2025's 9 Most Scenic Kentucky Towns

Kentucky's natural beauty is everywhere if you know where to look for it. Known as the Bluegrass state, its landscapes have inspired generations of Bluegrass musicians along with everyday people who call Kentucky home. Most of these scenic places lie not in big cities but within small towns. These include vast cave networks, a waterfall that rivals the Niagara Falls, magnificent Appalachian vistas, and natural sandstone bridges. Here are 2025's 9 most scenic Kentucky towns to check out.

Corbin

Out of all the scenic towns in Kentucky, few can match Corbin. After all, how many towns can claim a waterfall that rivals Niagara Falls? Visitors can see this mighty waterfall for themselves at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The Cumberland Falls are 60 feet long by 125 feet wide, making for a magnificent view, especially if you come during a full moon and see a rare moonbow, a rainbow made from the moon's reflection. 17 miles of hiking trails will take you through the Daniel Boone National Forest. While you're in the forest, you can also visit the gentle Laurel Lake, which is known for its depth and cleanliness compared to other lakes.

Slade

Slade is a little-known Kentucky town nestled within the Kentucky Red River Gorge Geological Area. This canyon area is a favorite among climbers and nature lovers alike. Slade itself contains the Natural Bridge State Park, named after the Natural Bridge Stone Arch, a 78-foot-long and 65-foot-high sandstone bridge, which is accessible by foot or by ski lift. There are plenty of other beautiful places to visit around Slade as well, such as the Red River itself, which you can kayak or float on for 8 miles, or go fishing for bass. Explore the sandstone arches and waterfalls via the Auxier Ridge Trail or try your hand at climbing the walls of the sandstone cliffs. No matter how you choose to explore Slade, you're sure to see some amazing places.

Cave City

As the name suggests, there are quite a few caves to explore in Cave City. They are all a part of the 400-mile cave system within the Mammoth Cave National Park. You're going to want to spend some time exploring these caves via a tour. The most beautiful is the Frozen Niagara Tour, which features dramatic flowstone formations that resemble a frozen waterfall. Outside of the cave, there are more than 60 miles of backcountry trails on the northern section of the park and more than 7 miles of trails on the south side of the park, which go by springs, over ridges and sinkholes, and more. There are smaller caves that you can hike to, such as Sand Cave.

Cumberland

Some of Kentucky's best places to visit are within the grand Appalachian Mountains in the eastern section of the state. One such place is Cumberland, which is called the Black Bear Capital of Kentucky for its large population of these magnificent creatures. There are so many scenic vistas in this small town, which can be seen at the town's biggest park, the Kingdom Come State Park. Sitting 2,700 feet high at the Kentucky and Virginia border, this park has a variety of unique rock formations like the Log Rock sandstone bridge and Raven Rock, a 290-foot-tall rock that sits at a 45-degree angle. 14 hiking trails will take you by these sights, along with overlooks. Birdwatchers can also explore the birdwatching trails to see more than 100 species in the park, such as warblers and woodpeckers.

Berea

Berea is an esteemed art town that's called the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky. It's easy to see why it inspires so many artists when you take a look at the scenery around you. The Appalachian Mountains make a gorgeous backdrop here, and Berea happens to be home to one of the best-rated mountain hikes in Kentucky: the Pinnacles. Here, you can explore the cliffs and see magnificent views of the countryside. There's also the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest, which hosts the 75-foot Anglin Falls. This hike to the falls is especially memorable due to the wildflowers that pop up during the springtime. For those looking for a challenging hike, the Brush Fork Trail is known for its steep inclines and is a favorite among cross-country track teams.

London

This isn't a U.K. city; this is a Kentucky classic. London is widely considered the most bike-friendly town in Kentucky, in no small part due to the scenic countryside. Cyclists can traverse trails through diverse terrain, such as pine and hardwood forests at the Laurel Lake Trail or through the massive Daniel Boone Bike Route, also known as US Bicycle Route 21 (USBR 21), which is a 265-mile cycling route. The area is also home to the Daniel Boone National Forest, spanning over 700,000 acres, which includes trails of historic significance. These include the Wilderness Road, where Daniel Boone blazed a trail through Kentucky, and the Battle of Camp Wildcat, the site of a 1861 Civil War battle. You're sure to spend a lot of time soaking in nature in London.

Campbellsville

This central Kentucky town enchants visitors with its Bluegrass charm and scenery. Visitors come all year to Campbellsville to spend a day at the Green River Lake State Park. This lakeside forested area has all manner of fun outdoor activities like diving into the waters at the beach, going on horseback, bike, or foot on 28 miles of trails, or setting up shop in one of the 229 campsites. For those who want a bit of nature closer to downtown, there's the Trace-Pitman Greenway, a trail that runs through gentle meadows and creeks. If you venture out a bit, you can see the Clay Hill Memorial Forest, on the site of the 1800s Clay Hill Farm. Here in this forest, you can descend to a little spring called Little Angel Spring, which is the natural habitat of rare insects.

Harrodsburg

As the oldest founded town in Kentucky, Harrodsburg has also maintained a rich natural landscape since its founding in 1774. James Harrod set up shop here due to the natural springs. Today, that spring has been reformed as a lovely park called Big Springs Park and Trail. Water adventures abound here in Harrodsburg, as can be attested by the kayak launch from the Kentucky River, where you can see gorges, limestone outcroppings, and spring waterfalls. This is all accessible via another natural treasure, the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. This picturesque place was the home for the religious community known as the Shakers during the 1800s, and today it is home to a beautiful nature Preserve, complete with woodlands, prairies, streams, and other lovely sites.

Bardstown

Bardstown is a favorite among bourbon connoisseurs for its many distilleries and history buffs for being the second oldest city in Kentucky. It's also situated in a beautiful part of Kentucky, with plenty of ways to get outdoors and soak in the sunshine. One such place is the Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, where you can hike on a canopy tree walk 75 feet up in the air, or get a truly panoramic view up the fire tower, 961 feet above sea level. There are even a few forest giants made of recycled materials hiding in the woods for you to see. For those who want to stay close to town, take a trek through the Tannery Hill Trail, a wetland trail that runs along a bluff and creek right next to the My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

Kentucky's diverse scenery is a delight to all the senses. Visitors can smell the wildflowers on the trails in Berea, hear the roaring waters of the Cumberland Falls in Corbin, feel the sand on their toes at the Green River Lake in Campbellsville, and see countless fantastic views in all of these towns. For those who prefer more guided outdoor adventures, Cave City has plenty of cave tours to entertain and educate explorers of all ages. The next time you're looking for a scenic place to visit in 2025, go check out these towns in Kentucky.