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Wide angle view of a river and its banks in summer

Recreation

Parks and

Image by Yoann Boyer

Get Out on the River

The scenery is gorgeous along the beds of the South Fork and Middle Forks of the Licking River. With miles of river to explore and four boat access ramps in the county, you can spend hours drifting, paddling and relaxing as you take in the sights of Harrison County in a unique way. Or bring your gear and go fishing; largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, and catfish are plentiful in the  Licking.

 

It's always a good day to grab your canoe or kayak, pick up our Licking River Guide, and get paddling!

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Two women and two men paddling colorful kayaks on the Licking River in summer
Man in a canoe on the Licking River, taking in a beautiful sunrise view
Hand holding a fish, with the backdrop of water flowing over a dam on the Licking River
Hiking in Forest
Two children wearing warm coats and holding hands as they walk along a hiking trail in late fall at Quiet Trails Nature Preserve
Two horses standing on rolling hills with a backdrop of a vibrant sunset
Trees on a slope, all covered with a layer of white frost

Take a Hike or Hit the Road

Quiet Trails Nature Preserve in northern Harrison County, has a one- mile trek down to the Licking River that is beautiful any time of the year. Pack a picnic and stop at the picnic shelter on the way down.

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Also plan a visit to Griffith Woods Wildlife Management Area. Griffith Woods boasts the state’s largest Chinquapin Oak tree, with a 309 inch circumference and height of 69 feet! 95 species of birds, 73 butterfly and moth species, 28 mammal species, and 13 species of reptiles and amphibians have been observed there.

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Or set a course and take a scenic drive. The twisty-turvy drive to Wagoner's Chapel, one of the highest points in Harrison County, offers wide open vistas of the surrounding countryside. Close to town check out A-Kellar Dam. Visit Civil War battlefields, or walk the beautiful Battle Grove Cemetery.  Or tell your friends you went to Oddville or Hell's Half-acre!

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Whatever you choose, adventure awaits you in Harrison County!

FlatRunVeteransPark.jpg

Play and Picnic at a Park

The Cynthiana-Harrison County Parks & Recreation Department is dedicated to providing quality programming and facilities for all ages and interests, and with more than 200 acres of parkland to explore, there’s something for everyone!

 

  • Flat Run Veterans Park is our crown jewel. With over 140 acres of rolling hills and wooded trails, this park boasts soccer fields, a playground, disc golf course, a basketball court, a two-mile walking track, picnic shelter, public restrooms, and even a sand volleyball court. And very soon the park will be home to one of the largest splash pads in the state for children and any other water-lovers to enjoy.

  • River Road Park is the place for you if you’re looking to get out on the water. Ballfields, a concession stand, shelter, playground and boat ramp, this park has everything you need for a day of outdoor fun.

  • Reverend Ross Park features three acres of green space, a playground, two basketball courts, a picnic shelter, horseshoe pits and a walking track

  • Hero’s Park - last but not least! This park may be small, but it packs a big punch with picnic shelter, basketball court and playground.

Summer day at Flat Run Veterans Park, showing the picnic shelter, walking trail, and playground with a Cynthiana water tower in the distance
Two basketball goals at Flat Run Veterans Park with backdrop of trees
Picnic shelter at Flat Run Veterans Park
Man tossing a disc into a goal at the disc golf course at Flat Run Veterans Park
Play structure with winding slide, steps, and tunnel at Flat Run Veterans Park
Play structure for younger children with low slides and a caterpillar tunnel
Volleyball net in a sand pit at Flat Run Veterans Park
Image by Benjamin Faust
Four smiling teenagers holding bowling balls in a bowling alley
Pair of vintage roller skates set on a table with a red checked tablecloth and a stack of 45 records
Young man consulting a GPS device in the woods

Bowl, Roll, Find the Goal!

Enjoy a fun night out skating at Charley's Roller Rink or bowling and hitting the snack bar to the sounds of the jukebox at Galactic Alley. If you're nostalgic for entertainment of simpler times, you won't want to miss out on these two throwback locations in Harrison County!

 

If modern entertainment is more your style, why not try geocaching with your GPS device? Geocaching is a fun modern-day treasure hunt that has locations around the world. There are over 42 active geocache containers to find right here in Harrison County. New to geocaching? It's easy to get started

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