Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park adventure.
Before Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial was built, the president's birthplace in central Kentucky drew people in with its lush surroundings and historic buildings. Covering over 344 acres, the historic park is made up of the Birthplace Unit. It features a typical 19th-century cabin in all its glory, as well as the Boyhood Home Unit.
The Birthplace includes the Sinking Spring, Boundary Oak, and Visitor's Center. Start at the Visitor's Center where you can get a rundown of the great president's life. Next, tour Sinking Spring. Once this site was the place for all the homestead's water needs, now it's a refreshing hike with caves and rock formations. Next, head over to Knob Creek, the president's boyhood home.
Abraham Lincoln's birthplace is more than just a historical site; it's also a natural one. Take a walk along either the Overlook Trail, Boundary Oak Trail, or Big Sink Trail. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds from great-horned owls to the purple finch. There are woodland creatures such as white-tailed deer, red foxes, and pine voles.
Visit in the spring or fall to avoid hot and humid weather and enjoy the blossoming wildflowers or fall foliage. Take U.S. Highway 31E to the park (the road runs north-south right through it), and exit on Park Srv Road, Park Main Entrance, or Nancy Lincoln Inn Road. While no overnighting or camping is allowed in the park, you can take a picnic lunch and eat underneath the trees. Camp nearby at Elizabethtown or Bonnieville.