Can’t get enough of the Bluegrass State in the fall? That’s understandable; it’s a pretty place. No matter if you live in the mountains, horse country, or a city, there are plenty of scenic drives and road trip options to appreciate the beauty of the fall foliage. Check out one of these country roads that are perfect for a leisurely autumn drive. Here are some of our picks for the best scenic drives in Kentucky – especially during the fall.
- Old Frankfort Pike
Anthony/Flickr Originally named the Old Lexington-Frankfort Road, this 16.9-mile scenic byway connects the two cities. It cuts right through the heart of horse country, earning it the nickname “Thoroughbred Alley.” Along with the horse farms, you’ll also see the limestone rock walls Kentucky is known for, and you’ll pass four properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more about it here! Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY, USA
- Red River Gorge Scenic Byway (KY-11, KY-77, KY-715, and KY-402)
Redeemed & Forgiven/Flickr This 46-mile drive takes you through Red River Gorge, which is one of the most beautiful places in Kentucky year-round. The byway will take you through the small towns located in and around the Gorge: Stanton, Bowen, Pine Ridge, Slade, and Zachariah. Winding along several different state roads, this route takes you past some of the most iconic sites in Red River Gorge, including Nada Tunnel, Sky Bridge, Angel Windows, and Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Learn more about the gorge here! Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
- Woodlands Trace (KY-453)
Iris Shreve Garrott/FHWA.Gov This road cuts through the middle of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with Kentucky Lake to the west and Lake Barkley to the east. At 43 miles, this route gives you the opportunity to pull off and explore the natural wonders the area has to offer. Plenty of hiking and other outdoor activities are available here, and you might even spot a bison or two! Learn more about this incredible byway and region here! Woodlands Trace, United States
- Country Music Highway (US-23)
Author Photo This long 144-mile National Scenic Byway in eastern Kentucky was named for all the country music stars who came from the area, including Loretta Lynn, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Dwight Yoakham, and several others. As you twist and turn through Appalachia, you’ll have great mountain views and pass through seven different counties. Learn more about this interesting stretch of road here! US 23 Country Music Highway, 100 Stave Branch Rd, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA
- Pine Mountain Road (US-119)
Heather Spaulding/Flickr This drive will take you through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky. The route is named for a ridge in the area, and you will drive over its crest at 2,800 feet. Not far off Pine Mountain Road near its junction with US-25E is Pine Mountain State Resort Park, which would be an ideal place to relax for a few nights if you choose to take advantage of the hiking in the area. Learn more about this interesting stretch of road here! Pine Mountain Road, Pine Mountain Rd, Kentucky 40806, USA
- Midway-Versailles Road (US-62)
iBallisticwolf2/Flickr This 8-mile drive connects the cities of Midway and Versailles. Like the Old Frankfort Pike, it takes you through horse country, and you will pass well-known horse farms including Lane’s End, Stonewall, and Adena Springs. Get all the details you’ll ever need here! Old Versailles Road, Old Versailles Rd, Kentucky, USA
- Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway (US-31E and US-150)
Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway/Facebook A 72-mile journey across through the towns of Hodgenville, New Haven, Bardstown, Springfield, Perryville, and Danville takes you on a historical tour of Kentucky. This National Scenic Byway highlights places significant to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, as well as Kentucky’s heritage as a top bourbon manufacturer. Read about it in-depth here. U.S. 31E, US-31E, Louisville, KY, USA
- Big Bone Lick Scenic Byway (KY-338)
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Big Bone Lick State Park in northern Kentucky’s Boone County was named for the huge fossils of mammoths and other large mammals found in the area. These animals were probably attracted to the salt licks found here, but now a 18.7-mile scenic byway gives you gorgeous views of the Ohio River and surrounding areas. Read more about Big Bone Lick park in this article. Big Bone Lick, Kentucky 41091, USA
- Wilderness Road Heritage Byway (US-25 E and KY-229)
YangTS/Flickr Another National Scenic Byway, this 93-mile stretch takes you through the mountains of eastern Kentucky near Cumberland Gap National Historic Park up north to the quaint town of Berea, which is Kentucky’s crafts capitol. This road is extremely historical, as parts of it were once the route settlers used to get west of the Appalachian Mountains, which was considered the wild west at that time. Sections of Wilderness Road were also some of the first roads to be paved in the United States. Get all the details here. Wilderness Road, Wilderness Rd, Lexington, KY, USA
- Great River Road (US-51 and KY-123)
KY Great River Road Region/Facebook Known as one of the best drives in America, this 3,000-mile trek spans from Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. It goes through the western-most portion of Kentucky along the Mississippi River, which makes for some spectacular river views. Check it out in all its glory! Great River Road, Great River Rd, Wickliffe, KY, USA
- Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway (KY-90, US-27, KY-163, KY-80, KY-55, US-68, US-127, US-150, KY-78)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville/Flickr This 197-mile byway branches out in several different directions in south central Kentucky. There’s no shortage of things to see along this route, as it has several historical sites pertaining to the Civil War, and the railroad and mining industries. It’s also close to Lake Cumberland, Green River Lake, and Dale Hollow Lake. Check the KY Tourism website for more details. Kentucky 90, KY-90, Burkesville, KY, USAKentucky 160, KY-160, Cumberland, KY, USA
So there you have it: our picks for some of the best scenic drives in Kentucky! Of course, a list that included every single scenic country road in the Bluegrass State would be never-ending, but these 11 are guaranteed to have picturesque scenery enhanced by the fall colors!
