Some Recreation Areas Scheduled to Re-Open

The Daniel Boone National Forest is reopening recreation sites using a phased approach. View the reopening schedule.

Getting your maps and passes

Our office has moved to virtual work until further notice, and to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, we are not selling maps or passes IN PERSON. However, we are available to help you! Please call 859-745-3100 for any inquiries and assistance. Learn more about getting passes and maps.

Fishing and Hunting Remain Open

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources encourages your outdoor recreational pursuits, but they should be done in a manner consistent with social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any orders from federal, state and local government. Learn more at: https://fw.ky.gov/covid19/Pages/default.aspx

The Forest Supervisor's office (in Winchester, KY) is an administrative office located outside of the forest. Call one of our district offices for specific information about trails and camping near the area you plan on visiting. You can also view our Recreation Schedule and Fee Information for opening/closing dates and fees.

The Daniel Boone National Forest embraces some of the most rugged terrain west of the Appalachian Mountains. Steep forested slopes, sandstone cliffs and narrow ravines characterize the land.

Visitors come here to hike, camp, picnic, rockclimb, boat, hunt, fish, ride, target shoot and relax. The forest contains three large lakes (Cave Run Lake, Laurel River Lake and Lake Cumberland), many rivers and streams, Clifty Wilderness, Beaver Creek Wilderness, Red River Gorge and the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail that extends across the length of the forest.

Spread across 21 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky, more than 708,000 acres of national forest system lands are managed within a 2.1 million-acre proclamation boundary. The forest is divided into four ranger districts: Cumberland, London, Redbird and Stearns. The forest is host to three Job Corps Centers.

Volunteer Internship Opportunities

We want your visit to the forest to be safe and enjoyable. When planning your trip, review the rules and regulations.

The Daniel Boone National Forest is part of the Forest Service under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages national forests and grasslands to provide the nation with a sustained yield of natural resources, including wood, water and wildlife.

Our Website

If you find a link that is not working or misdirects you, please send a message to gwen.hensley@usda.gov. Please note the time, date, URL, and where you clicked on the page to get the error. Thank you!