Parks Manager

National parks near Ballard County, Kentucky

The closest national park to Ballard County, Kentucky is Gateway Arch National Park — about 127 mi (204 km) away, or roughly 3 hr 27 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Ballard County

Parks ranked by distance from Ballard County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park127 mi (204 km)3 hr 27 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park161 mi (260 km)4 hr 16 minBest as a weekend
Hot Springs National Park285 mi (458 km)7 hr 11 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park320 mi (515 km)8 hr 1 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park335 mi (539 km)8 hr 22 minWorth a longer road trip
New River Gorge National Park441 mi (709 km)10 hr 53 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park486 mi (782 km)11 hr 57 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park495 mi (796 km)12 hr 9 minWorth a longer road trip
Congaree National Park515 mi (829 km)12 hr 39 minWorth a longer road trip
Shenandoah National Park591 mi (952 km)14 hr 27 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Ballard County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Ballard County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 127 mi (204 km) away and roughly 3 hr 27 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Ballard County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.