12 Outdoor Adventures To Have In Kentucky, One For Each Month Of The Year
If you’re the adventurous type, perhaps you prefer to choose your activities spontaneously, or maybe you like to plan out a year at a time. If you plan to explore Kentucky, there’s no shortage of things to do and experiences to have; in fact, there are more than enough to try for one outing each month of the year. The outdoor adventures in Kentucky range from cave exploration to zip-lining to hiking past frozen waterfalls, deep in the woods. The options are endless, so we narrowed it down to 12 of the best outdoor adventures in Kentucky, one for each month of the year. Grab your calendar and start planning, or at least keep these in mind when you want to try something new in the Bluegrass State.
You may not think of taking a boat tour in January, but this particular excursion is the same temperature all year long! The Gorge Underground is both outdoors and within a cave, so it's bound to be a unique way to begin your year. And if it's not in the cards for January, this is a great outing any month of the year.
Read more about this unique outdoor adventure in Kentucky in our previous article.
Read more about this unique outdoor adventure in Kentucky in our previous article.
Kentucky is filled with waterfalls and some are easily accessible while others are tucked away deep in the woods. During the winter, many of these flowing cascades completely freeze over, making for a different kind of natural beauty. February is typically a frigid month in Kentucky, so watch the weather forecast and get ready to track down one or many of these frozen waterfalls in Kentucky!
See more photos of frozen waterfalls across the Bluegrass State and pick out your favorites in our previous article.
See more photos of frozen waterfalls across the Bluegrass State and pick out your favorites in our previous article.
Red River Gorge in Kentucky is a popular place for countless outdoor adventures, but March is a great time to visit to avoid the crowds! Stay in a cozy cabin or a unique treehouse, drive through Nada Tunnel (shown above), eat at Miguel's, and of course get out on the scenic trails throughout the area.
Plan your own visit with our recommendation of a Red River Gorge Road Trip.
Plan your own visit with our recommendation of a Red River Gorge Road Trip.
There is nothing quite like spring in Kentucky and April is when everything really starts to come to life. Wildflowers pop up along hiking trails, so get out and enjoy the fresh air! John James Audubon State Park, shown above, is one beautiful destination in the spring or if you're looking for something in Northern Kentucky, check out Middle Creek Park.
When May rolls around, it's time to head to the water and Laurel River Lake is one of the most beautiful in the state. With clear water, a sandy beach, and an abundance of fish, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure here. And while the water may be a bit chilly in May, you'll also avoid the crowds who have already discovered this picturesque lake.
See more of the blue waters of Laurel River Lake in our previous article.
See more of the blue waters of Laurel River Lake in our previous article.
With all of the waterways in Kentucky, you shouldn't spend a summer in the Bluegrass without paddle boarding or kayaking. SUP Kentucky is an excellent provider of this experience and they offer several excursions to places all over Kentucky. Or if you happen to have your own kayak or paddle board, add an adventure to your June calendar!
If you're looking for one option, check out this adventure on Grayson Lake with SUP Kentucky.
If you're looking for one option, check out this adventure on Grayson Lake with SUP Kentucky.
Located in LaGrange, the FRP-Lagrange Quarry is a sought after outdoor destination in the summer in Kentucky. You must be 18 or older and you can float to your heart's content in this crystal clear, refreshing water. Blow up that massive swan floatie and plan a July weekend at this relaxing outdoor adventure in Kentucky.
Take a closer look at the quarry in our previous article.
Take a closer look at the quarry in our previous article.
In August things really heat up, so keep the outdoor adventures near the water by camping lakefront. Kentucky offers many campground that are right on a lake and many of these have swimming beaches that are ideal for cooling off. If camping is one of your favorite outdoor adventures in Kentucky, check out these 7 campgrounds that are right on the water.
For one last adventure near the water, head to scenic Cave Run Lake in September. We usually get a little bit of everything weather wise in September, but there should be plenty of days to still enjoy the water, the beaches, campground, hiking, and more. This is arguably the most beautiful lake in Kentucky as it's surrounded by rolling mountain views and September is a delightful time to visit.
See more of this idyllic lake in our previous article.
See more of this idyllic lake in our previous article.
What better way to see the vibrant fall foliage in October than with a zip line tour?! Red River Gorge Zipline Tours is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. You can zip high above the gorge and in the fall, over some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. This is one outdoor adventure that belongs on every thrill-seeker's bucket list.
Learn more and plan your own tour with this Red River Gorge Zipline Tours article.
Learn more and plan your own tour with this Red River Gorge Zipline Tours article.
In November, plan a visit to Pine Mountain and spend time in Kentucky's oldest state park. This mountainous area offers several scenic trails, views, and winding roads and fall is simply spectacular! And if you happen to visit during an early snowfall, that's just as magical.
See more of Pine Mountain in the fall in our previous article.
See more of Pine Mountain in the fall in our previous article.
Mammoth Cave is a true Kentucky treasure and the ultimate in outdoor adventure destinations. Tour this massive cave and walk through history while witnessing a geological wonder that people visit from all over the world.
See more of Mammoth Cave and learn about its tours in our previous article.
See more of Mammoth Cave and learn about its tours in our previous article.
While 12 outdoor adventures in Kentucky sound like a lot, these experiences are just the beginning of a long list of things to do outside in the Bluegrass. Whether underground, on water, or flying through the sky, make this the year that you try some new adventures in Kentucky. What do you think of this list? How many have you already tried? We’d love to hear about your travel plans in Kentucky, so be sure to share in the comments!
Address: Gorge Underground, 2478 Glencarin Rd, Rogers, KY 41365, USA
Address: Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
Address: John James Audubon State Park, 3100 US-41, Henderson, KY 42420, USA
Address: Laurel River Lake, Kentucky, USA
Address: Grayson Lake, Kentucky, USA
Address: Lagrange Quarry, La Grange, KY 40031, USA
Address: Cave Run Lake, Kentucky, USA
Address: Red River Gorge Ziplines, 455 Cliffview Rd, Campton, KY 41301, USA
Address: Pine Mountain, KY 40808, USA
Address: Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
