05/22/2026
Itโs exciting being a part of Cave Country Trails and the projects we spearhead to take advantage of the amazing natural landscape in southern Kentucky!
To learn more about what makes our hiking, biking, equestrian, and water trails so special, visit www.cavesandlakes.com and www.cavecountrytrails.com.
To learn more about the current John Muir Trail development, visit https://cavecountrytrails.com/the-john-muir-legacy-trail/
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐ต๐ป ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ท๐ฆ, ๐๐ โ ๐๐ข๐บ 21, 2026 โ Cave Country Trails celebrated the first John Muir Legacy Trail sign placement today in downtown Horse Cave. This first sign, adjacent to Hidden River Cave was placed through a partnership with Horse Cave/Hart County Tourism and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinetโs Trail Town Program.
๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ถ๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ญ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ค๐ต:
In 1867, renowned naturalist, explorer, and writer John Muir began a transformative journey from Indianapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. His path took him through Kentucky, where he sought out the wildest and most secluded landscapes. Muirโs journal from this journey, rich with observations and reflections, remains a powerful testament to the beauty and significance of the region. The places he visited in Kentucky include Louisville, Elizabethtown, Munfordville, Horse Cave, Mammoth Cave, Park City, and Burkesville.
The planning project being led by Russell Clark, Landscape Architect with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservations Assistance Program providing master planning support for Cave Country Trails, Inc. The project aims to identify, research, and promote this historic route through Kentucky, with a vision to connect communities, celebrate local heritage, and enhance outdoor recreation.
๐๐ฆ๐บ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ค๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ด ๐๐ฏ๐ค๐ญ๐ถ๐ฅ๐ฆ:
โ Route Development: Designing safe cycling and walking paths, including rail-with-trail options and motorized routes.
โ National Park Connections: Linking Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
โ Community Engagement: Partnering with local organizations to highlight tourism assets along the route.
โ Public Outreach: Educating the public on safe cycling routes and gathering input on local historic and cultural amenities.
โ Historical Narrative: Sharing stories from Muirโs journal within the context of todayโs landscape.
โ Potential Benefits: Promoting educational, economic, and health opportunities for local communities.
โ Future Designations: Exploring Scenic Byway and National Historic Trail status.
๐๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ต๐ณ๐บ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ญ๐ด, ๐๐ฏ๐ค
Cave Country Trails is a regional nonprofit dedicated to developing multi-use trails that connect communities, promote outdoor recreation, and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of south-central Kentucky.
