KENTUCKY SWIMMING
HOLES |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LONDON, CORBIN, WILLIAMSBURG | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=36.66856, lon=-84.54767(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Big South Fork of the Cumberland River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | Swimming hole in deep, clear pool in river under footbridge at Blue Heron picnic and camping area. |
AREAS | Big South Fork National Recreation Area
(BSFNRA) |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Picnic tables, Toilets |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | Blue Heron campground is at this site. Also, there are 2 campgrounds in Daniel Boone N.F. near Blue
Heron - Hemlock Grove and Great Meadow campgrounds ore both west of Stearns off RT 92.
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BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From London, go south on I-75 to Williamsburg. Then west on RT 92 past RT 27 to Pine Knot. From Pine Knot, take RT 1651 northwest to Revlo. From Revlo, take RT 742 southwest to "Mine 18 Road". Go west on Mine 18 Road into the Big South Fork N.R.A. and continue on to the Blue Heron to the picnicking and camping area. At the beginning of the trail to the Catawba Overlook, the trail crosses a footbridge. The swimming hole is beneath this footbridge (I think). LINK TO MAP OF AREA & TRAILS (PDF) .
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CONFIDENCE | Pretty certain |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 2/21/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | PIKEVILLE (KY), ELKHORN CITY (KY), HAYSI (VA) |
STATE | KY |
WATER | Varies- see below |
TYPE | Creek/River |
DESCRIPTION | Several creek/river swimming places right on the KY/VA state line in the Breaks Interstate Park. See DIRECTIONS below for details.
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AREAS | Breaks Interstate Park |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | None |
FACILITIES |
All facilities at the State Park |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Tubing, Jumping |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | In Breaks Interstate Park |
BATHING SUITS | Varies- see below |
DIRECTIONS | Directions are from Elkhorn City on the KY side (you can also get here from Haysi on the VA side): From Elkhorn City, take RT 80 east, then | RATLIFF HOLE [RATL]: A semi-official swimming and tubing area in the Russell Fork River at a State Park picnic area. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 . Has bathrooms and picnic tables - sometimes inner tubes are rented here also. LAT, LON [N83/W84]:lat=37.2973, lon=-82.3256(source: measured) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here from RT 80 east of Elkhorn City, look for a Breaks Interstate Park Recreation Area sign (I don't belive it says Ratliff Hole but it is.) on the right side of the road. Turn right and drive down the paved steep incline and stay right. If you go during the summer there is a little shack that some people rent rafts and tubes out of. Very confident. Verfied 6/2006. Updated 6/28/2006. POOL POINT [POOL]: Pool Point is also in the Russell Fork River and you walk there from Ratliff Hole. A fan says:"This is one of the best places I have ever been. I could not believe I did not see it on your site. Then again I could not find information about Pool Point anywhere on the net. Perhaps it's a secret. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 , PHOTO 3 , PHOTO 4. It is located on the Russell Fork River directly under the Pool Point Tresle. Cliffs range from 25-80 feet in height. Great for jumping and a spectacular rope swing. LAT, LON [N83/W84]:lat=37.2931, lon=-82.3242(source: Topozone) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here from Ratliff Hole, just ask for directions to the trestle from there. You cross over the river (swim) to a sandy beach and follow the trail around the bend downstream to spot the trestle. It's only about 150 yds away from Ratliff Hole." Very confident. Partially verfied 6/2006. Updated 6/28/2006. GRASSY CREEK [GRAS]: Right near the VA/KY border, in Breaks Interstate Park, is Grassy Creek with several pools, some with jumping - all spectacular! The main one is 10 feet deep and has a rope swing about 15 feet over the water. The water is usually blue and fish can be seen swimming around. There are also good rocks for sunbathing. LAT, LON [N83/W84]:lat=37.29638, lon=-82.31211(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here from the KY side, take RT 80 southeast from Elkhorn City (past Ratliff Hole and Pool Point above). The driveway to the parking area is a very obscure road on the right in the middle of the 180 degree right hand turn before you cross the Virginia State Line. If you cross into Virginia, you have gone too far. (From the VA side, go north on RT 80 from Haysi. Keep going until you cross the Kentucky state line. Right after you cross the state line, you will go around a 180 degree left hand curve. The road will be on the left in the middle of this curve, and it is right across the street from a house.) At first glimpse the parking area looks like a downhill driveway, so drive slowly and look for the picnic shelter which is easily seen at the bottom. It is easy to miss or mistake for a driveway. Once you arrive at the parking/picnic area, take the Center Creek Trail (there is a trail sign visible across the creek from the picnic area). Shortly, while following this trail downstream on the right side of the creek, you will come to a place where the creek is hemmed in by a rock cliff - here you cross the creek and walk on the other side then cross back as soon as you can (be very careful of very slippery rocks here.) At .25 miles from the parking area, Center Creek will flow into Grassy Creek. At this point, go to the right and follow Grassy Creek downstream on the right side of the creek. You will see several obvious swimming holes along the way PHOTO , PHOTO but these are not the main one. At about .2 miles from the junction with Center Creek, you will see about 3 trees down across the trail and the trail forks downhill to the left. Go to the left (it's a downhill trail that goes to the creek) and walk along the rocks at the shore. The swimming hole is just ahead. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2, PHOTO 3. Very confident. Verfied 6/2006. Updated 6/28/2006.
