My Old (canvas) Kentucky Home

July 25, 2009 1:04 PM

We're taking a camping trip around Eastern Kentucky during the first week of August. What should we do along the way?

Any must-see campsites, parks, restaurants, venues, giant bourbon vats, or other fun things to see and do?

Because of time restrictions, we're going to save Mammoth Cave and other parts of Western Kentucky for another trip.

Itinerary
Day 1: Chicago to Cincinnati

Day 2: Midday stop in Lexington, drive to Daniel Boone National Forest

Day 3-5: Camp, day trip (Cumberland Gap, Red River Gorge?)

Day 6: Visit Whitesburg/Hazard, drive and overnight in Louisville

Day 7: Louisville to Henderson, camp, Bluegrass in the Park festival

Day 8: Henderson to Chicago


In addition to interesting sites, we're not quite sure where the best place to camp around Daniel Boone might be. We're looking at Carr Creek or Kingdom Come State Park, looking for places that are beautiful, not touristy, and near water - any suggestions?

Thanks!

posted by asuprenant to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

I'm a BUNCH biased here (worked there as a Guide/Naturalist for 5 summers) but I <3>Carter Caves State Resort. It's in Carter County, just about 1.5 hours from Lexington, between Olive Hill and Grayson, KY.

The Caves are actually, I believed, mostly closed this year, because of concerns about White Nose Bat syndrome. But there are awesome hiking trails, a good campground, and neat stuff going on all the time. There are a bunch of natural bridges that are accessible year round. It's an _awesome_ park.

There's also Cave Run park, on Cave Run Lake, just outside of Morehead State University. Right in the middle of Daniel Boone National Forest, it's a pretty lake, and the campground is pretty good.
posted by griffey at 1:21 PM on July 25, 2009

You can go to Blanton Forest in Harlan County now, I think. But, um...Hazard to Louisville may be more of a drive than you're anticipating. Kingdom Come is nice enough, I'm biased towards Cumberland Gap, being sort of from there.
posted by dilettante at 2:07 PM on July 25, 2009

Don't miss the natural bridge. A short pretty hike from headquarters (they also have a restaurant) to the bridge. Near the Daniel Boone forest.

Henry Clay's mansion is interesting, between Lexington and Richmond. I also love Richmond, the University old buildings and the very, very old cemetery.
posted by francesca too at 4:21 PM on July 25, 2009

francesca too, Henry's Clay's estate (Ashland) is in Lexington. It's four blocks away from me. Whitehall is between Lexington and Richmond - that belonged to Cassius Clay (not Muhammad Ali, but the man he was named for, a distant cousin of Henry Clay), and he's probably a front page post on his own. Whitehall coul dbe worth a stop just for the story.
posted by dilettante at 4:28 PM on July 25, 2009

DO NOT MISS Red River Gorge. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. There are so many amazing spots I can't really recommend just one. Just a drive through is a treat. Don't miss Miguel's Pizza in Slade. Driving through Nada Tunnel is also cool and weird and awesome. Natural Bridge is just south of Slade.

Sorry but I have to disagree with Carter Caves. I, too, am biased--I grew up there! Ugh. Cave Run is far, far better. It meets your criteria *perfectly*. (Carter Caves has a very tiny lake but there is no camping near it.) There really isn't a Cave Run "park". It's just part of the HYOOGE Daniel Boone National Forest and as such, you can camp whereever you like, within certain limitations. You will be ticketed if you camp within 50 feet of the water's edge (I think--depends on the ranger who spots you) but other than that, you can camp anywhere. Twin Knobs has an actual campground, but I find that place to be waaay too touristy. Personally I like to just park at Stoney Cove and either canoe to a camping spot or hit one of the trails there. If you need more info about Cave Run feel free to MeMail me.
posted by hecho de la basura at 5:36 PM on July 25, 2009

I would agree with hecho de la basura that the camping at Cave Run is better than Carter Caves, at least as it relates to non-campground areas, and proximity to water. But the hiking at the Caves is _way_ better than Cave Run.
posted by griffey at 6:50 PM on July 25, 2009

Natural Bridge, as francesa said.
posted by deezil at 3:31 PM on July 26, 2009

You might like Lilley Cornett Woods, an old-growth forest between Hazard and Whitesburg. Visits are only by guided tour. Also nthing Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge.
posted by komilnefopa at 5:48 PM on July 26, 2009

Oh, and when you come to Western KY, let me know and I'll give you some can't miss places.
posted by deezil at 8:35 AM on July 27, 2009