Campsites

The Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail is a composite of three different trails, which together make one of the best known trails to Scouts in the Blue Grass Council. Famous (or perhaps infamous) as an excellent Philmont preparation trail, the Mischa Mokwa is also great for units wishing to challenge themselves. A common way of hiking the trail includes staying at nearby Wilderness Road Campground the first night, hiking up the trail early the next morning, staying at one of the campsites part-way along the trail, and then finishing the trail the second morning.

The Gibson Gap trail is relatively even during the first couple of miles, and then goes steeply uphill. Once at the top, one proceeds along the Ridge Trail, passing multiple campsites and Hensley Settlement, a small frontier outpost. This part of the trail seems to take much longer than it appears on the map. Once past Hensley Settlement, the trail continues for several more miles before reaching a junction of trails, one of which leads to the two major geological features of the area, Sand Cave and White Rocks. Sand Cave is an enormous cave or rock shelter, and White Rocks is an overlook with a stunning view. The Ewing Trail then goes steeply downhill to Civic Park.

A free permit is required for camping along the trail and can be obtained at the nearby ranger station.

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http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Phone: 606-248-2817

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[tb_google_map address=”Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Ewing, VA” zoom=”12″]

The Red River Gorge Geological Area surrounds the middle section of the Red River, and covers 25,662 acres of terrain. Sky Bridge, one of the most spectacular natural arches found in the area, is a solid rock span stretching across the top of a thin ridge, and offers campers a magnificent view of the Gorge. The area contains many rockshelters, lighthouses, and arches. Thirty-six miles of loop trails can be found in the park, and campgrounds and picnic areas have been provided. Also, a section of the Upper Red River provides white water canoeing and rafting opportunities. Primitive camping sites are available within the Geological Area year-round.

Clifty Wilderness is a rugged pocket of cliffs, bluffs, steep canyons, rocky creeks, rockshelters, and arches. The variation in topography has created a complex of different habitats with an unusually large number of plant species. It contains at least 15 sensitive, rare, or endangered plant species among more than 750 different flowering plants and 170 species of moss. The wilderness offers hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and canoeing opportunities, however, it is an undeveloped, rugged area.

The Red River Gorge and Clifty Wilderness are immediately adjacent to each other, and trails run through both areas. They are some of the best areas in Kentucky for Scout camping and hiking!

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http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=39458
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=39460
Basic map: http://www.redrivergorge.com/pdf/rrg_map_sm.pdf
Phone: 606-663-8100
Gladie Learning Center Address: 3451 Sky Bridge Road, Stanton, KY 40380

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[tb_google_map address=”3451 Sky Bridge Rd, Frenchburg, KY 40322″ zoom=”12″]

This campground is just off the Mountain Parkway near the Red River Gorge Geological Area, and is known for its rock bridges and other geological formations. Trails lead to scenic attractions, which include the Red River and the Red River Gorge National Recreational Trail. The campsite offers 54 campsites and an amphitheater.

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http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39462
Phone: 606-663-8100
Entrance Coordinates: 37.7811, -83.6361

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[tb_google_map address=”Koomer Ridge Campground, KY”]

This was Kentucky’s first state park, and it came into existence in 1924. Located near Pineville, this is one of Kentucky’s most scenic parks, and is also one of its most modern. The Wilderness Road borders on the park, which was one of the most significant arteries of pioneer travel in the late 18th century. The 2,500 acre park is 36 miles southeast of Corbin (off Interstate 75) on US 25E at Pineville in Bell County. The park features 36 primitive camping sites, in addition to indoor lodgings. Nine miles of hiking trails can be found at the park also. The park is open from April 1 to October 31. There are no advance registrations for the primitive camping sites, and showers and rest rooms are provided. Sites are rented on a first-come basis.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park features 10 trails which range in difficulty from easy to difficult. The longest trail in the park is 1.75 miles, and is called the Laurel Cove Trail. Several trails can be hiked both ways to increase their length, and to a small extent, trails can be put together to make longer trails. Points of interest along the trails include Chained Rock, a precariously balanced rock over the city of Pineville chained in place to prevent it from falling in the 1930’s, Honeymoon Falls, Rock Hotel, and Laurel Cove. The trails are open year-round.

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http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/pine-mountain/default.aspx
Phone: (606) 337-3066
Address: 1050 State Park Road, Pineville, KY 40977

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[tb_google_map address=”1050 State Park Road, Pineville, KY 40977″]

Cumberland Gap National Park is one of the most scenic parks in Kentucky. Its 24,000 acres lies in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The park consists of precipitous mountains clothed with dense deciduous hardwood forests. The park is open year-round.

For Scouts, the Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail is the largest highlight of the park. The ~20 mile long Mischa Mokwa is composed of three trails: the Gibson Gap Trail, the Ridge Trail, and the Ewing Trail. The Wilderness Road Campground offers a place to base-camp. Backcountry camping on top of the ridge is only permitted in the designated primitive sites. A free permit from the ranger station is required to camp in the backcountry. Patches for the trail are also available at the ranger station.

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http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
Phone: (606) 248-2817
Address: 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965

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[tb_google_map address=”Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, KY”]