Kentucky Federal - Accessible Nature

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
“The Jefferson National Forest is comprised of lands located in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. The George Washington National Forest is comprised of lands located in Virginia and West Virginia.” Both of these Forests are primarily in Virginia. I am putting this one post in the pages for all three states. There are a ton of trails, many of them described as easy. You might pick an area you want to visit and call the appropriate Ranger District for advice. Here are phone numbers for the eight Ranger Districts. Supervisor’s Office Phone 540-265-5100. Links to Maps Day Hikes National Forests Foundation Here is the Forests’ website.

Massanutten Storybook Trail in Lee Ranger District 0.5 miles described in Virginia Trail Guide. “…leads to a spectacular view overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Learn from the interpretive signs of how the Massanutten Mountains were formed.”
Lions Tale Accessible Trail for the Visually Impaired in Lee Ranger District 0.5 mile interpretive loop. Waymarking.com Backpacker.com “Listen to the gentle ripples of Passage Creek, feel the refreshing water running from the flume, and smell the sweet aromas of sassafras and birch.”
Pandapas Pond Loop Trail Eastern Divide Ranger District 0.9 mile “The pond is situated in a hardwood forest. Rhododendron and flame azalea are abundant. … The trail encircles both the pond and the adjacent wetland.”
Fenwick Nature Walk Trail Eastern Divide Ranger District. 1.0 mile. “…hikers can walk through an Appalachian forest, cross Mill Creek, pass through swampy wetlands, and get a nice view of a scenic waterfall. Wildflowers are abundant during the spring.”
Virginias Walk Trail Eastern Divide Ranger District 1.30 miles. “This 1.3 mile nature trail meanders around White Rocks Campground.”
Rhododendron Trail James River Ranger District. 0.12 miles There is a “…wonderful view of the Rich Hole Wilderness at the end.”
Beartree Lake Trail Mount Rogers National Recreation Area 0.8 miles paved and gravel-surfaced trail which encircles Beartree Lake.
Jackson River Fishing Trail Warm Springs Ranger District 0.85 miles. Primarily used for fishing access to the Jackson River, the trail follows an old roadbed and has scenic views of the river.
Hidden Valley West Trail in Warm Springs Ranger District 1.08 miles. Follows the Jackson River downstream.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park
“Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.”
Accessibility and descriptions of ranger-led tours Phone 270-758-2180 Map
Here is the Park website.
Mammoth Cave National Park offers sign interpreter services for cave and surface activities to visitors free of charge. Arrangements can be made by contacting the park two weeks in advance. Call 270-758-2417.
Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour 0.5 mile. “mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or canes are permitted on this tour, but are not available. NPS employees will not transport or aid visitors in using assistive equipment. If visitors need assistance with the Park’s accessible features, they must bring a companion with them for aid. Assistive devices will need to be decontaminated upon exiting the cave to limit the spread of White Nose Syndrome.”
Frozen Niagara Tour 0.25 mile. Walkers allowed, but no wheelchairs

Heritage Trail is a 0.75 mile The trail begins at the end of the footbridge near the Mammoth Cave Hotel.
Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk is a 0.4 mile boardwalk that goes “around the edge of a marshy pond. Wayside exhibits along the way help you understand the pond. The pond features an accessible picnic area.” Here is a video on YouTube, complete with bird and frog calls.
Sand Cave Trail is a 0.1 mile boardwalk to the site of a fatal entrapment that took place in 1925. The trailhead is at the park’s eastern entrance, on the Cave City Road.

Daniel Boone National Forest

Daniel Boone National Forest – The forest has more than 600 miles of trail. Here is a long page with links to descriptions for each day use trail, but no way of telling which ones are accessible without visiting each link. Their phone number is 859-745-3100. Here is their website.

Natural Arch Scenic Area – Picnic sites, restrooms and most pathways within the picnic area are accessible. Here is the AllTrails description.

Natural Arch Trail is a one mile, paved path from the parking area to the base of the arch. Here is another reference to the trail

Barren Fork Accessible Heritage Trail is a paved, 0.75 mile trail to the overlook of the arch.

Thank you to Myra Williamson for this helpful reply to my query about accessibility: “Our other trails are highly variable, with both easy and difficult sections found along most routes. Therefore, we do not advertise other trails as accessible. Due to the rugged, hilly nature of the forests in Kentucky most will not be accessible. However, we encourage visitors to explore and try new trails to see if they are suitable for their needs.

There are a few other opportunities on the forest that may be of interest to your readers. The Alpine Picnic Area does not offer trails, but is a newly renovated picnic area with accessible picnic sites, group shelter, playground and vault toilets. It may be of interest to individuals looking for a place to host a reunion or take the family for a picnic.

Many of the boat ramps at Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake provide at least one accessible parking space and an accessible vault toilet.

On the north end of the forest in Red River Gorge Geological Area, Skybridge provides an accessible overlook of the arch. Nearby is Gladie Cultural Learning Center (visitor center) which is also accessible. This area includes a designated scenic byway which is great for individuals with limited mobility. It provides an opportunity to drive through a very scenic part of the forest, with the two stops mentioned where they can get out and experience the outdoors in a setting that is accessible.”