KENTUCKY

Kentucky has a number of trails with minimal obstacles.  Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible.  Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search.  I would love to have some first-hand recommendations.  With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous

Federal

  • 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.

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

    Wheelchair AccessibleNatural 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

    Wheelchair AccessibleBarren 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.”

  • 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.

    Wheelchair Accessible 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.”
    Wheelchair AccessibleLions 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.”
    Wheelchair AccessiblePandapas 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.”
    Wheelchair AccessibleFenwick 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.”
    Wheelchair AccessibleRhododendron 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.
    Wheelchair Accessible 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 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.
    Wheelchair AccessibleMammoth 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

    Wheelchair AccessibleHeritage Trail is a 0.75 mile  The trail begins at the end of the footbridge near the Mammoth Cave Hotel.
    Wheelchair AccessibleSloan’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.
    Wheelchair AccessibleSand 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.

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State

  • Travel Tips for Persons in Wheelchairs by Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network  is a wonderful resource for parks in Kentucky – mostly state, but some county and a few federal.

    Part 1  covers:

    • Bad Branch Falls
    • Barren River State Park
    • Breaks Interstate Park
    •  Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
    • Carr Creek State Park
    • Cumberland Gap National
    • Historical Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Grove Marina at Laurel Lake
    • Holly Bay Marina at Laurel Lake
    • Levi Jackson State Park
    • Mammoth Cave National Park
    • Natural Bridge State Resort Park
    • Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historical Site
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • Trace Branch Campground and Recreation Area.

    Part 2 covers:

    • Fishing Creek Recreational Area
    • Fishtrap Lake State Park
    • Fort Boonesborough State Park
    • General Burnside Island State Park
    • Jenny Wiley State Park
    • Kingdome Come State Park
    • Lee’s Ford Marina
    • Old Fort Harrod State Park
    • Paintsville Lake State Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Park
    • Pulaski County Park
    • Rough River Resort State Park
    • Trail Water Recreational Area at Rough River.

    Part 3  covers:

    • Boone Station State Historic Site
    • E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Land Between the Lakes National Park
    • Mineral Mound State Park
    • My Old Kentucky Home
    • Taylorsville Lake State Park
    • Waveland State Historic Site
    • Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site

    Part 4 covers:

    • Big Bone Lick State Park
    • Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Constitution Square State Historic Site
    • Dale Hollow State Resort Park
    • Grayson Lake State Park
    • Green River Lake State Park
    • Kincaid Lake State Park
    • Lincoln Homestead State Park
    • Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
    • White Hall State Historic Site

  • Kentucky separates “Resort State Parks”  which have lodging and restaurants from “Recreation State Parks”, which have camping and picnic areas.   There are 49 state parks and a phone number given for each.  There are a lot of trails, quite a few of them rated “Easy”, but how easy?  Check out the Travel Tips above and/or call ahead to ask before visiting these parks.  And please, let me know where you find truly easy trails I should include!

  • Lake Malone State Park
    There are two trails which might be suitable.  Here are the Park’s phone number,  270-657-2111, and  website.
    ?  The 1.5-mile Laurel Trail or the .25-mile Wildflower Trail are rated “easy”.  

  • Natural Bridge Resort State Park  has a seasonal sky lift that transports visitors from a wheelchair-accessible trail to the bridge.  Here is additional information from the Virtual Tourist and from Trip Advisor.  Phone 606-663-2214.  Here is the Park website.

  • Wheelchair AccessibleYatesville Lake State Park –
    The Mary Ingle Trail System has an ADA self interpretive nature trail.  Can’t tell how long it is. Phone 606-673-1492.  Here is the Park website.

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Local

  • City of Radcliff
    Saunders Springs Nature Preserve     is a heavily wooded natural area  with historic features.
    Wheelchair AccessibleA handicapped accessible trail winds through mature hardwood forest past cascading waterfall as it leads from a parking area at the old water plant to the lake.  A handicapped accessible picnic area is located at the top of the hill.  phone  (270) 351-4470 or  (270) 351-4079  email: radparksrec@radcliff.org  Here is the Preserve’s website.

  • Meade County
    Wheelchair AccessibleButtermilk Falls
    Thank you to “gean” who was kind enough to write, “Buttermilk Falls  737 High St, Brandenburg, KY 40108 … is a beautiful walking trail that is well maintained along the Ohio.  Most of the 2.5 mile paved trail is shaded, has several waterfalls after heavy rains. Beautiful scenery year around.”
    Review on Yelp, states that “This can be rated as an easy to very slightly moderate hike. There are two entrances, one that starts at riverfront park, and the other next to an industrial park.”    Phone: 270-422-3967 or 270-422-3626.   Website

  • Paducah
    Bob Noble Park
    Wheelchair AccessibleThere is an accessible nature trail near the Anna Baumer Community Center.   Here is their website.   Map  Phone for Parks and Recreation 270-444-8508.

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Private

  • Toyota Environmental Education Center
    The Environmental Education Center, near Georgetown has “nearly 50 acres of wetlands, prairies and woodlands.   TMMK’s nature trail spans approximately one mile, winding alongside native grasses, bluebird boxes, and Kentucky ‘cane’. Trail markers tell Kentucky’s story and how TMMK works hard to protect the state’s natural treasures. ”  Here is their website.  The visitor center phone number is 1-800-866-4485.
    Wheelchair AccessibleToyota Environmental Education Center Nature Trail is a mile long with about 1/4 mile wheelchair accessible.

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Miscellaneous

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