This Lesser-Known Midwest Mountain City Is A Nature Lover's Dream With Tranquil Streams And Miles Of Trails

If your idea of a good vacation is filled with mountain hikes and river trails, then there's a Midwest gem you'll fall in love with immediately. Nestled within the Daniel Boone National Forest, you'll come across Morehead. It's a Kentucky town surrounded by rolling mountains, quiet streams, and endless forest. If you're looking for a mountain getaway, add this to the top of your bucket list.

The town is officially recognized as a Kentucky Trail Town, meaning it has been formally recognized for making outdoor recreation a core part of the community. For a town to earn this designation, it must provide easy access to trails and waterways, offer visitors support, such as maps and signage, and maintain a welcoming downtown. All these things make it the perfect vacation spot for outdoor lovers, no matter your fitness level. 

You can find a walkable downtown filled with murals, cafés, and local shops, all within reach of trailheads and forest roads that lead into the hills. The best part? Morehead is completely accessible. The closest commercial airport is Lexington's Blue Grass Airport, about a 70-mile drive west. From there, a car journey east brings you directly into town in around an hour. Those arriving internationally could fly into Louisville or Cincinnati before making the drive. However you arrive, the road in winds through gentle hills and forest.

With over 100 miles of trails, there's so much to choose from. Among the standout routes is the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, which passes right through Morehead and down Main Street. It's a 343-mile multi-day hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation, so it's not one many tackle in one go (unless you really want to). The Sheltowee Trace offers hikers the chance to dip in and out of a mix of moderate-to-strenuous terrain, with ascents and descents through deep forest, occasional stream crossings, and scenic overlooks from mountain tops.

If you prefer something lighter (such as the Chimney Top Trail in Red River Gorge), try the Downtown Walking Trail. Just 2.5 miles long, this route loops through downtown and the Morehead State University campus. Meanwhile, Rodburn Hollow Park offers more secluded forest trails, picnic spots, and a creek you can dip into. You don't even need to hike; if you want to relax, there's plenty of beautiful nature to keep you company. Beyond the above trails, Morehead's trail network extends outward into the Daniel Boone National Forest, where you can find steeper ridgelines, ridge-to-valley connectors, and woodland loops.

After the dramatic trails and mountain views, the best way to enjoy some tranquility is Morehead's many peaceful waterways. Triplett Creek, which runs just outside town, offers gentle paddling and fishing opportunities with shaded banks perfect for a midday picnic. It's the perfect spot to soothe some sore hiking muscles. The Licking River is slightly wider and ideal for kayaking or floating. The area is also famous for Cave Run Lake, an 8,000-plus acre reservoir embedded in the hills that's known as the "Musky Capital of the South." You can boat, fish, kayak, or simply float along the shoreline.

After a day on the trails and soaking in streams, there's no better way to recover than a hearty meal. You don't need to travel to Lexington, a foodie city you should add to your bucket list; Morehead's compact downtown is filled with cozy cafés, boutique shops, and galleries while local restaurants serve up good old Southern comfort food. Pop's Southern Style BBQ is highly rated with customers describing it as a great hole-in-the-wall spot. You can even browse farmers' markets, attend live music events, and community festivals, which all give Morehead a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Hiking the trails in the morning, relaxing by the streams and creeks in the afternoon, and dining on great food at night. What could be better?