When hiking through the beautiful state of Kentucky, many people likely do not think about the age of the trees and foliage that surrounds them. While wandering down a trail, you may admire the wooded scenery, plant life, and views, but in some cases, there’s much more history to these forests. In fact, there’s one preserve in eastern Kentucky that makes up the largest old-growth forest in the state. Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve is more than a challenging and picturesque hiking spot; this ancient forest tells so many stories through its magnificent trees and a walk through it is straight out of a storybook.
Located on the south face of Pine Mountain in eastern Kentucky, Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve is more than 3,000 acres of incredible natural beauty and history.
Photo Courtesy of @mattherpphoto/@kywildlands Approximately 2,350 acres of the preserve are considered old-growth forest. If you’re unfamiliar with that term, it basically means that the forest is of considerable age and has been essentially left untouched.
That means when you hike through these trees, you are walking through a preserved piece of Kentucky history.
Photo Courtesy of @beinthewater There are two trails within the preserve that are open to the public from dawn until dusk. The first is a 4-mile double loop trail that includes many incredible surprises. The other 0.5-mile trail is also beautiful as it passes along Watts Creek.
The ancient trees you’ll see along these trails are some of the oldest in the eastern part of the United States.
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Many of the trees are three feet to four feet in diameter and tower 100 feet above the forest floor.
Photo Courtesy of Ruby Chastain
Several of these trees have been dated to the late 1600s. The thick forest canopy and the various plant and wildlife are all truly something to explore in Kentucky.
Photo Courtesy of @kygirl26
There are a number of options when it comes to exploring the trails within Blanton Forest. There is a parking lot at the trailhead, with signs to direct you on your way, and then many things to discover once you venture out.
Photo Courtesy of @mgregorywalker The 0.5-mile Watts Creek Trail is a great way to experience the preserve without the challenge of the other mountain terrain. The views along the creek are lovely and you’ll still get to see the ancient trees that fill the forest.
The longer Knobby Rock Loop and the Sand Cave Loop are more strenuous, but also have big payoffs.
Alltrails/Pat Helms Not only do you get to explore the old-growth forest, but the views from atop Knobby Rock are some of the most spectacular in the state. The hike to Sand Cave is a challenge, but again you’re rewarded with unique scenery and natural beauty.
Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve is a Kentucky treasure that will hopefully remain the untouched old-growth forest that is today for years and years to come.
Photo Courtesy of William Lancaster/@kywildlands
Facebook/Harlan Tourism The best way to support this forest and the endeavor to preserve it is to learn about the initiatives linked below. Also, when you do decide to visit this ancient forest in Kentucky, enjoy yourself, revel in its beauty, and of course, respect the nature and history that make up this storybook-worthy area of Kentucky.
Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve is one of many areas in Kentucky that, thankfully, several passionate Kentuckians work hard to maintain. Have you stepped into the storybook of Blanton Forest and discovered these ancient trees? What other preserves do you love to visit and support in Kentucky? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Courtesy of @mattherpphoto/@kywildlands
Approximately 2,350 acres of the preserve are considered old-growth forest. If you’re unfamiliar with that term, it basically means that the forest is of considerable age and has been essentially left untouched.
Photo Courtesy of @beinthewater
There are two trails within the preserve that are open to the public from dawn until dusk. The first is a 4-mile double loop trail that includes many incredible surprises. The other 0.5-mile trail is also beautiful as it passes along Watts Creek.
Facebook/Harlan Tourism
Photo Courtesy of Ruby Chastain
Photo Courtesy of @kygirl26
Photo Courtesy of @mgregorywalker
The 0.5-mile Watts Creek Trail is a great way to experience the preserve without the challenge of the other mountain terrain. The views along the creek are lovely and you’ll still get to see the ancient trees that fill the forest.
Alltrails/Pat Helms
Not only do you get to explore the old-growth forest, but the views from atop Knobby Rock are some of the most spectacular in the state. The hike to Sand Cave is a challenge, but again you’re rewarded with unique scenery and natural beauty.
Photo Courtesy of William Lancaster/@kywildlands
The best way to support this forest and the endeavor to preserve it is to learn about the initiatives linked below. Also, when you do decide to visit this ancient forest in Kentucky, enjoy yourself, revel in its beauty, and of course, respect the nature and history that make up this storybook-worthy area of Kentucky.
For more information and exact directions to the parking lot for the trails within the preserve, visit here. For more on the other initiatives working hard to maintain Kentucky’s naturally beautiful forests, check out the Kentucky Natural Land Trust’s site here and the Explore Kentucky Initiative’s site here. Both of these offer guided hikes within Blanton Forest throughout the year.
And for more epic hiking spots throughout Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
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