Just Outside Fort Knox Is Kentucky's City Filled With Endless Outdoor Fun And Unique History

The great state of Kentucky oozes Americana and takes pride in its place in the country's history. But sometimes the Bluegrass State deserves a refresher on what it has to offer beyond the pop culture staples of fried chicken, bourbon, and horse racing. In the shadow of Fort Knox, the areas surrounding the city of Radcliff are rife with reminders of how rich Kentucky's legacy and natural beauty truly are.

Don't judge a book by its cover, nor a city by its age. Although Radcliff was only incorporated in 1956, the land on which it sits is steeped in history dating back centuries. A colorful cast of characters, including Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James, figures in its story, while Fort Knox played no small part in the city's founding and development. The unique edge isn't lost on Radcliff either, pun intended: Red Hill Cutlery, a popular local knife store that houses the unusual Kentucky Museum of American Pocketknives, is also home to the Guinness World Records-certified largest pocketknife in the world.

Radcliff's crown jewel in the great outdoors, Saunders Springs Nature Preserve, offers 26 acres of lush green canopy and is a local favorite for its walking trails, scenic waterfalls, and picnic areas. The majesty of the neighboring Ohio River can also be admired from the expansive Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. Its 2,200 acres encompass plenty of outdoor fun with all the anticipated desirables, including fishing, hunting, and camping. And although Radcliff may appear to be an ordinary residential hub closely tied to nearby military activity, the surrounding landscape is lush with both history and natural beauty.

Radcliff is only a leisurely hour's drive south of Louisville, known as the "Gateway to the South," a city filled with restaurants and boutiques that also makes a great base camp for exploring the state. Bordering Radcliff, you will find yourself cutting through the famous Fort Knox, whose history began in 1918 as Camp Knox. Although any dreams of catching a glimpse of the Gold Vault, which holds a large portion of the nation's gold reserves, will be short-lived – it is closed to visitors — paying a visit to the General George Patton Museum of Leadership is worth the pit stop. Admission is free, and its exhibits explore more than 140 years of armored military history, weapons, and rare artifacts.

The city was named for Major William Radcliffe, who served as a head of the Quartermaster Corps at Camp Knox. Radcliff's history soon became intertwined with the military installation's. As Camp Knox expanded and grew in importance in the 1930s, the surrounding towns were absorbed, sending much of the civilian population and businesses into Radcliff. Winding the clock back another century, the area also has close ties with one of the nation's most beloved presidents.

The area that was to become Radcliff was once known as Mill Creek, with development of the land beginning in the 1780s. Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, purchased his first farm here in 1807, with the future president born two years later in a cabin less than 30 miles south, outside the neighboring town of Hodgenville. Several of Lincoln's relatives are buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery within Fort Knox, while historic cemeteries associated with other pioneering families can also be found on the installation. You can also visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, just a 30-minute drive south of Radcliff. The outlaw Jesse James was known in these parts as well, with local stories claiming that he and his brother Frank once spent a night in a nearby barn.

While neighboring Indiana's Hoosier National Forest offers 204,000 acres of unspoiled Midwestern fun, you can keep things local by heading to the Tioga Falls Hiking Trail. Located only a 15-minute drive north of Radcliff, the 2.5-mile route leads to cascading waterfalls. Be mindful that the trail runs through federal military property and may be closed for training, so it is crucial that you follow its rules to explore this intriguing green space safely.

Blending history and nature into one scenic bundle, the Saunders Springs Nature Preserve is a local favorite among Radcliff residents. It sits right on the outskirts of the city, offering 26 acres of what the city describes as "heavily forested beauty," historic cabins dating to the 1800s, and, as the name suggests, natural spring-fed pools and waterfalls. You can pick your itinerary among its 11 trails, followed by a rewarding barbecue in one of its pavilions.

The definition of endless outdoor fun can certainly be found in the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. A recreational destination for the surrounding cities and towns since 1934, it offers more than 2,200 acres of playground for everyone, ranging from hunters and anglers to families looking to camp out near the banks of the Ohio River. This recreational area is reportedly well-kept and offers easy access to numerous campsites, showers, hiking trails, and even a shooting range. Meanwhile, nearby Elizabethtown is an under-the-radar city full of unique shops, tasty eateries, and landscapes within driving distance as you head out of Radcliff's scenic surroundings.