The Ultimate Kentucky Adventure
Calling all thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies and extreme-sports lovers — Kentucky offers all kinds of heart-pounding adventures. From climbing or rappelling in one of the world’s best rock-climbing destinations to diving into depths to see all sorts of sunken treasures, the Bluegrass State is your playground.
Hiking & Rock Climbing
Red River Gorge is a bucket-list rock-climbing destination for climbers around the world. Within the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red attracts adventurers from near and far, with over 4,000 climbing routes along its sandstone cliffs. Hundreds of hiking trails offer plenty of opportunities to explore the dense forest surrounded by arches, cliffs, natural bridges and more gravity-defying rock formations.
Extend your adventure with a one-of-a-kind overnight experience with Red River Gorgeous. Choose from 11 accommodations perched in the trees or suspended from the cliff faces. With hammocks, decks and lounging nets, these cabins are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the stunning forest views after a day of thrills in the Red.
ATV/OTV
Ready to kick up some dirt? With 150 miles of trails spread across 7,000 acres, Evarts’ Black Mountain Offroad Adventure Area is an off-road haven for riders of all skill levels. Tear up these eastern Kentucky mountain trails on dirt bikes, ATVs, trucks, Jeeps, buggies or side-by-sides. Look out for difficulty markers to match your experience level.
The Hillbilly Trails near Pikeville offer 90 miles of all-terrain adventure. Take in 6,000 acres of Pine and Appalachian Mountain scenery as you speed along the trails, from easy to extreme, in your Jeep, dirt bike or ATV.
Continue your off-roading journey at Mammoth Cave’s Blue Holler Offroad Park. Ride through more than 1,000 acres of steep hills, narrow trails, hard-packed roads and a massive sandstone cave. Four-wheelers, SUVs, UTVs, dirt bikes and buggies are all welcome at this south-central Kentucky off-road area.
No matter what you’re driving, many Kentucky off-roading areas require a permit. So be sure to check with each off-road park before you hit the trails.
Water Sports
Lake Barkley, Kentucky Lake, Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake are just a handful of the Kentucky waterways that bring in boaters, tubers, Jet Skiers, anglers and water-sports lovers of all kinds. With hundreds of thousands of acres of water, you can plan the ultimate lake adventures in the Bluegrass. Rent a boat, Jet Ski, pontoon or kayak from a local marina and hit the water for your next lake vacation.
Boats, a Cessna plane, an RV, a fire truck, dinosaurs, a pay phone and more sunken attractions lie in the depths at Pennyroyal Scuba Center Blue Springs Park in Hopkinsville. Plunge 130 feet into some of the state’s clearest waters at this 22-acre quarry diving facility.
Journey down the Cumberland River or Elkhorn Creek for adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting. The Cumberland River welcomes all skill levels. Drop in right below Cumberland Falls for a full day of Class III rapids — great for families and beginners.
Those up for more of a challenge can navigate the waters on a solo run — just you, your paddle and an inflatable ducky boat. Book your Cumberland River excursion with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.
The 99-mile Elkhorn Creek near Frankfort is perfect if you plan on a relaxing paddling trip with the family, but it also features “The Gorge,” a 7-mile stretch of Class II rapids if you want to add some excitement.
Other Heart-Pounding Attractions
If you’ve ever dreamed about being a race car driver, here’s your chance. Get behind the wheel of a Corvette Stingray and race four laps of turns, elevation changes and straights on the road course at NCM Motorsports Park. Hone your skills with a mix of classroom sessions and high-speed track drills at the Driving Academy.
Adrenaline seekers can test their limits at Louisville Mega Cavern, home to the world’s only underground zip lining and aerial ropes courses. Start your high-flying adventure with glow-in-the-dark zip lining. Soar along six zip lines and cross two challenge bridges as the cavern glows with neon lights and music bounces off the cave walls. For a daring experience, traverse 76 aerial challenges on the two-hour Mega Quest ropes course. Before you go, book a Mega Tram or Mega Walking Cavern Tour to learn more about this man-made mine beneath Louisville.