Richmond, Kentucky is a charming city of about 35,000 residents. It was founded in 1798 and is the seat of Madison County. Richmond is nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the hills of the Bluegrass State. One of the most prominent landmarks in Richmond is the Madison County Courthouse, which was built in 1849 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture, with a grand columned entrance and a large clock tower.
Richmond is home to Eastern Kentucky University, which was founded in 1906 and is now one of the largest universities in the state. The Hummel Planetarium, located on campus, is one of the largest planetariums in Kentucky.
Richmond is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has several parks, including Lake Reba Park, a popular spot for picnicking, swimming, and boating. If you're looking for something to eat, head to Jackson's restaurant, a Richmond staple that serves traditional American fare.
Campgrounds Near Richmond, Kentucky
The Whispering Hills is a beautiful RV park located on the edge of Lake Reba. This park offers plenty of activities to keep you busy, such as fishing, boating, and hiking. It also has a heated swimming pool, basketball court, fishing pond, pavilion, and bathhouses. With its large open spaces and scenic views, Whispering Hills RV Park is an ideal spot to unwind.
The CampNelson RV Park is another premier RV destination located just a short drive from Richmond, Kentucky. The park has spacious RV sites with full and partial hookups. This RV park is known for clean bathrooms and showers and offers laundry facilities, a dump station, and a playground. Wi-Fi is also available.
The Corbin/Laurel Lake KOA in Richmond is a fantastic getaway campground with plenty of amenities. The campground has electric and water hookups and a dump station. Other on-site amenities include a swimming pool, a playground, and a game room. There are also plenty of activities to do, from fishing and kayaking on Laurel Lake to visiting the nearby Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park.
State Parks Near Richmond, Kentucky
Fort Boonesborough State Park is approximately 20 miles southeast of Richmond. The park is named after the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and is home to a reconstructed fort from the late 1700s. The park offers insight into the life of the early settlers of Kentucky through historical exhibits and demonstrations. Fort Boonesborough State Park provides several facilities for RVers, including a dump station and a campground with 166 sites with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. Some of them have pull-through access.
The Natural Bridge State Resort Park is located in Slade, Kentucky, about a one-hour drive from Richmond. The park's centerpiece is its namesake natural bridge, a 215-foot-high arch that spans 90 feet. It's one of the most iconic geological features in the state and is truly a wonder of nature. Another location of interest is Hoedown Island, a secluded spot on the park's lake where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The island is only accessible by boat and is a perfect spot for picnicking, swimming, or fishing.
Visiting Levi Jackson State Park offers you a chance to experience the rich history of the state of Kentucky while enjoying the great outdoors. The park offers a unique blend of recreational opportunities amid sites of historical significance. One of the most significant historical sites in the park is the Pioneer Museum, which showcases the history of the Wilderness Road and the early settlers of Kentucky. Visitors can also witness historical reenactments at the museum, which provide a glimpse into the daily life of pioneers.
National Sites Near Richmond, Kentucky
Camp Nelson National Monument is a protected area in Kentucky that commemorates the site's role in the American Civil War and the struggle for African American equality. During the Civil War, Camp Nelson was used as a recruitment and training site for the Union army, a logistics base, and a hospital. It also served as an embarkation point for African American troops and their families, who were freed as they enlisted in the Union army. After the war, Camp Nelson was a refugee camp for African American people and a burial site for those who had died at the camp. Today, the site is a national monument, historical museum, and park.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is on the borders of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The park covers over 20,000 acres and preserves the natural beauty of the Cumberland Gap, a mountain pass that was a gateway to the West during the 18th and 19th centuries. The park also preserves several historical sites, such as the Pinnacle Overlook, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, and the Hensley Settlement, one of the first pioneer settlements in the region. You can explore the park on foot via the many hiking trails that wind through the beautiful natural landscape or take part in ranger-led programs.
The William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati, Ohio was the birthplace, childhood home, and eventual burial site of the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Visitors can explore the Taft Education Center's interactive displays about Taft's life and career. Visitors can also tour the Taft family home. It was built in 1851 and restored to its original condition in the early 1920s. The site also includes a recreated Victorian garden, a large tree-lined backyard, and a one-room schoolhouse that Taft attended as a child.
National Forests Near Richmond, Kentucky
Visit the Daniel Boone National Forest to experience rolling hills, sparkling streams, and soaring peaks. From the towering Red River Gorge, a natural bridge and rock climbing mecca, to the rushing waterfalls at Cumberland Falls, there's no shortage of natural landmarks to explore. The forest is also home to the reconstructed Fort Boonesborough, a settlement built by Daniel Boone himself. The forest also offers miles of challenging ATVing and off-roading trails.
The Hoosier National Forest is a beautiful and sprawling forest that covers over 200,000 acres of land in south-central Indiana. The forest is known for its rugged hills, diverse wildlife, and numerous recreational opportunities. Hoosier National Forest is a hiker's paradise with an extensive network of trails that offer a wide range of difficulty levels and beautiful natural vistas. Some of the most popular trails include the 44-mile-long Tecumseh Trail, which takes hikers to the summit of the highest point in the forest, and the Trail of the Eagle, a challenging eight-mile hike that offers panoramic views of the forest.
Visiting Pisgah National Forest from Richmond, Kentucky is a great way to experience the beauty of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Pisgah National Forest is located in western North Carolina and is comprised of over 500,000 acres of land stretching across the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. The forest is known for its abundance of waterfalls. One of the most popular is Looking Glass Falls, which cascades down a 60-foot drop and is easily accessible from the road. Another popular destination is Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States, which can be reached via a scenic drive and short hike.
