Kentucky’s Big South Fork encompasses thousands of acres of gorges, streams, and forests along the southeastern border with Tennessee. It is one of Kentucky’s most popular areas for outdoor activities. I’m going to share with you 7 hikes in this area that are suitable for just about every family.
We hiked 6 of the 7 of these during our Kentucky road trip. We were heading south so these hikes will be going from northernmost to southernmost. All the trails were hiked by our family over 2 days.
1. Natural Arch – Big South Fork
- Location: Take US 27 south from Somerset for 21 miles, turn right on KY 927 and follow the signs for 2 miles.
- Fee: $3 or display your National Park Pass
- Facilities: Picnic area, restrooms, playground
- Length: 1 mile, lollipop loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Natural Arch Loop Trail begins at the Natural Arch parking area. A paved path passes 2 overlooks and leads down to the arch. There are many steps. Once at the arch, you can climb the steps up to the arch and continue along a dirt trail that loops around the northwest end of the arch. The dirt trail is very narrow and not marked well. At times we didn’t know if we were going in the right direction. We just continued along the path keeping the arch to our left. We eventually looped back around the front of the arch. From there you retrace your steps back up the paved trail and steps. My kids are proud to report that there were less than 100 steps in all.
2. Yahoo Falls and Yahoo Arch
- Location: From US 27 in Whitley City, take KY 700 west. Follow KY 700 for 4.7 miles, then turn right to enter the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area.
- Fee: None
- Facilities: Picnic area, restrooms
- Length: 2 miles total, out and back
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Yahoo Arch Trail begins either at the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area or a trailhead off KY 700. This is the one trail we had planned to hike but ended up not getting to visit. We planned to start off at the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area and hike south past Yahoo Falls to Yahoo Arch.
The trail to the 113 foot Yahoo Falls is about 1 mile long. You can walk right up to the base of the falls and behind the falls. The trail then continues past the falls to Yahoo Arch. It is an 0.8-mile one-way trail out to the arch. You can then return to the Yahoo Falls loop trail. The total hike from the trailhead out to the arch and back around the loop trail is about 2 miles.
3. Devils Jump Overlook
- Location: Follow the directional signs for Blue Heron from Stearns to Hwy 742. Take Hwy 742 west and follow the signs to the gorge overlook.
- Fee: None
- Facilities: None, drive a little further past the overlook you will find restrooms.
- Length: 0.1 mile, one way
- Difficulty: Easy
From the parking area, a paved accessible trail leads to Devils Jump Overlook. Once on the trail go left at the fork and then right at the overlook sign (other directions say stay straight through both intersections). I note this because we missed it the first time and ended up making a loop back to the parking lot without seeing the overlook. Once you arrive at the overlook you will find a large platform structure with bench seating and a little shade. The view is fantastic! You can see Devil’s Jump, a set of rapids on the South Fork of the Cumberland River.
4. Blue Heron Overlook – Big South Fork
- Location: From Devils Jump Overlook continue to the end of the road
- Fee: None
- Facilities: Vault toilet and picnic tables
- Length: 0.5 mile, one way
- Difficulty: Easy
The trail to the Blue Heron Overlook is paved but a little steep in spots. At the end of the trail, you will find a large platform overlooking the gorge. Again, the views are spectacular! After taking in the view you return to the parking lot the way you came.
5. Blue Heron Mining Community
- Location: Blue Heron Road, Stearns, KY. If you are coming from Devil’s Jump Overlook just backtrack about 3.9 miles. Blue Heron Road will be on your left. Look for signs. If you get to the campground you have gone too far.
- Fee: None
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, concessions, Interpretive center and bookstore, and outdoor exhibits
- Length: 16 exhibit interpretive trail
- Difficulty: Easy
Blue Heron Mining Community is an abandoned coal mine community that ran from 1937 until 1962. Hundreds of people lived and worked in the community along the Big South Fork River. In the 1980s the community was rebuilt using “ghost structures”, open metal shells of buildings, that were built on the approximate site of the original and close to the size of the originals. Each structure is themed after a different aspect of life in the community, like the school or church. You can either read or listen to a short program at each structure. The Blue Heron story is told as you walk among the 16 exhibits. It is best to start with #1 at the Train Depot. It took us about an hour to walk through with the kids.
6. Split Bow Arch Overlook & Trail
- Location: Tappley Ridge Road, Strunk, KY. Look for signs for the Bear Creek Scenic Area. Before reaching the trailhead you pass the overlook on your right.
- Fee: None
- Facilities: Vault toilets
- Length: Overlook – 100 feet from parking area. Trail – 1.28 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Overlook – Easy. Trail – Moderate
There are 2 ways to view Split Bow Arch, from the overlook or from under the arch itself. When driving in you come to the overlook first. This gives you a great first glimpse of the arch from above. A small parking area is directly across the dirt road from the overlook.
Further down the road, you will find a bigger parking area at the Bear Creek Scenic Area. Directly across from the vault toilets is the Split Bow Arch trailhead. The hike to the bottom of the arch is about .6 miles. When the loop begins, going right will take you to the top of the wooden staircase that leads you down and through the arch. Going left will take you to the base of the arch and up the stairs. We went right at the split. It wasn’t too strenuous despite all the steps.
7. Bear Creek Overlook
- Location: Same location as Split Bow Arch trailhead, Bear Creek Scenic Area
- Fee: None
- Facilities: Vault toilets
- Length: 0.5 miles one way
- Difficulty: Easy
The trailhead for the Bear Creek Overlook is in the same parking area as Split Bow Arch in the Bear Creek Scenic Area. From the Split Bow Arch trailhead, the Bear Creek Overlook trailhead is to your left. The double-track trail crosses a meadow before entering the woods and arriving at the overlook. The overlook gives you views of one of the most remote sections of the Big South Fork River. This was a very short and easy hike. We combined this hike with the Split Bow Arch trail.
Where did we stay?
During our 2 days exploring the Big South Fork of Kentucky, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Williamsburg. The hotel met our needs, nothing special stood out. It was a good place to relax after a day of hiking.
If you have extra time in your schedule you might want to consider a stop at Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Kentucky. There is no fee to enter the park, hike the trails, or view the falls. We were short on time so we just walked from the visitor center parking area along the river passed the falls to Lover’s Leap. It was an easy walk but did include numerous steps.
What are your favorite hikes in Kentucky’s Big South Fork? Tell us in the comments.
Kentucky Road Trip Series
- 2 Days at the Ark Encounter & Creation Museum
- Bowling Green, Caves and Corvettes
- 4 Family Hikes in Hocking Hills State Park
- Alum Hollow & Green Mountain Nature Trails
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not compensated for this post. Our road trip took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, our experiences may not be the same as yours. Double-check trail conditions before traveling.
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