Scenic USA - Kentucky

Each day Scenic USA presents a new and interesting photo feature from somewhere in the United States. Chosen from a wide variety
of historic sites, city scenes, backcountry byways, points of interest and America's best parklands, this site offers the viewer hundreds
of unique vacation destinations and photographic subjects. Each feature is coupled with a brief explanation. For further detailed
information, links to other sites are provided, but are never to be considered an endorsement.

Jenny Wiley State Park

Jenny Wiley State Park - Kentucky

Photos by Amanda Haddox
Amanda Haddox Photography

JWSP School Bus Memorial      Just as in this remarkable sunrise view over Jenny Wiley State Park, the sun tries its best to brighten the spirit of Prestonsburg every day. Although a tragedy occurred over 50 years ago, the area still seems to remain under a veil of grief.
     On a cold and cloudy February morning in 1958, a school bus with 48 school students struck a wrecker truck on U.S. Route 23 and careened down an embankment of Knotley Hollow into the rain swollen waters of the Big Sandy River. Sadly, only 22 students survived.
     Jenny Wiley State Park, a wonderful resort park built around Dewey Lake, honors the school bus accident victims with a heart-shaped garden and stone monument. Dedicated in 1994, three plaques are displayed at monument, with a cross at the point of the heart.
     The park, taking in nearly 3000 acres of Kentucky�s moist Appalachian topography, is covered in hardwoods which include maple, tulip popular and paw paw trees. Originally called Dewey Lake State Park, JWSP School Bus Memorial the park was renamed to honor Virginia "Jenny" Wiley. Abducted during an Indian raid and losing all her children, Jenny was reunited with her husband after an eleven month ordeal.
     Along with picnicking, playgrounds and swimming pool, the park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, camping, canoeing, and fishing. During the fall and early spring, elk watching has become a most unique pastime. Reintroduced in the late 1990s, elk populations have thrived. Today's Kentucky area herd, with numbers over 11,000, put on quite a show for Elk Viewing Tours.

    Jenny Wiley State Park Map