Hiking

20 Great Hikes in the Big South Fork Region

Little did I know, 2020 would be the perfect time to put a new pair of hiking boots to use! I’m sure I wouldn’t have hiked even half as much if it weren’t for the pandemic. With limited travel and entertainment options, my Mom and I turned into frequent hikers, at least for short distances. It is amazing how many awesome experiences we had on trails that were within 50 miles of our hometown in Monticello, Kentucky. For lack of a better label, I’m calling all of this area the Big South Fork Region. For those looking to get outside in 2021, here’s a list of great trails we’ve hiked that are all close to home!

I’ve linked to my blog posts when possible, and I’ve linked to other resources below if I haven’t written a post specific to the named trail. Most of these trails are also available on AllTrails, which is a great resource, or on Big South Fork NRRA hiking guides. (BSF = Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest)

Trails in McCreary County, Kentucky:

  1. Natural Arch (DBNF). 1 mile loop. Easy. Link to more info.
  2. Yahoo Falls (BSF). 1 mile loop. Easy, one steep staircase. Yahoo Arch is an additional 0.8 miles each way.
  3. Split Bow Arch (BSF). 0.7 mile loop. Easy.
  4. Princess Falls (BSF). 1.2 miles out and back (2.4 total). Easy.
  5. Koger Arch (DBNF). 0.7 miles loop. Easy. Link to more info.
  6. Devil’s Jump Rapids (BSF). Easy. Short section of Blue Heron Loop Trail.
  7. Cracks-in-the-Rocks (BSF). Moderate, many stairs. Short section of Blue Heron Loop Trail.
  8. Eagle Falls at Cumberland Falls State Park. 1.5 miles. Moderate, many stairs down to Eagle Falls. Great views of Cumberland Falls halfway out the trail that don’t involve the stairs. Link to more info.
  9. Buzzard Rock Trail (DBNF). 1.3 miles. Easy. Link to AllTrails map.
  • Kentucky Trail Collage
    L-R, Top: Split Bow Arch, Cracks-in-the-Rocks, Devil’s Jump Rapids; Middle: Natural Arch, Princess Falls, Yahoo Falls; Bottom: Eagle Falls, Koger Arch, Buzzard Rock View

Big South Fork Trails in Tennessee:

  1. Twin Arches. 1.3 mile loop. Easy, but has stairs. A longer loop connects to Charit Creek Lodge.
  2. Slave Falls. 2.6 miles if you go out and back to the falls (not the full loop). Easy, except for the spur down to Slave Falls. Needle Arch is a short, easy trail past the spur to the falls, and you don’t want to miss the arch.
  3. Middle Creek Nature Loop. 3.5 mile loop. Easy. After a rain, features numerous temporary waterfalls.
  4. Charit Creek Lodge. 1.1 miles each way. Moderate, steep. Spending a night or two at this backcountry lodge is a great adventure! Link to lodge website: www.ccl-bsf.com/

Pickett State CCC Park in Tennessee: (Link to Pickett Trail Map.)

  1. Hazard Cave Trail. 1.6 miles loop. Easy/moderate.
  2. Natural Bridge. 1 mile loop. Easy. Across the road is a short but steep trail to Indian Rockhouse, also worth a visit.
  3. Crystal Falls (on the Hidden Passage Trail). 1.6 miles. Easy. This one is a gem only a short distance out and back from the parking area.
  4. Ladder Trail. 1 mile loop. Easy except the ladders.
  5. Lake & Island Trails. 2 miles for both loops combined. Easy.

More Trails in Tennessee:

  1. Pogue Creek Canyon Overlook Trail. 1.6 miles. Easy. One of my favorites! Link to map. More ambitious hikers should also check out the Upper Canyon and Mesa Top Trails for some excellent scenery.
  2. Bunkum Cave Trail at Cordell Hull State Park. 2.5 miles loop. Moderate, steep stairs to cave. Link to park page.
  • Crystal Falls & scenes from Ladder Trail at Pickett State CCC Park
  • Top – Hazard Cave, Bottom – Natural Bridge at Pickett State CCC Park
  • Top – Pogue Creek Canyon Overlook; Bottom – Bunkum Cave
  • Twin Arches & Charit Creek Lodge

Feel free to comment on this post or message me on social media if you’d like more info on any of these hikes. You don’t have to be in great shape for these trails because we certainly weren’t. Also, while none of these are difficult hikes, I do recommend waterproof hiking boots and a trekking pole (or walking stick) as good to have on any of these trails.

Happy trails in 2021!