Kentucky has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. \u00a0With 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.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Daniel Boone National Forest\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0– The forest has more than 600 miles of trail. \u00a0Here is a long\u00a0page with links to descriptions<\/a> for each day use trail, but no way of telling which ones are accessible without visiting each link. \u00a0 \u00a0Their phone number is\u00a0859-745-3100.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

  Natural Arch Scenic Area<\/a>\u00a0 –\u00a0 Picnic sites, restrooms and most pathways within the picnic area are accessible. Here is the\u00a0AllTrails description<\/a>.<\/p>\n

  Natural Arch Trail<\/a>\u00a0 is a one mile, paved path\u00a0from the parking area to the base of the arch. Here is\u00a0another reference<\/a>\u00a0to the trail<\/p>\n

  Barren Fork Accessible Heritage Trail<\/a>\u00a0is a paved, 0.75 mile trail to the overlook of the arch.<\/p>\n

  Thank you to Myra Williamson for this helpful reply to my query\u00a0about accessibility: \u00a0“Our other trails are highly variable, with both easy and difficult sections found along most routes.\u00a0 Therefore, we do not advertise other trails as accessible.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Due to the rugged, hilly nature of the forests in Kentucky most will not be accessible.\u00a0 However,\u00a0 we encourage visitors to explore and try new trails to see if they are suitable for their needs.<\/p>\n

  There are a few other opportunities on the forest that may be of interest to your readers.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It may be of interest to individuals looking for a place to host a reunion or take the family for a picnic.<\/p>\n

  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.<\/p>\n

  On the north end of the forest in Red River Gorge Geological Area, Skybridge provides an accessible overlook of the arch.\u00a0 Nearby is Gladie Cultural Learning Center (visitor center) which is also accessible. \u00a0This area includes a designated scenic byway which is great for individuals with limited mobility.\u00a0 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.”<\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

• George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
  \n<\/strong>\u00a0“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.” \u00a0Both of these Forests are primarily in Virginia. \u00a0 I am putting this one post in the pages for all three states. \u00a0There are a ton of trails, many of them described as easy. \u00a0You might pick an area you want to visit and call the appropriate Ranger District for advice.\u00a0 \u00a0Here are phone numbers for the eight Ranger Districts<\/a>.\u00a0 Supervisor’s Office Phone 540-265-5100.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Links to Maps<\/a>\u00a0 Day Hikes<\/a>\u00a0 National Forests Foundation<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Here is the Forests’\u00a0website.<\/a><\/p>\n

  \u00a0Massanutten Storybook Trail<\/a>\u00a0in Lee Ranger District \u00a00.5 miles described in \u00a0Virginia Trail Guide<\/a>. \u00a0“…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.”
  \nLions Tale Accessible Trail for the Visually Impaired<\/a>\u00a0in Lee Ranger District\u00a0 0.5 mile interpretive loop. Waymarking.com<\/a>\u00a0 Backpacker.com<\/a> “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.”
  \nPandapas Pond Loop Trail<\/a>\u00a0Eastern Divide Ranger District 0.9 mile \u00a0“The pond is situated in a hardwood forest. Rhododendron and flame azalea are abundant. …\u00a0The trail encircles both the pond and the adjacent wetland.”
  \nFenwick Nature Walk Trail<\/a> Eastern Divide Ranger District. 1.0 mile. \u00a0“…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.”
  \nVirginias Walk Trail<\/a> Eastern Divide Ranger District \u00a01.30 miles. \u00a0“This 1.3 mile nature trail meanders around White Rocks Campground.”
  \nRhododendron Trail <\/a>\u00a0James River Ranger District. \u00a00.12 miles \u00a0There is a “…wonderful view of the Rich Hole Wilderness at the end.”
  \nBeartree Lake Trail<\/a> Mount Rogers National Recreation Area \u00a00.8 miles paved and gravel-surfaced trail which encircles Beartree Lake.
  \nJackson River Fishing Trail<\/a> \u00a0Warm Springs Ranger District \u00a00.85 miles. Primarily used for fishing access to the Jackson River, the trail follows an old roadbed and has scenic views of the river.
  \n\u00a0Hidden Valley West Trail<\/a> \u00a0in Warm Springs Ranger District 1.08 miles. \u00a0Follows the Jackson River downstream.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Mammoth Cave National Park<\/strong>
  \n“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.”
  \nAccessibility and descriptions of ranger-led tours<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Phone 270-758-2180\u00a0 Map<\/a>
  \nHere is the Park\u00a0website.<\/a>
  \nMammoth 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.\u00a0 Call 270-758-2417.
  \n<\/a>Mammoth Cave Accessible Tour\u00a0 0.5 mile.\u00a0 “mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or canes are permitted on this tour,\u00a0but are not available<\/strong>. NPS employees will not transport or aid visitors in using assistive equipment. If visitors need assistance with the Park\u2019s 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.”
  \n<\/a>Frozen Niagara Tour\u00a0 0.25 mile.\u00a0 Walkers allowed, but no wheelchairs<\/p>\n

