12 Perfect Kentucky Hikes This Summer

Bourbon, the Derby, and the bluest of bluegrass are just a few things Kentucky is known for. What you may not know is that Kentucky is also an incredibly underrated hiking destination. It’s easy to forget that the South has epic hiking within vast forests of rhododendrons, natural rock bridge formations, sweeping scenic views, and over 700 waterfalls in Kentucky alone! While you’re checking off your Kentucky summer bucket list, here are some of the best summer hikes in Kentucky!

Rock Bridge Trail

Tucked away in the Red River Gorge & Clifty Wilderness region of Daniel Boone National Forest is a Kentucky hiker’s favorite trail: Rock Bridge Trail. While most would assume the major sightseeing on this trail is the Rock Bridge itself – one of the best parts of this hike is the scenic Creation Falls (the first photo of this post!).

Hiking in Kentucky means you’ll most likely see one of a few things: arches, waterfalls, rhododendrons, and lush foliage. This paved 1.4-mile trail is a great way to see a little of everything beautiful that Kentucky has to offer in its mountainous region! With one of the clearest pools at the base of creation falls and plenty of shallow sandy areas – it’s one of the best hikes in Kentucky for a leisurely day!

• The Rock Bridge: You’ll know the Rock Bridge when you see it. A 300 million-year-old bridge handles hundreds of hikers scampering over the top to grab a picture with their friends and many playing in the water below when it gets hot!

TRAILHEAD ADDRESS: Rock Bridge Trailhead – Latitude 37.77089711 + Longitude -83.56678467
US Forest Service Map Here
Difficulty: 4/10 (Many stairs and potentially slippery after heavy rains – but this is also the best time to see the falls!)
Popularity: 8/10 (AKA – get there earlier! In the summer it will be swarming with people.)
Dogs Allowed: Yes

copperas Falls

While this used to be a more secret hike, in the dead of the summer when Kentuckians are looking to escape that summer heat – they’ll scamper out to the woods as much as possible. If you want to really enjoy this 3.6-mile trail in Clifty Wilderness – go before noon!! Of the 700+ Kentucky waterfalls, many of them have this serene blue at their base because of limestone and sediment runoff. The 42-foot Copperas Falls is no exception with a gorgeously sparkling turquoise pool and a perfectly shady cave behind it for cooling off.

PROS: The hike to Copperas Falls is stunning. You’ll see massive boulders, follow Copperas Creek, and feel like you’re truly in the wilderness. (It’s a nice break from paved trails or the well-traveled trails everyone hikes all the time!)

CONS: The hike to Copperas Falls is unmarked and very challenging. Since it’s not an official hiking trail – there isn’t anyone really maintaining it. This means you need to hike at your own risk and be prepared to get a little wet. Highly recommend downloading your maps before you go or using a GPS system.

If you’re really up for the challenge: Box Falls and Hopewell Arch can also be found on this hike!
GPS Coordinates Box Falls: 37.842824, -83.575024
GPS Coordinates Hopewell Arch: 37.827139, -83.577722

• Copperas Creek Canoe Launch – The trailhead will be right across from this Canoe Launch. It’s always fun to head out for a little canoeing after hiking in the heat!!

TRAILHEAD ADDRESS: KY-715, Wellington, KY 40387 (If you type in Copperas Creek Unofficial Trailhead – you’ll find it!)
Difficulty: 6/10
Popularity: 5/10 (Go early!)
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Pine Island Double Falls

In the lesser-traveled central region of Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest is Pine Island Double Falls. Both of these falls are about 44-feet tall and 8-feet wide!

This 1.4-mile trail is fairly difficult with rocky uphill sections! Not to mention the numerous creek crossings – so make sure you bring your waterproof hiking boots! If you’re following the trail – you should see yellow ribbon trail markers helping you along your route. Make sure to follow them so you don’t waste any time in your waterfall chasing!

The best time to enjoy this trail is right after a summer storm!

After the rain is when they’ll be flowing the most, and you’ll get to experience the rare double waterfall effect! This rare phenomenon puts it at the top of our list for one of the best Kentucky waterfalls and one of the best hikes in Kentucky!

