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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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 -
McCreary County, Kentucky
Photograph Cumberland Falls
5.0The Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to several waterfalls, with the Cumberland Falls being the largest, most prominent, and most well known. It is also called the Niagara of the South due to its size and volume of water flow. It is famous for being the only place in the Western Hemisph...Read more -
Frankfort, Kentucky
Hike through Cove Spring Park
5.01.5 mi / 249 ft gainAt first glance, Cove Spring Park looks like any normal city park. In reality, it is a waterfall filled, 240 acres nature preserve hiding in plain site of Kentucky's capital city. The property is filled with wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, and historic structures that make this a great ge...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 -
Grand Rivers, Kentucky
Backpack the North - South National Scenic Trail
59 mi / 3362 ft gainFor 59 miles, the North-South National Scenic Trail winds up and down wooded hollows as you make your way along the length of Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. A National Recreational Trail, the North-South has a great mix of coastal views of Kentucky Lake (one of the largest artif...Read more -
London, Kentucky
Explore Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park
4.0This park is small but has about 8.5 miles of hiking trails. I hiked section of the Wilderness Trail and section of the Boone Trace trail. Visited the Defeated Camp Burial Grounds and spent a good amount of time in the pioneer museum looking at all the artifacts. Also visited Mc Hargues Mill whic...Read more -
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Hike Echo River Spring Trail in Mammoth Cave National Park
2.2 mi / 83 ft gainBluff lines, wildlife, wildflowers, streams, and cave entrances abound on this hike in Mammoth Cave National Park. The pathway is mostly paved and has interactive exhibits and viewing platforms around the spring. The highlight of the trail is a “blue hole” on the edge of the Green River. Water ...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 -
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 -
Smithland, Kentucky
Joy Falls (Mandy Falls)
Joy Falls (aka "Mandy Falls") is a great cascade and shelf that falls of about 10 feet await along the roadway a few miles from Mantle Rock Nature Preserve. Glades and barrens also provide for rare wildlife and countless wildflowers in the spring and summer. Spend an hour or five minutes enjoyin...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 -
Williamstown, Kentucky
Explore the Ark Encounter
This built-to-scale ark is absolutely flooded with information and interactive exhibits for all ages. It was an awesome experience walking through and learning about the culture and technology of the time period, both pre-and post-flood. You can learn things such as how the ark was built, what fe...Read more -
Hodgenville, Kentucky
Explore Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, was born in a small cabin in Sinking Spring just south of Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. When he was just two, his family moved to Knob Creek Farm, northeast of Hodgenville, where they remained until 1816. The Abra...Read more -
Eddyville, Kentucky
Hike Hematite Lake
4.02.4 mi / 111 ft gainThe Hematite Trail is a great loop for hikers and trail runners located in the heart of Land Between the Lakes Wilderness. Beginning your hike near the picnic grounds adjacent to the Nature Station, this hike is great year round and is good for all skill levels, including families. From awesome l...Read more -
Cadiz, Kentucky
Kayak Energy Lake
Before going to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area I had heard numerous people explain how peaceful and beautiful the area was, and how empty the lake was dependent on the season. These rave reviews called for a road trip and a 5 day stay in August, which fittingly happened in an...Read more
