Here Are 8 Incredible Natural Wonders Hiding Near Louisville
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Meg Archer
Author
There are plenty of beautiful sights to see and things to do in Louisville, but sometimes you just need to get away for a day and explore our beautiful state! These incredible natural wonders show off some of the most scenic views (both above and below ground), stunning waterfalls, and amazing spots around Louisville. Some are right on our doorstep and others require a little more of a road trip, but all are close enough for single-day adventure!
We were pretty worried that we might never see this natural wonder again when it was closed down several years ago for maintenance work, so we were overjoyed when this beautiful trail opened up again in 2015. Tioga Falls is located only 35 minutes from Louisville (in West Point), so there is no excuse to miss out on this beautiful trail (having it closed for so long definitely motivated us to get out and see it as often as possible!)
It’s only a 1.9 mile hike through a beautiful hardwood forest to get to Tioga Falls, which drops in several sections totally over 130 feet. The largest single drop is about 30 feet, and the full cascade is lovely!
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This lovely park within The Parklands at Floyds Fork is only 25 minutes from downtown Louisville and offers beautiful lakes, overlooks, and waterfalls along several wonderful hiking and walking trails. The Limestone Gorge is a popular spot in Broad Run Park, as it is only a short walk to a a cool stone bridge that offers a view of a waterfall flowing through the gorge during the wetter winter and spring seasons.
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Head south on I-65 for just over an hour and you will discover one of the most incredible National Parks in the nation! The Mammoth Cave system is considered the longest in the world and has more than 390 miles of passageways crisscrossing through the limestone rock. You can tour some of the magnificent sections of the caves through the National Park Service that range from one to six hours and vary in difficulty.
Some features, like the Frozen Niagara, can be seen on easygoing lighted tours, while other "wild" tours travel away from the more popular areas and into areas and lead you through tighter, darker tunnels if you are looking for a more difficult adventure!
This stunning State Park is located near Stanton in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The star of the show here is the natural sandstone arch that the park was named after. It stands 65-feet tall and spans a 78-foot gap and is definitely an amazing sight to behold.
Natural Bridge State Park is adjacent to the incredibly Red River Gorge, which brings us to our next natural wonder...
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This incredible canyon system is in the Daniel Boone National Forest, two hours east of Louisville. The stunning scenic views, waterfalls, and natural bridges found here are definitely worth the drive. The beautiful sandstone cliffs are considered one of the best rock climbing locations in the entire world!
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With over 60 miles of hiking trails to explore, Red River Gorge is a great destination for a day trip!
This amazing limestone cave is just over an hour south of Louisville and is considered one of the most beautiful in the state! The incredible rock formations were formed over millions of years and fill the massive caverns.
Some of the larger caverns are lit by bright, colorful lights that make a tour through this underground natural wonder feel positively magical!
Anglin Falls is located in Berea, about one hour and 45 minutes southeast of Louisville. The 75-foot tall falls is absolutely lovely, but can dry up significantly during the hot summer months.
Anglin Falls is part of the John B. Stephenson Memorial State Forest Nature Preserve and it’s near enough to Cumberland Falls to make it a fun side trip on your way!
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This hiker’s paradise has 15 miles of trails to explore! Perhaps the most famous feature of Cumberland Falls is the incredible Moonbow that forms in the mist on bright nights - it’s the only phenomenon of its kind in the entire world! The 125-foot wide falls is sometimes called the "Niagara of the South" for its sheer magnificence.
Cumberland Falls is located near Corbin, about two and a half hours from Louisville. It’s a little further out than some of the other natural wonders on this list, but can still be explored on a single-day adventure!
Anyone who thinks that Kentucky is only filled with bourbon and horse racing needs to take a closer look at some of the stunning spots in nature! Louisville is lucky to be close to so many of these, so whether you are looking for a quick afternoon escape or a mini-adventure road trip that you can do in one day, these eight amazing natural wonders definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list!
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