This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Kentucky Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
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Jenn Shockley
Author
One thing can never be disputed about our state, and that is the natural beauty we’ve been gifted with. There are so many enchanting spots to visit, camp, fish, boat or just absorb nature, a month wouldn’t be enough time to visit them all. We’ve put together a natural wonders road trip in Kentucky to get things started, but this is just the tip of our iceberg. Grab some friends and family and check out this natural adventure, or as much of it as you can. I’ll be the first to admit it is easy to get mesmerized by some of these locations and spend extra time.
Rock House Natural Bridge, Jamestown, KY 42629, USA
Located off Highway 379, this stone formation attracts people from all across the U.S. The stone itself is a very cool spot to stop and just soak up some nature, have a picnic, or explore the unique environment. The historic archway also has an Indian burial ground above it that has been preserved.
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Yahoo Falls, Kentucky 42653, USA
The Yahoo Arch and WORD Yahoo Falls are both located in Daniel Boone National Forest, about an eighth of a mile apart in McCreary County. The arch is a nice shady spot to take a break. The falls make for a wondrous picnic spot and a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
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Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky 40447, USA
The Yahoo Arch and Yahoo Falls are both located in Daniel Boone National Forest, about an eighth of a mile apart in McCreary County. The arch is a nice shady spot to take a break. The falls make for a wondrous picnic spot and a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
If you travel out to 2135 Natural Bridge Road, you will find some amazing Mother Nature made connectors that allow one to see miles of preserved woodlands. These natural bridges are mostly made of sandstone and slate, but have withstood the tests of time. You can get some of the best photographs of the surrounding area from atop these natural creations.
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Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
The Gorge is one of the most renowned spots in Kentucky to go for camping, hiking, boating, fishing and just embracing nature. It is a beautiful area featuring more than 100 natural archs/bridges, huge rock formations for climbers, and even some roaring rapids for thrill seekers. The area is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest off Highway 715 and 15.
Big South Fork, Kentucky, USA
There is so much to see at the Big South Fork, as it goes on for miles. One of the favored spots is the area around 100 Henderson Street in Stearns. The river has some calm spots, perfect for swimming or fishing. The rocky surroundings are great for hiking enthusiasts and lead off into the lush woodlands. It is a perfect spot to get away to fish, swim, boat or just absorb the beauty of nature. You can also take the Big South Fork Scenic Railway for a tour of the area.
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
Mammoth Cave at 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the U.S., and is a great place to go exploring. The surrounding woodlands are great for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but the caves themselves are the main attractions. With more than 400 miles of underground mapping, and much more to go, you will feel like it is a completely different world. Tours like the Frozen Niagara and Fat Man’s Misery will take you through spots that offer formations that seem more alien than earthy. Plus, the temperature stays a very cool 50 to 60 degrees.
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Onyx Cave Rock Shop, 93 Huckleberry Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA
Cave City, KY 42127, USA
This unique cave at 101 Huckleberry Knob Road is a great place to visit if you don’t feel like going to the biggest cave in Kentucky. The unique formations are a barrage of shapes and structures, some looking alien, others appearing earthy. The natural stalactites are like a 3-D canvas that Mother Nature designed just for fun. It is well worth a visit.
Lost River Cave, 2818 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
This unique cave at 2818 Nashville Road has an underground river tour, which is the only one of its kind in Kentucky. It has a beautiful Blue Hole that will have you gazing into its depths for hours as well. The inner sanctuary of the cave was once a speak easy and hub of entertainment and excitement, with much of the structures still visible and some rooms available for rent. It is a remarkable place to spend a day and unlike any other cave system in Kentucky discovered, so far.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky 42634, USA
This beautiful waterfall at 7351 State Highway 90 is the Niagara of the South. It is a place that is almost magical, especially at night. On specific nights, visitors get to see the amazing moonbow. This is a truly enchanting experience, as Cumberland Falls is one of only two places in the world where moonbows regularly appear. Some people say fairies skip across the water on these special nights. If you have never visited the falls, this should definitely go on your Kentucky bucket list.
Taking a natural wonders road trip in Kentucky can be a truly magical experience. Mother Nature’s true artistry is visible in almost every area of our state. We have covered other unique places that you can visit too!
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Natural Wonders in Kentucky
What are some other natural wonders in Kentucky for my bucket list?
Kentucky is one, big wondrous place to behold, full of bucket-list-worthy adventures around each and every turn. There’s so much natural beauty here — so many places to which photos simply can’t do justice — that you could spend a lifetime seeking it out. And while that’s a challenge we happily accept, there are definitely places that deserve top spot on everyone’s Bluegrass State bucket list. Here are some of those incredibly, unbelievably beautiful, only-in-Kentucky natural wonders:
- Kentucky Horse Country. In and around Lexington and Louisville -- and especially along Old Frankfort Pike and Pisgah Pike -- the rolling blue hills of Kentucky are marked with white picket fences and enchanting equines, for a scene more beautiful than any picture could ever capture.
- Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is one of the most underrated treasures in the state. This Kentucky State Park is 2,871 acres of pure Bluegrass beauty, offering an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation of both the land and water varieties. The park’s show-stopping feature is the 1,100-acre Dewey Lake, a cerulean pool with some of the bluest water in the state. You’ll be dazzled by its azure waters, which make Jenny Wiley State Park truly stand out — even in a state that’s known for its abundance of rivers and lakes.
- 76 Falls. While Cumberland Falls is magnificent (see above!), 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.
- 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!). Notable formations include Log Rock (pictured here), a natural sandstone bridge, and Raven Rock, a giant rock exposure that soars 290 feet into the air -- at a 45-degree angle! Wow.
- Angels Windows. Looking for unique rock formations in KY? The Angels Windows natural arch formations at the Red are quite beautiful, especially within the context of their enchanting forest surroundings. You'll find these beauties on the Angels Windows Trail, one of the park's most accessible treks, in fact! This 0.6-mile trail winds beneath these winsome sandstone arch frames, and will leave you speechless.