Anthony/Flickr
Originally named the Old Lexington-Frankfort Road, this 16.9-mile scenic byway connects the two cities. It cuts right through the heart of horse country, earning it the nickname “Thoroughbred Alley.” Along with the horse farms, you’ll also see the limestone rock walls Kentucky is known for, and you’ll pass four properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more about it here!
Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY, USA
Redeemed & Forgiven/Flickr
This 46-mile drive takes you through Red River Gorge, which is one of the most beautiful places in Kentucky year-round. The byway will take you through the small towns located in and around the Gorge: Stanton, Bowen, Pine Ridge, Slade, and Zachariah. Winding along several different state roads, this route takes you past some of the most iconic sites in Red River Gorge, including Nada Tunnel, Sky Bridge, Angel Windows, and Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Learn more about the gorge here!
Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
Iris Shreve Garrott/FHWA.Gov
This road cuts through the middle of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with Kentucky Lake to the west and Lake Barkley to the east. At 43 miles, this route gives you the opportunity to pull off and explore the natural wonders the area has to offer. Plenty of hiking and other outdoor activities are available here, and you might even spot a bison or two! Learn more about this incredible byway and region here!
Woodlands Trace, United States
Author Photo
This long 144-mile National Scenic Byway in eastern Kentucky was named for all the country music stars who came from the area, including Loretta Lynn, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Dwight Yoakham, and several others. As you twist and turn through Appalachia, you’ll have great mountain views and pass through seven different counties. Learn more about this interesting stretch of road here!
US 23 Country Music Highway, 100 Stave Branch Rd, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA
Heather Spaulding/Flickr
This drive will take you through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky. The route is named for a ridge in the area, and you will drive over its crest at 2,800 feet. Not far off Pine Mountain Road near its junction with US-25E is Pine Mountain State Resort Park, which would be an ideal place to relax for a few nights if you choose to take advantage of the hiking in the area. Learn more about this interesting stretch of road here!
Pine Mountain Road, Pine Mountain Rd, Kentucky 40806, USA
iBallisticwolf2/Flickr
This 8-mile drive connects the cities of Midway and Versailles. Like the Old Frankfort Pike, it takes you through horse country, and you will pass well-known horse farms including Lane’s End, Stonewall, and Adena Springs. Get all the details you’ll ever need here!
Old Versailles Road, Old Versailles Rd, Kentucky, USA
Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway/Facebook
A 72-mile journey across through the towns of Hodgenville, New Haven, Bardstown, Springfield, Perryville, and Danville takes you on a historical tour of Kentucky. This National Scenic Byway highlights places significant to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, as well as Kentucky’s heritage as a top bourbon manufacturer. Read about it in-depth here.
U.S. 31E, US-31E, Louisville, KY, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Big Bone Lick State Park in northern Kentucky’s Boone County was named for the huge fossils of mammoths and other large mammals found in the area. These animals were probably attracted to the salt licks found here, but now a 18.7-mile scenic byway gives you gorgeous views of the Ohio River and surrounding areas. Read more about Big Bone Lick park in this article.
Big Bone Lick, Kentucky 41091, USA
YangTS/Flickr
Another National Scenic Byway, this 93-mile stretch takes you through the mountains of eastern Kentucky near Cumberland Gap National Historic Park up north to the quaint town of Berea, which is Kentucky’s crafts capitol. This road is extremely historical, as parts of it were once the route settlers used to get west of the Appalachian Mountains, which was considered the wild west at that time. Sections of Wilderness Road were also some of the first roads to be paved in the United States. Get all the details here.
Wilderness Road, Wilderness Rd, Lexington, KY, USA
KY Great River Road Region/Facebook
Known as one of the best drives in America, this 3,000-mile trek spans from Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. It goes through the western-most portion of Kentucky along the Mississippi River, which makes for some spectacular river views. Check it out in all its glory!
Great River Road, Great River Rd, Wickliffe, KY, USA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville/Flickr
This 197-mile byway branches out in several different directions in south central Kentucky. There’s no shortage of things to see along this route, as it has several historical sites pertaining to the Civil War, and the railroad and mining industries. It’s also close to Lake Cumberland, Green River Lake, and Dale Hollow Lake. Check the KY Tourism website for more details.
