Hiking

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Buzzard Rock

  • address Daniel Boone National Forest, Stearns, KY 4264737.0208632-84.2879688

How can you experience this view in person? Buzzard Rock isn’t marked officially on a map, but it’s still highly visited. The trail leading to it is an old Jeep trail along the ridge too and is worn down by foot traffic by hikers exploring the Big South Fork and the Daniel Boone National Forest. Buzzard Rock is at the top of the list of majestic overlooks of the Big South Fork region!
To explore Buzzard Rock, take U.S. Hwy 27 through Whitley City, then take a left onto Wiborg Loop Road. Take another left onto Tom Roberts Road, then veer left onto Big Creek Road. Take the gravel road into the forest several miles until you see and unidentified gravel parking lot on your right!

Cabwaylinap State Forest

  • address 4279 Cabwaylingo Park Road, Dunlow, West Virginia 2551138.001003-82.409424

Located on 8,296 heavily forested acres in southern West Virginia, Cabwaylingo State Forest is a beautiful destination to relax and unwind. The forest, located in Wayne County, gets its unique name from the four surrounding counties: (Cab)el, (Way)ne, (Lin)coln and Min(go). Cabwaylingo State Forest was established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps in an effort to rebuild wooded land in southern West Virginia.

Cabwaylingo State Forest is home to the Cabwaylingo Trail, the first in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System to be located within a West Virginia State Forest. Here, ATV, UTV, 4x4 and dirt bike riders will find nearly 100 miles of trails, parking for trucks and trailers as well as a trailhead facility with trail permits for sale.

Camp Blanton

  • address 4294 State Hwy 840 , Wallins Creek, KY 4087336.8593862-83.3819647

Right off The BackBreaker trail is where you can take your next adventure and hike or check into one of our remodeled cabins. This has to go on your next Bucket List with our trails.

Canyon Rim Visitors Center

  • address Rt. 19, Lancing , West Virginia 2586238.0794069-81.0670845

The primary purpose of Canyon Rim Visitor Center is to act as a visitor contact station for area information and for interpretation of the natural, cultural, recreational, and historic values of the New River Gorge. With an estimated 300,000 visitors each year, the center provides the park with a nationally recognized facility, revealing the beauty of New River Gorge to the nation and the world. This facility is also included in "A guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia."

 

Canyon Rim Zipline Adventures

  • address 627 Commission Circle, Haysi, VA 2425637.2860398-82.29449079999999
  • The Breaks Canyon is a mammoth 1000 foot deep gorge that the Russell Fork River has cut through the heart of Pine Mountain. The Breaks provides stunning views of a rugged and craggy Appalachian landscape that has been called the "Grand Canyon of the South".

Carter Caves State Resort Park

  • address 344 Caveland Drive, Olive Hill, KY 4116438.368373-83.1251603

Carter Caves State Resort Park offers 28 Lodge Rooms, 12 Cabins, Camping, Cave Tours, Hiking Trails, Mini Golf, Horseback Riding, Swimming, Fishing, and Recreational Activities.

Carter Caves State Resort Park

  • address 344 Caveland dr, Olive Hill, KY 41164

Beneath the forested hills of this resort, nature has hidden many twisting caverns. This park offers lodge rooms, cottages, camping, mini golf and cave tours. 

On July 31, 1946, the citizens of Carter and surrounding counties donated 945 acres to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a state park. Contained in this tract are some of the most impressive caves in the state. Additional land has been obtained, making a total of some 2,000 acres. Carter and Cascade Caves are the best-known caverns in eastern Kentucky. Located in north-central Carter County, the Carter and Cascade Cave system is comprised of more than 20 caverns. Four of these caves are open for tours. Others are undeveloped or access is limited. Each cave has distinctive features reflecting geological forces.

Bat Cave is the largest cave in the park. It is open only in the summer and is the home of an estimated 40,000 Indiana bats called Myotis that hibernate there in the winter. These bats are protected by the Kentucky Parks System. The caves main passageway is a half-mile long and follows the course of Cave Branch. The ceiling of the passageway varies in height from about 35 feet at the downstream entrance to a claustrophobic 4 feet. Known as Backache Avenue, the low ceiling of the passageway extends 700 feet. This passage is wet and there are small pools of water throughout its length. During heavy rains the passage can be flooded by torrents of water.

Saltpetre Cave is a dry cave. No streams flow through these passages today. Evidence suggests that water did flow through the cave many years ago. The cave has long, broad, low-ceilings and dirt floors. The name of the cave comes from the old saltpeter works near the entrance that helped produce gunpowder during the War of 1812. Kentucky caverns had several saltpeter mines during the war. Nitrates for making gunpowder could be extracted from the earth in the caves. On the wall near the entrance is the legend, Simon Kenton 1783. Kenton, an early Kentucky pioneer, explored the area in the late eighteenth century. Saltpetre Cave is shown to visitors by guided tour.

