The 5 Best Outdoorsy Towns to Explore in Kentucky

Kentucky has top-notch outdoor recreation. There are diverse landscapes, thousands of miles of hiking trails, lakes and rivers for water sports, and outstanding rock climbing. You won't find only one spot in Kentucky with incredible outdoor activities; there are several spread out across the Bluegrass State. This list of outdoorsy towns in Kentucky features the top spots for hiking, paddling, biking, rock climbing, and more.

Stanton

There are many reasons why Stanton is worth visiting. Known as the gateway to Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Red River Gorge, this small town in Eastern Kentucky is full of opportunities to have fun outdoors. Famous hikes include Chimney Top Trail and the Double Arch Trail. There's also guided climbing, ziplining, and lots of ATV and UTV trails. You can even adventure underground by taking a kayak or boat cave tour with The Gorge Underground. To avoid the crowds and enjoy better photo opportunities, plan to get up and out early in the day.

Brownsville

You may not have ever heard of Brownsville, Kentucky, but we bet you've heard of its nearby natural gem: Mammoth Cave National Park. Its location, about 20 minutes from the national park, makes Brownsville an ideal base for outdoor adventures, above and below ground. Visitors can enjoy a cave tour, paddling and canoeing on the Green River, horseback riding, camping, and aboveground trails like this secret hike in the national park. Many say that fall is the best time to visit the area with cooler temperatures and fewer insects, but summer also brings more daylight hours and weather perfect for water sports.

Berea

Berea is a small town in Kentucky for nature lovers and art enthusiasts. It has amazing hiking opportunities, including the Berea Pinnacles, which offer amazing valley views. Many of the trails are multi-use and perfect for cycling, including the Berea Artisan Trail and John B. Stephenson Trail. The Owsley Fork Reservoir is a wonderful spot for water recreation, including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. If you visit this charming mountain town, make sure to check out the local art scene. There are fantastic artisan studios, galleries, and jewelry shops.

Corbin

It's hard to think of a better outdoor destination in Kentucky than Corbin, a literal nature-lover's paradise with waterfalls, whitewater rafting, boating, and fishing. It is tucked inside the Daniel Boone National Forest and near Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, home to the 125-foot Cumberland Falls waterfall. During a full moon, visitors can see a moonbow over the falls, a natural phenomenon you can't see anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. Corbin is also one of the state's quirkiest towns that is somehow still flying under the radar, boasting unique gems like the Harlan Sanders Cafe & Museum.

Dawson Springs

Dawson Springs is one of the best adventure towns in Kentucky. It was certified as Kentucky's first Trail Town and offers outdoor activities at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, the Tradewater River, and Lake Beshear. These sites offer fantastic hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping opportunities. The Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area has incredible hiking and a 70-foot-tall waterfall. Dawson Springs is also a small town with a unique history; people once flocked to the area for its healing mineral waters, looking for relief from liver ailments, rheumatism, heart disease, and more.

With rock climbing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, hiking, biking, camping, and many more activities, outdoor enthusiasts will have a hard time finding something they can't do in Kentucky. The scenic overlooks, natural rock formations, and gushing waterfalls make the Bluegrass State a beautiful place to explore Mother Nature. Of course, it's just one state out of 50 with excellent outdoor destinations. As you set out on your next outdoor adventure, remember to explore responsibly and look for ways to support local communities.