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.

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Top Adventures in Kentucky

Hike the Indian Staircase Loop and Cloudsplitter

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 th...

10 miles

Explore the Lookout from Chained Rock

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 in...

Hike the Pinnacles in Berea

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 ...

5 miles 523 ft gain

Hike to Natural Bridge and Battleship Rock

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 basical...

2 miles 400 ft gain

Hike to Courthouse Rock and Double Arch

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 t...

6.1 miles

Hike to Gray's Arch

The trail approaches the arch through a ravine, passing by cliffs, dense forest, and a stream (Kings Branch) en route.

3.3 miles

Hike to Whittleton Arch

Starting from the Whittleton Campground, you will follow along a stream until reaching the Whittleton Arch Trail at 0.75 miles. Turn right to reach the arch. It is also worth noting that this is the only pet friendly trail in the park. You can add...

2 miles 280 ft gain

Hike the Auxier Ridge Trail, KY

This can be done as a quick hike, or as an overnighter so you can catch both sunset and sunrise. Park at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and take the Auxier Ridge Trail (#204). Do NOT take the branch on the left for the Courthouse Rock Trail (#202), ...

4 miles 1300 ft gain

Hike to Lick Falls

The Grayson Lake State Park has two trails – the Lick Falls Loop Trail, and the 0.8 mile Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail. Lick Falls is best done after a rain, to make sure the falls are flowing. A trail map of the park can be found here.

3 miles

Camp at Miguel's Pizza

The Red River Gorge is known for the best rock climbing in the east. A man named Miguel opened a pizzeria in the gorge, and soon began letting climbers camp behind the restaurant for a mere $2/night. Today, the tradition has continued, and dozens ...

Hike to Eagle Falls, Cumberland Falls SRP

Rated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Rated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Along the way to Eagle Falls you will pass one of the best views of Cumberland Falls. Part of the lower trail may at times be m...

1.9 miles 541 ft gain

Backpack Chimney Top Loop

Start out on Koomer Ridge Trail to see Hidden Arch. You will then head into the Right Fork Chimney Top Creek watershed, where you'll spend the night. The next day, hike along Buck Ridge to Sheltowee Trace Trail. Gray's Arch is located off of this ...

10.7 miles 40 ft gain

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Nearby camping, hotels, and more

Ashland, Kentucky

Ashland / Huntington West KOA
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Bowling Green KOA
Brandenburg, Kentucky

Southern Grace Bed And Breakfast

At Southern Grace, you will find crystal chandeliers, leaded glass, splendorous 23-foot ceilings, and century-year-old antiques … sitting on a farm with alpacas, cows, goats, ducks, and chickens re...

From $169/night
Buckhorn, Kentucky

Buckhorn Campground

Overview Buckhorn Campground on Buckhorn Lake, provides the perfect outdoor escape in eastern Kentucky's lush Cumberland Plateau.The campground is packed with activities to entertain all ages, incl...
Cadiz, Kentucky

Kentucky Lakes / Prizer Point KOA
Cadiz, Kentucky

Cadiz

Overview Cadiz Park is located on the beautiful Lake Barkley near the town of Cadiz, Kentucky. The day-use area is a great spot for barbecuing, boating and fishing. Fun fact: the largest yellow ba...