Kentucky

Things to Do Where to Stay Stories

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 Adventures in Kentucky

Hike the Indian Staircase Loop and Cloudsplitter

5.0

10 mi

Starting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Go left. You're going to turn right on the unmarked trail just past the sign that says stay on trail. This is quite the incline. Keeping going until you get to the base of Indian Staircase. Make sure to use extreme caution in climbing this! You'll be able to see the e...

Explore the Lookout from Chained Rock

5.0

Located just north of the Cumberland Gap, Chained Rock is a local landform made unique by a long slung chain that comes with a tall tale of it's creation. According to legend the rock pinnacle overlooking the Cumberland River valley struck fear into the minds of young children, which was eased with the claim that it was safely held back by a chain. Word spread, and people came far and wide to s...

Hike the Pinnacles in Berea

4.9

5 mi / 523 ft gain

This is a trip with multiple sites to visit over the course of a day. Visiting all five would equal around 5 miles, or you can choose to only go to one, as there are some slightly strenuous hills.The most visited is the Main Lookout, and the West Pinnacle offers a little rock climbing. Between each lookout is around a mile, some shorter, some longer. Dogs are allowed but camping is not. There i...

Hike to Natural Bridge and Battleship Rock

3.8

2 mi / 400 ft gain

This popular hike begins near the state park gift shop and has options to continue to other trails at multiple points. The first .75 miles, starting at about 800 feet, is the hike up to the Natural Bridge. This portion of the hike contains basically all of the increase in elevation. As you hike up, you will become completely immersed in the Daniel Boone National Forest, which covers the Red Riv...

Hike to Courthouse Rock and Double Arch

5.0

6.1 mi

Start at the trailhead located just past the Gray's Arch picnic area. Follow Auxier Ridge Trail #204 (white diamonds). You will pass a trail junction at 0.9 miles, but continue on Auxier Ridge. At the following fork in the trail keep right.Along the trail, you will catch views from the ridge of Raven's Rock, Double Arch, Courthouse Rock, and the surrounding valley. Be careful of the steep cliff...