Alerts
Before heading out on your adventure, we encourage you to read through the alerts, advisories and general closures associated with your planned activities. Many of these alerts are the result of special "orders" put into place by the U.S. Forest Service as an agency or by Regional Foresters, Forest Supervisors or District Rangers locally. These orders address specific management problems like protecting sensitive areas from motor vehicle damage or prohibiting campfires during fire-prone conditions. National Forest visitors are also subject to federal and state regulations. Help us protect the health and safety of the Forest and your fellow visitors by respecting the rules and regulations highlighted below and posted in the Forest.
Forest Alerts
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Portion of KY 77 in Red River Gorge closed due to flood damage
The portion of KY 77 (Tarr Ridge Rd) between the Frenchburg Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center and KY 715 is closed while the KY Transportation Cabinet repairs significant flood damage to the roadway.
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Cliffside Trail #519 Closure
Cliffside Trail #519 between Noes Boat Ramp and Sawyer Boat Ramp is temporarily closed due to downed trees and trail damage.
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Dog Slaughter Falls Trail Closure, Bridge Removed
Extensive storm damage remains on a portion of the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail. Currently, the trail is closed between the two trailheads. The lower trailhead and parking area closest to the falls, remains open for use and is passable to the falls.
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Indian Creek Rd 9A Closure (Red River Gorge)
Indian Creek Road 9A is closed to motor vehicles past the Powder Mill Trailhead (approximately 1 mile from the start of the road). Beyond Powder Mill Trailhead, the road is open to non-motorized uses such as pedestrian and bicycle travel.
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Red River Gorge Suspension Bridge Impassable
The suspension footbridge near KY 715 in the Red River Gorge that connects the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail across the Red River has been damaged by a falling tree. Visitors should not attempt to use the bridge and should plan their recreation activities accordingly.
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Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions
Climbing, rappelling, or otherwise attempting to ascend or descend from cliffs, arches, or other rock formations in the Natural Arch Scenic Area and Three Forks of Beaver Overlook is prohibited.
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Wildcat Branch Closure
Going into or upon National Forest System lands of Wildcat Branch, within the Bee Rock Overlook in Laurel County in Kentucky, is prohibited.
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Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions
Climbing or rappelling or otherwise attempting to ascend or descend from cliffs, arches, or other rock formations at Bee Rock Overlook in Laurel County in Kentucky is prohibited.
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Non-Motorized Fishing Area Restrictions
The use of use of gasoline or diesel-powered motorcraft in non-motorized fishing areas of Cave Run Lake, Carrington Lake, Rebel Trace Lake, Clear Creek Lake, and specified portions of Ramey Creek and Scott Creek is prohibited.
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Commercial Hauling Prohibitions
Using a Forest Service System Road for commercial hauling without first obtaining a permit or authorization is prohibited.
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Metal Detecting Prohibitions
The use of metal detectors, electronic apparatuses, or any other devices for the purpose of locating any metal object without a valid permit is prohibited.
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Prohibited Entry into Special Areas
Entry into areas closed for the protection of endangered, threatened, rare, unique, or vanishing species of plants, animals, birds, or fish around Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake is prohibited.
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Trail Prohibitions
Shortcutting a trail switchback is prohibited.
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Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions
Climbing or rappelling within 300 feet of Sky Bridge, Gray’s Arch, Nada Tunnel, or Chimney Top Rock overlooks is prohibited.
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Cave Run Lake Trails Restrictions
1) All cross country travel by horses, pack animals, or other livestock within the described area in the Cave Run Lake Trail Guide; 2) leading, using or possessing a saddle or pack animal within the twelve horse trail segments from December 15 to May 15; and 3) non-designated use of the twenty-on
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Cave Run Lake, Highway 801 Hunting/Shooting Prohibitions
Hunting or discharging a firearm is prohibited between Kentucky Highway 801 South and Cave Run Lake from the Fern Bluff recreation area to Warix Run Boat Ramp, including the waters of Scott Creek Bay east of the idle speed buoy line between Scott Creek Boat Ramp and Twin Knobs Boat Ramp.
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Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area Closure
1) All entry; 2) discharging a firearm; and 3) hunting, fishing and trapping are prohibited in the described area.
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Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area Camping Prohibition
Except for designated sites, camping within 300 feet of National Forest System Road 918 in the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area is prohibited.
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White Sulphur OHV Trail System
1) Motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from sunset to sunrise from May 1st to November 30th; 2) Non-motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from May 1st to November 30th; 3) Overnight camping within 300 feet of the edge of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from May 1s
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Laurel River Lake and Lake Cumberland Camping Prohibitions
1) Camping within 300 feet of the high water line of the portion of Upper Lake Cumberland, from the Mouth of Laurel Boat Ramp upstream on the Laurel River, and from the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail to the administrative boundary between National Forest System and U.S.
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Beaver Creek Wilderness Prohibitions
Within Beaver Creek Wilderness, possessing horses or other livestock except on trails designated for such use or as specifically permitted through a special use permit is prohibited.
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Bee Rock Camping Prohibitions
Camping or maintaining any campsite or campsites within Bee Rock Recreation Area for more than 14 consecutive days is prohibited.
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Jellico & Rock Creek Camping Prohibitions
Except for designated campsites, camping within 300 feet of National Forest System Road 492 and National Forest System Road 137 is prohibited.
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Cave Run Lake Camping Restrictions
Except at designated sites, camping within 300 feet of the water’s edge of Cave Run Lake or within 300 feet of any road or trail leading to the water’s edge of Cave Run Lake is prohibited.
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Developed Recreation Area Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited within developed recreations areas:
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Stearns District Prohibitions
1) Camping within 300 feet of NFSR 492 and NFSR 137 except for designated campsites; 2) Entering into Railroad Tunnels 7, 8, and 9 located along the old Cincinnati-Southern Railroad; and 3) Possessing horses or other livestock except on trails designated for such use or as specifically permitted
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Tater Knob Fire Tower Closure
Going into or upon the Tater Knob Fire Tower site is prohibited.
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Cave Run Lake Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited:
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Red River Gorge Camping Restrictions
Except at designated sites, camping within 300 feet of any developed road or trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area or within 600 feet of Gray’s Arch is prohibited.
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Saddle and Pack Animal Prohibitions
Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions is prohibited.
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Camping Prohibitions
Camping in violation of posted signs is prohibited.
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Wilderness Prohibitions
Entering or being part of a group of more than ten people and/or possessing or using a wagon, cart, bicycle or other vehicle are prohibited in Clifty Wilderness and Beaver Creek Wilderness.
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Shooting Range Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited within shooting ranges:
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General Lake Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands containing Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake:
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General Forest Prohibitions
The following acts are prohibited in all areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest: