Clifty Wilderness

Clifty Wilderness is a 12,551-acre federally protected wilderness area in Kentucky managed by the Forest Service. It offers primitive backcountry hiking and backpacking in a non-motorized setting where solitude and self-reliance are central to the experience.

As a designated Wilderness Area, Clifty operates under strict regulations: no roads, motorized vehicles, or mechanized travel are permitted. Visitors must practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all waste, camp below timberline where designated, and travel on foot. This protection preserves the landscape's natural character and ensures that those who visit do so on the land's own terms, not convenience.

Access is by foot only, and planning ahead is essential. Check with the Forest Service for current trail conditions, water availability, and any seasonal closures before heading out. The wilderness rewards those prepared for genuine backcountry travel with quiet forest and the satisfaction of moving through undeveloped country under your own power.