Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve Brochure (PDF format)

Directions: Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve is located in southeastern Kentucky approximately five miles west of the city of Harlan. From Interstate 75, take exit 29 onto U.S. Hwy 25E at Corbin. Travel south on U.S. 25E to Pineville. Turn left on U.S. Hwy 119 (crossing the Cumberland River) and travel north for 23.5 miles. Turn left on KY 840 at a sign for Camp Blanton. Follow KY 840 for approximately 2 miles; the parking area for the preserve is adjacent to Camp Blanton.

Trails: Before heading out on your hike, please take a moment to orient yourself to the trail system. A trail map is located in the kiosk in the KNLT parking lot. Please note that all trails are open to foot traffic only. To protect fragile resources and for your own safety, visitors must remain on the designated trails at all times. Please be aware that there are hazardous cliffs along the trails and you may encounter venomous snakes.

The E. Lucy Braun Memorial Trail is named in honor of the Cincinnati, Ohio ecologist who studied and documented the old growth forests of Eastern Kentucky in the 1930’s. Dr. Braun was a champion for preserving natural areas throughout her life. Both loops of this trail offer a chance to see the old growth trees and experience the rich diversity of Pine Mountain. From the KNLT parking lot, visitors walk up the gravel road to the trailhead. The moderate Knobby Rock Loop includes a large sandstone rock outcrop with a bird’s eye view of the mountains. The Sand Cave Loop is more strenuous and leads through a maze of jumbled sandstone blocks to a spectacular sandstone rock shelter. The easy walk along the Watts Creek Trail is a good way to see towering hemlocks and experience the solitude of the forest. The spur trail segment that runs along the banks of Watts Creek is not a loop trail, and you must return on the same path.

The preserve is open every day starting at sunrise. It closes at sunset. Darkness closes in quickly once the sun sets. Please allow enough time to complete your hike.