Searching for a good place to go backpac king in KY

“I am wanting to take some boys from our church youth group on a backpacking trip, but have had some bad experiences with deer ticks. My wife and I bought all of the gear and have went one time and both are interested in go, but do not know how or where. I am wanting to do some backpacking in the summer months, but have only go to campground and that is not backpacking. Thank you.”

“I suggest you go with some people first(maybe from this site) who have backpacking expirience. There is good backpacking in Mammoth caves but the water might be hard to find in summer.”

“Hey swain,

hang around here - there are some folks from close to that area that'll be glad to point you in the right direction.

What part of KY, eastern in the mts? or what?

Since its a youth group, your prolly looking for overnight loops?

How far you willing to drive?

just trying to bring up questions that'll help others guide you. If your in Eastern KY, theres some nice state/federal lands close by in TN.

Good luck”

“Isn't Big South Fork partially in Kentucky? Red River Gorge is there too.

Also, I think there is backpacking in Boone NF.”

“I am from western KY and we will drive 3hrs. We are looking for a good 12 mile loop.”

“I think LBL has some opportunities, but I don't know waht the backpack/camp rules are.”

“walkindude goes to LBL some during the winter. I've heard people say it is tick city during the summer though.”

“Red River Gorge has some of the best loops this side of the Rocky Mountains.

Two of us hiked the Land Between the Lakes linear trail last December. No other hikers, no other backpackers, and no tics. We stopped in the visitor center, and the Ranger did warn us the ticks are a big problem come spring until the first freeze.

Starting about 20 miles north of Louisville, the fifty some mile Knobstone Trail in Indiana has some good backpacking from late March through early June. Ultra Pecker and I did the southern half last June, and with a spray of permanone on the clothes, and some deet on the skin, no ticks.”

“You might also consider the area around Mammoth Caves, as Free has mentioned, especially if distance to/from W. Ky. is an important factor. There is a new trail in Eastern Ky. where I grew up, the Pine Mountain Trail. Will be a total of 128 miles when completely finished. I haven't been on the trail itself, but I was all over the area it's in as a young man. I need to run down there and check it out myself, come to think of it. Big South Fork has parts in Ky, but personally I think the best parts are in TN. The only down side to the Gorge, esp. in summer, will be the crowds. I still love it down there though.”

“Southern IL.. thats your best bet I think.. given your 3 hr constraint.. (You must live close to me then.. being in western KY -- I'm an hour south of Murray.)”