Basics
- Length:
- 9 miles (14 km)
- Time:
- 45 Minutes
- Fees:
- No byway fee. Fees are required for Zilpo Recreation Area.
Description
Although short and oddly named, Zilpo Road has an awful lot to offer both the day-tripper and the hard-core adventurer. In terms of entertainment value per mile, Zilpo Road doesn't disappoint, packing several outdoor delights into its heavily forested nine-mile stretch. Hikers, drivers, mountain bikers and water sports enthusiasts will all find something to do, and they might learn a thing or two along the way.
Zilpo Road's gorgeous scenery consists of innumerable shades of green. The hills roll gently just like you'd want them to and the forest is dense and alluring. You'll find two clear lakes along the byway's route. Boat, swim, or fish at Cave Run Lake, a major Forest Service Recreation Area, complete with powerboat docks and an extensive campground area. Clear Creek Lake is a smaller, tranquil haven for waterfowl and nature lovers. A sandstone arch endures nearby as a testament to the powers of time, wind, water and ice on the planet's landscape. Wildlife is abundant along Zilpo Road as well. Visitors might catch sight of bald eagles, deer, wild turkey, and raccoons. The byway's scenic qualities increase exponentially during autumn and spring, when the forest erupts in a brilliant concoction of color.
An educational trip down Zilpo Road begins with the discovery of a tiny village's remains and the iron furnace that sustained it. Continue by ascending the last remaining fire tower still open to the public in the national forest. The Forest Service uses this byway as a means of educating the public about the forest's management. Various forms of timber harvesting are explored through information stops along the way. These signs and pullouts provide an opportunity to see first-hand the effects of timber management in the nation's public lands. Hunters use pioneer-era weapons within the borders of Pioneer Weapons Hunting Ground, an intriguing form of wildlife management. The Forest Service restricts deer and turkey hunting to flintlock rifles, bows and crossbows only, making for a more visceral challenge. The day's hunt culminates in a night camping in primitive campgrounds and enjoying a matchless and challenging experience.
With hundreds of miles of trails, lots of clear running water, and plenty of camping and learning opportunities, Zilpo Road Scenic Byway is a fantastic way to experience Daniel Boone National Forest's splendor and intrinsic value. It can be enjoyed casually in less than an hour, or explored at depth over several days.
Helpful Links
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Clear Creek Iron Furnace Picnic Site (KY)
The Clear Creek Iron Furnace is one of the must-see stops along Zilpo Road. The serene wooded area is dominated by a forty-foot tall iron blast furnace. The furnace was created by hand from limestone, and in the 1800s, produced several tons of iron each day. Another point of interest to be found in the area is a 60-foot, one-of-a-kind experimental bridge made by the University of Kentucky. This lightweight bridge leads to Sheltowee Trace Trail, which in turn leads all the way to Tennessee.
A fantastic place to stretch your legs, the Iron Furnace Picnic Site provides interpretive signs regarding the history of the area and picnic tables for the hungry and road-weary. Its historical significance and natural beauty make it a worthwhile destination.
Clear Creek Lake (KY)
An excellent spot for birding and fishing, Clear Creek Lake ought to be your first stop on a trip down Zilpo Road. A variety of wildlife, including rare birds, calls this location home year-round and bluegill, catfish and bass stock the lake. The short trail that makes its way through the woods on the western side of the lake is highly recommended for those seeking a close encounter with Kentucky's native species. Gas motors are not allowed on the lake, making the area ideal for travelers seeking quiet communionwith nature.
The Clear Creek Lake area provides access to Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, as well as a small and tranquil campground. Like the rest of the byway, fall is a particularly good time to visit Clear Creek Lake, as it is a popular migration stop for ducks and geese.
Daniel Boone National Forest (KY)
Located in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, the Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses over 700,000 acres of land. This land is generally rugged and characterized by steep forested ridges, narrow valleys, and over 3,400 miles of cliffline.
Pioneer Weapons Hunting Ground (KY)
For hunters and outdoors enthusiasts, the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area provides a unique and challenging alternative to the conventional hunting experience. Hunt turkey and deer the way frontiersmen and Native Americans did, with muzzle-loaded shotguns and pistols. Use pioneer flintlock guns or Civil War percussion cap rifles, for example. Hunting with bows and crossbows is also permitted, making this one of the few areas in the country where crossbow hunting is allowed. Primitive camping is available in designated spots to complete the experience.
The 7600-acre area has been specifically managed as an ideal home for wildlife, and as such it is the perfect place to observe wild animals and birds. In addition to deer and wild turkey, visitors can see foxes, raccoons, grouse and more. The Pioneer Weapons area covers the majority of the forest through which Zilpo Road travels and the byway's gorgeous scenery and abundant life can be attributed partly to this unique way of management.
Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail (KY)
The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is a unique trail system that runs 269 miles through the entire length of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway passes through the Stanton Ranger District of that forest, and there are 62 miles of trail located there. Sheltowee, a Shawnee word meaning "Big Turtle," is Daniel Boone's adopted name. Boone was adopted as the son of the Shawnee chief Blackfish.
Boone made several explorations through what is now the national forest that bears his name to find a way from Virginia to Kentucky. The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail traverses through a variety of landforms, wildlife, and plants. Sometimes the trail follows roads, while other times it goes through the woods.
Tater Knob Fire Tower (KY)
The sole original fire tower left and still open to the public in the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Tater Knob Fire Tower recalls a time when such towers were the only way to catch a disastrous wildfire and provide adequate warning. Tater Knob fire tower is one of Zilpo Road's most frequented attractions, and for good reason. Originally built in 1934 and rebuilt in 1959, this tower was recently restored as a historically important site.
In addition to the educational value of the tower, TaterKnob's elevated viewpoint provides a wonderful opportunity to survey Daniel Boone's breathtaking vistas and natural wonders. At the tower's base lies a spring which provided water for early Kentucky settlers.
It takes quite a bit of work to get up the tower, but the Civilian Conservation Corps and a bunch of mules spent years on its construction -- why not take advantage of it?
Zilpo Recreation Area (KY)
The trip down Zilpo Road finishes up at the large andwell-equipped Zilpo Recreation Area on the bank of Cave Run Lake. This 8000-acre lake dominates the southern end of Daniel Boone National Forest and is a major destination. Recreation opportunities at this spot are abundant and varied. Several boat docks are available for all kinds of water activity, including waterskiing, power boating and sailing. A large campground provides spots right on the lake and fishing is plentiful. A good-sized sandy beach is available for swimming and other activities. Educational programs are offered on weekends.
The campground provides an array of amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, RV sections, and a general store. Zilpo Recreation Area has plenty to do for anyone looking for a fulfilling outdoor adventure, whether it is a multi-day experience or a day at the lake with the family.
