McCammon Branch Falls - Gray Hawk, Kentucky

 

A Treasure in the Wilderness

 

​​McCammon Branch Falls is perhaps one of Jackson County's best kept secrets. A marvel of natural beauty, McCammon Branch Falls is located on McCammon Branch, just behind Gray Hawk Community Park. A mildly challenging rough and narrow trail leads from the field adjacent to the picnic shelter to one of the most spectaclar and seldom documented natural sites in all of Kentucky. A privately owned house is situated next to the trail in front of the falls, so please be respectful.​

 

 



 

​Alcorn Branch Falls - Arvel, Kentucky



A Sheltowee Trace Original

 

This Sheltowee Trace walk starts in a little-visited segment of the Daniel Boone National Forest. It leaves the community of Arvel, near the old Arvel post office, and takes an old dirt road before coming to a foot trail. From here, it descends from dry oak woodland into a moist valley where the Trace looks out on Alcorn Branch Falls, a low-flow drop that few folks ever see. This is a short walk suitable for most everyone. Todd Grocery, a true old-time country store at the trailhead, is worth a visit if it is open. Outstanding Features: Waterfall, solitude, and rock overhang 



 

 

​​Resurgence Cave - McKee, Kentucky

 

Undeniably Beautiful

 

This Sheltowee Trace hike leads through the War Fork Gorge to Resurgence Cave, where War Fork emerges, flowing cool and clear year-round. War Fork flows through a geologically interesting valley. Much of this stretch is drained by caves underlying the War Fork Valley. War Fork holds water at Turkey Foot Campground, the hike starting point, but is often dry upstream. It again goes underground below Turkey Foot before resuming flow at Resurgence Cave. Outstanding Features: Cave with emerging stream, War Fork Gorge, and old homesite 

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Beulah Lake - Tyner, Kentucky

 

          Out on the Water

 

Lake beulah,best known as "Tyner" Lake was built in 1969. Located in Jackson County, KY. The lake holds various species of fish like Large mouth bass, Bluegill, Catfish and rainbow trout, no longer does the lake hold a significant amount of smallmouth bass but is possible to catch one. the most common fish to catch in this lake is Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Catfish and Rainbow Trout. this lake is great to take the family and not have to worry about all the hectic traffic of other boaters like on your bigger lakes. -anglerweb.com

 

 

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Kentucky Scenic Byway



Off the Beaten Path

 

​​​KY 89 in Rockcastle and Jackson Counties was designated a Kentucky Scenic Byway in 1996 by the Kentucky Department of Transportation. This 32-mile section of road spans two of the commonwealth's major watersheds, the Kentucky and the Cumberland, and has special sights to offer during the early seasons of the year. The wildflowers are especially abundant and spectacular, and the streams that parallel the road take on magnificent hues of azure.

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If you are looking for a detour from busy I-75 through the Daniel Boone National Forest, travel on Scenic Byway 89. Travelers from the south should get off I-75 at Mt. Vernon exit 59). Follow signs to Livingston, cross the bridge and turn right. This road will run into Scenic Byway 89 to Irvine and follow State Route 52 to Richmond. From the north, exit I-75 at Richmond (exit 87} and reverse directions. You will enjoy scenic views and rock outcrops along the ridge tops, and lush vegetation along Indian Creek and the Rockcastle River.

This picturesque drive is great for exploration by bicyclists with experience on narrow, winding roads.

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Please contact the Judge Executives office:

(606) 287-8562    fax   (606) 287-1790



Daniel Boone National Forest

 

Appalachian Wilderness​

 

Formerly known as the Cumberland National Forest, established in 1937, it was renamed in 1966 for Daniel Boone, who explored the Kentucky wilderness and returned with other pioneers to establish a settlement at Fort Boonesborough (then Virginia, now Kentucky). The forest was established in 1937 under the Weeks Act, which permitted the federal government to buy back lands in the east to form national forests. The principal large ownership which formed the basis of the Forest were the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company tract of 48,000 acres, the Castle-Craig Coal Company tract of 27,000 acres, and the War Fork Land Company tract of 22,000 acres. These were lands which had already been clear cut for lumber. The purpose was to manage the land to supply lumber into the future and to provide recreational opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Daniel Boone National Forest contains some of the most beautiful scenery and topography anywhere in the world, with over 56,000 acres lying within the boundaries of Jackson County. Towering sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, natural arches and bridges characterize the land described by Daniel Boone as "Eden...a great forest on which stood myriads of trees, some gay with blooms, others rich with fruit." The forest offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, swimming, and nature study. Spread across 21 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky, more than 708,000 acres of national forest system lands are managed within a 2.1 million-acre proclamation boundary. The forest is divided into four ranger districts: Cumberland, London, Redbird and Stearns.