State Park · Kentucky

Big Bone Lick State Park

Location: Boone County, Kentucky
Nearest town: 5.5 miles southwest of Union
Type: State Park

About Big Bone Lick State Park

Sulfur springs and the salt lick they deposited drew Pleistocene megafauna to this ground, giving the park its name and its fossil record. Bones found here have come from bison, caribou, mastodon, musk ox, ground sloths, stag moose, and saber-toothed cats, among other species that grazed the salty earth and vegetation around the springs. Most of these fossils date to the Wisconsin Glacial Period. Human burials and other traces of habitation have also been found in the area.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Big Bone Lick State Park is in Boone County, Kentucky, 5.5 miles southwest of Union. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Big Bone Lick State Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 30 in Kentucky →

Towns near Big Bone Lick State Park

State parks near Cincinnati, State parks near North Madison, State parks near Hamilton, State parks near Lebanon, State parks near Frankfort, State parks near Georgetown

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.