8 Top Places To Visit In Kentucky In The Fall

The season of fall provides a setting brimming with beauty. As American novelist Siobhan Vivian said, "It is like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary." In the state of Kentucky, the beauty of fall is everywhere. From forests and parks to historical exhibits, visitors are provided with a variety of ways to experience nature within the state.

Daniel Boone National Forest

Daniel Boone National Forest greets its visitors with over 708,000 acres of national forest system lands within a 2.1 million acre boundary. Within the park, visitors can connect with the natural beauty of the state. Examples of this beauty include the Natural Arch Scenic Area, a 50 by 90-foot arch formed by wind erosion. Visitors also are presented with five different wildlife management areas. Several local fish species reside in one of these areas, the Shallow Flats. With over 600 miles of trails, visitors can explore the remote areas within the forest. The forest provides other activities for its attendees, such as camping, hiking, fishing, and a 269-mile horseback course through the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

In 1929, German businessman Isaac Bernheim dedicated a section of land to the people of Kentucky. Bernheim was successful in his pursuit of the American dream with the popular Bernheim Brothers Distilling company. Out of gratitude, Bernheim gave several gifts to the Kentucky Residents, the land among those. Over 90 years later, the Forest is still in existence, greeting more than 500,000 visitors each year. Located in Clermont, Kentucky, this 16,000-acre land is home to a 600-acre arboretum. Within the arboretum, there are over 8,000 varieties of trees and shrubs. Exploring this area through walking or biking more than 40 miles of trails allows visitors a sense of connection with nature. In 2017, 950 new acres of woods, creeks, and wetlands were added to the area, the largest expansion since the establishment of the forest.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

In 1911, a memorial building honoring former American President Abraham Lincoln was commemorated in what is now called Hodgenville, Kentucky. Nearly a century later, in 2009, the location was redesignated as a historical national park, and today, it receives around 200,000 visitors per year. The park preserves primarily two farm sites for attendees. The Birthplace Site showcases an early 19th-century Kentucky cabin and the Sinking Spring, a water source similar to the one the Lincoln family would have used. The Boyhood Home Unit showcases the area Lincoln resided in from ages two to eight. Visitors to this unit are shown a historic tavern and a log cabin and can set foot in the same place that molded a young Lincoln years before he became a historic American figure. Among the many things to do at this park, visitors can hike the trails and have a picnic on site.

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Spanning 734 acres, this sanctuary offers its visitors a place for hiking and wildlife viewing. Located in Lexington, the park provides over 10 miles of hiking trails, taking visitors across the area's streams, meadows, and woodlands. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary trail, a 3.8-mile path within the city, is popular for visitors interested in birding, hiking, and running. Over 600 species of plants and 200 species of birds call the sanctuary space home throughout the year. Amongst these species are yellow poplar trees, great blue herons, and endangered peregrine falcons. Visitors are also treated to certain points of interest, for example, the Kentucky River Overlook. This 70-foot overlook provides attendees with a great view of the Kentucky River.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is a unique location housing the largest known cave system in the world (more than 400 miles explored), with 10 miles of passageway available to the public for tours of the inside of the caves. One excursion is the Discovery tour, where attendees explore a 0.75-mile trail within the cave and can do so at their own pace. These caves evolved naturally via a process beginning 10 million years ago with the interaction of Groundwater with the local Girkin Limestone. 3.2 Million years ago, the process resulted in forming the upper levels of the cave. The fall season provides visitors with a unique hiking experience for tourists as they can witness the cave and the local wildlife.

Big South Fork Scenic Railway

Operating in Stearns, Kentucky, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a railroad adventure showcasing the natural scenery of Kentucky. Another popular feature during the 3-hour trip is the Big South Fork Gorge, which descends 600 feet. A rest during the trip showcases the Blue Heron Mining Camp to the passengers. Passengers can take a tour of the mine over this layover, being presented with the oral history of the area.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Located in Corbin, Kentucky, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is known for its unique phenomenon called a "Moonbow." Under the light of the moon, visitors may be able to spot a moonbow, a type of rainbow, in the spray created by the waterfalls. Measured at 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide, this waterfall is a beautiful natural setting, ideal for a variety of activities. Twenty miles of hiking trails are presented for visitors to explore a variety of the best views within the falls. One designated walking path is the Eagle Falls Trail, a 1.5-mile area for hikers to follow the cliff line to one of the best views of the falls. Horseback Riding tours are also an option for riders aged six and up. Participants can partake in a 45-minute ride through the Kentucky forest. One of the favorite activities for park attendees is gem mining, where, in the right season, attendees discover a variety of colorful gemstones.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Located in Golden Pond, Kentucky, this natural setting covers 170,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and open lands. Visitors can explore the land through a 500-mile trail system, traveling either on foot, bike, off-road vehicle, or even horseback. The 300 miles of shoreline in the area provides the ideal setting for a variety of activities such as camping, hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing. The region has a 700-acre enclosure meant to house the local elk and bison population. Visitors can tour these enclosures but are only allowed to explore from the comfort of their vehicles for safety reasons. Woodlands Nature Station provides an educational experience of the local wildlife through the 8,500-acre section of land. It is here that visitors can encounter species like a great horned owl or a red wolf.

There are many more places to experience Kentucky this fall season, so stop what you are doing right now and book your trip to the Bluegrass State!