Did you know that the Kentucky State Park system provides nearly 300 miles of trails? Did you know that along those trails you might see waterfalls, age-old fossils, hundreds of species of birds, and plant species that existed when dinosaurs roamed the land?
Well, Trail Shape is a free program of the Kentucky State Parks that will inspire you to discover these amazing Kentucky sights while getting fit all at the same time! Hike the attached list of 16 trails, in a 1-year period. Trails total nearly 40 miles, and vary in length and terrain. Along your treks, you are asked to document your experience by taking a digital photograph at designated “photo spots”. In addition, keep a written journal of your outings. The journal should include start and end dates, date of each individual hike, time, weather conditions, and any unique observations and experiences along your hike. Once completed, submit your digital photos from the designated photo spots, along with an electronic copy of your hiking journal on CD. Select entries will be chosen for posting on the Kentucky State Parks website (unless you opt-out) to share with and inspire others.
If all trails are completed and documented, you will receive a Trail Shape certificate, Trail shape custom bandana, and will be entered into a drawing held on April 30, 2010 for a 2 night stay at a Kentucky State Resort Park!
Western Region
Laurel Trail @ Lake Malone State Park – 1.5 miles
Discover the beautiful landscape of Lake Malone State Park on Laurel Trail. This trail provides picturesque views of sandstone cliffs, once used as shelters by prehistoric Native Americans. Mountain laurel, holly, dogwood, and wildflowers provide a rich tapestry of native flora.
Photo Spot: Lake vista from trail
Pennyroyal Trail @ Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park – 1.4 miles
Pennyroyal Trail is often missed by many hikers because of its remote trailhead. The trail was named for the abundant occurrence of a wild mint, the American Pennyroyal, for which the park is also named. Unfortunately, the plant is becoming increasingly rare. After crossing a portion of the Lake Trail from the beach/boat dock area, the trailhead of Pennyroyal Trail is found after climbing sandstone steps to a secondary bluff line overlooking the beach. Hikers pass a wooden shelter and it is at this point that they must bear right and move upstream into the deeper woodlands. As the trail meanders along the creek, the oak-hickory forest gives way to a mixed hardwood forest. Beautiful evergreen Christmas fern communities are scattered throughout this section. After cresting near the ridge top, the trail quickly descends to intersect the Lake Trail at yet another remote wooden shelter. Hikers should bear right at this merging to return to the beach/boat dock area.
Photo Spot: Beach vista from trail
Wilderness Trail @ John James Audubon State Park - 2 miles
The Wilderness Lake is a 13-acre lake which is nestled in part of the park that is dedicated as a State Nature Preserve. To walk this one-mile trail you will walk .25-mile on the Warbler Road and then turn left onto the Wilderness Lake Trail. After following the ridge for a while, the trail will turn left at a shelter that was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You will follow a ridge and eventually descend to the lake using a steep stairway. The trail winds around the lake providing a good opportunity for wildlife viewing. A variety of birds including great blue herons, green herons and belted kingfishers can be observed along the bank as well as other wildlife including white-tailed deer, beaver and basking turtles. The trail is also one of the best in the park for observing a diversity of spring wildflowers. At the end of this trail, there will be a steady incline that will lead back to Warbler Road. Follow the road back to the parking area.
Photo Spot: Long footbridge crossing back of lake.
North Central Region
Heritage Trail @ Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park - 2.5 miles
The Blue Licks Heritage Trail retraces the history of the Blue Licks Springs. Ranging from prehistoric times to the present, all of the Blue Licks history revolves around the Salt Springs that were once found here. As you walk this trail, visitors will see a Nature Preserve that is home to one of the most endangered species of wildflower, the Short’s Goldenrod. After traveling through the Nature Preserve, visitors will have the chance to see what life would have been like here at the Spring’s through a re-constructed trade fort, documented being here as early as 1784. Also featured are native plants such as warm season grasses and many spring wildflowers early in the season. Visitors can access the trail from the Buffalo Trace trail beside the Nature Center.
