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trails

Trails

There’s no experience quite like hiking the finest trails in The Bluegrass State. No matter what type of hiker you are, you’ll find a trail to enjoy here. Our state parks offer access to everything from family-friendly nature trails of only a few miles to multi-week long-distance backpacking adventures where you can really rough it.
 

These trails can show you a lot of things: local wildlife and flora, incredible geologic displays, fun and secluded backpacker campsites and much more. 

 

Please be mindful that pets are not allowed on any park trails that share land with State Nature Preserves or are in protected archaeological areas. This includes Wickliffe Mounds SHS and all but one trail at Natural Bridge SRP and John James Audubon SP. Also, a few trails at Cumberland Falls, Carter Caves, Pine Mountain, and Blue Licks Battlefield State Parks are part of nature preserves.  These trails will be posted as such. 

 

Browse the state parks below to find your next great hike and start planning your trip today, whether it’s for a few hours or a few days. See you at the trailhead!

Kentucky Parks Trails

Showing 1 - 10 of 173
Kingdom Come State Park
Easy .1 mile – Considered easy because of the trails short length, the trail starts across the road from a picnic area along the Little Shepherd Trail and proceeds uphill to 12…
Daniel Boone Country
Daniel Boone Country
Carter Caves State Resort Park
One of our longer hiking trails that visits the park’s backcountry. Two suspension bridges are found on this trail. Johnson Home place is a backcountry campsite that requires a…
Kentucky Appalachians
Kentucky Appalachians
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
2.5 miles, connects trail 2 & 7, may be accessed from trail 8, 2, or at Ky 90 near park entrance, abundance of spring wildflowers, some sections quite steep
Daniel Boone Country
Daniel Boone Country
John James Audubon State Park
Access the Island Loop Trail from within Audubon Wetlands, located on Wolf Hills Road, just north of John James Audubon State Park. A rocked pathway from the parking lot leads…
Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ
Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
A brief adventure on a mountain path, Azalea Trail begins adjacent to a small stone building that was constructed by the CCC in the 1930s. Mossy steps begin a meandering ascent to…
Daniel Boone Country
Daniel Boone Country
John James Audubon State Park
(1.6 MILES)DIFFICULTY: MODERATEFor the more experienced hiker, the Backcountry Trail provides welcome solitude. This trail twists and turns as it travels over hilly terrain in the…
Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ
Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
This is the steepest trail in the park with more than 600 stairs. The trailhead is located off of the sidewalk behind Hemlock Lodge. At the trailhead, hikers are immediately faced…
Daniel Boone Country
Daniel Boone Country
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Start at the Original trailhead, located off of the sidewalk behind the Hemlock Lodge and go up to the top of the first set of steps. Here, Battleship Rock Trail splits off to the…
Daniel Boone Country
Daniel Boone Country
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
1.6 miles, linear trail, trailhead located 3.6 miles back from park entrance, level terrain and easy grade, end of trail is steep, leads up to lake overlook and Baughs Branch.
Southern Kentucky Vacations
Southern Kentucky Vacations
Grayson Lake State Park
.8 mile trail, named for 2 tree species that dominate area woods, view sandstone rock formations along lake shoreline including "Lizard Head Rock", easy rating
Kentucky Appalachians
Kentucky Appalachians