There’s something truly captivating and magical about the forests of the Bluegrass State which is very lush and verdant green and home to amazing hidden caverns and relaxing trickling waterfalls (and you’ll even find moonbows too!). Teeming with lovely wildflowers and whimsical woodland creatures, it is just a veritable playground for your mind, body, and soul – not to mention your senses. If you’re looking for something out of a fairy tale check out the Big Twigs in Kentucky, a “tree family” hiding right in plain sight.

Our adventure starts in Western Kentucky,
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
It's here that you'll find Lake Malone State Park, one of the most beautiful, underrated state parks in Kentucky.
Folks come here for the water recreation, which is unrivaled.
Kentucky State Parks
Boating, jet skiing, and fishing are all popular activities at Lake Malone!
Lake Malone is also a wonderful place for camping.
Kentucky State Parks
The campground boasts over 30 tent sites, 25 of which are equipped with electric and water hookups to accommodate recreational vehicles.
The rest of the park is equally extraordinary, boasting beautiful hiking trails that traipse through wondrous woodlands and lush landscapes.
Kentucky State Parks
The spring and summer wildflowers are especially marvelous!
While on the trails, you're sure to encounter some of Kentucky's most winsome wildlife, too.
Kristi Spencer/Google Local
This includes owls, foxes, deer, rabbits, and...

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...forest giants?!?
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Yes, forest giants!
That's right -- Lake Malone State Park in Kentucky is home to a family of woodland giants, aptly named the Big Twigs.
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
In 2021, the Big Twigs Family of larger-than-life characters -- Happy, Bobber, and Oakley -- set up camp at Lake Malone, and the trio has since become a beloved feature of the park.
These three, larger-than-life forest giants range from 14 to 17 feet tall, and were designed to make the park more welcoming for guests.
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Each family member models an activity that can be done at the park, such as hiking and roasting s'mores. (We'd love a s'more that large, by the way!)
Because while Lake Malone has long been a favorite spot for water recreation and camping, the rest of the park is criminally overlooked.
Kristi Spencer/Google Local
And in fact, the hiking at Lake Malone State Park is amazing: the trails wind through some seriously spectacular scenery, including several waterfalls and intriguing rock formations. With these giants now hanging out on the trails of this Kentucky State Park, the hiking here has undoubtedly gotten more exciting.
So if you're looking for a family-friendly day trip in Kentucky that's straight out of a fairy tale, a visit to a state park should top the list.
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Come and say hello to these gentle giants, and get lost in your very own storybook fantasy -- right here in the Bluegrass State!

Have you seen the Big Twig Family at Lake Malone State Park in Kentucky before? What a wonderful addition to this beautiful Kentucky park! If so, we’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

For more magical adventures in The Bluegrass State, embark upon this magical road trip itinerary!

If you’re still in the mood for more Kentucky adventures, take a look at this video:

 

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Adventures in Kentucky

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | March 18, 2023

Where can we find historic sites in Kentucky?

  • Fort Boonesborough in Richmond was founded in the 1700s by Daniel Boone and is one of the original settlements in Kentucky.
  • The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park in Hodgenville is a replica of the 16th President’s boyhood home.
  • The Labrot and Graham/Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles is the oldest of the primary and world-renown distilleries making spirits in Kentucky.

Learn more about other fascinating historic sites in Kentucky.

 

Where can we find campgrounds in Kentucky?

  • Lakeside Campground & Marina in Benton is an RV campground located on Jonathan Creek.
  • Zilpo Campground in Salt Lick sits on Cave Run Lake within Daniel Boone National Forest and has a beautiful beach.
  • Nolin Lake State Park in Mammoth Cave features both primitive and RV campsites surrounded by natural beauty.

Learn more about the many other campgrounds in Kentucky.

 

Where can we find small towns in Kentucky?

  • Paducah is an art-centered town known for its community events and the popular Paducah Historic Riverfront.
  • Berea is a y charming mountain town and where you’ll find the 9,000-acre Berea College Forest.
  • Harrodsburg, founded in 1774, is called the “Birthplace of the West” because is the oldest city in the state and the oldest American settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Learn more about the many wonderful small towns in Kentucky.

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