69 Best Sights in Kentucky, USA

This is a karst region, a landscape where dissolving bedrock creates disappearing streams, springs, caves, and (sometimes massive) sinkholes. One such karst sinkhole is Cedar Sink, open for exploration via the Cedar Sink Trail. As a collapse feature, it acts as a window into geologic processes still going on deep beneath the earth. We see hidden streams emerge in the bottom of the sink and then hide again . . . only to form more sinkholes at Turnhole Bend farther along their route. Sinkholes of this size can form their own microclimate inside, encouraging the unseasonal growth of wildflowers.

At Green River mile marker 193, you arrive at the middle of Turnhole Bend, a large bend in the river. The bend is so nearly complete that someday in the geologic future, the river will erode the neck of the bend away entirely, cutting Turnhole Bend off from the backcountry. Downstream 0.2 miles on the south side you will find Turnhole Spring, an outlet of an underground waterway. This spring creates a bluehole, or deep spring, so large that before the turn of the 19th century, steamboats plying the Green River with passengers and cargo would use this natural "turn hole" to turn around.

A short uphill grade takes you to a forested path that weaves among impressive sinkole features. Don't be fooled by the serenity—something significant is going on underneath your feet. The cause becomes clear when you arrive at the Turnhole Bend Overlook, a platform that provides a view of the site below, where a large underground waterway wells up as a bluehole spring to join the Green River at Turnhole Bend. The result is the "turnhole," a body of water large enough that steamboats once used it to turn around in the 19th century. This trail should not be confused with the Turnhole Bend Trail, a backcountry trail that approaches the area from the north side of the river. 0.5 mile. Moderate.

Hikers pass open forests and sun-spattered canopies on your way southward to Turnhole Bend, a wide bend in Green River. The end of the Turnhole Bend Trail provides a singular view of the Green River Valley at a high point in the center of a large bend in the river, where the river surrounds you on three sides. Directly south across the river is the location of Turnhole Spring, an outlet of an underground waterway. This trail intersects Sal Hollow Trail at 0.6 miles. Turnhole Bend Campsite lies at the trail terminus. The trail does not continue down to the river. 1.8 mi. Moderate. Note: This trail should not be confused with the Turnhole Bend Nature Trail on the park's south side.

Two Springs Trail follows the river bottom from Echo River Spring Trail to River Styx Spring Trail along a fairly level path. The grade can get mushy in places. River Valley Trail and Sunset Point Trail branch off uphill along the route. 0.6 mile. Easy.

Wet Prong Trail follows a ridgeline to the drainage of the Wet Prong of Buffalo Creek and parallels the creek for much of the trail's length, crossing smaller tributary streams on its way. The trail can be soft and muddy in places, and growth can be dense. At 1.4 miles, Blair Springs Hollow Trail connects. At 3.7 miles McCoy Hollow Trail connects. The trail ends at a junction with Collie Ridge Trail and Buffalo Creek Trail. 4.6 miles. Moderate. Note: Wet Prong Trail forms a 19.1-mile loop with First Creek Trail and McCoy Hollow Trail that can be accessed from either First Creek Trailhead or Temple Hill Trailhead.

The forest this trail passes through is no ordinary woodland. To your left is the Big Woods, one of the last remaining stands of original Old Growth forest in Kentucky. The trail descends into the Green River Valley to the north side of Dennison Ferry, and the White Oak backcountry campsite.  2.5 mi. Moderate. There is no ferry, and no cross-river access to the Dennison Ferry Day-Use Area.

From the ridgetop near Mammoth Cave Campground, Whites Cave Trail makes its way down the wooded flank of Mammoth Cave ridge toward a spot where White Cave lies nestled underneath the forest floor. This small grotto with no known connection to the Mammoth Cave system isn't open to the public, but the trail passes by its entrance. 0.6 mile. Moderate.

Limestone buildings dating from the early 19th century have been restored to operation for distilling, aging, and bottling Woodford Reserve bourbon. At the end of the distillery tour, guests 21 and over can sample the whiskey