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | Yes |
DATE UPDATED | 6/28/2006 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LEXINGTON, DANVILLE, LEBANON, CALVARY | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=37.51331, lon=-85.28931(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Rolling Fork River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | River swimming hole (locals say "Byoona Vista")features a stairway of rock at the end of which is a decent-size rock to sit on, jump from, or fish from. Water is 15 feet deep at this point. It is next to an old (discontinued?) water pumping station. The river usually flows freely between two damns about a mile apart. Only when it's very dry is there a film on the water that is not very enticing.
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AREAS | None |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES | Swimming
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PHONE | None |
CAMPING | None at site |
BATHING SUITS | Customary |
DIRECTIONS | From Danville, go west on RT 150 to Perryville. Then go southwest (left turn) on RT 68 (passing near "Penns Store" swimming hole) and go through Lebanon. Just west of Lebanon, take RT 208 south (left turn)(set odometer). In about 2.5 miles (before Calvary) take Lovers Lane west (left turn). This from a local:" Park your car by a cattle gate on Lover's Lane (unknown exact location) and walk a short distance through a hay field. The spot is, I think, still owned by the water company, so the owner of the field is happy to let people pass through." PLEASE RESPECT THE WISHES OF THE OWNER OF THIS FIELD IF THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO PASS! |
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/25/2006 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LEXINGTON, DANVILLE, JAMESTOWN | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=36.9370, lon=-85.0745(source: Topozone) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Lake Cumberland |
TYPE | Lake/Cliffs |
DESCRIPTION | High cliffs rise above a very deep arm of Lake Cumberland. An
outstanding jumping place! Very high (and lower) jumping into very deep, emerald blue
water. |
AREAS | Lake Cumberland |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Jumping, Swimming |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | Nearby at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. |
BATHING SUITS | Customary |
DIRECTIONS | From Danville, go southwest on RT 127 to Jamestown. Continue 6 miles
past Jamestown on RT 127 then turn left on Clifty Creek Rd.. Follow this road for 2.3 miles
to the end of the road at a boat ramp on Lake Cumberland. Park and take the path to the right
along the lake, beginning at the very end of the road. It is a short walk to cliffs high over the
lake.
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CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | Yes |
DATE UPDATED | 10/31/1999 | |
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SWIMMING HOLES EAST
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TOWNS | LONDON, CORBIN, WILLIAMSBURG | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=36.8582, lon=-84.3112(source: Topozone) (accuracy:approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Dog Slaughter River |
TYPE | Falls |
DESCRIPTION | Pretty falls with large dark water pool at the bottom. Spring time would be best for swimming; later in summer there is not much water. Below Cumberland Falls, the Kentucky River has a 16 mile stretch before it reaches the backwaters of Lake Cumberland. In this stretch of river there are several falls, including Dog Slaughter Falls on the Dog Slaughter River which runs into the Kentucky River. Swimming hole is in the pool
at the bottom of Dog Slaughter Falls. | This e mail in 2006 from a visitor:"Just thought I drop an email and verify this is still a very viable swimming hole... Some info you might want to add is the trail to Dog Slaughter is no where near "moderate" there are lots of steep inclines and boulders to traverse, and if you decided to continue to the river the remaining .25 mile is definitely strenuous, with many near vertical climbs requiring edging with boots. People with weak ankles and knees should not attempt the remaining .25 miles of the trail beyond the Falls. As for swim suits, early in the season they probably aren't really needed, but during the summer this is a stopping point for the white water rafting groups. So in this case I would say follow whatever everyone else is doing. But, I would imagine suits would be customary. As for the directions to the trailhead they are dead on, and there are camping spots at three different places along the trail with fire-pits already built."
AREAS | Daniel Boone N.F. |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None at site. All facilities nearby at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There are 3 campgrounds in Daniel Boone N.F. near Dog Slaughter
Falls - Alpine, Bee Rock and Natural Arch Scenic Area campgrounds are all in the N. F., south of
Somerset. Hemlock Grove and Great Meadow campgrounds are both west of Stearns off RT 92.