Photo Spot: Tanner Station
Goose Creek Trail @ E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park – 1.25 miles
The Goose Creek Trail meanders through open meadow habitat to a semi-wooded area along Goose Creek. This trail reflects the Central State Hospital history as you travel past two historic cemeteries and remnants of the hospital facilities. The loop trail is an easy grade, and it is a great place to enjoy the natural environment near Metro Louisville.
Photo Spot: Trail adjacent to creek
Fossil Trail @ General Butler State Resort Park - 4.5 miles
The park’s longest trail takes its name from the ancient marine fossils found embedded in the thin layers of limestone rock along the trail. This trail can be accessed from the following three locations:
1. The back of the paved parking area on the left as you pass through the stone gates entering Stone Overlook Drive.2. The parking lot near the General Butler Conference Center3. Via the Woodland Trail which can be accessed between the Recreation Center and the Conference Center.
Much of the Fossil Trail crosses and follows open field areas, which are remnants of the Ski Butler slopes. Watch for directional trail markers in these sections. This beautiful loop trail will take you through old hardwood forests behind the Stone Overlook, which was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. At 768 feet above sea level, the overlook is the highest elevation point in the county. It is the perfect place to see the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers and the river community of Carrollton.
Photo Spot: Stone overlook with view of Ohio River.
Ironwood & Spicebush Trails @ Kincaid Lake State Park – 2.5 miles
Explore the unspoiled beauty and variety of nature habitats at Kincaid Lake State Park on two hiking trails. Named for the native flora, the Spicebush and Ironwood Trails offer 2.25 miles of connected loop trails.
Photo Spot: Suspension bridge
Big Bone Creek Interpretive Trail @ Big Bone Lick State Park – 1 mile
Located between the visitor's center and nature and history museum, the Big Bone Creek interpretive trail showcases many aspects of the parks astounding history. The first part of the trail takes you around the plant diorama, where you can see native plants and trees that were common in the Northern Kentucky area back when Lewis and Clark would have been at the park. The trail winds from there to the Pre-historic bog display; where life size replicas of Ice Age mammals that were found here at the park, can be seen. The trail continues into wooded bottomlands along the Big Bone Creek. Down in the bottomlands you will find the remnants of the salt-sulfur springs that once covered much of the low lying areas of the park. Continuing along you will shadow the creek passing the old fort site, where soldiers were stationed to protect frontiersman making salt, then go around the old Bison pen, until finally ending up back in the parking lot right by the visitor's center and nature and history museum.
Photo Spot: salt spring
South Central Region
Bike Trail @ Barren River State Resort Park - 2.5 miles
Hike along the 2.5 mile paved hiking/biking trail loop and experience a variety of habitats. On the back side of the loop; you will hike through a wooded area that will take you along several small streams and a variety of wildflowers throughout the year. The front side of the loop takes past wildlife habitat incentive areas and open meadows that often attract deer and wild turkey. The trail also provides great views of the golf course. The loop trail is a moderate grade.
Photo Spot: Bridge at stream
Eagle Point Trail @ Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
You may not be an eagle, but from here you can see their view. Eagles Point is reputed to be the best overlook on Dale Hollow Lake, offering vistas of both Kentucky and Tennessee! From the overlook you can experience some breath-taking scenes of the lake, surrounding countryside, and several islands including Trooper Island. Extreme caution should be exercised here. The drop from the overlook is several hundred feet. Keep a close eye on children!
From the trailhead on the lodge road, it is a moderate 0.8 mile hike to the overlook. Pull off on the grass and begin hiking on the Boom Ridge-Eagle Point Connector trail. At the top of the hill stay straight to continue along the Eagle Point trail. You will begin seeing large rock outcroppings on the right and views of the lake after transitioning from the grassy area of the trail back into the woods. The trail ends at the overlook.
