KENTUCKY • OUTDOORS • RADIO

KENTUCKY
PARKS

Explore. Camp. Operate. Repeat. Find the places worth packing the radio for — then use the official maps, park resources, trails, forests, protected lands, and KPC POTA guides to plan the outing.

EXPLORE KENTUCKY

Places Worth Packing The Radio For

KPC's Parks page brings the official Kentucky and federal outdoor resources together with KPC's own POTA field guides, so you can find a destination, check the rules, plan the route, and look for a portable operating opportunity.

KPC PARKS GUIDE

Find A Place.
Make A Plan.

Start with the official land manager, then use the KPC POTA resources to find the radio opportunity.

KPC FIELD RESOURCES

Pick A Park. Find The Activation.

Explore KPC field guides for Kentucky POTA parks, SOTA summits, and WWFF/KFF protected areas to plan your next portable activation.

Kentucky POTA Resource — Alphabetical

Alphabetical Kentucky POTA field resource with park/area information, GPS/map information, camping and utilities, and field notes.

Kentucky POTA Resource — Numerical

Numerical Kentucky POTA field resource for finding a destination by its POTA reference number.

Top 25 Low-Activity Targets

Kentucky POTA parks ranked by lowest QSOs and lowest activations, updated every week from POTA.

KPC Kentucky SOTA Field Resource

Explore all 216 Kentucky W4K SOTA summits by region and county, with summit information, maps, and nearby POTA/WWFF references.

KPC Kentucky WWFF/KFF Field Resource

Explore Kentucky WWFF/KFF protected-area references for wildlife and nature-based portable radio activations.

Kentucky Map Files — KML & GPX

Every POTA park, KFF reference and W4K summit as map pins, plus official parking, trailhead, entrance and fishing-access points. KML opens in Google Earth and Google My Maps; GPX loads into GPS units and offline map apps.

WHICH FILE DO I NEED? (TAP HERE)
  • iPhone or iPad: tap KML, then pick Google Earth (free app) or Save to Files. Gaia GPS, onX and CalTopo open it too (in the app: Import).
  • Android phone: tap KML and pick Google Earth, or save it and import it in Gaia GPS, onX or Google My Maps.
  • Garmin or other handheld GPS: use GPX. Plug the GPS into a computer and copy the file into its GPX folder (or use Garmin BaseCamp / Explore).
  • Computer: KML opens in Google Earth, or go to mymaps.google.com → Create a new map → Import.
  • Not sure? Pick KML. It works in the most apps.
FIELD PLANNING

KPC Tools, Maps & Weather

Use these tools together: choose the place, confirm the POTA reference, check the forecast, and verify local conditions before you go.

OPEN THE FULL KY TOOL BOX →

Kentucky 2-Fers & 3-Fers

Spots where you may work two or three POTA parks at once: overlapping parks, the Sheltowee Trace and Pine Mountain Trail, Trail of Tears and Lewis & Clark sites and Ohio River banks, each with GPS guide pins, parking and directions. GPS pins are guides only. Do your own research and confirm every boundary on the official map. This will get you close; the rest is up to you.

OPEN THE 2-FER GUIDE →

KY Park Commander

FULL DETAIL IN KY · MAP SEARCH NATIONWIDE

Search the map for POTA parks, SOTA summits and WWFF references near any town, with official boundaries and trail layers.Outside Kentucky you get the map search, distances and directions. Boundaries, trails, parking, county and the inside-a-park check are Kentucky only.

OPEN THE FINDER →

Kentucky Park Checker

FULL DETAIL IN KY · OTHER STATES LITE

Activators: enter any callsign to see which Kentucky POTA parks it has activated. Hunters: upload your POTA hunter CSV to see which parks you’ve hunted. Both show what’s still needed on a map, with a spreadsheet (CSV) download.

OPEN PARK CHECKER →

Rarely Activated Parks

📍 KENTUCKY ONLY

Every Kentucky park colored by how often it has been activated — find the ones hunters are waiting for.

OPEN RARE PARKS MAP →

Plan A Radio Trip

📍 KENTUCKY ONLY

Pick a town and a distance to see POTA parks, SOTA summits and KFF references in range, then build a multi-stop route.Planning outside Kentucky? Use the KPC Trip Planner.

OPEN TRIP PLANNER →

Grid & County Lookup

GRID ANYWHERE · COUNTY & PARKS IN KY

Grid square, Kentucky county and region for where you are standing or any reference, plus the nearest parks.

OPEN LOOKUP →

Printable Park Sheet

📍 KENTUCKY ONLY

Pick any Kentucky park and print a one-page sheet with GPS, grid, county, nearest towns and QR codes for the map, POTA page and directions — plus an optional paper log.

OPEN PARK SHEET →

POTA Park List

Search the current Parks on the Air park list by reference and destination.

OPEN POTA PARK LIST →

KPC Field Weather Search

KY PARKS · ANY US TOWN OR ZIP

Search by Kentucky POTA park name, POTA park number, town, or ZIP and check the current field forecast.

OPEN WEATHER SEARCH →

National Weather Service Radar

Use the official NWS radar to view current precipitation, radar loops, and weather movement before heading into the field.

OPEN WEATHER RADAR →

KPC Radio Conditions

Live HF band estimates, real band activity from signal reports, a gray line map, NOAA space weather, activation planning, and POTA spots.

