Hiking

The Daniel Boone National Forest provides more than 600 miles of trail. Many interconnect allowing you to plan a route of varying lengths and difficulty. Whether you’re looking for a short day trip or an overnight backpacking adventure there is a trail for you to explore.

Some trails are multiple use, which means they are shared by two or more trail user groups such as hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and off-highway vehicles.

Most trail routes are marked by white diamonds. Unofficial trails have been illegally created in some areas. Please avoid using unofficial trails to help protect fragile natural resources.

Private lands are intermingled among the Daniel Boone National Forest lands. Some trails may cross private lands at designated crossings. Help us respect landowner rights by hiking only on the designated trail.

Backpacking

The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is the only long distance hiking trail on the Forest. It provides nearly 300 miles of trail, spanning from Pickett State Park in Tennessee to the Cave Run Lake region in the northern portion of the forest. However, many of the other forest trails interconnect allowing you to plan a backpacking trip of varying lengths and difficulty. 

Cross country hiking is allowed. The experienced hiker may want to explore the Beaver Creek Wilderness or Clifty Wilderness where visitors are invited to experience the solitude and challenge of hiking in rugged wilderness. Cross country backpacking is allowed in most areas of the forest.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (1)

Day Hikes (28)

General Hiking (15)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 43 results

Alpine Loop Trail

At just over a mile, Alpine Loop Trail is a great way to walk off a picnic lunch at the nearby Alpine Picnic Area.  The trail loops back into the Forest following an old roadway and historic…

Alpine Spur Trail

Alpine Spur Trail is a short 0.25-mile trail and an easy walk for most, with a variety of things to see and hear. The trail cuts across Alpine Loop Trail, creating a shorter inner loop that brings…

Alum Trail

The 2.25-mile Alum Trail leads users from a ridge top on the Daniel Boone National Forest National down to its connection with the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail at the edge of the Big…

Barren Fork Heritage Trailhead

Site Open

Barren Fork Heritage Trailhead is located off Barren Fork Road just behind the Stearns Ranger District Office and provides access to the Accessible Barren Fork Heritage Trail #621. This 3/4 mile…

Beaver Creek Wilderness

Site Open

Towering sandstone cliffs, natural arches and rippling streams are just some of the special features that led to the designation of Beaver Creek Wilderness in 1975. Motorized or mechanized equipment…

Boat Gunnel Shoreline Trail

Boat Gunnel Shoreline Trail connects Boat Gunnel Group Use Area and Boat Gunnel Picnic Area with Scott Creek Marina. The easy, 0.6-mile trail provides picturesque, lakeside views of Cave Run Lake and…

Bowman Ridge Trail

The 2-mile Bowman Ridge Trail meanders along an old roadway through Beaver Creek Wilderness. Hikers will cross a wooden bridge and intersect the Middle Ridge, Upper Bowman and Upper Bowman A trails…

Bowman Ridge Trailhead

Site Open

Bowman Ridge Trailhead is located off Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek Wilderness. From the trailhead parking lot, Bowman Ridge Trail meanders along the old roadway before dropping down to Beaver…

Clifty Wilderness

Site Open

Set aside by Congress in 1985, Clifty Wilderness offers countless opportunities to explore one of the most biodiverse areas in North America. Clifty Wilderness is a rugged area characterized by miles…

Daniel Boone Trail Connector

The 5-mile Daniel Boone Trail Connector links the Redbird Crest Trail with the privately-owned Leslie County RV Park to the northeast of the Forest.