The most popular cave for visitors in the Carter Cave system is X Cave, so-called f or the two intersecting caverns that from the letter X. Narrow and tall passageways permeate the X Cave. The walls of the cavern have been carved by water. X Cave is filled with beautiful and strange forms. Stalactites and stalagmites are found along the right passage of the cave. Columns, draperies, and flowstone created by centuries of water percolating through earth and stone, decorate portions of the cavern. Giant Stalactite is the largest dripstone formation in the cave. This formation of several stalactites is seven feet in diameter and about30 feet high. Another curiosity is Pipe Organ. This formation is unique in that several stalactites and draperies, when struck with a piece of wood, sound different tones, thus giving it its musical instrument name.

Cathedral Falls

  • address Midland Trail, Gauley Bridge, WV 2508538.1621982-81.1943413

Cathedral Falls is one of the tallest and most scenic waterfalls found in Almost Heaven. This natural wonder sits at 60 feet tall, with waters plunging over sandstone and shale cliffs. Cathedral falls is both beautiful and easy to access – visible from Route 60 and with a designated parking area. Follow the short roadside path to get up close and personal with this mountain wonder.

Chained Rock

  • address 1050 State Park Road, Pineville, Kentucky 4097736.753583.6976

Chained rock is a massive boulder that looms over Pineville, Kentucky, threatening to roll down Pine Mountain, destroying the whole town, were it not for the massive chain tethering it to the mountain.

While the story of the chained rock is compelling, it was actually created by Pineville locals who were looking to create a tourist attraction near their small town. Thus in the 1930s the town installed the huge, 101-foot length of heavy-duty chain, linking one end to a colossal boulder on Pine Mountain and attaching the other end to the mountain itself. The rock is still a popular tourist attraction and even has its own informational plaque for visitors.

Cheif Logan State Park

  • address 1000 Conference Center Drive, Logan, West Virginia 2560137.8985341-82.0377996

About This Park

Surrounded by the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia, Chief Logan State Park is a 4,000-acre haven with lodging, conference facilities, campgrounds, hiking trails and a variety of outdoor activities and attractions. Chief Logan State Park is one of the most visited facilities in the West Virginia State Parks System and is known for its annual “Christmas in the Park” drive-thru holiday light display. Chief Logan Lodge and the surrounding state park are within a few miles drive from each other. Separated by a scenic mountain, guests can stay and enjoy the amenities at Chief Logan Lodge, and then take a short drive to explore the surrounding state park.

Located near the trailheads of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, Chief Logan State Park is an ideal destination for an overnight stay after a long day on the trails.

Chocolate Inn & Cafe

  • address  1165 Highway 11 S, Beattyville, KY 4131137.5567327-83.71071839999999

Modern getaway near the Red River Gorge area. Bean to Bar Chocolate, baked goods and specialty coffee. Free high-speed internet.

Nestled in the hills of Appalachia is this modern unique inn & café.  Offering eight custom designed rooms with international decor.  Enjoy all the surrounding nature in the Daniel Boone National Forest and in the Red River Gorge plus be pampered with gourmet chocolates and specialty coffee at the inn, all made on-site.

Cliffside Overlook

  • address 3814 Hwy 119 S, Whitesburg, KY 4185837.1184318-82.8268265

Cliffside Overlook- Cliffside overlook is located in the curve before the summit of the mountain. Its elevation is at 2,315 feet and it offers visitors a nice concrete landing to enjoy the view.

This is the lowest of five roadside overlooks on the northwest slope of Pine Mountain on US-119. It has a viewing platform and picnic tables making for a great spot to enjoy a meal while taking in the views.

Combs Overlook (Jenkins)

  • address US-23, Jenkins, KY 4153737.1882258-82.6345603

Combs Overlook (Jenkins) - Located off of Hwy US 23 N, immediately past the VA / KY line, Combs overlook offers guests a welcome respite with a gorgeous view of Jenkins KY. This is a picture-perfect place for family gatherings or meetings with a beautifully built covered shelter, several picnic tables and a concrete path leading to the observation deck encircled by custom railing. There is also a large parking area, allowing for multiple visitors at one time.

Combs Overlook(Jenkins), named for well-known Kentucky State Police Trooper Bennett David Combs, who died in August 2014 after a long illness. He was 55. The overlook gives views of Jenkins' beautiful mountains, Raven Rock Golf Course and one of the most beautiful place to watch a sunset in the Appalachian mountains.

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area

  • address Hill Creek Falls Rd, Hillsboro, WV 2494638.1795858-80.3391578

The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. Bogs are acidic wetlands more commonly found in the northern areas of this country and in Canada. The ground in a bog is spongy and consists largely of partially-decayed plant material known as peat. Because of its unique conditions, some unusual plants grow in bogs, including carnivorous or insect-eating plants. The Botanical Area encompasses 750 acres.

Cumberland Falls State Park

  • address 7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY 4070136.8385871-84.3383879

Cumberland State Falls home of our famous Moon-bow over the waterfall. Cabin rentals and RV lodging. Also there are many more outdoor activities for you to check out like horseback riding,kayak and much more!