With an Elevation of 2,700 feet, Kingdom Come is Kentucky’s highest State Park!
Kingdom Come State Park, with an elevation of 2,700 feet, is the crowning jewel in the crest of Pine Mountain. Named after the popular Civil War novel, “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come,” by Kentucky author John Fox Jr., the park preserves 1,283 acres of unspoiled wilderness.
Some of the most extraordinary rock formations in the state are featured at this park, including Log Rock, a natural sandstone bridge, and Raven Rock, a giant rock exposure that soars 290 feet into the air at a 45-degree angle!
Features:
4 mountain top overlooks that give visitors stunning vistas of Black Mountain and the Cumberland Plateau
Access to the 38-mile Little Shepherd Trail that spines along the top of the mountain from Harlan to Whitesburg.
14 hiking trails that explore massive rock formations and fragle mountain ecosystems.
Two Large picnic shelters, with grills and restrooms, can be reserved for your special occasions.
Primitive camping available year-round.
Cave Amphitheater, with lighting and seating, for groups needing a natural setting for meetings.
3.5 acre fishing lake, pedal boats, miniature golf, large recreation areas, and a gift shop.
Overlooks:
Kingdom Come’s Overlooks are both the highest and most numerous in the state park system. In addition, the park offers 5 developed overlooks to which visitors can drive, park and enjoy. Raven Rock’s overlook requires a hike to this soaring sandstone outcrop.
Black Mountain Gazebo Overlook is the first overlook visitors discover when driving from US 119. This southern view renders the city of Cumberland, the Poor Fork River valley, and the girth of Black Mountain.
Creech Overlook, at the park’s northeastern extent of paved roads, unfurls the great Cumberland Plateau beneath the visitor. Because Pine Mountain is taller than the hills to its north, a crisp autumn day yields an endless ocean of brilliant fall foliage from Creech Overlook.
After a short walk past stands of rhododendron and mountain laurel, visitors can admire the lush swath of earth beneath them at the park’s highest overlook, 12 O’Clock Overlook. Raven Rock’s secluded sandstone perch gives two magnificent vistas. Southern Harlan County rests on the horizon, and beneath the visitor’s feet is an incredible landscape of weathered, sculpted rock.
Hiking
The 14 hiking trails that crisscross nearly 5 miles of rugged mountain terrain provide the opportunity to explore the park’s giant rock formations as well as scenic overlooks. All of the trails are fairly short in length (1/8-7/8 mile), but many trail routes may be combined for hikes of varying lengths and difficulty.
Off-Road, Mountainbiking
The park is an access point for the Little Shepherd Trail, a 38-mile narrow road on top of Pine Mountain. The Trail, also known as Kentucky Highway 1679, clings to the southern edge of Pine Mountain’s crest from the intersection of US 421 at this location to US 119 south of Whitesburg.
Fishing
Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, as well as trout are fishing game in the 3.5 acre mountain lake. Year-round.
Owned by the
Kentucky Department of Parks
(606) 589-2479
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