Big Bone Lick State Park

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Big Bone Lick State Park, located in Boone County, Kentucky, holds a significant place in the history of paleontology and the study of prehistoric animals in North America. 

A Quick Big Bone Lick History Lesson:

The area now known as Big Bone Lick State Park was once a marshy salt lick that attracted numerous prehistoric animals. During the Pleistocene era, which lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, mammoths, mastodons, giant ground sloths, and other ancient creatures visited the lick to obtain essential nutrients and minerals.

Indigenous peoples of the region, including Native American tribes such as the Shawnee, Cherokee, and others, were aware of Big Bone Lick and its significance. They hunted the animals that frequented the area and likely made use of the minerals found there. The first European explorers and settlers in the region, including French trappers and traders, also encountered the remains of prehistoric animals at Big Bone Lick. In the late 18th century, the site gained attention from naturalists and scientists interested in its fossilized remains.

In 1739, French Canadian explorer Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil, Baron de Longueuil, reportedly sent a report about Big Bone Lick and its fossils to the French government. In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson dispatched William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) to collect fossils from the site. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous scientific expeditions and excavations took place at Big Bone Lick, leading to the recovery of significant fossil specimens. These fossils provided valuable insights into the prehistoric fauna of North America.

Big Bone Lick gained recognition for its paleontological significance, and in 1960, it was designated as a state park in Kentucky. The park features exhibits, trails, and interpretive programs that educate visitors about the area's geological and paleontological history. Today, Big Bone Lick State Park serves as both an educational resource and a recreational destination. Visitors can explore the park's trails, visit its museum and visitor center, and learn about the ancient animals that once roamed the region.

Overall, Big Bone Lick State Park holds a unique place in the history of paleontology and continues to be an important site for scientific research and public education.

Big Bone Lick State Park

3380 Beaver Rd.

Union, Kentucky 41091

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