Archways to adventure
Explore Kentucky’s natural arches and bridges
KENTUCKY HAS MORE NATURAL ARCHES and bridges than any state in the eastern United States, and they come in all spans and hefts. Most of the estimated 2,000 gravity-defying formations are clustered in the eastern half of the state, especially concentrated in the Daniel Boone National Forest in the Red River Gorge Geological Area and near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Arches in Kentucky, unlike their Western counterparts, are often obscured by forested ridges and can be tricky to find. Use this guide to embark on your own wild arch treasure hunt.
“Arches are breathtaking places that marry recreational hiking with so much geologic and human history,” says Seth Wheat, director of interpretation and engagement at Kentucky State Parks. “Visitors experience the natural world in a hands-on way, seeing and touching something that has taken thousands, millions, of years to get to this point.”
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Bridges are a specific type of arch formed by a river, and Natural Bridge is Kentucky’s best known and most popular arch. Many of the park’s trails lead to its namesake rock formation, with other interesting geologic features along the way, like Balanced Rock and Needle’s Eye.
Hikers reach the bridge, which stands 65 feet high with a 78-foot span, on a short, mostly uphill climb. The old-school sky lift, though, makes this arch one of the most accessible in the state. A quiet uphill glide brings visitors to the base of the arch, where they can take short trails that go under and over it. Wheat recommends the lookout spur near the top of the lift, which provides a wide-angle view of the bridge.
Red River Gorge
Just adjacent to Natural Bridge, Red River Gorge Geological Area is one of the best regional geologic destinations, and arch seekers will not be disappointed. An easy paved stroll takes visitors across the top of Sky Bridge, an impressive 75-foot span, with more moderate trails going around and under it.
A relatively easy loop trail reaches Rock Bridge from the Rock Bridge Picnic Area. The walk begins along a picturesque creek, passes a small waterfall and passes beside the bridge. It spans the creek and the water flows through it. The trail to Princess Arch passes scenic cliff overlooks before reaching this delicate and graceful span.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area/Daniel Boone National Forest
The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (which also stretches into Tennessee) is very narrow, running along the river and surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. Consequently, roads and trails here often crisscross boundaries.
Whippoorwill Arch is one of many hidden gems in McCreary County. Photo: Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
One of the most accessible and picturesque features is Natural Arch in McCreary County. Short paved hikes from the same-named scenic area lead to both an overlook and the base of the 50-foot high, 90-foot wide arch. Further south, Yahoo Arch was formed as a result of erosion at the back of a rock shelter. Depart from the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area and combine the hiking adventure with 113-foot Yahoo Falls, the tallest in Kentucky.
Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort offers a Waterfall and Arches guided tour in this area. The tour consists of several short hikes less than a quarter mile around Cumberland Falls that visit Schoolhouse Arch and Phalanx Arch.
“We share about the natural and human history of the area as well as helping people enjoy these natural wonders,” says owner Dania Egedi, a consumer-member of Cumberland Valley RECC.
Carter Caves State Resort Park
While this state park is well-known for its underground world, aboveground is notable terrain for arch adventurers. The easy walk to Natural Bridge goes to the only natural bridge in Kentucky with a road across it. For dedicated hikers, the Three Bridges Trail connects three very different arches: Smoky Bridge (the park’s largest), Raven Bridge and Fern Bridge.
Fern Bridge is one stop on the Three Bridges Trail at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Photo: Carter Caves State Resort Park
Mantle Rock Nature Preserve
While eastern Kentucky wins the prize for sheer number of arches, an anomaly in western Kentucky is the longest arch in the commonwealth. Mantle Rock in Livingston County is a small preserve, protected by the Nature Conservancy, that’s rich in natural and human history.
A loop trail takes visitors through a rare and fragile sandstone glade to the base of the 165-foot arch. The nature preserve is also a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. More than 1,500 Cherokee spent time here during the winter of 1838-39, waiting for the Ohio River to thaw and become passable.
All the arches
Have an overarching desire—pun intended—to see more of these unique geological formations? Here are some resources:
This article from the Kentucky Tourism Department is a good overview, with some breathtaking photos.
Looking for a list? Here’s one of the arches in and near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation area. And for the Daniel Boone National Forest there’s this list.
The Kentucky Geological Survey has compiled this map of natural arches located on public lands and accessed by a defined trail.
