Kentucky's Best Scenic Overlooks

Kentucky's overlooks showcase the unique beauty of karst topography, Appalachian ridges, and the Bluegrass pasture landscape.

Breaks Interstate Park: The Towers Overlook
The definitive Kentucky overlook — looking into the Russell Fork gorge from the Towers overlook, 1,600 feet above the river. The "Grand Canyon of the South" comparison becomes clear from this vantage; the serpentine river far below is tiny against the canyon walls. The view into Virginia's mountain terrain beyond is extensive.

Natural Bridge Arch Top (Red River Gorge)
From the top of Natural Bridge (78 feet above the gorge floor) — looking along the sandstone arch and into the surrounding Red River Gorge forest. The arch itself is the foreground; the gorge drops away behind it. The Skylift gives access to those who prefer not to hike.

Cumberland Falls Overlook
The view of Cumberland Falls from the east bank trail — the full 125-foot width of the river falling 68 feet, with the Cumberland River gorge extending downstream. On full-moon nights (and the nights before and after), the moonbow forms in the mist below — an extraordinary spectacle.

Pilot Knob (Jackson County)
The summit of Pilot Knob (1,440 ft) in the Kentucky Ridge State Forest — historically the point from which Daniel Boone first viewed the Bluegrass Region from the eastern mountains ("the pleasing and rapturous appearance of the plains of Kentucky"). The view west across the knobs to the Bluegrass is historically significant.

Pine Mountain Settlement Trail Overlooks
Views from the Pine Mountain ridge into the Cumberland River valley — the longest continuous ridge in Kentucky gives sweeping views east and west from multiple access points.