TRAILHEAD ADDRESS: 37°04’31.4″N 84°17’20.0″W, London, Kentucky
Difficulty: 5/10
Popularity: 4/10 – You’ll probably have this trail to yourself! We haven’t seen many people on it and enjoyed it every time!
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Floyds Fork Promenade

An easier hike/walk – that you can turn into a much longer hike along Floyds Fork creek. If you’re looking for something more low-key and close to the city – we love this area. Not only can our dog go for a serious swim (necessary in the heavy summer heat), but it’s also incredibly beautiful at dusk.

The trails here are out in the open and not in the forest the way many of Kentucky’s trails are, so you can walk in the evening without the fear of getting lost in the forest. If you’ve ever night hiked or forced your partner to get up at 5 AM for a sunrise hike, you know how tough they can be!

• Louisville Best Public Parks: Find all of our favorite walking paths in Louisville’s public parks!

For more information on other trails in Beckley Creek Park, see their website here!

TRAILHEAD ADDRESS: The Parklands of Floyds Fork, Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40245
Difficulty: 3/10
Popularity: 5/10 (As pretty as it is – you would think it would be more heavily trafficked in the evenings!)
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Fairmount Falls

One of our favorite Louisville hikes – Fairmount Falls is a private nature preserve that only allows three cars a day! The best part about Fairmount Falls is that it’s so peaceful. You can either hike the 0.9-mile round trip to the top of the falls – or hike upstream from the base of the falls for a more close-up experience.

The best time to visit Fairmount Falls is in the spring after the rains come. This way you’ll see a ton of flowers and natural foliage blooming. Fairmount Falls is about 3 stories high making it one of the tallest Kentucky waterfalls near Louisville!

Trailhead Address: See our post here for all relevant information about visiting Fairmount Falls.
Difficulty: 4/10
Popularity: 1/10
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Tioga Falls

Tioga Falls is a 130-foot waterfall tucked away near the legendary Fort Knox. We consider it one of the best hikes in Kentucky because these falls are considered the second tallest waterfall in the state!

Trail Info: You’ll walk a paved trail for about 0.3 miles and then split towards the true trail past a train trestle. This spot near the train tracks is incredibly picturesque at sunset! From the train trestle, you’ll start to ascend a more steep hike for about 0.4 miles and then a slight descent will take you to the falls. (That middle section where you’re ascending uphill isn’t very long but it’s no joke!)

This Kentucky waterfall is a cascading series of 5 drops starting with a mini double falls at the very top. If you can get there earlier or when other people aren’t as likely to go (weekdays), you’ll have an incredible time exploring the creek that drops even further away from the main falls. The best time to visit would be after Kentucky has had some rain to ensure that it’s flowing nice and pretty!

P.S. You can also hike down the creek and get your feet wet to cool off in the summer. We used water shoes for this!

Get Our Guide on How To Spend 3 Days Hiking Around Tioga Falls

Trailhead Address: 2112 Railroad Trestle Road, West Point, Kentucky
Difficulty: 6/10
Popularity: 8/10 (There will be a TON of people there if you go during the weekends. Go on a weekday for the best experience!)
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Princess Falls

Any trip to find the best hiking in Kentucky wouldn’t be complete without hiking to Princess Falls. This 2.9-mile trail is located near Whitley City, Kentucky, and follows part of the Sheltowee Trace Trail. Sheltowee Trace is the massive 319-mile trail that snakes through the entirety of Daniel Boone National Forest!

Princess Falls is one of Kentucky’s most unique waterfalls because of how it’s shaped. Only 13 feet high – it’s over 80 feet wide! The shale rocky outcropping the waterfall pours over is easily walked and makes for a perfect place to relax on a hot summer day! It’s also considered an easy trail so just about anyone can make it to the falls!

• With plenty of bridges and small waterfalls along Lick Creek – it’s also one of the prettiest trails on this list!

For more waterfalls and fun hikes in the Big South Fork region, see our full guide here!

