McCreary County, KY
Hiking Adventures
Where Every Path Leads to Wonder
McCreary County is a hiker’s paradise without equal. Embraced by the sprawling canopy of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the raw, sandstone-walled canyons of the Big South Fork National River, our landscape is crisscrossed by hundreds of miles of marked trails. Here, the earth rises in monumental arches, drops in roaring cascades, and folds into deep, silent gorges that have beckoned explorers for centuries.
As an officially certified Kentucky Trail Town, the historic town of Stearns serves as your literal stepping-off point. Park downtown, grab a map at the depot, and hike directly onto some of the most legendary trail systems in the eastern United States. Whether you are seeking a quiet, paved afternoon stroll with the family or a multi-day backcountry expedition under a canopy of old-growth timber, your perfect path starts right here.
