Hike To These 5 Hidden Caves In Kentucky For An Unforgettable Adventure
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 11, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Here in The Bluegrass State, we have a whole world of adventure beneath our feet. Kentucky has some of the most extraordinary underground caves and caverns in the entire country, and they are all worth exploring! While Mammoth Cave is certainly the most famous (for good reason — it’s the largest world’s longest cave system, encompassing more than 400 underground passageways!), there are many, many more incredible underground caverns hiding in Kentucky. Here are five hidden caves in Kentucky you can hike to, around, or even through — all of which make for an unforgettable adventure in The Bluegrass State!
For the ultimate cave hike in Kentucky, you’ll definitely want to check out the Three Bridges Trail at Carter Caves. As its moniker indicates, Carter Caves is best-known for its unique caverns, but its geological variety includes canyons, natural bridges, arches, sinkholes, and cliffs. And on the Three Bridges Trail, you'll get to experience the park's most noteworthy features, in a perfect, 3.3-mile adventure.
Located in the southeastern region of Kentucky and stretching into Tennessee and Virginia, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is definitely one of the premier hiking destinations in the country, and is perhaps best-known for its above-ground vistas. Cumberland Gap is a diverse and stunning area that is spans through parts of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Each state has something to offer, and here in Kentucky, we have mountainous views, unrivaled trails, and an out-of-this-world sand cave! You can access this cave via the Ewing Trail, which actually begins in Virginia. You'll park at the trailhead and then head toward the Kentucky state line. This feature is perhaps the most unique and unexpected cave in Kentucky!
Perhaps the most hidden cave on this list, Resurgence Cave is a stunning natural wonder in Daniel Boone National Forest that's surrounded by a forested hillside, wherein a creek seems to mysteriously disappear and reappear out of its darkness. You can view this underground cavern along the eponymous 4.7-mile Resurgence Cave Trail. It's also found along the epic Sheltowee Trace Trail -- but don't worry, you don't have to hike all 333 miles to view the cave!
Along the Jessamine Creek Trail is a lesser known gorge in Central Kentucky that's breathtakingly beautiful and home to some truly extraordinary geological wonders. While hiking the eponymous 2.1 mile trail through the preserve, you'll pass by babbling creeks, trickling waterfalls, and even a couple of hidden caverns! As a gorge, the rock formations here are magical and intriguing, and really look like something out of a fairy tale.
Mammoth Cave is obviously one of the most glorious natural wonders in Kentucky; it’s an expansive underground world that’s truly unparalleled. This headliner isn't the only cavern in the national park, however. On the Dixon Cave Trail Loop, hikers pass right by the eponymous Dixon Cave. This 1.5-mile loop is great for all skill levels, and provides fantastic external views of this hidden cave. Please note: hikers are not permitted to enter Dixon Cave, as it's home to hibernating bats!
The world is wide and wonderful, and there’s just so much to explore. Often the very best adventures are hiding right beneath your feet, as is most certainly the case with these Bluegrass State wonders.
Have you hiked to any of these hidden caves in Kentucky before? If you have, tell us about your experience!
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