Trailhead Address: Sheltowee Trace Rd, Stearns, KY 42647 (Unlikely to have cell service in the area!)
Difficulty: 3/10
Popularity: 6/10
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Yahoo Falls

Considered Kentucky’s tallest waterfall at 113 feet – Yahoo Falls is accessible by hiking the 4.2-mile out and back trail in Whitley City. What many people don’t know is there is also a separate viewing area that’s only a 0.5 mile round trip from Yahoo Falls Road, and a much easier hike.

The main trail to see Yahoo Falls is considered fairly difficult and in the heat of the summer – you’ll want to make sure you’ve brought plenty of water. The humidity can reach up to 80%, and you’ll feel like you’re swimming in your own sweat.

If you’re planning on doing some of the best hikes in Kentucky, you’re typically looking for arches and waterfalls. The best part about these tails is that you get a little of it all! Two arches and the tallest continuous waterfall in the state make it a perfect addition to your Big South Fork itinerary.

• If you have time – consider taking the short 0.3-mile roundtrip spur trail to see Markers Arch! There are signs posted and it’s well worth your trip. You can also see the 100 for long Yahoo Arch from this trail, but it adds an extra 1.6 miles to your trip.

Trailhead Address: Yahoo Falls Rd, Whitley City, KY 42653
Difficulty: 7/10
Popularity: 3/10
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Eagle Falls Trail #9

Named the best hiking trail in Kentucky, follow this 1.9-mile trail for stunning views of Cumberland Falls and Eagle Creek Falls. Cumberland Falls, known as the Niagara of the South, is a major tourist destination in Kentucky. Eagle Falls Trail #9 isn’t the only way to see Cumberland Falls, but by taking this trail – you’ll get to see both falls in the region!

• This trail shouldn’t be undertaken lightly – there are a ton of stairs and some rock climbing necessary to get to Eagle Falls.

Being named the top trail in Kentucky, and being one of our personal favorite hiking trails in Kentucky, it’s a must-do this summer! Following the Cumberland River, you’ll hike at a steep/steady incline for about 0.5 miles before you take a right down to Eagle Falls. This split is followed by one of the most challenging portions of the trail with over 100 steps to the bottom.

Get our Guide To Waterfall Hiking Gear Here

The best part about this trail is that you can swim at Eagle Falls! Jump off rocks near the freely flowing 44-foot falls to cool off before your hike back!

Trailhead Address: Old Cumberland Falls Rd, Parkers Lake, KY 42634
Difficulty: 8/10
Popularity: 8/10 (Highly recommend going early or on weekdays.)
Dogs Allowed: No

Bark Camp Trail

Where Daniel Boone Forest Road 193 meets Bark Camp Creek, you’ll find the trailhead for Bark Camp Creek Trail. While not necessarily a Kentucky waterfall hike, by following Bark Camp Creek – you’ll come to a series of tranquil pools ideal for cooling off this summer.

• About 1 mile in – you’ll notice a small waterfall trickling from a cliffs ledge!

Stocked with Rainbow trout, hiking past rock shelters and jagged cliffs, this hike is all about the journey. Everywhere you look there is something to see making this the perfect hike to distract us all from daily life.

Bark Camp Trail also fairly easy to navigate and well marked so no need for navigating with any electronic devices. (Easy navigation always makes a trail a winner for us. We love the thrill of finding epic spots- but by being able to truly relax, you get to take in all that Bark Camp Trail has to offer.)

Get printable trail map for Bark Camp Creek Trail here, from USDA Forest Service.

Trailhead Address: 36.904322, -84.281087
Difficulty: 8/10
Popularity: 3/10
Dogs Allowed: Yes

Mammoth Cave National Park

Beyond being the longest underground cave system in the world – Mammoth Cave National Park is an incredible destination for anyone looking to hike this summer. During normal operations, there are underground hiking trail tours lasting anywhere from half an hour to six hours depending on your comfort zone!

