The Hidden Park That Will Make You Feel Like You've Discovered Kentucky's Best Kept Secret
By Rachel Shulhafer|Published January 13, 2017
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Rachel Shulhafer
Author
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. I have lived elsewhere twice, but keep coming back. I'm a video editor and freelance writer who enjoys watching people wearing University of Louisville uniforms excel at sports, scaling the faces of large rocks, and hanging out with my border collie/laborador/cattle dog mutt thingy that I have.
It’s no secret that Kentucky is a beautiful state. People flock to areas like the Red River Gorge, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the Land Between the Lakes, and Mammoth Cave National Park to get outside and reconnect with nature. All of these places are in fact gorgeous, but if you’re looking for someplace that’s not as crowded, but has equally stunning views, then check out Kingdom Come State Park. This small park is surrounded by larger and more popular parks like Pine Mountain State Resort Park and Breaks Interstate Park, so it is often overlooked. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon Kentucky’s best kept secret.
Kingdom Come State Park is located in eastern Kentucky, just outside the town of Cumberland.
The park is named after a popular Civil War novel called "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" by John Fox, Jr.
The park is located in the crest of Pine Mountain, and has an elevation of 2,700 feet, which is the highest for any park in Kentucky. For some stunning views of the surrounding vistas, you can visit one of the eight scenic overlooks in the park.
Kingdom Come State Park offers 1,283 acres of land that has remained largely untouched. It's a great place to hike and camp, especially if you want to avoid the crowds. However, be on the lookout for the wildlife that live in the area.
Besides the overlooks, Kingdom Come State Park has several interesting rock formations that are worth a visit. One of these is Log Rock, which looks like a fallen tree.