Resort, restaurant, cabins, hiking trails, campsites, horseback riding, swimming pool, Cumberland Falls - known for its Moon Bows - are the largest in Kentucky. Also known as the "Niagara of the South."
3.
Mountain Craft Center Hwy 90/HC 83
Parker's Lake, KY 42634
(606) 376-3463
Located on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Houseboats, pontoons, cabins, marina, hotel and store.
5.
Noe’s Boat Ramp Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N
Whitley City, KY 42654
(606) 376-5323
Off Hwy 90 Mill Creek Road - Concrete launch ramp.
6.
Natural Arch Location: Hwy 927
Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Natural Arch of Kentucky is an rock shelter natural arch with a semicircular aperture resulting from wall collapse in a tall, relatively thin ridge-top exposure of rock. Natural Arch of Kentucky is located in the Natural Arch Scenic Area of Daniel Boone National Forest. Has a span of 100 feet, a height of 44 feet, and a width and thickness of about 25 feet each.
7.
Great Gulf Overlook Location: Hwy 927 Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Panoramic View Trail #528 (0.55 mile). The trail begins at the Great Gulf Overlook Parking Lot and traverses an old roadway out the ridgeline to the northeast, terminating at a scenic overlook. A second scenic overlook can be seen about halfway out off to the right of this trail. Trails within the Natural Arch Scenic Area are designed for hiking and day use only.
8.
Turkey Creek Boat Launch End of Hwy 927 on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River
9.
Sand Hill Camp RV & Primitive Camping
Off Highway 700 E
Whitley City, KY 42653
10.
Yahoo Falls Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
Yahoo Falls is Kentucky's highest waterfall, dropping 113 feet from its lip into the pool below. To reach Yahoo Falls turn from Hwy 27 and travel west on Hwy 700 for 4 miles. Signs will direct you to parking area. The Yahoo Falls area has restrooms and picnic tables, scenic gorge overlooks and numerous hiking trails, including a 1 mile loop trail which will lead you to the base of the falls, behind the falls and back up to the head of the water fall.
11.
Alum Ford Boat Ramp & Campsite Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
The Alum Ford area offers boating access to the Big South Fork River and Lake Cumberland as well as a small, 7 site, primitive campground. To reach Alum Ford turn from Hwy 27 and travel west on Hwy 700 for approximately 5.5 miles till road ends at the boat ramp.
12.
Blue Heron Mining Community Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
A coal-mining town operating from the 1930's through the early 1960's, the site once abandoned is now an outdoor museum where the story of life in a company-mining town is told through the words of its former residents. The Blue Heron area also offers access to hiking trails and the Big South Fork River. May be reached via the Big South Fork Scenic Railway or by following the directional signs form Stearns to Hwy 742 and then taking 742 west to Blue Heron.
13.
Devil’s Jump Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
One of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area's most scenic overlooks, the Devil's Jump Overlook affords spectacular views of the Big South Fork River, the river gorge and the Devil's Jump Rapids. This overlook is fully accessible.
The overlook may be reached by following the directional signs for Blue Heron from Stearns to Hwy 742, taking Hwy 742 west and following the directional signs to the gorge overlooks.
14.
Bear Creek Overlook Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
One of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area's scenic overlooks, the Bear Creek Overlook affords spectacular views of the Big South Fork River and the river gorge. A short 1 mile trail also leads from parking area to Split Bow Arch.
The overlook and trail may be reached by following the directional signs for Blue Heron from Stearns to Hwy 742, taking Hwy 742 west, turning left onto Ross Road and following the directional signs.
15.
Blue Heron Campground
(800) 365-2267 (using Code #244 - reservations can be made up to five months in advance)
located at the end of Rt. 742, also provides some good birding opportunities. The various overlooks provide spectacular panoramic views of the river gorge and sometimes of soaring birds. The Blue Heron Loop, a 6.5 mile trail, is worth a walk, especially during summer or migration.
16.
Great Meadows Campsites Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Picnic tables, campsites, horseshoes, water available from April through October, restrooms are vault toilets. Great Meadows campground lies deep in the valley of Rock Creek, a Wild and Scenic River that cuts between nearby Laurel Ridge and Backbone Ridge. Visitors that camp along the river’s banks can drop a line to taunt the local fish or hike in Daniel Boone National Forest and adjacent Big South Fork National River Recreation Area, where arches and great overlooks await discovery. Great Meadow lies at the end of the road, which has its advantages, including little to no auto traffic and great overall solitude. Fee: None.
17.
Buffalo Arch Location: Parkers Mountain Road
Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Is a buttress natural arch with a span of 75 feet, a height of 35 feet, a width of 14 feet, and a thickness of 10 feet (measured by Jay Wilbur). It can be reached in a 3/4 mile hike on 4WD road and trail.
18.
Princess Falls Location: Access trails at Yamacraw Bridge, Hwy 92
Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
The Lick Creek Valley has two of the best waterfalls in the entire Big South Fork Valley. The first, Princess Falls, is a wide Niagara-type fall, while Lick Creek Falls is more of a slender veil emerging from the top of a rock overhang.
19.
Lick Creek Falls Location: Access trails at Yamacraw Bridge, Hwy 92 Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N.
