We have miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails here in McCreary County. Whether you’re looking for easy or challenging you’ll find it here. Find out what it means to truly experience natural beauty.
Follow in the steps of Daniel Boone, known as Sheltowee or Big Turtle to Native Americans, along this 282-mile National Scenic back country trail through Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork NRRA, and Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, & Pickett State Parks in Kentucky and Tennessee. Large portions of the Sheltowee Trace are open to horses and mountain bikes. In the northern half, motorized vehicles are permitted on much of the trail. However, the only way to complete the entire trail is to do so on foot. In fact, by connecting with the Jenny Wiley Trail (open only to foot traffic), one can hike from Tennessee to Ohio. Trail is denoted by markers depicting white turtle. Visit sheltoweetrace.com for maps and information.
Walk high among the Cumberland Plateau as beloved naturalist John Muir did in 1867 as he explored the wilderness from coast to coast of this great country. This 50-mile trail begins just north of the Tennessee line in McCreary County along the John Muir Overlook Trail and takes hikers above No Business Gorge deep into the river valley of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. When completed, the John Muir Trail will extend from the northern side of Pickett State Park on the Cumberland Plateau to the Appalachian Trail in the southern part of the Cherokee National Forest. Trail is denoted by markers depicting a blue silhouette of John Muir. Visit nps.gov/biso for more information.
3 Forks of Beaver-
Take Hwy 27 North 12.3 miles to Bauer Rd, travel 2.2 miles to Forest Service Rd #51 turn right, travel 0.7 miles to trailhead parking on right. *2 miles in length *Loop Trail-can be out & back *Very little elevation change *Dirt surface *Not handicap accessible *More difficult trail
Natural Arch-
Take Hwy 27 north 7.5 miles to Hwy 927, turn left, travel 1.8 miles. Natural Arch is on your right. There is a $5.00 parking fee. *0.5 miles in length to overlook *Out & Back Trail *Very little elevation change * Concrete/Paved surface *Handicap accessible to overlook *Easy to overlook/More difficult to Arch
Cumberland Falls-
Take Hwy 27 north 5.8 miles, turn right onto Hwy 1045, travel 8.1 miles, turn right onto Hwy 90, travel 3 miles to Cumberland Falls. *0.5 miles in length *Out & Back Trail *Very little elevation change *Paved surface * Handicap accessible to some of the overlooks *Easy trail
Alum Ford-
Take Hwy 27 north 1.7 miles to Hwy 700, turn left onto Hwy 700 west, travel 5.4 miles to Alum Ford Campground, the Sheltowee Trace goes south out of the campground. When you get to some large rocks beside the trail and a little cemetery on your right you have gone a mile. *2 miles in length *Out & Back Trail *Very little elevation change *Gravel/Dirt surface *Not Handicap accessible *More difficult trail
Yahoo Arch-
Take Hwy 27 north 1.7 miles to Hwy 700 west, turn left on Hwy 700, travel 2.8 miles to trailhead on right. More parking is available on your left just past the trailhead. *2 miles in length *Out & Back Trail *Some elevation change *Dirt surface *Not handicap accessible * More difficult trail