World’s Largest Collection of Original Audubon Art in Western Kentucky — State Park Preserving Where John James Audubon Lived and Painted From 1810 to 1819, Museum Housing the World’s Largest Collection of Original Audubon Prints, Personal Artifacts, and Memorabilia, Nature Center With Wildlife Exhibits and Live Birds, 692 Acres of Forest Where Audubon Studied and Painted His Famous Bird Illustrations, Hiking Trails Through the Same Woods Audubon Explored Over 200 Years Ago, Campground With Hookups in Wooded Setting, Nine-Hole Golf Course and Swimming Pool, Near Henderson on the Ohio River Western Kentucky
John James Audubon State Park is a 692-acre state park in Henderson, on the Ohio River in western Kentucky, managed by Kentucky State Parks. The park features the John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center — housing the world’s largest collection of original Audubon prints along with personal artifacts and memorabilia from the famed ornithologist and painter who lived in Henderson from 1810 to 1819, nature center with wildlife exhibits and live birds, 692 acres of forest where Audubon studied and painted his famous Birds of America illustrations, hiking trails through the same woods Audubon explored over 200 years ago, a campground with electric hookups in wooded setting, a nine-hole golf course, a swimming pool, and picnic areas along the nature trails.
The museum collection is genuinely world-class — original Audubon watercolors and prints that would be the crown jewel of any major art museum are displayed in this intimate setting in rural western Kentucky. Seeing Audubon’s work in the landscape that inspired it creates a connection impossible to replicate in a city gallery.
Walking the park’s forest trails feels like time travel — the mature hardwood forest looks much as it did when Audubon wandered these same woods in the early 1800s, sketching the birds that would make him famous. Many of the same species he painted are still easily spotted along the trails.
Things to Do
- Audubon Museum — world’s largest
- Nature center — live birds
- Hiking — Audubon’s forest
- Camping — electric hookups
- Golf — 9-hole course
- Birding — 200+ species
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Henderson, on the Ohio River, KY |
| Size | 692 acres |
| Museum | Largest original Audubon collection |
| Audubon | Lived here 1810-1819 |
| Camping | Electric hookups |
| Managed By | Kentucky State Parks |
| Coordinates | 37.8500° N, 87.5667° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the largest collection of Audubon art?
The world’s largest collection of original John James Audubon prints and art is at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Kentucky — where Audubon lived and painted from 1810 to 1819. The 692-acre park features the Audubon Museum, a nature center with live birds, hiking trails through the forest he explored, camping with electric hookups, and a nine-hole golf course. On the Ohio River in western Kentucky.
The park’s nature center brings Audubon’s legacy to life with live bird exhibits featuring raptors and songbirds native to the Ohio River Valley. Guided birding walks along the trails help visitors spot and identify the same species that Audubon meticulously documented over two centuries ago.
Last updated: May 2026
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, James Audubon State Park is a short drive away, and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is elsewhere in the state.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Kentucky state parks online at kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Park Location
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