One roadway journey, six distinct areas– what could be much better? Designed to be tackled over two days or a vacation, this particular trip in Kentucky visits everything from Horse Country and Bourbon Country to the state’s pinnacles, Grand Canyon, and the vast underworld. Each day is packed with experience, and we suggest taking your time and soaking everything up!
Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky is Horse Country, and the eponymous Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is a location that commemorates this quintessential part of Bluegrass culture. the state is filled with fence-lined fields, each one more picturesque than the last, where magnificent horses gallop and graze in a genuinely excellent method.
The Kentucky Horse Park is an event of this inextricable part of Bluegrass culture. Found simply outside Lexington (but in a picturesque location that feels remote and relatively rural), the Kentucky Horse Park is the perfect field trip destination.
Red River Gorge
The landscape will become rich and hilly as we enter the Daniel Boone National Forest just east of Lexington. The Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge, is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. A wonderful place at any time of the year, Red River Gorge offers some of the best outdoor leisure in the country.
Berea Pinnacles
While the hiking is unrivaled in this park (there are 60 miles of mapped trekking routes in different areas throughout the Gorge), those with limited movement or who want to explore the surroundings in a more leisurely manner can take the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 46-mile route with a few of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the country.
Venturing south, the landscape of Kentucky ends up being even hillier– however, do not error these formations as mountains. Instead, these are the Berea Pinnacles within the eponymous Berea College Forest.
Outside Magazine called the Pinnacle Hike the finest in Kentucky in 2019, and undoubtedly, this trek is fantastic in every way. This 6.6-mile journey is worth every action, and you’ll want to stop and soak up these views, which are numerous. This trail passes six peaks and overlooks East Pinnacle, West Pinnacle, Eagle’s Nest, Buzzard’s Roost, Devil’s Kitchen, and Indian Fort Lookout!
Our last stop of the day is none besides Kentucky’s extremely own Niagara Falls, situated at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
In Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the eponymous Cumberland Falls is a place of enchanting appeal; the 125-foot-wide “Niagara of the South” is a natural marvel everybody should experience. But, while amazing any time of the year, on a couple of nights each month, something genuinely remarkable occurs at this cascade: a Moonbow. This nighttime rainbow looks like a mirage as the moon and stars shine above – and it’s worth the check out in the dark to experience this phenomenon. Cumberland Falls is the only location in the Western Hemisphere where you can experience this unusual event.
The falls are quickly viewed from Dupont Lodge. It’s one of Kentucky’s most stunning park lodges, and its postcard-perfect beauties enchant you.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Check in for a night and savor this relaxing lodge, with a beautiful, wood-burning fireplace and scenic vistas for days!
Yesterday was mountains and canyons; today, we’re headed underground. In Cave City, Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park is a location of superlatives; most significantly, it’s the longest and most popular cavern system in the world.
This sandstone maze encompasses more than 400 miles of known passages, with more being found all the time.
Over 2 million people see Mammoth Cave yearly to savor this supernatural underworld. Trips led by rangers at Mammoth Cave National Park variety from brief, well-marked paths to comprehensive off-trail forays into the depths of this vast network of passages.
Set aside plenty of time to explore– Mammoth Cave genuinely is a bucket-list must!
Bardstown, Kentucky
Horses, canyons, waterfalls, caverns, and … bourbon. Yes, bourbon, the informal spirit of the Bluegrass State! And this spirit is commemorated in gorgeous Bardstown, Kentucky.
Not just is Bardstown house to the world’s oldest bourbon bar, but it’s likewise the center of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There are 11 distilleries, including the eponymous and forward-thinking Bardstown Bourbon Company.
After a day of distilleries and caverns, the last location on this local trip through Kentucky is the state’s highly own royal kingdom in the hills of Versailles.
Whether you drive by the glorious Kentucky Castle on your way house, delight in supper at Castle Farms dining establishment, or book a night’s remain at the castle, we can’t think about an excellent ending to this epic road trip experience!
Developed to be dealt with over two days or a long weekend, this impressive road journey in Kentucky visits everything from Horse Country and Bourbon Country to the state’s peaks, Grand Canyon, and the vast underworld. The Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge, is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. Outside Magazine called the Pinnacle Hike the best in Kentucky in 2019, and indeed, this trek is remarkable in every way. In Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the eponymous Cumberland Falls is a place of enchanting appeal; the 125-foot-wide “Niagara of the South” is a natural marvel everyone needs to experience. And this spirit is celebrated in lovely Bardstown, Kentucky.