About this city
Also known as: Kentucky's Great Wilderness
Daniel Boone National Forest is a massive, federally managed wilderness reservation stretching across 21 counties in eastern Kentucky, carving through the rugged sandstone terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. Characterized by over 700,000 acres of dense hardwood canopies, spectacular vertical sandstone cliffs, and thousands of natural stone arches, the forest was established in 1937 to protect vital river watersheds. It serves as a world-class Mecca for international rock climbing, backcountry hiking, and pristine aquatic recreation.
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Suggested stay: 2–5 days
Scale world-class vertical sandstone cliffs inside the Red River Gorge Geological Area, a premier global climbing destination. Walk across the massive natural stone span of Natural Bridge inside the adjacent state resort park. Rent a pontoon boat or kayak along the sprawling cliff-lined shores of Cave Run Lake.



