Daniel Boone National Forest

The Daniel Boone National Forest combines rugged wildlands and ready civilization. Unique small towns and a great recreation infrastructure make this an excellent forest for adventuring.

Located in the eastern Kentucky mountains, Daniel Boone National Forest runs from the northern to the southern part of the state. The land is generally rugged and characterized by steep slopes, narrow valleys, and cliffs. In the southern end of the forest, slopes are not as steep, and ridge tops are generally more flat. Top attractions of this forest are cliffs, sandstone arches, and canyon-like hollows and valleys. Like the Big South Fork NRA, the forest's neighbor to the south, the area reminds many of southwest canyon country with enough rainfall, however, to sustain a mixed hardwood forest.

Whitewater at Rockcastle

Wildlife
Many of the varieties of wild animals that existed at the time Daniel Boone explored the wilderness are still found in Daniel Boone National Forest. There are more than 100 species of birds, 46 kinds of mammals, and 67 types of reptiles and amphibians. Endangered species, including plants, are resident on the Forest. Bald eagles have attempted nesting and osprey are being released on Laurel River Lake. Wild turkey and white-tailed deer are making a comeback and ruffed grouse, gray and fox squirrels, red and gray foxes, ducks, bobwhite quail, rabbits, muskrats, mink and raccoons are common.

Pioneer Weapons Hunting Area is an excellent place for observing wildlife in Daniel Boone National Forest. The name may sound scary, but it's actually a place where modern weapons are not allowed and the land is managed to maximize the presence of wildlife. You'll find it adjacent to Cave Run Lake in the Morehead Ranger District. Here hunters can use old-time weapons including the long bow, cross bow and muzzleloading rifles, shotguns, and pistols to kill deer, wild turkey, squirrels, and ruffed grouse. Several trails in the area provide access for hikers, horseriders, and bicyclists and, in season, hunters.

The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, volunteers, and many organizations, manages the wildlife habitat. The wildlife program includes managing timber stands for wildlife benefits and the development of wildlife food plots, waterholes, clearings, and other habitat improvements.

Hiking
The Daniel Boone National Forest features over 500 miles of developed trails.

The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail will allow you to explore the whole forest. It starts at the extreme northern end and runs for approximately 254 miles through deep canyons, along narrow ridgetops, rivers and lakes, and through areas of strikingly beautiful rimrock cliffs. The Trace links many of the forest's developed recreation areas which offer comfortable facilities and overnight camping for through-hikers. The trail also links other forest trail systems in the Red River Gorge Geological Area, Cave Run Lake, Laurel River Lake, Cumberland Falls State Park, and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

If you want to focus on a single area, people have spent their whole hiking life just exploring Red River Gorge Geological Area. Hikers can visit over 100 natural stone arches and overhanging rock ledges, called rock houses. Dave Hooper has been hiking in the Red River Gorge off and on for 20 years. Dave says that "The Gorge gives you the vistas of the west without the hills." For a long weekend trip, Dave recommends the Sheltowee Trace north of Highway 77. If you want something shorter but with far, far vistas, the 2 mile Auxier Ridge Trail is a must-do. The Red River Gorge has become very popular these days with over 400,000 visitors each year. If you go, please be particularly careful to avoid trampling at the base of rocks, and as always, leave no trace.

The Natural Arch Trail is the most popular trail in the Somerset District. It takes in a spectacular 60-by-100 foot sandstone opening. But don't even think that's the end all and be all of interesting trails in this district. The Nathan McClure Trail provides a scenic meander along Lake Cumberland. The Cliffside Trail takes off at Sawyer Campground and runs along the Cumberland. The trail crosses over a couple footbridges. Great Gulf Bottom Trail, kind of contrary to its name, offers a spectacular panorama after a brief 1.5 mile hike. Buffalo Canyon Trail is a satisfying 5-mile loop.

If you're looking for a wilderness experience, the Beaver Creek Wilderness is a small but exquisite eastern wilderness. It lies completely below the cliff line that surrounds the drainage and tributaries of Beaver Creek. The area is primarily hardwood forest with shortleaf pine along some of the ridges and tremendous plant diversity along the cliff lines, of which there are miles and miles. Pack your pole, because the area is a good fishery, mostly bass and blue gill. The Middle Fork Trail is a good pick for a stretch to hike.

In the Morehead District, Caney Creek Loop is recommended. This connects with the Sheltowe Trace for an easy loop or a difficult one, depending on which direction you take it. Indeed, the Sheltowe is the star trail in this ranger district: you'll find 11 worthy sections.

Biking
One of the best ways to see the Red River Gorge Geological Area is to ride a bicycle on State Highways 77 and 715, which together create a nice 30 mile loop, taking you through the Gorge and back out. It's a nice ride through an area that's a transition zone between northern and southern ecosystems.

Not in the Gorge but off the highway, the Sheltowe Trace from Highway 192 to Laurel Lake dam makes a terrific trip. It's an easy-rolling nine miles one way. Part of it runs along the lake - always a relaxing proposition. Riders normally go across the dam and then ride the road back. Be especially careful while on the part of it that goes through the Holly Bay Campground, watching for preoccupied anglers or playing children.

Ned Branch Trail and Lakeside South Loop are superior off-road experiences. Combined with the Twin Branch Trail, they make a nifty 7 mile loop. Most people walk the Twin Branch part. This ride is mostly through forest, with some stretches near the cliffline.

As at most national forests, you'll find miles of rough riding logging roads which are not earmarked for recreation, but are quite fun. Your best bet for getting the lowdown on satisfying rides is to find stop in at a ranger district office and ask for their recommendations. Advance word is that there's tons of good riding in the London District especially.

Scenic Driving
The intricate topography, lush forests and ample water features make Daniel Boone National Forest a constantly entertaining area to explore.

Zilpo Road is a short and sweet nine miles across forested ridges to sizeable Cave Run Lake and the Zilpo Recreation Area. Along the way you have the option of stopping in at the Pioneer Weapons Hunting Area, which is noted for its abundant wildlife, and Clear Creek Recreation Area. Bring your hiking boots and daypacks for leg stretchers along the Sheltowe Trace National Recreation Trail and the Tater Knob Trail.

Laurel Lake

It's a short but colorful drive from Somerset to Stearns via US-27. Begin your drive with the brilliant colors reflected on the waters of Lake Cumberland. If time permits, a picnic at General Burnside State Park, the state's only island park, could be a perfect addition to your travel plans. Then drive south through the brightly dappled hills of the forest. Once in Stearns, take the Big South Fork Scenic Railway, a narrated eleven-mile, open-air excursion. At the end of the line is the Blue Heron Mining Community, a recreated '30s and '40s mining town. The skeleton structures in this tiny village feature life-sized photos of past residents and taped oral histories. From the bridge over the roaring Cumberland River at Blue Heron, the view is breathtaking. While you are in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, you can take advantage of miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, developed and primitive camping sites, and many other outdoor activities.

Corbin, just east of Laurel River Lake and the forest, is just off I-75. Here you can visit the original restaurant where Colonel Harland Sanders created Kentucky Fried Chicken. Take the US-25E south to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Along the way are the Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, and the Kentucky Ridge State Forest. At Cumberland Gap, stop at the Pinnacle Overlook for a breathtaking view of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Hensley Settlement is a chance to see what isolated farmsteads of the early 1900s were like.