The Kentucky Arch Trail

Explore Kentucky's Natural Stone Arches

Natural Bridge
1. Natural Bridge

Rock formation: Slade Formation (limestone)

Span: 57 ft | Clearance: 37 ft | Width: 193 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County

Trail: Natural Bridge Trail (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 38.377254, -83.123033

Fern Bridge
2. Fern Bridge

Rock formation: Carter Caves Sandstone

Span: 98 ft | Clearance: 48 ft | Width: 15 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County

Trail: Three Bridges Trail (1.0 mile from trailhead)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 38.376860, -83.122382

Raven Bridge
3. Raven Bridge

Rock formation: Carter Caves Sandstone

Span: 42 ft | Clearance: 19 ft | Width: 15 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County

Trail: Three Bridges Trail (1 mile from Fern Bridge) or Raven Bridge Trail (0.6 miles)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult (Three Bridges Trail) or easy (Raven Bridge Trail) hike

Parking Coordinates: 38.368926, -83.123080

Smoky Bridge
4. Smoky Bridge

Rock formation: Slade Formation (limestone)

Span: 40 ft | Clearance: 42 ft | Width: 193 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter Caves

Trail: Three Bridges Trail (0.6 miles from Raven Bridge) or 0.1 miles from parking lot on Lodge Road

Difficulty: Moderately difficult (Three Bridges Trail) or easy (Lodge Road) hike

Parking Coordinates: 38.368002, -83.126274

Shangra La Arch
5. Shangra La Arch

Rock formation: Slade Formation (limestone)

Span: 8 ft | Clearance: 5 ft | Width: 52 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter Caves

Trail: 4Cs Trail (0.2 miles from boat ramp parking lot) or 1.0 miles from parking lot on Lodge Road

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 38.366834, -83.130136

Cascade Natural Bridge
6. Cascade Natural Bridge

Rock formation: Carter Caves Sandstone

Span: 87 ft | Clearance: 26 ft | Width: 23 ft

Location: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County

Trail: Box Canyon Trail (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 38.355670, -83.111624

Carrington Arch
7. Carrington Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 43 ft | Clearance: 6 ft | Width: 7 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Bath County

Trail: Sheltowee Trace (0.3 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 38.024160, -83.602447

Double Arch
8. Double Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 27 ft | Clearance: 12 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Powell County

Trail: Double Arch Trail #201 (2.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.820069, -83.680992

Grays Arch
9. Grays Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 76 ft | Clearance: 54 ft | Width: 36 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Powell County

Trail: Grays Arch Trail #205 and Rough Trail #221 (1.0 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.807609, -83.658364

Natural Bridge Powell
10. Natural Bridge

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 77 ft | Clearance: 31 ft | Width: 23 ft

Location: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Powell County

Trail: Natural Bridge Trail (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Difficult hike. All uphill.

Parking Coordinates: 37.776873, -83.680999

Henson's Arch
11. Henson's Arch

Rock formation: Slade Formation (limestone)

Span: 11 ft | Clearance: 8 ft | Width: 8 ft

Location: Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Powell County

Trail: Henson's Arch Trail (0.3 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.780082, -83.674669

Whittleton Arch
12. Whittleton Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 85 ft | Clearance: 27 ft | Width: 51 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Powell County

Trail: Whittleton Branch Trail #216 and Arch Trail #217 (1.0 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.780082, -83.674669

Indian Arch
13. Indian Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 36 ft | Clearance: 6 ft | Width: 13 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Menifee County

Trail: Bison Way Trail #210 and Sheltowee Trace (1.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.836810, -83.609530

Princess Arch
14. Princess Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 32 ft | Clearance: 14 ft | Width: 10 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Princess Arch Trail #233 (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.825150, -83.618127

Hidden Arch
15. Hidden Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 4 ft | Clearance: 4 ft | Width: 5 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Koomer Ridge Trail #220 and Hidden Arch Trail #208 (1.3 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.784424, -83.636222

Silvermine Arch
16. Silvermine Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 76 ft | Clearance: 10 ft | Width: 23 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Silvermine Arch Trail #225 (1.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.784424, -83.636222

Sky Bridge
17. Sky Bridge

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 71 ft & 18 ft | Clearance: 33 ft & 6 ft | Width: 18 ft & 15 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Sky Bridge Trail #214 (0.2 miles to the arch, 0.5 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.817600, -83.582504

Whistling Arch
18. Whistling Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 11 ft | Clearance: 6 ft | Width: 41 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Whistling Arch Trail #234 (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.807822, -83.590302

Angel Windows
19. Angel Windows

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 6 ft & 4 ft | Clearance: 7 ft & 5 ft | Width: 9 ft & 9 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Angel Windows Trail #218 (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.798937, -83.591133

Rock Bridge
20. Rock Bridge

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 60 ft | Width: 23 ft

Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Wolfe County

Trail: Rock Bridge Trail #207 (1.5 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.770183, -83.566681

Eagle Arch
21. Eagle Arch

Rock formation: Sewanee and Warren Point Sandstone

Span: 40 ft

Location: Jefferson National Forest, Letcher County

Trail: Tower Road and Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail (1.0 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change. Stay on Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail. Don't go down to the arch.

