Kentucky
Nature|Hiking

A Recreation Trail Runs Through This Kentucky Town And It’s The Ultimate Outdoor Playground

The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in Kentucky offers a 290-mile adventure through diverse landscapes and historical sites.

Published Jul 11, 2023

Written by 

Will Suphan

Kentucky is full of trails of all kinds including rail trails, historical trails, bike trails, and more. The best ones will provide tons of adventure, activities, and sights to see so that you will not only have a lot to view, but a lot to do. The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail starts near the charming town of Morehead, Kentucky, and continues all the way into Tennessee at a total of 290 miles.

The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is a massive trail that passes through several small towns such as Morehead and through countless natural wonders and places for adventure. The trail is marked by this white turtle symbol all along the way.

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Carl Burdick/Getty Images

The trail starts on KY377 and meanders through gorgeous woods before reaching the first point of interest, the little town of Morehead. Historical sites like this one are found all along the trail.

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Cage SC/Google

A little way along the trail past Morehead is Cave Run Lake, a popular spot for fishing, boating, swimming, and all kinds of waterborne adventures.

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kathy castillo/Google

Further along, you’ll pass through wide swaths of idyllic Amish country where you can visit shops with handmade goods, visit farms and pet the animals, and take in the bucolic beauty of tiny towns like Frenchburg and Mariba.

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Google Maps

Next up is Red River Gorge which is utterly stunning and known for its limestone cliffs, numerous hiking trails, exciting zip lines, beautiful waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery.

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Joshua Moore/Getty Images

The trail continues through Natural Bridge State Resort Park where you’ll see a massive natural stone bridge near the small town of Slade.

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gcgray92/TripAdvisor

Further south, the trail goes through the mesmerizing Daniel Boone National Forest, passing by lovely waterfalls like Pounder Branch and Van Hook where you can take a dip in the cool waters and be soothed by the falling waters.

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Alex Bennett/Google

As we get closer to the Tennessee border, we encounter the famous and gorgeous Cumberland Falls. As you can see, this vast trail will bring you through the best of Kentucky with so much to see and do. It’s like the state is your playground.

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Aimee Lim/Google

We could only scratch the surface of what this trail has to offer. To see it all, check out this interactive map.

Have you ever traveled along the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in Kentucky or visited Morehead? Let us know about your experiences in the comments and be sure to gear up for your adventures and be prepared!

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Nature|Forests

The 2-Mile Hiking Trail in Kentucky That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

Kentuckians can enjoy the constellation of fall leaf colors—the bright reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows—for only a few weeks each year. The Harrods Creek Trail near Prospect, Kentucky, is great for viewing fall foliage.

Published Oct 3, 2024

Written by 

Kelly Carroll

While there are reasons to hike in Kentucky any time of year, there are ample reasons to hike in the fall. The cool, crisp weather and reduced number of insects buzzing around make fall hiking more enjoyable. However, the most convincing reason to hike in the fall, in my opinion, is the stunning fall foliage. Kentuckians can enjoy the constellation of fall leaf colors—the bright reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows—for only a few weeks each year. The Harrods Creek Trail near Prospect, Kentucky, is great for viewing fall foliage.

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Ann Young / AllTrails

The Harrods Creek Trail is 2.2 miles and rated moderately difficult. Visitors note rocks, tree roots, and uneven terrain along the trail. The path follows Harrods Creek, and hikers can enjoy beautiful forest and water views. In the fall, the trees along the trail turn stunning shades. There are swings where visitors can stop to enjoy the views before continuing along the path. The swings look like the perfect place to take a break during a hike and provide a fantastic photo opportunity!

The trail is located inside Harrods Creek Park, a 109-acre park with four miles of trails that is open from dawn to dusk. Parking for Harrods Creek Park and the Harrods Creek Trail is located near the intersection of Montero Drive and Deep Creek Drive. The park is surrounded by private property, making it feel like a hidden natural oasis.

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Ann Young / AllTrails

The Harrods Creek Park trails are great places to view wildlife, especially wild turkeys, blue herons, white-tailed deer, and numerous species of birds. The park also has a place to fish and launch canoes and kayaks into Harrods Creek.

There are several trails to enjoy at Harrods Creek Park. The Blue Trail takes hikers to a beach area on the creek's banks, while the Red and Green Trails take hikers to more remote and secluded park areas.

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Jessica Singleton / AllTrails

For more information, view the Harrods Creek Park website and the Harrods Creek Trail's listing on AllTrails.

Before you set out on your next hike, take a look at our list of must-have hiking accessories.

Prospect is a charming little town just outside of Louisville. It's near enough to the city to access all its amenities but far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle and find wide-open spaces. The area is full of great places to enjoy nature, including Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, Sinking Fork Falls, and Hays Kennedy Park. There are also fantastic restaurants, including Captain's Quarters Riverside Grille, which has panoramic views of the Ohio River.

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Nature|Hiking

The Kentucky Hike That Leads To The Most Unforgettable Destination

Rock Bridge Trail in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, offers a scenic and accessible hike featuring a unique natural sandstone arch over water and the beautiful Creation Falls.

Updated Jul 18, 2024

Written by 

Rachel Shulhafer

It's no secret that Kentucky is chock-full of beautiful hikes that take you to some jaw-dropping scenery. However, this one hike in the Red River Gorge leads you to an unforgettable destination that is unlike anything else in the state. In fact, it's quite possibly one of the most scenic hikes in Kentucky. The best part is that it's suitable for most hiking skill levels, so almost anyone can enjoy what Rock Bridge Trail in Kentucky has to offer.

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To find the trailhead for Rock Bridge Trail, take exit 40 off of Mountain Parkway and head west on KY-15, then take a right onto KY-715. Continue for not quite half a mile, then turn right onto Rock Bridge Road.

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This is a narrow gravel road, so use caution while driving on it. You'll continue on Rock Bridge Road for three miles. The road will end at the trailhead for Rock Bridge Trail, which has bathrooms and picnic tables.

The trail is a 1.5-mile loop, so it does not matter which direction you start. The beginning of the trail is paved, but it quickly descends into a deep ravine surrounded by lush, green forest, and dotted with ancient rock shelters.

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As you get lower in elevation, you will start to hear the sound of water flowing. This means you're getting close your unforgettable destination: Rock Bridge.

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As the trail winds around the side of this impressive natural sandstone arch, you'll see that it is actually going over the creek.

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In fact, it is the only natural arch in all of Red River Gorge that goes over water, making this geological formation truly unique.

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There is a clearing just past the arch that makes a great spot to stop for a snack or a rest.

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With so much scenery to admire, it's no wonder this tops the list of the most scenic hikes in Kentucky.

Not far past the arch is another beautiful site: Creation Falls. There's a small beach area close to the falls, as well as a viewing area. Creation Falls is one of the most gorgeous sites in the whole Gorge.

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Flickr/Karen Roussel

Have you ever hiked the Rock Bridge Trail in Kentucky before? Do you consider this among the most scenic hikes in Kentucky? We'd love to hear all about your experiences in the comments below! For related content, you'll love learning about these swinging bridge trails in Kentucky that offer the perfect amount of adventure:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/swinging-bridge-trails-ky/

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