Kentucky
Kentucky is best known for it's rolling green grass hills that gave birth to Bluegrass music and bourbon distilling. The limestone karst topography that underlies the hills and knobs of this unique landscape hold a bigger secret found in Mammoth Caves National Park, the world's longest subterranean cave system. With a little over 400 miles currently surveyed, Mammoth Caves is one of the easiest caves systems to explore as the park features over 14 miles of established trails.
Top Spots in and near Kentucky
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Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Hike to Sunset Point
5.00.3 mi / 0 ft gainThis small hike is inside of the Mammoth Cave National Park is well know and provides a great place for small kids and is handicap accessible. The pathway itself is a flat boardwalk and is only about .3 of a mile. It features beautiful views of the mountains and lots of wildlife. The hike is also...Read more -
Henderson, Kentucky
Wilderness Lake Trail
3.71.93 mi / 354.33 ft gainThis well kept trail is one of seven trails at John James Audubon State Park. A great short hike for the family starts at roughly 600 ft with minimal elevation change. The trail is surrounded by hardwoods and moss for the first half mile then the forest opens up to a small lake/wetlands area. The...Read more -
Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Hike the Millennium Trail, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
4.013.6 miThe Millennium Trail in the Bernheim Forest combines a number of trails into a full day's hike. The well-marked trail passes over ridges and through forest and meadows, with some ups and downs. A trail map of the park can be found here.Read more -
Gillmore, Kentucky
Creation Falls and Rock Bridge Loop Trail
4.81.4 mi / 311.02 ft gainFrom the Slade, KY exit take KY15 toward Campton to KY715 to Rock Bridge Rd. Park at the Rock Bridge picnic area and take the trailhead closest to the entrance. The trailhead will quickly descend surrounding you with lush vegetation. A rockshelter can be found on the right hand side of the tra...Read more -
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Hike the River Styx Spring Trail
4.51.2 mi / 250 ft gainStarting from the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center, take the "Historic Entrance" trail that descends down the hill between the Visitor's Center and the Mammoth Cave Hotel. After 0.2 miles you will reach the historic entrance of Mammoth Cave on your right side. You cannot go in the cave without a gui...Read more -
Rogers, Kentucky
Rock Climb Tectonic Wall in Muir Valley
Directions to Muir Valley (from Miguel's Pizza)Drive south on KY 11 for 6.3 miles. Turn left onto KY 715. Stay on this road for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto road 2016. Stay on this road for 1.4 miles. Keep an eye out for a carpet store on your right. Once you pass the carpet store, the road will st...Read more -
Rogers, Kentucky
Rock Climb Bruise Brothers in Muir Valley
Directions to Muir Valley (from Miguel's Pizza)Drive south on KY 11 for 6.3 miles. Turn left onto KY 715. Stay on this road for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto road 2016. Stay on this road for 1.4 miles. Keep an eye out for a carpet store on your right. Once you pass the carpet store, the road will st...Read more -
Lancaster, Kentucky
Hike to the Kentucky River Palisades
5.02.4 mi / 500 ft gainThe Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve is maintained by the Nature Conservancy and one of a few preserves in the Kentucky River Palisades ecosystem. The Kentucky River Palisades loop trail leaves from the 8-car parking lot from both directions and follows an old stage coach trail. There are a few ...Read more -
McKee, Kentucky
Explore Flat Lick Falls
5.00.5 miThe hike begins at the parking area, just before the restrooms. Following a short, paved path will bring you to a small overlook of Flat Lick Falls. While this overlook is nice, the real treat comes when you venture to the base of the falls. Look for a small dirt path to the right of the overlook...Read more -
Smithland, Kentucky
Hike the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve Loop
2.3 mi / 230 ft gainJust as its name implies, the centerpiece of The Nature Conservancy's Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a 30-foot natural sandstone bridge spanning 188 feet and embellished by bluffs, shelters, honeycomb formations, fluorite deposits, and a rock-lined stream. The nature preserve also contains extrao...Read more -
Park City, Kentucky
Tour the Diamond Caverns
0.5 miOne of the main reasons we chose the Diamond Caverns tour vs The Mammoth Caves tours, is we could use flash when taking pictures. Our kids were very excited to tour the caves and take pictures of them. When we found out that the Mammoth Caves does not permit flash photography, we decided to tour ...Read more -
Pine Ridge, Kentucky
Sky Bridge Loop
5.01.53 mi / 372.41 ft gainThe trailhead parking lot is located just off of KY 715. If coming from the North you will cross the Red River at Osborne Bend and continue up the steep hill until the very top. The parking lot access road is in a hairpin curve at the top of the hill. It is marked very well with signs so it is ve...Read more -
Pineville, Kentucky
Hike to Honeymoon Falls at Pine Mountain State Resort Park
4.03 mi / 270 ft gainThe trail to Honeymoon Falls is located in Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky. To reach the trail park in the parking lot in front of the park lodge. Walk towards the lodge and you'll see signs pointing you in the direction of the trails. It is located just behind the lodge. ...Read more -
Benton, Kentucky
Photograph Elk and Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
The Elk and Bison Prairie is a photographers dream within a 700 acre enclosure of native grassland habitat that was common to Kentucky over a century ago. Visitors travel within their enclosed vehicle via a 3.5 mile paved loop road. About 50 bison and 50 elk call the area home. Entry fee is $5.0...Read more -
Salt Lick, Kentucky
Hike to Tater Knob Fire Tower
1 mi / 200 ft gainStarting at the trailhead hikers will follow a clearly marked trail for 0.5 miles. The trail gains elevation quickly and can be strenuous. The tower is currently closed due to arson damage and is one of the few remaining in the Daniel Boone National Forest. However, the 35 foot steel structure is...Read more -
Garrison, Kentucky
Paddle Kinniconick Creek
For information on put-in locations, mileage, gauge readings, and fishing refer to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife's website: http://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Ki... Make sure to check the gauge levels before putting in to ensure a proper water depth. If you have two vehicles, it is ideal...Read more
