State Parks Near Paducah, Kentucky
25 state park units lie within 50 miles of Paducah, including 19 parks across the line in Illinois and Missouri. The closest is Fort Massac State Park, about 6 mi northwest of town. 6 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Fort Massac State Park6 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 6of 25 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 125 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 2pets allowed
State parks near Paducah, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Paducah; driving distance is usually longer.
Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is a 1,389-acre park in Massac County, in Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Massac State Park →Sielbeck Forest SNA
Covering about 396 acres, Sielbeck Forest SNA lies in Massac County, about 10 miles northwest of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Sielbeck Forest SNA →Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
In Massac County, about 12 miles northwest of Metropolis, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area covers about 2,153 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area →Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Popular activities here are golf, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 200 miles, according to the park. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park →Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park is a park in Pope County, about 16 miles north of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Dixon Springs State Park →Cache River State Natural Area
Covering about 14,999 acres, Cache River State Natural Area lies in Johnson County, about 6 miles southwest of Vienna.
Hours, fees and rules for Cache River State Natural Area →Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site →Tunnel Hill State Trail
In Johnson County, in Vienna, Tunnel Hill State Trail covers about 917 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Tunnel Hill State Trail →Fort Defiance State Park
Covering about 64 acres, Fort Defiance State Park lies in Alexander County, about 2 miles southeast of Cairo.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Defiance State Park →Mineral Mound State Park
Popular activities here are golf, boating, wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Mineral Mound State Park →Columbus-Belmont State Park
Popular activities here are golf, boating, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include 38 campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Columbus-Belmont State Park →Kenlake State Resort Park
The park supports historic sites, boating, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). There are also cabins for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Kenlake State Resort Park →Ferne Clyffe State Park
Covering about 2,572 acres, Ferne Clyffe State Park lies in Johnson County, in Goreville.
Hours, fees and rules for Ferne Clyffe State Park →Cave-in-Rock State Park
If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Cave-in-Rock State Park →Horseshoe Lake Alexander County
Horseshoe Lake Alexander County is a state fish and wildlife area in Alexander County, about 17 miles southeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Horseshoe Lake Alexander County →Towosahgy State Historic Site
In Mississippi County, about 21 miles northwest of Union City, Towosahgy State Historic Site covers about 62 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Towosahgy State Historic Site →Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Things to do include golf, boating, swimming, biking, and wildlife watching. Camping is available: 79 campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Barkley State Resort Park →Saline County SFWA
Saline County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Saline County, about 9 miles east of Harrisburg.
Hours, fees and rules for Saline County SFWA →Union County SFWA
Union County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Union County, about 12 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Union County SFWA →Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Covering about 1,390 acres, Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area lies in Alexander County, about 6 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area →Big Oak Tree State Park
The park supports fishing, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Oak Tree State Park →Devils Island Wildlife Management Area
Devils Island Wildlife Management Area is a park unit in Alexander County, about 7 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Devils Island Wildlife Management Area →Giant City State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Giant City State Park →Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest is a forest in Union County, about 16 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Forest →Little Grassy Fish Hatchery
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is a 95-acre park unit in Williamson County, about 6 miles southeast of Carbondale.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Grassy Fish Hatchery →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Paducah
- Fort Massac State Park 6 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Campground listed
- Dixon Springs State Park 22 mi north · Campground listed
- Columbus-Belmont State Park 33 mi southwest · 38 campsites
- Kenlake State Resort Park 35 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Paducah
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Kenlake State Resort Park 35 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Cave-in-Rock State Park 38 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park 42 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Giant City State Park 47 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Paducah
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Columbus-Belmont State Park 33 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Paducah
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Kenlake State Resort Park 35 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park 42 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Paducah
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site 26 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Columbus-Belmont State Park 33 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Kenlake State Resort Park 35 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park 42 mi east · Hiking trails listed
+ 1 more in the list above
Fishing near Paducah
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park 20 mi east · Fishing listed
- Mineral Mound State Park 31 mi east · Fishing listed
- Kenlake State Resort Park 35 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park 42 mi east · Fishing listed
- Big Oak Tree State Park 47 mi southwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Paducah
What is the closest state park to Paducah?
Fort Massac State Park is the closest, about 6 miles northwest of Paducah in a straight line. Next are Sielbeck Forest SNA and Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
How many state parks are near Paducah?
25 state park units are within 50 miles, and 6 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Paducah have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Fort Massac State Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Dixon Springs State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Paducah?
Yes, at 2 parks, including Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Columbus-Belmont State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Paducah?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Murray, KY36 mi southeast
- Near Marion, IL49 mi north
- Near Martin, TN52 mi south
- Near Cape Girardeau, MO53 mi west
- Near Sikeston, MO54 mi west
- Near Carbondale, IL55 mi northwest
- Near Paris, TN57 mi south
- Near Hopkinsville, KY67 mi east
Or see all Kentucky state parks, Illinois state parks, Missouri state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.