About Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Kentucky. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
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…
View the Lincoln Family Bible
Bibles were often the only book that frontier families owned. This Bible, Printed in 1799, belonged to the Lincoln family.…
Shop at the Birthplace Bookstore
Support your National Parks by shopping at Eastern National Bookstores, located at the Birthplace Unit.
Watch the Park Film at the Birthplace
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!
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Boundary Oak Trail
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
Pathway of a President is an accessible wooden boardwalk that leads from the Visitor Center to the Memorial Building.
Shop at the Boyhood Home Bookstore
Support your National Parks by shopping at Eastern National Bookstores, located at the Boyhood Home Unit.
Birdwatching at the Birthplace Unit
Spot some of Kentucky's birds on the Pathway of a President. Many benches are scatted on the path so you are able…
Observe Wildlife at the Birthplace Unit
Observe wildlife such as squirrls, deer, turkey, and so much more at the bench on the landing of the Pathway of a…
Become a Jr. Ranger at the Boyhood Home
Explore. Learn. Protect. The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to…
Big Sink Trail
Big Sink Trail has three loops that all connect at the picnic area. The parking for it is across the street on…
Overlook Trail at Knob Creek
3-mile round trip hiking trail at Knob Creek Boyhood home site.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
The Visitor Center at the Birthplace Unit is open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm eastern time. Inside there are exhibits, including the Lincoln family Bible,…
Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center
Located at the Kentucky Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Unit.
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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