Kentucky 90, KY-90, Burkesville, KY, USAKentucky 160, KY-160, Cumberland, KY, USA
What are your choices for the best scenic drives in Kentucky? Tell us about them in the comments!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives in Kentucky August 20, 2021 Tori Jane What are some beautiful country roads in Kentucky? Citizens of Kentucky are super lucky to live in a state so full of natural beauty! We’ve written about amazing scenic drives in the state many times, but there are some that we love so much they’re worth mentioning again and again! The Boone Creek Scenic Byway, for example, runs along Grimes Mill Road through some of the most amazing scenery in the entire state. If you’ve never experienced that one, or Highway 425, for that matter, you’re missing out. The Ironworks Pike is another great one, too. For a more in-depth list of these and some of our other favorite country roads in Kentucky, check this article out! Where can I take scenic drives in Kentucky? You mean other than the ones we just listed (because seriously, those ones are amazing)? That’s easy! There are plenty to go around in the Bluegrass State. We can go on all day: Big Lick Loop. Old Frankfort Pike. The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. There are dozens! We’re also major fans of the Route 10 Country Tour, which will take you from Alexandria to Maysville. If you’re in Stanton, you can choose from the Red River Gorge or Nada Tunnel byways, both of which are amazing (and well worth coming back again to do the other one). Honestly, though, you don’t even need to plan too much: the state is so beautiful that any drive you take is likely to be a lovely one. What is fall in Kentucky like? In two words: brilliantly colorful. As summer wanes and autumn begins, you’ll notice a chill to the air beginning with the early evening. Eventually, the nights become cold, and the afternoons become chilly. You’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible golds, reds, oranges, and deep purples. Citizens of the Bluegrass State love their fall traditions, too, so expect plenty of corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and more! Autumn is easily one of the most beautiful times of the year in this state, so get ready for some solid memory-making!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives in Kentucky
August 20, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some beautiful country roads in Kentucky? Citizens of Kentucky are super lucky to live in a state so full of natural beauty! We’ve written about amazing scenic drives in the state many times, but there are some that we love so much they’re worth mentioning again and again! The Boone Creek Scenic Byway, for example, runs along Grimes Mill Road through some of the most amazing scenery in the entire state. If you’ve never experienced that one, or Highway 425, for that matter, you’re missing out. The Ironworks Pike is another great one, too. For a more in-depth list of these and some of our other favorite country roads in Kentucky, check this article out! Where can I take scenic drives in Kentucky? You mean other than the ones we just listed (because seriously, those ones are amazing)? That’s easy! There are plenty to go around in the Bluegrass State. We can go on all day: Big Lick Loop. Old Frankfort Pike. The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. There are dozens! We’re also major fans of the Route 10 Country Tour, which will take you from Alexandria to Maysville. If you’re in Stanton, you can choose from the Red River Gorge or Nada Tunnel byways, both of which are amazing (and well worth coming back again to do the other one). Honestly, though, you don’t even need to plan too much: the state is so beautiful that any drive you take is likely to be a lovely one. What is fall in Kentucky like? In two words: brilliantly colorful. As summer wanes and autumn begins, you’ll notice a chill to the air beginning with the early evening. Eventually, the nights become cold, and the afternoons become chilly. You’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible golds, reds, oranges, and deep purples. Citizens of the Bluegrass State love their fall traditions, too, so expect plenty of corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and more! Autumn is easily one of the most beautiful times of the year in this state, so get ready for some solid memory-making!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Citizens of Kentucky are super lucky to live in a state so full of natural beauty! We’ve written about amazing scenic drives in the state many times, but there are some that we love so much they’re worth mentioning again and again! The Boone Creek Scenic Byway, for example, runs along Grimes Mill Road through some of the most amazing scenery in the entire state. If you’ve never experienced that one, or Highway 425, for that matter, you’re missing out. The Ironworks Pike is another great one, too. For a more in-depth list of these and some of our other favorite country roads in Kentucky, check this article out!
Where can I take scenic drives in Kentucky?
You mean other than the ones we just listed (because seriously, those ones are amazing)? That’s easy! There are plenty to go around in the Bluegrass State. We can go on all day: Big Lick Loop. Old Frankfort Pike. The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. There are dozens! We’re also major fans of the Route 10 Country Tour, which will take you from Alexandria to Maysville. If you’re in Stanton, you can choose from the Red River Gorge or Nada Tunnel byways, both of which are amazing (and well worth coming back again to do the other one). Honestly, though, you don’t even need to plan too much: the state is so beautiful that any drive you take is likely to be a lovely one.
What is fall in Kentucky like?
In two words: brilliantly colorful. As summer wanes and autumn begins, you’ll notice a chill to the air beginning with the early evening. Eventually, the nights become cold, and the afternoons become chilly. You’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible golds, reds, oranges, and deep purples. Citizens of the Bluegrass State love their fall traditions, too, so expect plenty of corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and more! Autumn is easily one of the most beautiful times of the year in this state, so get ready for some solid memory-making!
