Climbing Near Bardstown, Kentucky

This is the main area for bouldering in Knobs State Forest. There are plenty of large and small boulders and rock faces for climbers of all difficulty levels. Aside from the lengthy hike in, this is a really nice hidden spot and is heavily shaded under the canopy in the summer time. As mentioned in the main page, this is a State Forest and open to public hunting, so be sure to wear orange and safety colors during local hunting seasons. The forest has established trails that are clearly marked with blazes, and you can get here by using the yellow trail or the blue trail. Both trails offer a roughly 1.5 mile hike in (blue being slightly shorter). Given the distance, and the fact you have to bushwhack through the creek, you should ensure you have proper hiking shoes and enough water for the day. Using the yellow trail, you start at the parking lot and hike in until you hit the intersection of the blue trail. Continue down the yellow trail past the intersection for another couple hundred meters until it hangs a hard left on a creek. You'll have to follow this creek down the gulley for about 10-15 minutes to find the playground. (The gulley is very easy to spot at the trail bend on topographic maps.) Using the blue trail, you'll hike in until the intersection with the yellow trail then hang a right and follow it to the creek gulley mentioned above. Link to trails: hikingproject.com/directory…

Quality sandstone problems with a fair bit of choss. Three prominent rock clusters backed by a band of rock characterize this area. Mix of mini roofs, slab, and vert climbing. Most problems are under 10'.Problems orientated starting downstream and facing the creek. Routes may go by different names. Please comment for changes. Follow the creekbed further downstream. Big easy slab will be high up on your right. The main rock band will be on the left side of the creek.

Several large sandstone boulders nestled into a forested slope. The boulders are about 10 minutes from the trail and, as of winter 2013, have seen very little traffic (no chalk marks). I found out about these boulders online from someone named Chris on vimeo, and have since climbed there. NOTE: This is a State Forest and is therefore open to hunting in season. I have seen hunters and heard gunshots while I have been there. Be aware and wear your orange hipster hat in season. From Louisville: -Drive 18 miles south on I-65 -Take Exit 112, go Right at end of Ramp, go .6 miles. -Turn Left on 61/Preston Hwy, go 3.8 miles -Turn Left on 733/Wilson Creek Rd, cross over 65, and watch for a gravel pulloff to a small gravel parking lot on your left after .3 miles. -Park in the parking lot (room for about 6 cars). Walking Directions: -Only one trail (Blue Trail) departs from the parking lot. Take it for ~20 minutes, until you run into a broad, grassy trail. This is the yellow trail. Turn Right on this trail and follow it for about 2 minutes, until a broad grassy trail splits off left. In between the trail ahead and the trail to the left, there is a creek bed going downhill. Follow it down for about 7 minutes. You will be able to see the boulders on the left bank.