The Scenic Road Trip That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Beauty Of Kentucky All Over Again
There’s nowhere in the world quite like Kentucky. Between the rolling hills of Horse Country, grandiose gorges of the Daniel Boone National Forest, riverfront vistas of northern Kentucky, Appalachian hills in our eastern region, and waterfront splendor of Lake Cumberland *and* Land Between the Lakes, you’re guaranteed to find a scenic destination anywhere in the state. Today, we put together a scenic road trip in Kentucky that visits some of our state’s finest features, and it’s sure to make you fall in love with the beauty of the Bluegrass all over again.
Our scenic road trip in Kentucky visits several beautiful destinations in the Bluegrass State. While it can be done in a day, we suggest breaking it into a weekend, and we have suggested accommodations listed below.
Next stop, Red River Gorge! Located within the state’s Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure.
Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. The vistas here are out-of-this-world, and we recommend staying in your car and driving through a bit of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.
When you feel like getting out and stretching your legs, Natural Bridge is one of Red River Gorge's most spectacular spots and offers 10 hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles in length.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Formed over millions of years, the park's eponymous sandstone arch stretches more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high and is truly a sight to behold. When you're tired and ready to rest your feet for the night, we suggest checking into the 35-room Hemlock Lodge, where each suite has a balcony for peak vista viewing!
New day, new possibilities. First up: a hike at the Berea Pinnacles, the trail Outside Magazine called the best in Kentucky in 2019.
To get to these overlooks, however, you're going to need to lace up your hiking boots and set out on a 6.6-mile journey, but trust us when we say: it's worth each and every step!
Once you've explored the pinnacles, head to Bardstown for a late lunch. Hailed as one of the most charming and walkable small towns in the country, Bardstown is peak Bluegrass beauty!
Order a bourbon flight to sample some of the state's finest spirits, and dine on Southern favorites like beer-battered fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and bourbon-glazed chicken.
Fortified, it's time to embark on the last leg of our trip, and it's breathtakingly beautiful.
Travel up through central Kentucky's rolling blue hills, through tunnels of trees and white picket fence-lined farms. Roll down the windows and drink in the sublime scenery of Horse Country.
Our final stop is as grand as it gets: the Kentucky Castle. It's a place that's truly as beautiful as it gets, and from its perch in Versailles, it almost doesn't seem real.
The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
Your trip can end here, but we suggest booking a night's stay at the Kentucky Castle, and reveling in being real-life royalty for the night.
Oh, Kentucky, there’s nowhere in the world we’d rather be. We hope you enjoyed this scenic road trip in Kentucky, and encourage you to get out and let yourself fall head-over-heels for the beautiful Bluegrass State!
Address: The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
Address: Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Address: Horse Park Road, Horse Park Rd, Kentucky 41008, USA
Address: East Pinnacle, Berea, KY 40403, USA
Address: Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
Address: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Address: Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.