9 Enchanting Spots Surrounded By Frozen Beauty To Experience In Kentucky This Winter
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Nikki Rhoades
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Wintertime is a season of great beauty in Kentucky. However, it also invokes in residents a sort of restlessness as cabin fever sets in. Fortunately, there is one easy way to combat cabin fever: embark on one of the many beautiful winter hikes in Kentucky! Our landscape boasts many incredible and hikeable destinations, and winter oftentimes makes our landscape all the more picturesque. Bundle up and lace up your hiking boots, because snow and ice won’t be keeping you indoors this season.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is an absolutely splendid getaway with a rich and engaging landscape. This United States National Recreation Area stretches across the Kentucky and Tennessee borders, right between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. As winter coats the landscape, this dreamy natural space becomes a jaw-dropping landscape, making it one of our favorite winter hikes in Kentucky.
Dog Slaughter Falls Trail, Forest Rd, Corbin, KY 40701, USA
This enchanting trail runs almost totally parallel to Dog Slaughter Creek, which transforms splendidly with the presence of snow and ice. The Dog Slaughter Falls Trail spans 2.6 miles, a distance worth traveling to experience its very own ice-covered waterfall.
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Carr Creek Lake, Kentucky 41759, USA
Just east of Hazard, Kentucky is a lake that's absolutely enchanting when draped in a blanket of snow. Carr Creek Lake is a reservoir of 710 acres created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1970s. Today, it is surrounded by Carr Creek State Park, which is full of family-friendly fun. While most often visited for swimming and camping in the summer, Carr Creek Lake is equally lovely in the winter!
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Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Once upon a time, this vivid site in Boone County, Kentucky was frequented by gigantic Ice Age mammals. Known to modern science as megafauna, these critters were attracted by a salt lick in the midst of the most recent ice age. Today, this underrated Kentucky State Park is a marvelous winter destination due to its its unique displays and impressive views.
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Nolin Lake, Kentucky, USA
Nolin Lake is a landscape that has delighted visitors for generations. This 5,795-acre lake was first formed in 1963, though it would not open as Nolin Lake State Park until 2001. Today, this site is particularly beloved in the summer months thanks to its sandy beaches. Of course, it is equally as striking in the winter.
General Butler State Resort Park, 1608 KY-227, Carrollton, KY 41008, USA
General Butler State Resort Park
Another underrated Kentucky State Park, General Butler State Resort Park is a vision in the winter. If you have ever longed for the opportunity to look down over a snow-covered valley, the gorgeous landscape of General Butler State Resort Park is yours to conquer! Their cozy lodge offers gorgeous views and easy access to snow-kissed trails.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Hiding in Powell and Wolfe Counties is... well, a natural bridge. This naturally-occurring sandstone arch is surrounded by the splendid Daniel Boone National Forest, and its own 2,300 acre expanse features much to discover.
Pine Mountain, KY 40808, USA
Tucked away in the appropriately named community of Pineville is a dreamy mountain landscape. Pine Mountain was Kentucky's first state park, and it was established back in 1924. Ever since, visitors have found themselves charmed by its beauty and awe-inspiring features.
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Kenlake State Resort Park, 542 Kenlake Rd, Hardin, KY 42048, USA
Anyone up for a wintertime road trip? The landscape of
Kenlake State Resort Park is so enchanting that it even stuns visitors from the comfort of their cars. Once you park and begin exploring the western shore of Kentucky Lake, you'll find that there is much to discover! Cherokee and Chickasaw Trails make for a particularly lovely walk through this snow-covered landscape.
Longing for the best winter hikes in Kentucky? These scenic spots just might become your new favorite wintertime getaways. Which of these pretty places is your favorite? Share it with us in the comments below!
Craving more wintertime splendor? Add these frozen waterfalls in Kentucky to your seasonal bucket list! And for more hiking inspiration, check out these 12 scenic trails in Kentucky to take over the course of the year.
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Winter Hikes in Kentucky
What are some winter getaways in Kentucky?
After you've conquered some of the best winter hikes in Kentucky, you might just want to cozy up in front of the fire at one of the numerous state park resorts and cabins in the Bluegrass. Here are some of our favorite Kentucky State Park Resorts for a getaway:
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The most famous of all Kentucky State Parks, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a glorious getaway in the Bluegrass. The historic Dupont Lodge is a Kentucky icon, and it's an extra charming resort to visit during the snowy season.
- Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. If it's a lakeside retreat you're seeking, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park is a perennial favorite. While you'll likely be enjoying the water views from afar, the park boasts an amazing indoor pool that's truly resort level.
- General Butler State Resort Park. An oft-overlooked Kentucky State Park, General Butler State Resort Park might just be the state's most glorious hidden gem. In addition to jaw-dropping vistas, amazing winter hikes, and spectacular scenery (visible from the resort's amazing Great Room!), the rooms at this Kentucky State Park are as lux as what you'd expect from a boutique hotel. If you're looking for an extraordinary getaway in Kentucky, this is it.
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Natural Bridge State Resort Park. In beautiful Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge State Resort Park is home to some of the state's most iconic rock formations and features. You'll experience the Gorge like never before at Hemlock Lodge, a place that offers unrivaled views and a cozy, downright luxurious experience. After a day spent exploring this wondrous place, a night of rest and relaxation is the perfect way to savor the splendor that is Natural Bridge State Resort Park.