McCreary County: Waterfalls and Mining History

Sandstone gorges, cascading waterfalls, and traces of coal mining define McCreary County. The county is located where the Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork National River, and Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail meet. Nature and industrial history offer two distinct themes for travel planning: landscape attractions include sandstone arches and waterfalls, while former mining sites and historic buildings tell the story of coal production.

Waterfalls and Sandstone

Natural Arch Scenic Area offers hiking trails and viewpoints overlooking a large sandstone arch. Yahoo Falls is in the northern part of Big South Fork and drops 113 feet from the rim into a basin below. The area around the falls has picnic facilities and viewpoints overlooking the Big South Fork river gorge. Cumberland Falls State Park Nature Preserve is located in McCreary and Whitley counties. There, Cumberland Falls drops 67 feet into a rocky gorge. The different heights and settings give each of these waterfalls its own character.

Trails and Activities

McCreary County has hundreds of miles of marked trails. One specific hiking option is the Blue Heron Loop: this moderate 6.5-mile hike brings together history, geology, and scenery. The Yahoo Arch Trail leads from the Yahoo Falls Loop to Yahoo Arch; the out-and-back route adds 1.6 miles. This makes it possible to include a hike with a specified difficulty and several points of interest, as well as an additional out-and-back route to a named destination, in your plans.

Stearns is a starting point for hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, camping, and exploring McCreary County’s history. The Historic Stearns area is an official Trail Town starting point. Multi-use horseback riding trails in McCreary County run through Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Experience Mining History

Blue Heron, also known as Mine 18, was an abandoned coal-mining town and part of the former operations of Stearns Coal and Lumber Company. Mining there ran from 1937 to December 1962. Each ghost structure in Blue Heron features an audio program in which former residents share memories and impressions of life in the community. Alongside the facts about mining, these personal recollections of community life are also a focus.

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway runs along the historic Kentucky & Tennessee Railway. The round trip includes a 45-minute ride to Blue Heron, a 1.5-hour stop there, and the 45-minute return trip to the depot. This schedule gives your day a clear time frame; check the timetable before your visit.

The McCreary County Museum is housed in the former administrative building of Stearns Coal and Lumber Company, built in 1907. Its exhibits cover the culture and way of life of McCreary County residents over the years. Barthell Coal Mining Camp is another dated landmark in the history of mining: it was established in 1902.

Golf and Travel Planning

Stearns Golf Course was originally established in the 1920s as part of the historic Stearns coal town. It is open during the 2026 golf season. If your trip falls in a later season, check availability in advance. This helps you coordinate your golf plans with your longer-term travel plans.

Specific details about hiking distances, the railway trip, and the golf course season help you schedule your planned activities.

Explore more destinations: Whitley City, Hopkins County, Fayette, Mason County, Bell County, Floyd County, Logan, Meade County.

For the broader travel overview: Kentucky.