Where to Go Scouting Guide

Summit Bechtel Reserve

The Summit Bechtel Reserve is the BSA’s newest high adventure base. It has a wide variety of activities: world-class climbing and whitewater rafting, many types of shooting, mountain biking, trails, incredibly long zip lines, and more!

The Summit will be the permanent home for future BSA National Jamborees, as well as the 2019 World Jamboree. Programs offered include a high adventure program similar to the other high adventure bases, a Scout camp, and a national training center.


http://www.summitbsa.org
Phone Number: (304) 250-6750
Address: 68 Crossroads Mall, Mount Hope, WV 25880


[tb_google_map address=”Summit Bechtel Reserve”]

Mischa Mokwa Adventure Trail

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.


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


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

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its extensive cave system, but it also has a fine backcountry trail system. Backcountry camping is permitted along the trails, but a permit needs to be obtained from the ranger before doing so. The permits are available at no cost. The trails are open year-round.


http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm
Phone: 270-758-2180
Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy Mammoth Cave, KY 42259


[tb_google_map address=”Mammoth Cave National Park, KY” zoom=”11″]

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is a 734 acre park located outside of Lexington, KY. It has many trails leading to features such as a Kentucky River overlook, the site of the old Mill Pond Dam, Evan’s Mill, several springs, and an old lime kiln. It also has a nature center, where programs are held several times each year to teach people about nature. They will also work with Scout groups to earn environmental badges. All visitors are asked to check in at the nature center prior to hiking any of the trails, and camping is not allowed. It is open year-round from 9 AM to 5 PM (trails close at 4:30).


http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=276
Phone: (859) 272-6105
Address: 3990 Raven Run Way, Lexington, KY 40515


[tb_google_map address=”Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, KY”]

Red River Gorge & Clifty Wilderness

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!


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


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

Koomer Ridge Campground

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.


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


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

Land Between the Lakes

The Tennessee Valley Authority’s 170,000 acre Land Between the Lakes, in western Kentucky and Tennessee, offers some excellent opportunities for camping, day hiking, and backpacking. All hikers are required to check in at any one of the three welcome stations located in the area. Topographic maps, trail brochures, and patches are all available at the welcome centers.


http://www.lbl.org
Phone: 270-924-2000
Main Office Address: 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211


[tb_google_map address=”Land Between the Lakes” zoom=”9″]

Tygarts State Forest

Tygarts State Forest contains numerous small trails, most of which start near the Carter Caves State Resort Park horse shelter. The trails are open year-round, and feature many scenic views and illustrate several forest management practices. Primitive camping is available in Carter Caves State Resort Park.


http://fw.ky.gov/kfwis/viewable/TygartsStateForest_ALL.pdf
Phone: 1-800-858-1549
Entrance Coordinates: Latitude N 38.38607, Longitude W -83.15651


[tb_google_map address=”Tygarts State Forest, KY”]

Pine Mountain State Resort Park

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.


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


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

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park

A blending of wooded forest and beautiful lake awaits the camper at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, set in the Cumberland Mountain foothills of south central Kentucky on one of Kentucky’s largest man-made lakes. The park consists of 147 improved sites, most with electric and water hookups, and has two central service buildings with laundry facilities and showers. Rates are posted. The park is open April through November. There are no advance registrations, and sites are rented on a first come basis.


http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/lake-cumberland/default.aspx
Phone: (270) 343-3111
Address: 5465 State Park Rd., Jamestown, KY 42629


[tb_google_map address=”Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown, KY”]