There is also camping nearby at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS |
From London, go south on I-75 to the area of Corbin and take RT 25 west. Then go west on RT 90. Before you get to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you will see Forest Rd. 195 (unpaved) on the right. Turn right and go about 2.7 - 3.0 miles on this unpaved road and see a wide spot in the road to park. Park here and take the trail on the left. Cross a small footbridge and go right. It is a 1.5 mile hike to the falls. |
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | Yes, 10/00 |
DATE UPDATED | 3/29/2006 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LEXINGTON, COVINGTON, FALMOUTH | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=38.7172, lon=-84.3122(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Licking River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | A "great therapeutic little riffle" on the main branch of the Licking
River between Butler and Falmouth that is better than any hot tub. It is accessible only in low flow, as in July, August and September. It is accessible only by canoe, tube or
raft. |
AREAS | None N.F. |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Tubing, Canoeing
|
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | Unknown |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Covington, south on RT 27 to Falmouth. Then on the Licking
River via tube, raft or canoe to the riffles. (No better directions
available) |
CONFIDENCE | Uncertain |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 10/31/1999 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | BOWLING GREEN, GLASGOW, TEMPLE
HILL | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=36.88036, lon=-85.85664(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Skagg's Creek |
TYPE | Creek |
DESCRIPTION | Swimming hole in creek at Lion's Club Park and Fairgrounds,
which includes a camping area. |
AREAS | Lion's Club Park and Fairgrounds |
SANCTION | Unknown |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | There is camping at the Park and Fairgrounds. |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Bowling Green, go east on RT 68 to Glasgow, then south on RT 63 to
Temple Hill. The swimming place is at the Lion's Club Park and Fairgrounds in Temple
Hill. There may be an admission fee for swimming and/or for camping. |
CONFIDENCE | Uncertain |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 10/31/1999 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LOUSIVILLE (KY), NEW ALBANY (IN), GALENA (IN) | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=38.36969, lon=-85.94464(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | IN |
WATER | Little Indian Creek |
TYPE | Creek |
DESCRIPTION | OK, this one is actually in Indiana, but it is not far from KY and I have so few places in KY that I stretched it a bit. It is a long-time local swimming hole in bend in creek below bluff. Apparently still exists. Access unknown. Exact location unknown. Tell me if you find it. |
AREAS | Unknown |
SANCTION | Unknown |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | Unknown |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Lousiville, cross the river to New Albany, IN. Take RT 150 northwest to Galena. Near Galena, take Navilleton Rd. north to a bridge over the Little Indian River. I think it is near here. From here on, you are on your own. Ask around. |
CONFIDENCE | Very uncertain |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/5/2003 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LEXINGTON, DANVILLE, GRAVEL SWITCH | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=37.54994, lon=-85.02389(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Little South Creek at North Rolling Fork River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | Popular family swimming hole at junction of two rivers. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING RECEIVED FROM THE PENN FAMILY IN 2005: | "The PENN HOLE property no longer belongs to the Penn Family (the still own the store itself). Another person bought the property several years ago. The following is their policy: NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES allowed on their property leading to the creek and NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES in the creek bed at the PENN HOLE. [ 4 wheelers were destroying not only the area for others to enjoy, but destroying the new property owners crops, gates and fences.] HOWEVER ... people wanting to SWIM, FISH, PICNIC, and enjoy the river is fine. There are some places along the road where one can park to go to the creek." PLEASE RESPECT THEIR WISHES OR DON"T GO!! Here is some great information sent to me from the owners of Penn's Store: "First off, let me give you a little more information about the store. Since 1850, the Penn family has owned Penn's Store, the oldest country store in America in continuous ownership and operation by the same family. We are on the National Registry of Historic Places and are also a Kentucky Centennial Business. Penn's Store is a working country store and we also have arts and crafts made by Kentucky artists as well as books and writing by Kentucky and national authors. For more detailed information on Penn's Store, including a map and driving directions, you may go to our website PENN'S STORE WEBSITE." Penn's Store now has PICKING & SINGING on some Second & Third Sundays each month. "Penn's Store is situated at the junction of two rivers, the Little South Creek and the North Rolling Fork River. Originally known as the "Hickory Hole," this area was a very popular site for swimming and fishing. As a young child, my grandmother (now 85 years old) and her 9 siblings enjoyed the 9'-12' deep pools of clear water. Because of its location near the store, the swimming hole became known as the "Penn Hole" to younger generations. It still provides old-fashioned water fun for people from all walks of life. "Rock-hounds" often walk along the gravel banks searching for unusual rocks, relics, and geodes. Many people bring picnic lunches or dinners to enjoy along the banks, taking in sun during the day and looking at the wide open star-lite skies at night." "Thank you for including us on your website. We'd like to invite you and your family to visit us at Penn's Store." Dawn Osborn-Graas The Penn's Store Family 257 Penn's Store Road Gravel Switch, Kentucky 40328
