There’s nowhere in the world quite like Kentucky. Between the rolling hills of Horse Country, grandiose gorges of the Daniel Boone National Forest, riverfront vistas of northern Kentucky, Appalachian hills in our eastern region, and waterfront splendor of Lake Cumberland *and* Land Between the Lakes, you’re guaranteed to find a scenic destination anywhere in the state. Today, we put together a scenic road trip in Kentucky that visits some of our state’s finest features, and it’s sure to make you fall in love with the beauty of the Bluegrass all over again.

Our scenic road trip in Kentucky visits several beautiful destinations in the Bluegrass State. While it can be done in a day, we suggest breaking it into a weekend, and we have suggested accommodations listed below.
Google Maps
Check out the Google Map and plan your trip!
On your mark, get set, go! We're kicking off this scenic road trip through Kentucky in the most Kentucky way possible: with the horses!
Horse Park Road, Horse Park Rd, Kentucky 41008, USA
Kentucky Horse Park/Facebook
The Kentucky Horse Park is always a blue ribbon winner in our books, and it's the perfect place to stop and spend the morning.
We recommend going for a guided horseback ride through the equestrian park, which is one of the best ways to enjoy the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.
Kentucky Horse Park/Facebook
Next stop, Red River Gorge! Located within the state’s Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure.
Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
DanBrandenburg/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. The vistas here are out-of-this-world, and we recommend staying in your car and driving through a bit of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.
When you feel like getting out and stretching your legs, Natural Bridge is one of Red River Gorge's most spectacular spots and offers 10 hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles in length.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Formed over millions of years, the park's eponymous sandstone arch stretches more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high and is truly a sight to behold. When you're tired and ready to rest your feet for the night, we suggest checking into the 35-room Hemlock Lodge, where each suite has a balcony for peak vista viewing!

Curious to explore RRG before you go? Check out this video from YouTube user Robert Zinn:

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New day, new possibilities. First up: a hike at the Berea Pinnacles, the trail Outside Magazine called the best in Kentucky in 2019.
East Pinnacle, Berea, KY 40403, USA
Anthony/Flickr
To get to these overlooks, however, you're going to need to lace up your hiking boots and set out on a 6.6-mile journey, but trust us when we say: it's worth each and every step!
Once you've explored the pinnacles, head to Bardstown for a late lunch. Hailed as one of the most charming and walkable small towns in the country, Bardstown is peak Bluegrass beauty!
Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
We suggest stopping by The Old Talbott Tavern, the oldest bourbon bar in the country, for lunch.
Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Order a bourbon flight to sample some of the state's finest spirits, and dine on Southern favorites like beer-battered fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and bourbon-glazed chicken.
Fortified, it's time to embark on the last leg of our trip, and it's breathtakingly beautiful.
Anthony/Flickr
Travel up through central Kentucky's rolling blue hills, through tunnels of trees and white picket fence-lined farms. Roll down the windows and drink in the sublime scenery of Horse Country.
Our final stop is as grand as it gets: the Kentucky Castle. It's a place that's truly as beautiful as it gets, and from its perch in Versailles, it almost doesn't seem real.
The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
The Kentucky Castle/Facebook
Luckily for us, it is.
Wander the grounds and then enjoy a scenic dinner whilst gazing out on your Kentucky kingdom.
The Kentucky Castle/Facebook
Your trip can end here, but we suggest booking a night's stay at the Kentucky Castle, and reveling in being real-life royalty for the night.

Oh, Kentucky, there’s nowhere in the world we’d rather be. We hope you enjoyed this scenic road trip to some of the most beautiful places in Kentucky, and encourage you to get out and let yourself fall head-over-heels for the beautiful Bluegrass State!

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More to Explore

Most Beautiful Places in Kentucky

Sarah M. | February 03, 2023

What are the most beautiful places in Kentucky?

Kentucky is full of scenic beauty and natural wonders galore, and the above scenic road trip in Kentucky only scratches the surface of all our state offers! Curious about other beautiful places to explore in Kentucky? Read on!

  • Red River Gorge. One of the most iconic places in the state, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure. Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state.
  • Natural Bridge. If you're looking for a hike that the whole family can enjoy, Natural Bridge is one of Red River Gorge's most spectacular spots and offers 10 hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles in length. Formed over millions of years, the park's eponymous sandstone arch stretches more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high. With stunning geological features and sweeping panoramas, Natural Bridge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the region.
  • Mammoth Cave National Park. The longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave is a true Bluegrass treasure. Mammoth Cave National Park stretches almost 53,000 acres in the rolling hills of Kentucky, and includes numerous river valleys, forests, historic sites, sinkholes, and, of course, the titular caves.
  • Kingdom Come State Park. The aptly-named Kingdom Come State Park really is one of Kentucky's most glorious wonders. With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this state park, located in the Pine Mountain range near Cumberland, offers some of the most perfect panoramas you'll ever see. But this park is also home to some of the most spectacular geological formations in the state (and this is Kentucky we're talking about, so that's saying a lot!).
  • Cumberland Falls. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you'll find the magnificent Cumberland Falls, a jaw-dropping wonder that is positively sublime to behold. Visit during one of the moonbow occurrences (which happen several times each month), and you'll be rendered absolutely speechless.
  • 76 Falls. While Cumberland Falls is magnificent, it's not the *only* stunning cascade in the state. Also located in Lake Cumberland, 76 Falls is a breathtaking beauty that flows rushes the lake, in its own little cove that's perfect for enjoying some low-key water recreation. The splendid 76 Falls really is a total hidden gem.

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