From the campground store it is a 2 mile hike to the overlook. Just behind the campground store and mini golf, head south, where buttercups can be viewed in the spring. The trail continues through the woods alongside the picnic road, through an open field, and crosses the picnic road at the picnic shelter. Along this trail you will hike along a ridge with several rock outcroppings where spring wildflowers can be found. Continue through the woods past Cindy Cave. You may want to take an extra side trip to Cindy Cave, which is just a short 0.2 miles. Continue your hike where you will pass near the second entrance to Cindy Cave next to the park road. Stay on the trail which will cross the park road. After crossing the park road, continue up the hill. At the top of the hill keep left at the junction of the Boom Ridge-Eagle Point Connector trail. This section of trail should be considered strenuous.
Photo Spot: View from Eagle Point
Lake Bluff Trail @ Lake Cumberland State Resort Park – 4 miles
This trail, approximately four miles in total length, begins at the Activities Center, follows a meandering path through the cottage areas and campground, and ends at the Overlook with a view of the Lake Cumberland State Dock and the Jamestown Marina. The trail frequently crosses park roads, allowing guests to begin or end their hike at various locations. Hikers will encounter steep slopes and rough grades, and should use caution in these areas.
Photo Spot: High Cliff area above lake
Eastern Region
Fern Valley Trail @ Greenbo Lake State Resort Park – 1 mile
The Fern Valley trail follows a hillside maintenance trail, then winds thru a valley. You will find a variety of vegetation and often see grouse, deer, squirrel and many different songbirds on the trail. The trail returns you to the back of the lodge and is fairly easy walking. There is one steep area on the trail for a short distance and the location may be muddy after a rain. There are sixteen stations on the trail, which interpret some of the natural and cultural features you will encounter. A guide book is available at the lodge front desk. Please return the book after completing the hike.
Photo Spot: Ferns in the valley
Honeymoon Falls Trail @ Pine Mountain State Resort Park – 1.35 miles
Honeymoon falls, at 25 feet in height, is the largest waterfall in the park. The falls are visible throughout the year but may be reduced to a trickle during long periods of dry weather. The section of trail from the official trailhead to the falls is exceptionally intriguing as the trail ascends a mountain stream and passes through lush growths of rhododendron. You’ll also encounter old growth forest communities along this trail.
Photo Spot: Honeymoon Falls
Cumberland River Trail @ Cumberland Falls State Resort Park – 5 miles
The trail begins at the far end of the picnic area and follows the river upstream for about 2-miles. Trail 2 then follows an old logging road to the left until it intersects KY 90. After reaching the highway, hikers must follow the highway to the left for about 25 yards where the trail continues on a logging road. About 3/4-mile past its junction with KY 90, the trail turns right, leaving the logging road and winding its way down to the river. Upon reaching the river, Trail 2 intersects with the Moonbow Trail. Following the trail left upriver you will find it winds along the base of the cliff line until it reaches a wooden stairway which climbs the cliff to the left. The trail ends at the falls parking area, about 2-miles. Following the trail down river will lead you to the mouth of the Laurel River 8.8-miles.
Photo Spot: River level photo of boulder strewn gorge looking down stream from trail.
3 Bridges Trail @ Carter Caves State Resort Park – 3.5 miles
Attractions along the 3 Bridges Trail include Smokey Bridge, one of the largest natural limestone arches in Kentucky. Raven Bridge and Fern Bridge, both sandstone arches offer a scenic glimpse into he contrasting park landscape. Numerous vistas of the surrounding park woodlands and lake can also be observed.
Photo Spot: Raven Bridge
Lick Falls Trail @ Grayson Lake State Park – 3 miles
This loop trail leads to a pretty seasonal waterfall near the western boundary of the park. The best time to see the waterfall is in the winter and spring. Much of the trail follows along the top of a cliff line along Grayson Lake. Hikers should be aware of the tall cliffs and stay on the trail, which is several feet away from the edge. Hikers will see very scenic vistas of the lake. Much of the remainder of the trail follows an abandoned roadbed through the forest where hikers may encounter deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and other wildlife.
Photo Spot: Lake vista from trail.