AREAS | None |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
Store is nearby |
ACTIVITIES | Swimming
|
PHONE | 859-332-7715 |
CAMPING | None at site |
BATHING SUITS | Customary |
DIRECTIONS | From Danville, go west on RT 150 to Perryville. Then go southwest (left turn) on RT 68 and then south (left) on RT 243 through Gravel Switch. Where RT 337 goes straight and RT 243 goes left, follow RT 243 to the left. Follow RT 243 as it turns to the right and crosses the bridge then turn right immediately after the bridge and see Penns Store. (See also "BUENA VISTA" swimming hole nearby) |
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | Verified by store owners. |
DATE UPDATED | 3/15/2005 | |
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A Family-Friendly 
Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | ASHLAND, LOUISA, PAINTSVILLE
RIDGE | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=37.85244, lon=-82.89696(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Paintsville Lake |
TYPE | Lake |
DESCRIPTION | Cliff jumping place (ranges from low to VERY high) into impounded lake below. | This note from a visitor:"Always look into the water before jumping for the first time, but this place seemed to be a safe place to jump. It's well known to a lot of people in the county and people have been jumping here for years. There were also several local people there when I went and all of them jumped very safely. There are some obvious underwater trees to the right and maybe to left of the high cliff (I can't remember if they were to the left as well), and there may have been some on the low cliff, but I don't remember. Either way, I had plenty of room on both cliffs and didn't have to worry about any underwater obstacles. You can see the branches that are sticking up from the water, so stay in between them and you'll be fine. If you jump off of the 30 foot cliff, you have to swim to the lower ledge of the 25 foot cliff to get out of the water. I was also shown a 10 foot cliff which is to the left of the 25 foot cliff, but I dind't go off of it. There's an 80 foot cliff across the lake that you can see when you're standing on the 25 foot cliff. "
AREAS | Paintsville Lake S. P. is nearby |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Jumping (verify safety first) |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | Paintsville Lake S. P. (on the east side of the lake, near Saffordville) has camping. |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | Take I-64 to the Bert T. Combs Mountain PKWY. Stay on I-64 until it becomes 460 (You'll drive all the way through the Daniel Boone Forest) . When Bert T. Combs Mountain PKWY becomes 460 turn left at the 460 junction towards Salyersville. Take 460 into what I think is downtown Salyersville and the road will T at HWY 40, which is also a traffic light. Go Right on 40 towards the town of Oil Springs - You'll stay on 40 for approx. 15-20 minutes. From 40 go left on 580. (There's a white church building called Oil Springs United Methodist Church right on the corner of 40 and 580. This is where you'll be turning onto 580.) Take 580 for approximately ten to fifteen miles. You might see some signs for the Paintsville Lake Outdoor Education Center. You'll be passing this place on your left. | Keep going on 580 until you see a white house on the right hand side of the road that has a white sign in the front with a horse logo on the sign. (I was told by a neighborhood kid that this house is an orchard, but I don't recall seeing an orchard on the property. I think it is some type of business though.) This white house is just before a street called Colvin Branch Rd. If you pass Colvin Branch Road, you've gone too far. As you approach the white house, be looking to your left for an unmarked paved road. Turn left on this unmarked paved road which is about 500 yards before Colvin Branch Road. The road curves around to the left and ends at a white gate that blocks the road. Park somewhere around there and walk down the path about 100-200 yards. Right before you get to the end of the path be looking to your right for a break in the trees that will take you to a thirty foot cliff and a twenty five foot cliff.
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 7/2/2006 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | LEXINGTON, WINCHESTER, PINE
RIDGE | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=37.82511, lon=-83.58592(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | KY |
WATER | Red River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | Swimming hole in river below high rocks, I have seen people
jumping here, but check for safety. |
AREAS | Daniel Boone N.F. |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | No |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming,
Jumping (verify safety first) |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There are several campgrounds in Daniel Boone N.F. Nearest is
Koomer Ridge (pretty primitive), near town of Pine Ridge. More developed (swimming.
boating and crowded) but further away are Zilpo and Twin Knobs on Cave Run Lake, still
in the N.F. |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Lexington, go 18 mi east on I 64 to Winchester, then about 35
mi southeast on RT 402 (Bert T. Combs Mtn Parkway) to Pine Ridge (Before Campton). Then
north on RT 715 into Red River Gorge Rec. Area. Continue on RT 715 about 8 mi until it
parallels the Red River, called Gorge Drive. Look for a sign indicating Mile Post 1.
There, on the south side of RT 715, are the high rocks (visible from road) and swimming hole
below. |
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | yes |
DATE UPDATED | 10/31/1999 | |
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