Kentucky is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. There’s no better way to experience the natural beauty of the Bluegrass State than by visiting its incredible overlooks. From stunning mountain vistas to cascading waterfalls, these jaw-dropping viewpoints will take your breath away. Here are seven of the most spectacular overlooks in Kentucky that you won’t want to miss.
- Pinnacle Overlook – Cumberland Gap National Historical Park One of the largest national parks in the eastern US, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park spans over 24,000 acres and stretches across Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Only in Kentucky can you find the Pinnacle Overlook, which offers an unforgettable panoramic view of the Cumberland Gap after a 7.8-mile out-and-back trail that climbs about 1,500 feet.
- Chained Rock – Pine Mountain State Resort Park Established in 1924, Pine Mountain was Kentucky’s first state park, and it has captivated visitors with its stunning beauty ever since. The mile-long Chained Rock Trail, one of the most scenic hikes in Kentucky, offers near-perfect panoramas of the Bluegrass State.
- Point Isabel Overlook – General Burnside Island State Park The only “island park” in Kentucky, General Burnside is a hidden gem in the Bluegrass, filled with history and scenic beauty. The Point Isabel Overlook Trail boasts phenomenal views of Lake Cumberland, making it a fun and accessible adventure for those looking to revel in the lake views for which Kentucky is known.
- Sugar Camp Mountain Overlook – Jenny Wiley State Resort Park The scenic trails at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, hand-cut and easy to follow, give visitors numerous opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of this region of Kentucky. At Sugarcamp Mountain, you’ll experience a little of everything, from mountains and valleys to foliage and lakes.
- Cumberland Falls via the Eagle Falls Trail – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park The views from the pullout along Cumberland Falls via the Eagle Falls Trail highlight its best features. This 1.8-mile loop trail, rated as moderate, leads to two of the state’s most stunning waterfalls: Cumberland Falls and Eagle Falls.
- Breaks Interstate Park This park spans parts of Kentucky and Virginia and is marked with abundant nature, bountiful hills, and sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of “The Breaks” is a five-mile, 1,650-foot-deep gorge called the “Grand Canyon of the South.” The six-mile Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail traverses some of the best scenery in the Bluegrass State.
- Boone’s Overlook – Pilot Knob State Nature Preserve Relive when Daniel Boone first gazed upon the Bluegrass at Pilot Knob Overlook. This two-mile hike leads to one of the most stunning views in Kentucky, which is sure to fill your heart with an abundance of love and pride for our great state.
