Quiet Trails was my find of the year!…read more I am hesitant to write a review because putting it on the Yelp map might make it a little less secretive. I only found out about this place through word of mouth from a few friends as there is very little information online. For the locals in Harrison County, Quiet Trails has been a popular hiking spot along the Licking River. This year-round hiking trail loops 1.7 miles down to the river and back up. The loop is actually two different trails that meet up at the same point - so you can choose to go down and up the same path, or go back on the other path. We initially choose what we thought was the more difficult path (Challenger Trail) to get down to the river, and the 'easier' path back up -- but I think it should have been marked the other way around. One path is rather wide and easy to see -- the other (Deep Hollow) is very narrow and goes through some very steep areas. While some areas are clearly the path, some parts were a little bit harder to see and we had to use intuition to figure out which way to go. Yet, it is a stunningly gorgeous hike, especially on the Deep Hollow path. We were told that it would be an easy, short hike. It wasn't easy or short at all with a toddler that wanted to be carried nearly the entire time. Once we got to the river, we had a little bit of a break as he wanted to wade and splash, but we were eager to get out of the heat and back in the car. By the end of the hike, my back was so sore (can you guess who carried the kid most of the time?). We will try to come back when my child is a bit older and more willing to walk himself, or just without him on a day date. If your kids are used to hiking or over the age of five, they will most likely be fine. Also, the GPS will take you here -- but be prepared to be a bit confused as you drive through back roads to find this place. The little gravel pull-off [parking lot] with the gate and a small sign is actually the entrance to the preserve. You'll have to shimmy through the fence to get to the paths. We were so confused if we were even in the right place until we saw a person that was a seasoned hiker in this area. Thank goodness! Oh, and bring a stick to knock down some spider webs. I'm excited to come back here next summer and do more hiking!

This is a nature preserve and doesn't allow dogs, including on a leash. There is a large sign at…read morethe start of the trail. It's a lovely area and the trail looked promising.

This state park has so much to offer! The trails are well maintained and easily accessible, the…read morelodge is beautiful with a delicious restaurant inside, and there are even cave tours! Some caves only run seasonally, but I took two tours on a Sunday, and it felt like a good amount at a time. Tickets for tours are purchased at the Welcome Center, day of. There's a self explore cave, too, but you need two adults minimum in your party and each with a flashlight. The arches and natural bridges in this park were amazing sites, scattered along the park. I took on the challenge of hitting each arch / bridge, and it was doable in under 5 miles if you move between accesses.

I started visiting Carter Caves State Park when I was young. Fast forward to 2024. I planned a…read morevisit with my nieces and their kids when I was in town. None of my great nieces and nephews had been inside a cave. We arrived at roughly 11:15 AM. I purchased tickets at the Welcome Center for everyone to tour Saltpetre (AKA Saltpeter) Cave at 11:30 AM. It was $54 for three adults and four children. We followed our tour guide across the street, up a hill, then down the stairs and into the earth we went. This cave was used in the War of 1812 to make gunpowder. We got a history lesson from our tour guide who was so patient with the kids. This cave was the driest of all the caves at the park, so no stalactites hanging from the ceiling. But bonus was, no water on our shoes. If you want to see bats, this is not the cave. The cave used to have thousands of bats. The park conservationists are working to increase bat living in this cave. After the tour, we had to turn up our feet, one at a time, so the tour guide could spray the bottom of our shoes with soap and water. He told us this was done to prevent carrying germs/bacteria out of the cave that could harm the bat population at the park. The tour lasted roughly 45 minutes. It was worth the time and money! The kids had a blast. Only one was scared when the lights were turned off momentarily so we could experience total darkness and silence. My nephew Cooper lasted about 3 minutes, then, in his little whimpering voice, he asked if the lights could be turned back on. I can't say enough great things about our cave guide. We left the Welcome Center and headed to the public pool. The pool was free for those camping and staying in cabins. We went on a Monday, so everyone was $3. Pretty good deal! The pool was clean. Only light snacks available, icecream, chips and soda. I highly recommend you add Carter Caves to your summer fun list!

This is one of my favorite state parks for a day or two of hiking. Very nice trails, some are…read morefairly rugged. I've been here several times, sometimes for just a day, and a few times camping nearby. You can take the sky lift up to the natural bridge, or you can hike up. There is a short trail (1/3 of a mile) that leads to a nice overlook where you can view the natural bridge from a distance. There are birds and wildlife to observe. And it is nice to visit in different seasons. There are good restaurants and touristy places to shop in the area too.

Well everything cause I did it ! Haha this is a self paced and self guided hike. It can be what…read moreyou make of it but the beauty is untouchable out of your control. A mix of hardwood, pine wooded and lots of sandstone /limestone rocks ! Tons of song birds and insects and forest creatures. Truly amazing day hike.

This will have been our 2nd time to Red River Gorge, except we took our fam plus some. I love…read moreviews, mountains, family, and good food! We rented out thee most cutest cabin. We took a hike one day and rested another. When we go again, the itinerary will look different, trying other places we didn't get a chance to experience.

Please go visit these wonderful parks and trails - I highly recommend a long with hiking poles…read more Happy trails!!!

