Pine Mountain State Resort Park

About Pine Mountain State Resort Park

When the Kentucky State Parks Commission was established in 1920, Bell County residents had a considerable interest in establishing a state park. Pine Mountain became the first park in Kentucky in 1924 and in the 1920s, when the state Parks Commission was reestablished. Accordingly, the newly appointed chairman of the Park Commission, Dr. William E. "Buck" Smith, was invited to meet with local citizens to discuss options.

Originally, the area of nearby Cumberland Gap was considered a potential site for a national park, but the high cost of land and lack of access to public land in the area prompted Jilson to look elsewhere.

The Park Commission accepted a generous gift from the owners of what is now Laurel Cove and named the new Cumberland State Park site in honor of Jilson and his wife, Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Later, the name was changed to Pine Mountain State Park to avoid the possibility of the similarly named Cumberlands Falls StatePark being included in the park system. Little was developed in the early years of Pineountain, but in 1924 dozens of citizens joined together to collect and donate land to build a park.

It was the first state park in Cumberland County and one of the oldest state parks in the United States with a population of about 1,000 people.

The significant development began in 1933 as a government-funded program to get young men out of work and ease the financial burdens of the Great Depression. The facilities and development programmes initiated by the CCC included the construction of a new campground, Pine Mountain Lodge, a hotel and a number of other facilities.

Log houses were also built, and the original office building now serves as the headquarters of the Board of Trustees of Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Today, the 215 and 224 cabins house more than 1,000 campers and their families; log cabins also build up to 2,500 square meters per cabin.

In the 1960s, an era of great expansion began in Kentucky State Parks, and Pine Mountain was recognized as a park worthy of major development, with substantial funding for new projects from the ground up. The buildings are made of native sandstones and American chestnut trunks, with a mixture of wood, stone, wood chips and other materials.

The complex has been extensively renovated over the years to achieve the necessary repairs and improvements. This extensive programme included the construction of a new car park, a multi-storey car park and a visitor centre, as well as the refurbishment of the park's main entrance.

The park, with its beautiful historic landscape, is considered one of the most beautiful resorts Kentucky has to offer. Originally built by the CCC, the park now reflects the vision of its creators and the historic buildings give the pine mountain a special old-fashioned charm.

The nine one bedroom log cabins have stone fireplaces and private decks, and the eleven two bedroom cottages have verandas and decks surrounded by forest. Enjoy the rustic charm in one of the two bedrooms of each cottage or visit the nine two- and triple rooms of the park for one or two rooms.

A limited number of cottages will be available for pets, and barbecues are available from cottage to cottage. The cottage is available in the late afternoon, but only from 12 noon to 4 pm for $10 per person or $15 for a family of four.

Charming and skillful in the processing of stone and wood, Herndon J. Evans Lodge is equipped with the charm of its original owner John Evans and his family.

Each of the 30 rooms has a private terrace or balcony with mountain views. Rooms are available in the late afternoon. A limited number of lodge rooms and cottages will be available for pets, and all rooms will be available in the late afternoon.

The lodge pool is for overnight guests only, so cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool that meets ADA standards.

Next to the playground is the similarly equipped Dogwood Shelter, and there are picnic areas in various scenic locations in the park. Laurel Cove is located on the top of Laurel Mountain, a short walk from the lodge and the entrance to the park. Accommodations can be rented up to three years in advance for $5,000 per person or $6,500 per year for a family of four.

Pine Mountain features a number of self-guided trails, including the Pine Mountain Trail, a 1.5-mile trail from the lodge to Laurel Cove. Once completed, the path leads through the park to the top of Laurel Mountain, from where you can enjoy a view of the valley below and the summit of the pine mountain.