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Lick Creek Falls is more of a slender veil emerging from the top of a rock overhang.
20.
Wagon Wheel Arch
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area 4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
Is located along Hwy 742 as you drive into Blue Heron. An old wagon road once crossed the top of the arch, hence its name. The opening of the arch measures almost 35'.
21.
Koger Arch State Route 1353 at Yamacraw
This is a massive arch and is located in the Daniel Boone N.F.
22.
Hollow Lock Arch Off Lonesome Creek Road and Rt. 1363
23.
Hickory Knob Arch Foster Road near Bell Farm
Located in the Daniel Boone N.F., F.S. road 591 actually crosses over the arch.
24.
First Oil Well Bald Knob Hill Cemetery Road
Big South Fork of the Cumberland River
25.
McCreary County Airport McCreary County Airport is a very small, publicly-owned public-use general aviation airport. It lies adjacent to United States Penitentiary, McCreary and has one unattended hangar containing several ultralight aircraft. Its elevation is 1370 MSL and it has one well-maintained asphalt runway, 4/22.
26.
Bobby Duncan’s General Store HC 83 Box 382
Strunk, KY 42649
(606) 354-2202
27.
Bear Creek Horse Camp Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841
(606) 376-5073
This camp in Kentucky contains 23 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers, dump station and access miles of horse trails. Bear Creek Horse Camp is located on Ross Road off Hwy 742 west of Stearns, KY.
Both the Station Camp and Bear Creek Horse Camp are operated by a National Park Service Concessionaire. Reservations write to: P.O. Box 4411, Oneida, TN 37841 or call (423) 569-3321.
28.
DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST Stearns District Ranger Station
P.O. Box 429
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
700,000 acres of land. The land is generally rugged and characterized with steep forested ridges, narrow valleys and a cliff line of over 3,400 miles. Two horse camps, Beaver Creek Wilderness Area and 54 miles of Sheltowee Trace National Trails. Offers backpacking, camping, picnicing, rock climbing, boating, hunting, fishing, horseback riding or just relax and enjoy the view.
29 has been removed.
30.
Barthell Mining Camp P.O. Box 53
Whitley City, KY 42653
Rebuilt mining camp includes a coal mine tour, rebuilt tenant homes, reconstructed doctor's office, barber shop, school house, general store and coal mining museum, pavilion with stage, conference facilities, restaurant and antique car collection.
31.
BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER & RECREATION AREA Stearns, KY
Hwy 92
(606) 376-5073
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
An outdoor education company that offers guided climbing, sailing, canoeing and multisport Adventure Trips. Made up of experienced climbers, sailors and outdoor educators.
32.
McCreary Co. Museum at Stearns P.O. Box 452
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5730
Museum is housed in the old Stearns Coal and Lumber Company Corporate headquarters, 1907. Local history, historic documents, objects and photographs, replica of bedrooms and parlor from the early 1930's, replica church rrom, sporting exhibit and musical exhibit.
33.
Big South Fork Scenic Railway 100 Henderson
Stearns, KY 42647
1-800-462-5663
(606) 376-5330
Ride the rails back into history. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway offers excursions into the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area from April through October plus special Santa Trains in December.
Days and hours of operation vary throughout the season, call or visit their website for specific information.
34.
Stearns Golf Course
Butler Drive & Club Course Road
Stearns, KY
(606) 276-2666
2nd oldest golf course in Kentucky
35.
Best Western Hotel South Fork Inn Hotel in Whitley City 1116 N. Hwy 27
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-3780
(877) 237-8717
Beaver Creek WMA Daniel Boone National Forest
Stears Ranger District
3320 Hwy 27 N
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-5323
Travel west on Hwy 192 to Somerset, KY. Turn left onto the 80 Bypass and travel approx. 5 miles to U.S. Hwy 27. Turn left on 27 and travel several miles south to the WMA boundary. A portion of 27 and Highway 90 (left) borders the southern tip of the WMA. Several blacktop and gravel roads are open for access into the WMA, but No Motorized Vehicles are allowed within the boundaries of the Wilderness. Trailheads with vehicle parking are available. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Somerset.
The Beaver Creek Wilderness and Wildlife Management Area in McCreary and Pulaski counties is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest, managed cooperatively with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. More than 16,000 acres are managed within the WMA to provide suitable habitat and forage for wildlife. The Wilderness area lies within the boundaries of the WMA, embracing the slopes of Beaver Creek that drains into the Cumberland River. The terrain is steep and rugged, dissected by vertical cliff walls that wind along ridge contours.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Species to watch for include wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, grouse, quail and, of course, beaver. The dense hardwood forests over varying degrees of elevation provide suitable habitat for numerous breeding songbirds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Some of Kentucky’s rare species of bats are known to occur in and around the Beaver Creek area, including the federally listed endangered Indiana bat.
44.
Bear Oil Trading Company 66863 Hwy 90
Parkers Lake, KY 42634
(606) 376-9169
Junkyard Pottery offers handmade items for everyday use, from utilitarian to decorative. The pottery is made from stoneware clay that is durable and functional, and is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.
WMTH CORPORATION PO BOX 51153 BOWLING GREEN, KY 42102 PHONE (270) 781-6858 FAX 781-2949