The Sheltowee Trace Trail is a 282 miles (453.84 km) National Recreation Trail that was created in…read more1976 and stretches from Pickett State Park in Tennessee to northern Rowan County, Kentucky. The trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee (meaning "Big Turtle") when he was adopted as the son of the great warrior Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee tribe . The trail is mostly in the Daniel Boone National Forest, but also takes visitors through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, two large recreation lakes (Cave Run Lake and Laurel Lake), and many wildlife management areas. All but the southernmost 10 miles (16.09 km) are in Kentucky. The trail may be multi-use, in certain sections, allowing horses, mountain bikes and off-road vehicles in some designated sections. Off road motorcycles, SUVs, 4x4, ATV's and even mountain bikes in certain areas can result in equipment confiscation and or fines. The Sheltowee Trace Association (STA) is a non profit organization formed to protect, preserve and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people. The organization is the public complement to the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and Kentucky State Parks, and a significant partner in the management and operations of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail. The STA provides maps, trailguides, and shuttle services via their website www.sheltoweetrace.org.

I only visited the area that is in the middle of Red River Gorge. Most of the popular visitor spots…read moreare very easy to access. Probably 3/4 of a mile to most of the natural rock arches. Short walk from the parking lot There a few waterfalls. Copperas falls is like a 4 miles round trip hike. Pretty easy. Start next to the Osbourne Bend Loop trail. About Osbourne Bend Loop trail. It is 7 miles on the map but actually 9 because you have to walk back to the trail head on the Red River Gorge parkway. Very nice scenery through the whole trail. Due to different altitude and participation, very diverse plant life and rock formation . Marking is pretty spare, easy to get lost. There is a visitor center and gift shop on Red River gorge scenic road. Seems like a lot of people don't know that.

My hiking group from Michigan decided to visit this trail over the weekend. We had a great time…read more Although the trail was labeled as moderate, we felt the end was probably more challenging than not. Maybe it was moderate for those who are used to it and live in Kentucky. Things got really steep and slippery. Nevertheless, we had a great time. There's parking all over the forest and many hikers ! We enjoyed our stay and would definitely return. #NatureLovers.

Great all around destination for a hike. Trails are well maintained, and the Buzzardroost Rock…read moretrail was a good out and back with some variety, about 4.5 miles overall. Glad we arrived early in the morning due to the Summer heat, but also because once we arrived at the overlook, the fog was moving through the mountains and valleys creating an even more scenic experience. Anxious to return in the Fall! And my husband thoroughly enjoyed the curvy driving roads we took to get there!!

DO NOT GO ALONE! Well I did but I wouldn't suggest it! This trail is way out there on an…read moreAppalachia mountain. Not an easy trail to find or to hike! Storms that have came through have left trees blocking path. Going over the trees is not that difficult but there was this one tree trunk that came to a sharp point. I don't think very many people travel this path (hence why there's a box so that if you're never heard from again someone some day might find your name in the box). I went in the trail at 7pm figuring I could get a good hike in in an hour (but that didn happen barely made it out before dark). but because the trail is long i just wanted to keep going; however, definitely remember the BEARS - something I wasn't expecting either. Oh, and FYI when you do sight a bear you are supposed to let the local ranger know - which I'm not even sure where a ranger would be up there?... Again nice hike but don't go alone. I survived but I also came across a bear and almost broke my ankle (high ankle sprain) and I could still be out there hoping someone would travel this path.

A beautiful place to visit. It's worth the hike to go there. Just be careful with the trails, there…read morewere areas where it's steep paths and slippery areas due to wetness, gravels or rocks and roots. It's an enjoyable hike, not for beginners, but manageable as long as you take your time.

Did the Gray's Arch Loop trail (walked counterclockwise) on a Friday afternoon. I'm glad I did it…read moreon a weekday since my friend who did the trail 2 days later on Sunday said the trail was packed. Very clearly marked trail and not a lot of elevation changes most of the way except for the area around the arch. Gray's arch is very beautiful, fascinating how features like these are shaped by nature. After the arch area, there is a forested area with streams that is fun. Overall, the trail is not too long, has interesting sights to see and not very strenuous.

Very pretty park with lots of different activities available. There is the pioneer museum,…read moreshelters, boat ramp to the Licking River, Lodge and Restaurant. There are also several trails including the short Buffalo Trace trail. Lots of history amid a beautiful setting. We hiked a couple of trails and visited the museum. The museum covers a wide range of history of the area- from fossils to mastodon tusks to Native American artifacts and pioneer life. There is no entrance fee for the park, but there was a small Museum fee- which was definitely worth it.

We stopped and visited the lodge and the gift shop. We did not eat or stay at the lodge so the…read morereview does not address a stay. We had brought a picnic lunch and had a picnic at the state park. It was a nice on the way from Lexington Ky. to Maysville. We did not tour the museum but drove by the river.

I must write a review of the area and the beginning of the trail to alert future hikers that it is…read moretemporarily closed due to abuse, vandalism/garbage. People were loud and using the creek as a pool, spray painting and damaging the trail/trashing the area. So, if you are headed down to hike on the John Holder Trail, as we were, you will find it closed. The area itself is lovely. Hall's on the River is great (and open during Covid), you can still canoe on the river, and the fort is close by and well worth a visit.

It was too beautiful of a day in February to not try to get in a hike. Decided to head out on the…read moreJohn Holder Trail. The trails were pretty muddy after the snow melt but it was worth it. I would rate it a moderately easy there and back trail but with some beautiful views of the Lower Howard River. Total round trip is just under 3 miles. There is a point that you do cross the river so make sure you have either waterproof hiking boots or the river is low enough to get across. Please don't try to cross if it is deep or flowing fast. Nobody wants to get hurt or wet. There are some elevation changes and several historical sites. For this hike there was a lot of pretty ice hanging off the cliffs. There is a waterfall but that's off property so you shouldn't hike there. And after a day of hiking you can get soon food at Halls On The River and enjoy the scenery from there. As for parking, I usually park across the street from Halls but there is parking behind Halls too.