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Kentucky
119

Kentucky State Parks

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River Region Region
General Butler State Resort Park
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GENERAL BUTLER STATE RESORT PARK
GENERAL BUTLER STATE RESORT PARK
1608 Highway 227
Carrollton, Kentucky   41008-0325

Phone: 502-732-4826
Toll Free: 866-462-8853
Reservations: 502-732-4826
This hilltop resort that sits where the the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers meet honors a prominent military family. Named for General William Orlando Butler, the family?s military fame spanned from Colonial times through the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War.

The Butler-Turpin House, built in 1859, offers a glimpse of Butler family history with its display of 18th and 19th-century heirlooms. Capture some of the area?s river town charm in the resort?s hilltop lodge and enjoy our 9-hole golf course, hiking, swimming and tennis. A spacious conference center makes this resort a destination for business as well as pleasure.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Full Hookup Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
AccommodationsGolf Courseyes
Cottages
General Butler has the perfect cottage for you, whether you prefer contemporary or traditional interiors. Each of the 24 cottages has a private balcony or patio. One, two, three-bedroom cottages with one bath and two or three executive cottages with two baths are available. Tableware, cooking utensils, and linens are provided with fresh linens available daily.

Open year-round. Cottages are available by late afternoon. Check-out by 11:00 AM, Eastern time.
Lodge
The hilltop Butler Lodge is an attraction within itself. Browse the gift shop that offers a large selection of Kentucky handcrafts and souvenirs. Warm your hands by the beautiful stone fireplace, listen to the piano, and admire the Ohio River valley view. Each of the 53 rooms features a private balcony or patio overlooking the pool or hillside.

Open year-round. Rooms are available by late afternoon. Check-out by noon, Eastern time.
Camping
A spacious campground features 111 campsites with utility hookups and grills. Showers, rest rooms, and laundry facilities are available at two central service buildings.

Open year-round. No advance reservations. Physically disabled site available. Check-out by 2:00 PM Pets are allowed if restrained.
Golf Course
9-hole regulation golf course with pro shop, pull carts, riding carts and rental clubs. 18 hole course miniature golf for family fun. Open seasonally.
Meeting Rooms
General Butler Conference Center large meeting space offers both 500 banquet style and 800 theater style seating. An expansive set of windows at one end leads to a spacious covered porch that overlooks the Kentucky River Valley and serves as a cordial breakout space in good weather. The interior space breaks into three equal meeting rooms - the Kentucky Room, The Commonwealth Room, and the Bluegrass Room.

Each can hold 160 banquet style, has independent environment controls, and a ceiling-mounted drop-down screen. Modern audiovisual hookups are in use, including an LCD projector. General Butler?s excellent food service is aided by a large service kitchen. We also offer additional meeting room space in the lodge with two private dining rooms, the Burley Room and the River Room, and another meeting room, the Woodland Room, all seating 40 guests banquet-style.For information on booking an event call Amy at 866-462-8853.
Swimming
1. General Butler State Resort Park offers a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
2. The pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day for guests to enjoy.
3. It features both shallow and deep ends, suitable for all ages and skill levels.
4. Lifeguards are on duty during operating hours ensuring safety of swimmers at the park's public pool area.
5. Poolside loungers provide relaxation spots between swims or sunbathing opportunities under Kentucky skies.

Boating
Enjoy a day on the lake at General Butler. Rental pedal boats, canoes, rowboats, and surf bikes are available seasonally at the Boat Dock. Trolling motors allowed after Labor Day Weekend, restrictions posted. In other seasons, private boats with trolling motors are permitted.

Boat Dock open Memorial Day-Labor Day, from mid-August through Labor Day Weekend,the Boat Dock is open only four hours in the afternoon.
Fishing
Fish have been restocked in 30-acre Butler Lake--bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Fishing is permitted from the lake shore year-round. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Fishing with boats must be accomplished using park rental boats from Memorial Day through Labor Day.


Location
General Butler State Resort Park is located near La Grange, Madison

Picnicking
General Butler State Resort Park offers numerous picnic areas with tables and grills, some featuring beautiful views of the lake.
Bicycling
Visitors can enjoy a 4-mile bike trail with moderate difficulty, suitable for intermediate cyclists.

The park's terrain is hilly and challenging.

