Union, Kentucky - Big Bone Lick State Park

Aside from the amazing name (which the attendant at the gift shop assured me had seen more flashes than Mardi Gras itself) this park was a necessary stop for my vacation. Yes, there was much laughing at the expense of the name, but when it was explained at how it came around, it made perfect sense. And to see such massive majestic animals at such a close distance... Wow. [Jaydob2234, 09/18/2009]

After reading about Big Bone Lick on this site I figured it would be worth my time to take the extra hour trip from were I was visiting in Lexington, KY, to say that I had in fact been to Big Bone Lick and Beaverlick, KY. I wasn't disappointed.

The park itself is very scenic and the drive, once you get off the interstate, is delightful. Beaverlick is a very small community. The road through it was so small you could probably reach out and touch one house. Big Bone Lick State Park has a small gift shop and museum at which I bought a few t-shirts that boldly stated the name of the park in bright orange letters (a required purchase according to one of my co-workers). I'm glad I made the trip. [Carmen R., 08/06/2008]

Lovely state park in Northern Kentucky with an amusing name. We took Beaver Road to get to Big Bone Lick. There was even a point at which we had to halt at a stop sign, which left us sitting at the intersection of Beaver Road and Dickerson on the way to Big Bone Lick. [Jessica H., 06/19/2008]

The Kentucky State Park system is sitting on a gold mine. Just south of Cincinnati, they have a park called Big Bone Lick State Park. Unfortunately, they have too much dignity to fully exploit the money-making potential of this place. Imagine the frat boys who would come from miles around to buy "Big Bone Lick" t-shirts if they were properly designed.

They have t-shirts, buttons, and all sorts of stuff at Big Bone Lick, but they are G-rated, and it is mostly a family-friendly place, with space for picnics and recreation, and exhibits on natural history. "Big Bone Lick" got its name because since the Ice Age, animals have come here to lick the salt deposits in the soil. Kentucky settlers found their bones in the river bottom. The park keeps a living buffalo herd in honor of the generations of bison who have visited this place.

Big Bone Lick is surrounded by other places with sick names. It's just a short drive to the Beaver Lick General Store, a standard gas station and quick-mart, and the Rabbit Hash general store, a cute old-fashioned place that caters to tourists. Our map showed a place called "Sugartit," but we haven't found it yet. [Laura Fiorilli, 01/01/2000]

Within a few miles of Big Bone Lick is Big Beaver Lick. Each is essentially a crossroad with a sign. It's gorgeous country, by the way. [Scott Gilbert, 09/07/1998]