6 Tiny Off-Grid Towns In Kentucky
Some parts of Kentucky still resist expansion. Slade sits at the edge of Red River Gorge, where cabins and trailheads outnumber traffic lights. Pikeville rises sharply from the Levisa Fork, contained by Appalachian hills. Corbin borders the Daniel Boone National Forest. Harrodsburg keeps its footprint tight around farmland and early state history. Campbellsville centers on Green River Lake rather than commercial corridors. Even Versailles, surrounded by horse farms, has rural pockets that feel removed from nearby Lexington. These six Kentucky towns are not disconnected from the world, but they remain shaped more by land than by development.
Campbellsville
Campbellsville sits right in the center of Kentucky. It's surrounded by natural lakes, American Civil War history, and other attractions. Fishing is one of the most popular activities in Campbellsville, with the 63-acre Campbellsville City Lake and the Green River, which has a large population of smallmouth and rock bass. The Green River Lake is another large body of water close to Campbellsville, with 147 miles of shoreline and 8,210 acres in total. This lake has four beaches, three marinas, and more than 21,000 acres of hunting land for deer, turkey, quail, and waterfowl. Campbellsville also witnessed a significant Civil War battle at Tebbs Bend, where Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was defeated by Colonel Orlando Moore. You can learn about this battle by taking the Tebbs Bend Battlefield Driving Tour or hiking through the Tebbs Bend Green River Nature Trails.
Pikeville
Pikeville is a tiny community in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky, near the Virginia border. Although it may seem unassuming now, it was quite a fiery place in the 1800s when the Hatfields and McCoys engaged in a bloody feud for land, livestock, and honor. Visitors can learn about the feud by visiting major sites, such as the Randolph McCoy Homeplace & Well or the Hog Trial Cabin, where the families held a makeshift trial over a stolen hog. You can end your tour at the Historic Pike County Courthouse, where several of the feuders were condemned, and one was hanged. Pikeville is also a half-hour drive to the Breaks Interstate Park, a vast canyon landscape nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the South.
Corbin
Some of Kentucky's most famous stories have humble beginnings. In the small town of Corbin, Colonel Harland Sanders remade his life by introducing his secret recipe of fried chicken at a small cafe. The recipe was a hit, and soon Sanders sold the cafe and started the franchise KFC. His cafe is still in Corbin today as the Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum, a quaint piece of Kentucky's fried history. Corbin also has a large collection of vintage pinball machines from 1969 to 2022 at the Pinball Museum of Corbin. If you take a drive a bit off the beaten track in Corbin, you can discover the Niagara of the South at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The falls are 125 feet wide by 68 feet long, and produce so much mist that for two or so days on either end of the full moon, you might see a moonbow (a rainbow formed by the light of the moon).
Harrodsburg
Harrodsburg has a big claim to fame, as it's the oldest town in Kentucky. Founded in 1774 as a frontier fort, the town today maintains multiple places of deep historical significance to Kentucky. The first is Old Fort Harrod State Park, a recreation of the original fort with 18th-century blockhouses, weapons, tools, and other artifacts. Within the park, you can also see military artifacts from the American Revolutionary War and Civil War at the Mansion Museum, or visit the Lincoln Marriage Temple, where Abraham Lincoln's parents were wed in a simple ceremony. Harrodsburg's fertile soil and opportunities also drew in the religious community known as the Shakers, a celibate Christian sect known for its passionate religious services. You can visit their home at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, which features Shaker structures, a farm-to-table restaurant, and woodland trails.
Slade
This off-the-grid town sits within the majestic Red River Gorge Geological Area, a canyon formed by the Red River. Climbers travel from across the country to ascend the ridges of the gorge. Slade itself sits next to the Natural Bridge State Park, named after the 65-foot-tall, 78-foot-wide sandstone bridge that hikers can cross. Visitors can hike up to the bridge or take a skylift. Other activities in the park include the Natural Bridge Cave Tours. Just outside the park, Miguel's Pizza is a longtime local stop. Another interesting spot in Slade is the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. This zoo collects venom from snakes for medical use and maintains a collection of venomous reptiles for public viewing.
Versailles
Versailles reflects Bluegrass culture through bourbon distilleries, horse farms, and even a castle. This town is a stop on the Bourbon Trail and home to the Woodford Reserve Distillery. This distillery, along with Glenns Creek Distilling in nearby Frankfort, is open for tours, bourbon samples, and purchases. If you're interested in horses, you can book a tour with Pin Oak Stud Nursery Experience, which will teach you about the Pin Oak Stud and allow you to interact with several mares and foals. Lastly, you can step back into Medieval times at the Kentucky Castle. This castle has tours of its grounds, rooms, and common areas. You can have customized tours here, such as a Sip & Stroll Tour, where you can select a cocktail of your choice while you explore the castle grounds.
A Broader View of Kentucky’s Small Communities
These small towns reflect Kentucky's landscape and history. Slade is a natural getaway that reaches grand heights with its natural bridge, while Versailles acts as a center for bourbon and horse breeding. Harrodsburg is one of the most historic towns in Kentucky, with its replica fort and Shaker village, while Corbin preserves the spirit of KFC. Each offers a different way to experience the Bluegrass State beyond its largest cities.
