NATURE’S ART ome to Red River Gorge National Geological Area , Daniel Boone National Forest is full of wooded slopes, sandstone cliffs, rough-and-tumble terrain and more than 600 miles of trails. As ancient as the beginning of Earth’s very earliest plants and arthropods, the Kentucky River Palisades in the central part of the state offer breathtaking scenery shaped by sheer vertical layers of undulating limestone cliffs, deep gorges and mysterious caves. Weave your way through countless trees at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, home to abundant wildlife, 40 miles of hiking trails and a Canopy Tree Walk 75 feet into the sky. Step into a land of enchantment at the botanical gardens at Petersburg’s Creation Museum , where seven bridges connect living worlds of color, fragrance and texture in butterfly, hummingbird, bog, lake, rainforest and koi pond gardens. Eye candy in underground chambers, Mammoth Onyx Cave is showy and accessible. There’s a reason Lake Cumberland is one of Kentucky’s most visited lakes: It’s a drop-dead gorgeous splashy oasis with more than 1,200 miles of shoreline. Spot shimmering blue pools along the Green River Blueway , the state’s first National Water Trail. A picture-perfect spot itself, Green River Lake is a haven for outdoor and nature lovers. At Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site , the archaeological site of a Native American village, make a beeline to the view from the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. A hike with a picturesque payoff, Yahoo Arch has it all: a waterfall, rock formations, plants and wildlife, all shaded by towering trees. Feast your eyes on Vanhook Falls near London, a dainty cascade splashing 40 feet into a boulder-strewn base. Walk your way to serenity following the Snug Hollow Labyrinth in its meadowland setting surrounded by rolling hills in Irvine. Discover the Bluegrass State’s natural beauty! kentuckytourism.com/outdoors kentuckytourism.com 35
The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide 2023: Page 35