  Heritage Trail is a 0.75 mile \u00a0The trail begins at the end of the footbridge near the Mammoth Cave Hotel.
  \n<\/span>Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk is a 0.4 mile boardwalk that goes \u00a0“around the edge of a marshy pond. Wayside exhibits along the way help you understand the pond. The pond features an accessible picnic area.” \u00a0 Here is a\u00a0video on YouTube<\/a>, complete with bird and frog calls.
  \n<\/span>Sand Cave Trail is a 0.1 mile boardwalk to the site of a fatal entrapment \u00a0that took place in 1925. \u00a0The trailhead is at the park’s eastern entrance, on the Cave City Road.<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Travel Tips for Persons in Wheelchairs<\/strong>\u00a0by\u00a0Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0is a wonderful resource for parks in Kentucky – mostly state, but some county and a few federal.<\/p>\n

    Part 1<\/a>\u00a0 covers:<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Bad Branch Falls<\/li>\n
    • Barren River State Park<\/li>\n
    • Breaks Interstate Park<\/li>\n
    • \u00a0Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park<\/li>\n
    • Carr Creek State Park<\/li>\n
    • Cumberland Gap National<\/li>\n
    • Historical Park<\/li>\n
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park<\/li>\n
    • Grove Marina at Laurel Lake<\/li>\n
    • Holly Bay Marina at Laurel Lake<\/li>\n
    • Levi Jackson State Park<\/li>\n
    • Mammoth Cave National Park<\/li>\n
    • Natural Bridge State Resort Park<\/li>\n
    • Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historical Site<\/li>\n
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park<\/li>\n
    • Trace Branch Campground and Recreation Area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Part 2<\/a>\u00a0covers:<\/p>\n

      \n
      • Fishing Creek Recreational Area<\/li>\n
      • Fishtrap Lake State Park<\/li>\n
      • Fort Boonesborough State Park<\/li>\n
      • General Burnside Island State Park<\/li>\n
      • Jenny Wiley State Park<\/li>\n
      • Kingdome Come State Park<\/li>\n
      • Lee\u2019s Ford Marina<\/li>\n
      • Old Fort Harrod State Park<\/li>\n
      • Paintsville Lake State Park<\/li>\n
      • Pennyrile Forest State Park<\/li>\n
      • Pulaski County Park<\/li>\n
      • Rough River Resort State Park<\/li>\n
      • Trail Water Recreational Area at Rough River.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Part\u00a03<\/a>\u00a0 covers:<\/p>\n

        \n
        • Boone Station State Historic Site<\/li>\n
        • E.P. \u201cTom\u201d Sawyer State Park<\/li>\n
        • John James Audubon State Park<\/li>\n
        • Kenlake State Resort Park<\/li>\n
        • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park<\/li>\n
        • Land Between the Lakes National Park<\/li>\n
        • Mineral Mound State Park<\/li>\n
        • My Old Kentucky Home<\/li>\n
        • Taylorsville Lake State Park<\/li>\n
        • Waveland State Historic Site<\/li>\n
        • Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Part 4<\/a>\u00a0covers:<\/p>\n