Cyclists should be cautious of occasional loose gravel on the trails.

Helmets are recommended due to steep inclines and potential hazards along the path.

Bike rentals aren't available onsite; bring your own equipment if planning to cycle.

Check weather conditions before cycling as rain could make paths slippery or muddy.

Riding after dark isn't advised since there are no lights on these trails.
Birding
Birds commonly calling General Butler in the fall to winter include Canada goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, wild turkeys, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Wild Turkey. Birds tending to stay in the park year-round include the Turkey Vulture, Coopers hawk, various owls, woodpeckers, Wild Turkey, American Goldfinch, American Red-Winged Blackbird, and the Eastern Bluebird. 3. Birds of Sound American Black Crow, Blue Jays, Rock Dove and Mourning Dove, Purple Martin, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, sparrows, wrens and American Goldfinch. Those sunniest of small birds seen in spring to summer include Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Whip-poor-will and Tufted Titmouse.
Area Attractions
Butler-Turpin Historic House:

The Butler-Turpin State Historic House, built in 1859, by Major Thomas Langford Butler and his family Mary Ellen and Phillip Turpin is a place of remembrance for generations of soldiers who won notoriety for their exploits in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Great Civil War. Percival Butler, son of an Irish immigrant gunsmith and one of five brothers known as the "Fighting Butlers" of the Continental Army, was aide to General Marquee De Lafayette when the British surrendered at Yorktown. Washington himself bore testimony when he gave the historic toast: "To the Butlers and their five sons;" and Lafayette superbly supplemented this with: "When I wanted a thing done well, I had a Butler do it? The Butler Family In America. The Revolutionary War hero originally migrated from Pennsylvania to Jessamine County Kentucky and later to the mouth of the Kentucky River known today as Carrollton. Percival and his wife Mildred Hawkins built a log house in the 1790?s on land that is now General Butler State Resort Park. Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Butler, 1st Adjutant General of Kentucky. It is from this home he performed the duties of the position he held for 24 years. All five of Percival?s sons fought in the War of 1812. His eldest son, Thomas Langford Butler, was aide-de-camp to General Andrew Jackson. William Orlando Butler, his second son, was a hero of the Battle of New Orleans, winning Jackson?s personal gratitude praising Butler?s contributions, "?on all occasions he displayed that heroic chivalry and calmness of judgment in the midst of danger which distinguished the valuable officer in the hour of battle". President Polk recalled William Orlando Butler to fight in the Mexican War as one of six Major Generals. After the war Butler was presented with a gold sword from the President of the United States and a silver sword from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Both swords were made by the renowned Ames Sword Company. Butler?s heroics at the Battle of Monterey also won him the Democratic vice-presidential nomination in 1848 on a ticket with General Lewis Cass. By the time the Civil War began the Butler Family was as divided as the state. General William Orlando Butler, the park?s namesake, was married to Eliza Todd, 2nd cousin to Mary Todd Lincoln. Through marriage, military background or both, in 1861 Butler served as delegate to the "Peace Convention" at Washington. The modest farm of 124 acres, located near the mouth of the Kentucky River, has served three generations as gathering place for one of Kentucky?s foremost military families. Plain and fancy describes this fine old country home with its simplistic facade but grand interior Greek Revival woodwork. Original military documents, family heirlooms along with stories of patriotism bring life to the legend of the "Gallant Butlers". The Butler Family Cemetery located on the grounds includes soldiers from as early as Colonial times through the Civil War.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 20 Close to home. by Carroll County Native
park review stars; one to five This park is literally right down the road from my high school.
October 19 My Favorite State Park by Mary
park review stars; one to five Beautiful and tranquil!
April 6 Wonderful park for families! by Diamond
park review stars; one to five This was our families first camping trip in our new camper and it was so much fun. Park had many things for my children to do. Easy access to the town and the people in the area are so friendly. I recommend this park to everyone!
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Directions
The resort is located 44 miles northeast of Louisville. From Louisville, take I-71 to Carrollton. If you are coming from the Huntington area traveling west off of I-64, take the Industrial park exit (RT 67), drive approximately 8 miles to the RT 207 exit, take a left onto 207, drive 3 miles to RT. 1 take a left and travel approximately 5 miles to the park entrance which is 1711.

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Kentucky
119

Kentucky State Parks

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