Kentucky offers some of the best natural landmarks for outdoor sightseeing, including wonders like natural bridges, labyrinthian cave systems, and spectacular waterfalls hidden in the forest. No matter your skill level, Kentucky offers wilderness experiences, watersport adventures, and scenic excursions to forgotten landscapes.

Ranging from developed, well-traveled areas to off-the-beaten-track spots for experienced outdoorsmen, you’ll find no shortage of incredible natural features in Kentucky for a trip of a lifetime. Take a road trip through the southeastern state with these best natural wonders in Kentucky added to your itinerary.

  • 1

    Yahoo Arch

    A breathtaking natural arch in the forest

    Yahoo Arch
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    The Yahoo Arch is a dramatic natural wonder in the Daniel Boone National Forest and a popular destination for outdoor adventurers in Kentucky. The arch measures 17 ft high and 70 ft wide, and you can also find a smaller arch nearby.

    The Yahoo Arch Trail takes you on a hike to reach the remote location together with many other sights nearby, such as waterfalls and other rock formations. At the end of the trail, you’ll be close to the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, so you’ll have more hiking opportunities.

    Horario: 24/7

    Teléfono: +1 606-376-5323

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    foto de J0hn33y (CC BY 3.0) modificada

  • 2

    Big South Fork National River Park

    Explore the stunning natural beauty of this recreation area

    Big South Fork National River Park
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    The Big South Fork National River Park and Recreation Area near the Cumberland River, locally known as Big South Fork, offers plenty of outdoor fun. These include natural bridges, a spectacular river gorge, and hoodoos, which is a type of erect rock column that forms in capstone areas.

    Big South Fork also serves as a preservation and interpretation site for the Blue Heron, a former coal-mining town on the banks of the river where you can go on a historic mining tour with photos and exhibits as well as audio guides.

    Dirección: 4564 Leatherwood Rd, Oneida, TN 37841, USA

    Horario: 24/7

    Teléfono: +1 423-286-7275

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  • 3

    Mammoth Onyx Cave

    Admire the imposing stalactites and stalagmites

    Mammoth Onyx Cave
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    The Mammoth Onyx Cave is the best place to go if you want an exotic natural site for a little adventure in Kentucky. The cave is still active and forming rock formations when it rains, but you can take a tour to explore the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that have been around for centuries.

    Along with wandering the subterranean tunnels, you can also see cave cauliflower and cave popcorn during your visit. These geological formations are named for their appearance, which is formed by the process of the river eroding the limestone and gypsum in the caves.

    Horario: Hours vary by season

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    foto de Navin75 (CC BY-SA 2.0) modificada

  • 4

    Creelsboro Natural Arch

    Visit one of the largest natural bridges in the world

    Creelsboro Natural Arch
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    The Creelsboro Natural Arch is a natural landmark and a Native American cultural site downstream from the Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky. Made of limestone and formed over 300 million years, it’s one of the largest natural bridges in the world.

    You can visit the site by taking a rugged hiking trail that travels to the historic bridge and along the Cumberland River. Nearby, you’ll find historic stores and restaurants, such as the Creelsboro Historic Country Store & Restaurant, a farm-to-table restaurant with a gift shop.

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    foto de Pen Waggener (CC BY 2.0) modificada

  • 5

    Daniel Boone National Forest

    Go for a hike or hunt with pioneer weapons

    Daniel Boone National Forest
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    The Daniel Boone National Forest is a great place for outdoor fun and adventure as it is rugged and features many waterways and waterfalls. Spanning over 700,000 acres, the forest has several smaller parks within its boundaries.

    Within the forest are the Cumberland Falls, Buckhorn Lake, and the Natural Bridge, as well as multiple recreation areas for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and boating. You’ll also find protected wilderness areas near the Red River Gorge and a hunting area for pioneer weapons, such as muzzleloaders and bows.

    Dirección: 1700 Bypass Rd, London, KY 40744, USA

    Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

    Teléfono: +1 859-745-3100

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  • 6

    Lost River Cave

    View the remnants of a nightclub located within an underground cave

    Lost River Cave
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    Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a 7-mile cave system with the Lost River running through it. One of the most unique aspects of the Lost River Cave is that it was once a nightclub called the Cavern Nite Club. Inside, you can still see the remnants of this establishment’s old staircases and chandeliers.

    When you visit the cave, you can take a guided walking tour of the river and its famous Blue Hole water pool. You can also explore the cave’s entrance to learn about the natural and human history of the cave system. Many visitors also enjoy booking a boat tour inside the cave’s water system.

    Dirección: 2818 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA

    Horario: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm

    Teléfono: +1 270-393-0077

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  • 7

    Diamond Caverns

    Explore this world heritage site and biosphere reserve

    Diamond Caverns
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    Diamond Caverns is a popular world heritage site and an international biosphere reserve near the Mammoth Cave National Park. You can tour the caves to see the drapery deposits and the beautiful coloration of the calcite that formed the chambers.

    Thousands of rock formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, are found throughout the cave. After the tour, you can stop in the gift shop to pick up gifts and mementos to remember your experience in one of Kentucky’s most beautiful natural features.

    Dirección: 1900 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Park City, KY 42160, USA

    Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

    Teléfono: +1 270-749-2233

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    foto de James St. John (CC BY 2.0) modificada

  • 8

    Cumberland Fall's Moonbow

    See a stunning rainbow along the falls during a full moon

    Cumberland Fall's Moonbow
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    Cumberland Falls is a massive waterfall in the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The natural feature on the Cumberland River is one of the rare places in the world where you can see a moonbow.

    Also known as a white rainbow or lunar rainbow, a moonbow is a rainbow that’s created from the light of a full moon. Cumberland Falls’ moonbows usually appear for 1 to 2 days, on clear nights, at the beginning or end of the full moon. You can hike in the park at night, unlike at many parks, to catch a glimpse of this elusive phenomenon.

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  • 9

    Mammoth Cave

    Explore the longest cave system in the world

    Mammoth Cave
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    Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world and an exciting experience on your trip to Kentucky. You can experience this exotic site within the Mammoth Cave National Park through tours by paraffin lamps or on electric-lit routes.

    On the tour, you’ll experience the notable cave features, such as Grand Avenue, and you can take a boat tour on the underground river. Several off-the-beaten-track tours are available to go into the less-developed parts of the cave, including crawl spaces.

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  • 10

    Blue Pool at Lost River Cave

    Go swimming in an underground pool

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    The Blue Hole is a natural wonder in the large cave system of the Lost River Cave. This bright blue pool of water is located in a large marine cavern that is composed of limestone and connects to submerged cave passages.

    The blue pool dates back thousands of years, and there’s archaeological evidence that the Paleo Indians used the caves for water and shelter. Though the river is short, the Blue Hole is over 400 feet deep and connects to another underground river.

    Dirección: 2818 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA

    Horario: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm

    Teléfono: +1 270-393-0077

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