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Hunting and Fishing in Kentucky
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Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is located in the Daniel
Boone National Forest. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the
waterfall forms a 125-foot wide curtain that plunges 60 feet
into the boulder-strewn gorge below. The mist of Cumberland
Falls creates the magic of the moonbow, only visible on clear
nights during a full moon. This unique phenomenon appears
nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere! Cumberland Falls is a
hiker's paradise with 17 miles of hiking trails that wind
through the park to scenic areas. The Moonbow Trail connects
with many backpacking trails in the Daniel Boone National
Forest. Enjoy the great outdoors in the campground, featuring 50
campsites with electric and water hookups. The campground has a
central service building with showers and restrooms, a grocery,
and a dump station. For information call: (800)255-7275
Land Between the Lakes
The 40-mile-long peninsula that lies between Kentucky Lake and
Lake Barkley is Land Between The Lakes (LBL). It was developed
by the Tennessee Valley Authority as a national recreation area.
Now a World Biosphere Reserve, this vast outdoor playground is a
great vacation spot for the entire family. LBL features 200
miles of scenic, heavily forested, woodland trails. The 65-mile
North-South Trail follows portions of old logging and fire
access roads, meandering through valleys steeped in moonshine
history, by old homesteads, and along streams and scenic
lakeshores. Metal open-air shelters for backpackers are spaced
15 miles apart. The Fort Henry Trail is a 26-mile series of
interconnected loop trails that retrace the route used by Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant from Fort Henry on the Tennessee River to Fort
Donelson on the Cumberland River. The 14-mile Canal Loop Trail
system is popular because of the short hike potential, less
strenuous terrain and scenic lake views. Camping is one of the
most popular activities at Land Between The Lakes, and no
wonder: there is something for every type of camper. Whether you
prefer to pitch a tent along a lake cove or are equipped with a
modern RV, LBL has the perfect place for you to sleep under the
stars. For information call: (800)884-6558.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Located in south central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is
the longest known cave system in the world! This World Heritage
Site and International Biosphere Reserve supports several
species of rare animal life and many types of cave formations,
with the formative process still active today. Above ground,
there are 52,830 acres of scenic protected forest lands for
camping, hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding. A number
of unique plant communities - hemlocks and other northern plants
growing in cool ravines, wetlands, and open barrens with prairie
vegetation - shelter many of the park's rare species. Almost 900
species of flowering plants alone have been identified, with 21
of these endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Seventy
miles of trails wind through the park. A half-mile trail leads
to River Styx Spring, where you'll see water that's carved
Mammoth Cave emerging from underground. Guided woodland walks
are offered in the summer. The wheelchair-accessible Heritage
Trail begins near the Sunset Point Motor Lodge. This half-mile
trail features wheelchair turnouts, rest areas with benches, and
lights for evening use. There are more than 60 miles of
beautiful backcountry trails on the north side of the Green
River. These range from the easy half-mile Ganter Cave Trail to
the strenuous 10-mile Good Spring Loop. For information call:
(502)758-2328.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Don't miss Cumberland Gap National Historical Park at the far
southeastern corner of the state. Your trip to this ruggedly
beautiful park will take you back in time to the history of
early America. With 20,305 wilderness acres, this is the largest
National Historical Park in the country. There are 55 miles of
challenging hiking trails, ranging from nature hikes to
overnight trails. Since 80 percent of the park is without paved
roads, the remote backcountry is a hiker's paradise. Extremely
rugged and scenic, the 21-mile Ridge Trail runs the length of
the park from Pinnacle Overlook to White Rocks near Ewing, VA.
All along the trail are vistas of mountains and valleys
stretching into the distance. From White Rocks at the trail's
eastern end it is possible to see the Great Smoky Mountains more
than 80 miles away. Cumberland Gap is rich in wildlife, with 52
species of mammals including the white-tailed deer, bobcat and
red fox, and 115 species of birds including the wild turkey,
marsh hawk, ruffed grouse and an occasional bald eagle. Because
of the altitude range within the park (1,300 to 3,513 feet),
there is a diverse community of plant life, including the
painted trilium, yellow adder's tongue and the rare Turk's cap
lily. For information call: (606)248-2817.
Carter Caves State Resort Park
Carter Caves State Resort Park is located 38 miles west of
Ashland near Olive Hill. Various lighted and unlighted cave
tours are offered in some of the park's 20 caves. Discover the
aboveground beauty of Carter Caves on the 20 miles of wooded
nature trails. Trails range from easy to difficult hiking level
ability. There are also 12 miles of trails along the forested
hills and ridge tops of the 800-acre Tygarts State Forest
adjacent to the park. The nine mile Simon Kenton Trail also runs
through the forest, linking the park with the Jenny Wiley
National Recreation Trail. Beautiful Tygarts Creek flows through
a deep gorge lined with hemlocks and yews. Enjoy the great
outdoors year-round at the park's campground featuring 89
campsites with utilities, a dump station, and two central
service buildings with rest rooms and showers. For information
call: (800)255- 7275
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