          \n
          • Big Bone Lick State Park<\/li>\n
          • Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park<\/li>\n
          • Carter Caves State Resort Park<\/li>\n
          • Constitution Square State Historic Site<\/li>\n
          • Dale Hollow State Resort Park<\/li>\n
          • Grayson Lake State Park<\/li>\n
          • Green River Lake State Park<\/li>\n
          • Kincaid Lake State Park<\/li>\n
          • Lincoln Homestead State Park<\/li>\n
          • Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site<\/li>\n
          • White Hall State Historic Site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • Kentucky separates\u00a0“Resort State Parks”<\/a>\u00a0 which have lodging and restaurants from\u00a0“Recreation State Parks”<\/a>, which have camping and picnic areas. \u00a0 There are 49 state parks and a phone number given for each. \u00a0There are a lot of trails, quite a few of them rated “Easy”, but how easy? \u00a0Check out the Travel Tips above and\/or call ahead to ask before visiting these parks. \u00a0And please, let me know where you find truly easy trails I should include!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • Lake Malone State<\/strong> P<\/strong>ark<\/strong>
            \nThere are two trails which might be suitable.\u00a0 Here are the Park’s phone number,\u00a0 270-657-2111, and\u00a0 website<\/a>.
            \n<\/a>?\u00a0<\/strong> The\u00a01.5-mile Laurel Trail or the .25-mile Wildflower Trail\u00a0are rated “easy”.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • Natural Bridge Resort State Park<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>has a seasonal sky lift that transports visitors from a wheelchair-accessible trail to the bridge. \u00a0Here is additional\u00a0information from the\u00a0Virtual Tourist<\/a>\u00a0and from\u00a0Trip Advisor<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 606-663-2214.\u00a0 Here is the Park website.<\/a><\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • Yatesville Lake State Park\u00a0–<\/strong>
            \nThe\u00a0Mary Ingle Trail System<\/a>\u00a0has an\u00a0ADA self interpretive nature trail. \u00a0Can’t tell how long it is.\u00a0Phone\u00a0606-673-1492.\u00a0 Here is the Park website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

            <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

            <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

            • City of Radcliff
              \nSaunders Springs Nature Preserve\u00a0<\/strong>is a heavily wooded natural area \u00a0with historic features.
              \nA 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.\u00a0 A handicapped accessible picnic area is located at the top of the hill. \u00a0phone \u00a0(270) 351-4470 or \u00a0(270) 351-4079 \u00a0email:\u00a0radparksrec@radcliff.org<\/a>\u00a0 Here is the Preserve’s website.<\/a><\/p>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

            • Meade County
              \n<\/a><\/a>Buttermilk Falls
              \nThank you to “gean” who was kind enough to write, “Buttermilk Falls\u00a0 737 High St, Brandenburg, KY 40108 … is a beautiful walking trail that is well maintained along the Ohio.\u00a0 Most of the 2.5 mile paved trail is shaded, has several waterfalls after heavy rains. Beautiful scenery year around.”
              \nReview on Yelp<\/a>, 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.”\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone: 270-422-3967\u00a0or 270-422-3626.\u00a0 \u00a0Website<\/a><\/p>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

            • Paducah
              \nBob Noble Park
              \n<\/strong>There is an accessible nature trail\u00a0near the Anna Baumer Community Center.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Map<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Phone for Parks and Recreation\u00a0270-444-8508.<\/span><\/p>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

              <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

              • Toyota Environmental Education Center
                \n<\/strong>The Environmental Education Center, near Georgetown\u00a0has “nearly 50 acres of wetlands, prairies and woodlands.\u00a0 \u00a0TMMK\u2019s nature trail spans approximately one mile, winding alongside native grasses, bluebird boxes, and Kentucky \u2018cane\u2019. Trail markers tell Kentucky\u2019s story and how TMMK works hard to protect the state\u2019s natural treasures. ”\u00a0\u00a0Here is their\u00a0website<\/a>.\u00a0 The visitor center phone number is 1-800-866-4485.
                \n<\/a>Toyota Environmental Education Center Nature Trail is a mile long with about 1\/4 mile wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n

                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

                <\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

                • The\u00a0Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>lists wheelchair accessible trails in Kentucky.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                • Wheelchairtraveling.com<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 is an outstanding resource.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Kentucky has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. These\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness … Continue reading Wheelchairtraveling.com KY<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-73","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5857,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73\/revisions\/5857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}