The most popular Mammoth Cave tours are ‘The Historic Tour,’ the ‘Grand Avenue Tour,’ and the ‘Wild Cave Tour.’ The Historic Tour is a great way to be introduced to the cave and learn a little history over the two-hour tour. The Grand Avenue Tour is good for the more able-bodied adventurer looking for a full scope of the history behind Mammoth Cave while hiking through the sparkling gypsum tunnels. Although it’s below ground, we consider the Grand Avenue Tour to be one of the top 10 best hikes in Kentucky!

• The ‘Wild Cave Tour’ is a 6-hour extreme adventure that should only be taken on by the most daredevil and physically fit adventurers! This tour guides visitors through extremely tight spaces and dips into underground rock climbing. Hiking boots are required!

HIKING TRAILS

After you emerge from the caves back into the sunlight – plan to do a few short hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park’s 60 miles of hiking trails! The most popular trails are the 7.2 miles of trails near the Visitors Center through ridgelines overlooking Green River, cave-fed springs, and historic train displays.

• Green River Bluff Trail – Take you to a scenic view of Green River from a high elevation, a massive sinkhole, and parts of Heritage Trail.
  Duration: 4.5 miles
  Difficulty: 6/10
• Cedar Sink Trail – Pretty walk through the lush green foliage of Kentucky’s national forests.
  Duration: 1.8 miles
  Difficulty: 4/10
• Dixon Cave Trail – Stunning riverside hike over bridges to Dixon Cave. **You can’t enter the cave to protect the bats from white-nose syndrome!
  Duration: 1.5 miles
  Difficulty: 3/10

Trailhead Address: Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Difficulty: 4/10
Popularity: 6/10
Dogs Allowed: Yes

John Holder Memorial Trail

A hidden oasis tucked away in Lower Harrod’s Creek – this nature preserve is one of the most surprising and relaxing spots we’d hiked in a while. Starting from Hall’s Restaurant on the River – this is one of the best hikes in Kentucky! 2.5 miles total – this trail will take you around the ruins of Colonel John Holder’s plantation home from the 1700s!

• Creek crossings are required to see this rail entirely! Make sure you’ve invested in a decent pair of waterproof hiking boots!

This trail was closed to the public’s unrestricted access in 2020 because so many were destroying it with spray paint, trash, and cigarette buts. You can still visit by booking a guided hike for $5. While this new regulation has impeded many from enjoying the area as they once did – the preservation of these areas is much more important than having unfettered access.

Trailhead Address: 1225 Athens Boonesboro Rd, Winchester, KY 40391
Difficulty: 4/10
Popularity: 2/10 (But you’ll most likely be in a group of around 10 for your guided hike!)
Dogs Allowed: No

With all of the beautiful regions of mountains and lakes that call Kentucky home, we’re breaking up our favorite hikes across the state by season! Red River Gorge is one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the United States. Daniel Boone National Forest stretches the entire length of Eastern Kentucky in the stunning Cumberland Plateau and the Land Between the Lakes is a stunning region known for lush forests and pristine waters.

The best way to hike these incredible Kentucky trails this summer is by separating them into regions. if you type in ‘best hikes near me’ – it may not bring them up in an orderly fashion!

Red River Gorge

If you’re near Slade or Campton, there are a ton of great falls in Daniel Boone National Forest’s Red River Gorge. This area is particularly fun in the summer when you can swim and find waterfalls amongst the rhododendrons!!!

• Copperas Creek
• Rock Bridge Trail (Creation Falls)

Big South Fork Region

In Southern Daniel Boone National Forest – Big South Fork is an incredible region of the forest located near Whitley City.

• Pine Island Double Falls Trail
• Bark Camp Creek Trailhead
• Eagle Falls Trail
• Yahoo Falls
• Princess Falls

Louisville Area

If you’re looking for the best hikes in Kentucky near Louisville, try these three incredible spots!

• Fairmount Falls
• Beckley Creek Park’s Festival Promenade
• Tioga Falls

Lexington Area

If you’re traveling to lexington, try and schedule a guided hike at John Holder Trail!

Mammoth Cave National Park

• Underground Cave Tours: The Historic Tour, Grand Avenue Tour, the Wild Cave Tour
• Hiking Trails: Green River Bluff Trail, Cedar Sink Trail, Dixon Cave Trail

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