Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in Kentucky.

In the park service’s words

For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped his character and prepared him to lead the nation through Civil War. Visit our country's first memorial to Lincoln, built with donations from young and old, and the site of his childhood home.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Picnic at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace: You and your family are able to enjoy the beautiful picnic area and shaded Picnic Pavilion on a first-come first-served basis. While you eat, you may even get a chance to see some of Kentucky's wildlife! Trash and recycling receptacles are provided under and near the pavilion, please remember to use them.
• View the Lincoln Family Bible (5 to 15 Minutes): Bibles were often the only book that frontier families owned. This Bible, Printed in 1799, belonged to the Lincoln family. Abraham Lincoln recorded his own birth, and other important dates in the bibles pages.
• Shop at the Birthplace Bookstore (5 to 30 Minutes): Support your National Parks by shopping at Eastern National Bookstores, located at the Birthplace Unit.
• Watch the Park Film at the Birthplace (15 to 15 Minutes): View the 15 minute orientation film, Abraham Lincoln: The Kentucky Years shown in the Birthplace Unit Visitor Center.
• Become a Jr. Ranger at the Birthplace: Become a Jr. Ranger!
• Attend a Ranger Program: Attending a Ranger program is a fun and interactive way to enhance your visit!
• Boundary Oak Trail (20 to 45 Minutes): The Boundary Oak trail is an a short easy trail that leads from the Boundary Oak marker to the Memorial Building.
• Travel the Pathway of a President (10 Minutes): Pathway of a President is an accessible wooden boardwalk that leads from the Visitor Center to the Memorial Building.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Memorial Building: open 9:00 am - 4:30 pm eastern time. Birthplace Unit Visitor Center and Grounds: open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm eastern time.

Getting there

The Birthplace Unit of the park is located approximately 2 miles south of the town of Hodgenville on U.S. Highway 31E South. The Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the Birthplace Unit of the park.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Visitor Center at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Visitor Center at the Birthplace Unit is open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm eastern time.
• Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center: Closed. Located at the Kentucky Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Unit.

Weather

There are four distinct seasons in Central Kentucky. However, temperature and weather conditions can vary widely within those seasons. Spring and Fall are generally pleasant with frequent rain showers. Summer is usually hot and humid. Winter is moderately cold with mixed precipitation.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Mammoth Cave, about 37 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.