is housed in the same building as the Museum, and sits perched on the edge of the park’s beautiful nature preserve. Visitors have access to a wildlife observation room, the Audubon Theater, and the Discovery & Learning Center where our education staff conducts environmental and art education programs. Several hiking trails begin/end near the Nature Center, allowing for great outdoor experiences! For information about nature and art program opportunities, please call the Nature Center Office at (502)782-9727. 

Museum/Gift Shop/Nature Center Hours
Museum building open 7 days/week, from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Closed during some major holidays. Please call ahead to verify hours if you will be visiting the park around a holiday. From January through mid-March, facility is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for winter hours. High-speed wireless internet is available within the Museum/Nature Center building for your convenience.

THINGS TO DO
Audubon Wetlands
Acquired for the park in 2011 by the Friends of Audubon group, this 649-acre site features a unique ecosystem of a Bald Cypress Tree slough, shrub wetland, and floodplain forest all in one location! Situated off Wolf Hills Road, just north of the John James Audubon State Park entrance, a gravel parking area allows visitors close access to the wetlands trailhead. ADA accessible pathways connect with a 750 ft. boardwalk overlooking the wetland, immersing visitors into prime habitat for viewing beaver, otter, warblers, waterfowl, and woodland birds, a variety of turtles, frogs, fish, and other creatures. Visitors may also enjoy seeing water-tolerant plants, trees, and other flora unique to wetlands. Leashed pets and bicycles are welcome. Use of mosquito repellent recommended. Grounds are open dawn to dusk, but may be closed periodically due to floodwaters.

Birding
In winter the park plays host to seven woodpecker species, waterfowl, sparrows, and mixed flocks. Occasionally buteos, accipiters, and owls can be seen or heard. During spring, summer, and fall, warblers and other neotropical migrants can be seen. Audubon State Park co-hosts the Ohio Valley Birding Festival and is perfect for all bird watching skill and activity levels. From late winter through summer, don’t miss the Bald Eagles and Great Blue Heron raising their young north of the park on Wolf Hills Road. Wilderness Lake Trail is an excellent trail for woodpeckers, warblers and waterfowl. The Recreation Lake shoreline provides desirable edge space for fishing species like Great Blue Heron, Green Heron and Belted Kingfishers. Throughout the park, you may see numerous bluebird nest boxes. These are perfect photo opportunities for Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, and occasionally Tree Swallows and Prothonotary Warblers. During the spring and summer, these nesting boxes are hotspots for viewing courtship and nesting activities.

Fishing
Cast away your cares at Audubon! The fishermen in your family can cast for largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish from the banks of the 28-acre lake. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Golf
John James Audubon has a nine hole golf course located within the state park. The course heavily tree-lined fairways. A full-service proshop, golf carts and clubs are available. For more info on this golf course CLICK HERE. 

Hiking
Whether you're out for a leisurely stroll or really want to work up a sweat, you're sure to find the 6.5 miles of trails at Audubon State Park to your liking. Trails wind through the nature preserve with variations in difficulty and length, including 1.6 miles of back-country hiking. The Eagle Glen Pet Trail is a one-mile trail where dogs on leashes are allowed with their owners. The Audubon Wetlands is another area that offers hiking. A boardwalk overlooks the cypress slough. For more information about the Audubon Wetlands CLICK HERE.

Picnicking
Four picnic shelters (one with restrooms), offer tables, grills and a playground for the perfect family outing. Shelters may be reserved up to one year in advance by calling 270-826-2247.

Playgrounds
Four playgrounds located at the Sycamore, Lakeview, Cardinal, and Campground shelters. Campground playground and shelter closes when the campground closes for the season.

Tennis
Single court located by the picnic shelter open year-round.

Rates
Audubon Museum admission is as follows:
Families (2 adults, 2 children): $15.00
Adults (18+): $6.00
Seniors (60+): $5.00
Military Rate: $5.00
Children/Students (6-17 & with college ID): $4.00
Children (5 and under): $0.00
Friends of Audubon Members: $0.00