Kentucky's Red River Gorge is one of the state's prominent geographical features.
Kentucky is known as "the bluegrass state" for the native bluegrass that blankets many of its fertile pastures, not the music it helped to originate. Ground-cover is far from its only natural attraction, however, as the state is home to some of the most striking and recognizable geographical features in the region.
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap is a mountain pass connecting Kentucky to Tennessee and Virginia through the Appalachian Mountains. The pass, long used by Native Americans to traverse the mountain range, was unknown to pioneers until it was "discovered" in 1750 by Virginia native Thomas Walker. Sitting at an elevation of 1,600 feet, the pass now resides in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
Mammoth Cave
Mammoth cave holds the world record as the longest cave system, comprising more than 367 miles of underground limestone and sandstone passageway. Prior to the arrival of colonists, Native Americans explored the cave, as evidenced by several sets of Native American remains recovered from within its walls. Today, Mammoth Cave belongs to Mammoth Cave National Park, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge is a system of canyons situated on Kentucky's Red River in the east-central part of the state. The Gorge boasts an abundance of tall cliffs and waterfalls, as well as more than 100 sandstone arches. Because of its unique physical layout, Red River Gorge attracts a sizable number of rock-climbers and foreign fauna, which are able to thrive far outside their natural ranges due to the Gorge's variety of ecological zones. Today, the Gorge is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and has been designated as a National Natural Landmark.
Black Mountain
Black Mountain is the tallest mountain and highest point in the state of Kentucky, boasting a peak elevation of 4,145 feet. Near the turn of the millennium, the Kentucky coal mining industry threatened the mountain's summit, but the state of Kentucky stepped in, purchasing the rights to the land in question. Although the state has since resold the land to a private mining company, the summit remains untouched and open to members of the public.
Jefferson Memorial Forest
Jefferson Memorial Forest is a forest preserve located in the southwest part of the Louisville metropolitan area. It holds the title as the largest urban forest in the United States, spanning 6,218 acres of municipal land. Established as a tribute to Kentucky's military veterans, the wildlife refuge and forest is a popular destination for hiking, camping and fishing.
Tags: River Gorge, Black Mountain, elevation feet, geographical features, Jefferson Memorial
