Two of Kentucky's most popular state parks are moving toward reopening following devastating spring flooding in 2025, with Nolin Lake beginning limited operations as early as July and Fort Boonesborough expected to welcome campers back in 2027.

Nolin Lake State Park in Edmonson County will open its primitive camping sites on July 1, with a full campground reopening scheduled for July 15, according to the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. The park endured significant damage from flooding that began in February 2025 and intensified with additional rainfall in April, leaving much of the property submerged for weeks and compromising buildings, trails, electrical systems and wastewater infrastructure.

Fort Boonesborough State Park in Madison County faces a longer recovery. The historic park is expected to reopen in spring 2027 after flooding left its power grid and facilities severely damaged. The state parks department website indicates the campground closure extends through mid-2027.

The flooding was among the worst Kentucky state parks have experienced in recent memory. "People who have been in parks for years—I'm saying 30-plus years—it is the worst event that they have seen in Kentucky state parks," said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer in April.

Multiple other state parks remain impacted, including Green River Lake State Park campground and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park campground, with staggered reopening dates throughout 2026 and 2027. Recovery efforts are being guided by federal FEMA disaster declarations and must comply with FEMA protocols and insurance requirements before repairs can proceed.