Parking Coordinates: 37.076307, -82.810453

Log Rock
22. Log Rock

Rock formation: Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 78 ft | Clearance: 7 ft | Width: 6 ft

Location: Kingdom Come State Park, Harlan County

Trail: Log Rock Trail (0.2 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.989763, -82.984387

Powderhorn Arch
23. Powderhorn Arch

Rock formation: Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 22 ft | Clearance: 8 ft | Width: 10 ft

Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Bell County

Trail: Laurel Cover Trail (0.6 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Difficult hike. All uphill.

Parking Coordinates: 36.743652, -83.705489

Bear Rock Arch
24. Bear Rock Arch

Rock formation: Naese Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 20 ft

Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Bell County

Trail: Longhunter Trail (0.1 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.744472, -83.710061

Lighthouse Arch
25. Lighthouse Arch

Rock formation: Naese Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 9 ft | Clearance: 13 ft

Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Bell County

Trail: Longhunter Trail (0.1 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.744472, -83.710061

Buzzard Creek Arch
26. Buzzard Creek Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 13 ft | Clearance: 6 ft | Width: 21 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Whitley County

Trail: Forest Service Road 537 / Buzzard Road (0.4 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: The trail is an unimproved Forest Service road. Hike the road rather than drive. Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.787021, -84.318254

Crow Creek Arch
27. Crow Creek Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 18 ft | Clearance: 8 ft | Width: 4 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Whitley County

Trail: Forest Service Road 4220 / Crow Creek Road (0.3 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: The trail is a closed Forest Service road. Hike the road rather than drive. Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.784974, -84.335048

Natural Arch
28. Natural Arch

Rock formation: Rockcastle Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 110 ft | Clearance: 50 ft | Width: 38 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Natural Arch Loop Trail #510 (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.841070, -84.512243

Yahoo Arch
29. Yahoo Arch

Rock formation: Corbin Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 67 ft & 8 ft | Clearance: 16 ft & 4 ft | Width: 46 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Yahoo Arch Trail #602 (1.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike. Some elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.756699, -84.512830

Markers Arch
30. Markers Arch

Rock formation: Pine Creek Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 42 ft | Clearance: 9 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Markers Arch Trail #603 (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.756699, -84.512830

Wagon Arch
31. Wagon Arch

Rock formation: Hazel Patch Sandstone Member, Grundy Formation

Span: 34 ft | Clearance: 14 ft | Width: 11 ft

Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, McCreary County

Trail: None

Difficulty: Short walk. Arch is visible from the road.

Parking Coordinates: 36.670250, -84.517509

Split Bow Arch
32. Split Bow Arch

Rock formation: Pine Creek Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 52 ft | Clearance: 32 ft | Width: 16 ft

Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, McCreary County

Trail: Split Bow Trail (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.627608, -84.526170

Koger Arch
33. Koger Arch

Rock formation: Rockcastle Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 99 ft | Clearance: 15 ft | Width: 51 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Koger Arch Trail #633 (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.693116, -84.563946

Bear Claw Arch
34. Bear Claw Arch

Rock formation: Pine Creek Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 29 ft | Clearance: 31 ft | Width: 16 ft

Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, McCreary County

Trail: None

Difficulty: Arch is visible from the road. Short walk.

Parking Coordinates: 36.642261, -84.631874

Hollow Rock Ky 50
35. Hollow Rock Ky 50

Rock formation: Rockcastle Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 42 ft | Clearance: 8 ft | Width: 32 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Forest Service Road 6326 / Hollow Rock Road (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: The trail is an unimproved Forest Service road. Hike the road rather than drive. Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.664747, -84.697515

Gobblers Arch
36. Gobblers Arch

Rock formation: Pine Creek Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 13 ft | Clearance: 8 ft | Width: 51 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Trail: Gobblers Arch Trail #636 (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 36.629670, -84.703583

Buffalo Arch
37. Buffalo Arch

Rock formation: Pine Creek Sandstone Member, Bee Rock Sandstone

Span: 81 ft | Clearance: 21 ft | Width: 23 ft

Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, McCreary County

Physiographic region: Eastern Kentucky Coal Field

Formed by: Headward erosion of a stream valley

Creelsboro Bridge
38. Creelsboro Bridge

Rock formation: Leipers Limestone

Span: 97 ft | Clearance: 36 ft | Width: 119 ft

Location: Creelsboro, Russell County

Trail: Unnamed trail (0.03 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Short walk

Parking Coordinates: 36.884397, -85.237363

Jones-Keeney Natural Bridge
39. Jones-Keeney Natural Bridge

Rock formation: Caseyville Formation (sandstone)

Span: 25 ft | Clearance: 5 ft | Width: 18 ft

Location: Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area, Caldwell County

Trail: Unnamed trail (0.25 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike. Not much elevation change. Trail splits at two places. Go right at both.

Parking Coordinates: 37.144893, -87.751225

Mantle Rock
40. Mantle Rock

Rock formation: Pounds Sandstone Member, Caseyville Formation

Span: 165 ft | Clearance: 19 ft | Width: 18 ft

Location: Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, Livingston County

Trail: Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and Mantle Rock Loop Trail (0.5 miles to the arch)

Difficulty: Easy hike to the arch. Not much elevation change.

Parking Coordinates: 37.358621, -88.421712