Lush And Lovely, You'll Be Transported To Middle Earth Along The Rock Garden Trail In Kentucky
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 10, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
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.
There’s something so captivating about the world J. R. R. Tolkien created in “The Lord of the Rings.” Middle Earth, a place of lush forests and romantic fantasy, is a realm that’s undeniably beautiful and beguiling. And here in Kentucky, we don’t have to pick up one of Tolkien’s novels to visit Middle Earth — there’s a trail in Natural Bridge State Resort Park that’s as lush and lovely as it gets.
If you're a nature lover, then it is very likely that you've already spent time in Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Located within the resplendent Red River Gorge, this park is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
This is a year-round favorite in the Bluegrass, however -- the park offers several hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels, many of which lead you to the park’s namesake natural bridge, as well as numerous other rock formations throughout this area -- including the moss-covered boulders lining the Rock Garden Trail.
You can reach it by beginning on the Original Trail, turning right onto the Battleship Rock Trail, and then following the Rock Garden Trailhead from there. This Kentucky trail winds through a verdant forest that's straight out of Middle Earth, complete with fanciful rock stars and almost rainforest-like umbrage.
The 1.75-mile trail is perfect for exploring and really does feel like a garden filled with enchanted rocks. Since it does connect with other trails, keep that in mind when setting out on your adventure. If you’re up for a longer adventure, you can combine several trails to suit your needs!
There's a well-known saying that many "can't see the forest for the trees." This speaks to our inclination to look at all the little things in life, and not the (often wondrous) whole picture.
Come and traipse through our very own Middle Earth along this dreamy little trail, and be prepared to marvel over the wide and wonderful world that's right here, at our fingertips, in Kentucky!
Have you hiked the Rock Garden Trail at Natural Bridge State Resort Park before? This Kentucky trail is a slice of Middle Earth that’s as wondrous as anything Tolkien could have ever conjured. And unlike Middle Earth, this forest hike in Kentucky is wholly, wildly, wondrously real.
If you’re looking for a place to rest your feet post-hike, the Kentucky State Park resort has some amazing accommodations!
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