My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground Undergoing $4 Million Renovation to Enhance Visitor Experience
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, My Old Kentucky Home State Park’s campground is undergoing $4 million in renovations to enhance visitor experiences. Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation that allocated $40 million in funding for campground improvements, which was approved by the General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session.
The renovation project includes 39 full-service campsites, including eight pull-through sites, and the construction of a modern bathhouse. This project underscores a strong commitment to improving facilities across Kentucky State Parks campgrounds, providing visitors with modern amenities to fit today’s needs. The project is estimated to be completed by late summer 2025.
“These $4 million in upgrades at My Old Kentucky Home State Park’s campground reflect our dedication to upgrading experiences at our state parks, giving Kentuckians and visitors from across the country and around the world even more reasons to visit the commonwealth,” said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer. “The improvements will help bring My Old Kentucky Home into the New Kentucky Home era. We look forward to continuing our progress in updating Parks facilities across the commonwealth.”
Situated in the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the campground renovations at My Kentucky Home are poised to better serve visitors exploring the historically rich area. My Old Kentucky Home is one of 30 campgrounds within the Kentucky State Parks system that will benefit from improvements. Upgrades for campgrounds include new electric and water lines, additional sewer sites, bathhouse renovations, expansions and roadway upgrades.
Located at 501 E. Stephen Foster Ave. in Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park includes a 19th-century historic mansion, welcome center, gardens, playground, picnic shelter, tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, an outdoor amphitheater, gift shop and campgrounds. Tours are limited to groups of 25 and are available hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday during winter hours (January 2 – March 15). Tickets for tours must be purchased in person at the Visitors Center in My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
Kentucky is home to breathtaking views of mountain ranges, waterfalls, wildlife, scenic hiking trails, caves to explore, fishing, boating, kayaking, nationally recognized golf courses, camping, lodges, historic sites, museums and more, offering opportunities for exploration, entertainment and education to Kentuckians and visitors from across the world. Along with their natural, historic and economic significance, Gov. Beshear has used Kentucky State Parks and their dedicated teams to respond to tornadoes, flooding and other natural disasters by opening their doors to Kentuckians during difficult times.
During the 2024 legislative session, Gov. Beshear signed House Joint Resolution 56, releasing $71 million for capital construction projects, including building system upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various parks.
Gov. Beshear announced that $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote recreational projects.
To capitalize on Kentucky’s historic economic momentum and record-breaking tourism success, Gov. Beshear recently announced New Kentucky Home, a strategic initiative to further drive economic investment, attract and retain talent and increase tourism across the commonwealth.
In 2024, the Governor announced that 2023 was the best year on record for tourism, with $13.8 billion in economic impact and 95,222 jobs. This followed a record-breaking 2022 when he announced that tourism had generated more than $12.9 billion in economic impact and secured 91,668 jobs in Kentucky that year.
Kentucky’s impressive economic success over the last five years is a direct reflection of the Beshear administration’s continued investments in the tourism industry.
In December 2024, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth achieved another historic milestone, marking a new record with 10 new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $256 million in economic investment. These projects also are expected to create 1,696 jobs once operational.
The state’s bourbon and spirits industry recorded its best year for growth in 2022, with over $2.1 billion in new investments and approximately 700 new jobs for Kentucky residents. The sector followed with a strong 2023, including $713.8 million in new investments and 229 full-time jobs. Since the start of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced roughly 100 new location and expansion projects within the bourbon and spirits sector, contributing to over $4.2 billion in new investments and more than 1,800 full-time jobs for Kentuckians.
In 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Previously, the Governor dedicated $5.3 million in federal funding to 103 tourism and destination marketing organizations in 88 Kentucky counties.
Since the beginning of the Beshear administration, 33 tourism development projects totaling an estimated investment of $1 billion have received final approval. Once operational, these projects will create roughly 4,825 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
For the latest updates and information on events, visit parks.ky.gov. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov.