OPEN KPC RADIO CONDITIONS →

Band Plan By License Class

Which CW, digital and phone portions of each band Technician, General and Extra operators can use, with popular frequencies.

OPEN BAND PLAN →

SOTA Summit Checker

KENTUCKY + ANY US SOTA AREA

Every SOTA summit in Kentucky, or any US SOTA area, on a map with height and points. Load your SOTA chaser or activator log to see which summits you've done and which you still need.

OPEN SOTA TOOL →

KPC Trip Planner

NATIONWIDE

Plan a radio trip anywhere in the US. Find POTA parks, SOTA summits and WWFF references near any town, drop pins, check Street View and park boundaries, and send your route to Google Maps.In Kentucky, the KY Trip Planner has more detail (county, parking, park guide info).

OPEN US PLANNER →
NATIONAL & FEDERAL LANDS

National Parks, Forests & Protected Places

Official federal resources for Kentucky destinations and nearby multi-state public lands that matter to KPC operators.

National Park Service — Kentucky

Official Kentucky NPS gateway with parks, maps, alerts, current conditions, and planning information.

EXPLORE NPS KENTUCKY →

Daniel Boone National Forest

Official Forest Service recreation information for trails, camping, recreation areas, and forest access.

EXPLORE DANIEL BOONE →

George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Official Forest Service home for this multi-state forest system — maps, alerts, recreation areas and trails.

EXPLORE GWJ →

Land Between the Lakes

Major Kentucky/Tennessee outdoor destination with camping, trails, water, wildlife, and public-land opportunities.

EXPLORE LBL →

Fort Donelson

Official NPS information for Fort Donelson National Battlefield and related sites.

EXPLORE FORT DONELSON →

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Official U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service information for this Kentucky refuge.

EXPLORE CLARKS RIVER →

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge

Official refuge information for Reelfoot Lake and surrounding public lands.

EXPLORE REELFOOT →

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

POTA US-0608 and KFF-0608. The Kentucky part is Manchester 1 and Manchester 2 islands in the Ohio River (river mile 395, Lewis County). Boat access only: the nearest public ramp is at Manchester, Ohio. Open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; no camping, fires or overnight mooring. The refuge spans PA, WV, OH and KY, so it isn't a rare one, but it is a possible 2-fer with Lewis & Clark (US-4572): the islands sit in the trail, and the NPS lists the refuge as a Kentucky Lewis & Clark site.

EXPLORE OHIO RIVER ISLANDS →

Cumberland Gap

Official NPS information for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, trails, maps, and planning.

EXPLORE CUMBERLAND GAP →

Fort Heiman

Official NPS information about Fort Heiman, its history, site conditions, exhibits, and planning information.

EXPLORE FORT HEIMAN →
KENTUCKY TRAILS

Trails Worth Packing The Radio For

Official trail maps, access and alerts for Kentucky's major trails. Where a trail passes through another POTA park, it is listed as a possible 2-fer — stand on the trail inside the other park, and confirm both boundaries on the official maps before you count it.

US-11181 • NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL

Sheltowee Trace

Kentucky's long-distance trail through the Daniel Boone National Forest, from Rowan County south into Big South Fork. Use the Sheltowee Trace Association section maps and the Forest Service trail guide.

POSSIBLE 2-FERS & 3-FERS — VERIFY
On the trail inside: US-10158 Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area • US-4484 Daniel Boone National Forest • US-10146 Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area • US-10121 Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area • US-10111 Rock Creek National Wild and Scenic River • US-3801 Clifty Wilderness Area • US-10103 The Cumberland River Wilderness Area • US-1277 Cumberland Falls State Park • US-7970 Sinking Creek State Natural Area • US-0686 Big South Fork National Recreation Area • US-1286 Natural Bridge State Park
From the KPC 2-fers & 3-fers index. GPS points are guides only; stand on the trail within 100 ft and inside the other park.
US-10102 • KENTUCKY STATE PARKS

Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail

Ridge-top trail along Pine Mountain in southeastern Kentucky. Use Kentucky State Parks' published section maps when planning a hike.

POSSIBLE 2-FERS & 3-FERS — VERIFY
On the trail inside: US-10112 Bad Branch National Wild and Scenic River • US-7966 Bad Branch State Nature Preserve • US-10139 Jefferson National Forest Wildlife Management Area • US-4526 George Washington & Jefferson National Forest • US-3781 Breaks Interstate State Park
From the KPC 2-fers & 3-fers index. Kingdom Come State Park, Kentenia State Forest, E. Lucy Braun State Nature Preserve and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park are not confirmed (the mapped trail does not show it inside them), so do your own research.
US-1253 • KENTUCKY STATE PARKS

Dawkins Line Rail Trail

36-mile rail trail with parking at Jenny's Creek, Swamp Branch, Royalton and Jane Beshear trailheads (pins in the KPC POTA map file). The state currently warns visitors about the Breathitt County section and Tip Top Tunnel — check the latest alert before visiting.

US-3791 • NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Trail of Tears

Historic route across western Kentucky. It crosses private and public land and is not a continuous hiking trail — activate only on public land at official sites.

POSSIBLE 2-FER — VERIFY
US-1252 Columbus Belmont State Park: the National Park Service lists it as a Trail of Tears Certified Site ↗
On the Benge Route inside the park too.
Water Route shore on the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake): US-3792 Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area • US-10140 Kentucky Lake Wildlife Management Area • US-1282 Kenlake State Park • US-1283 Kentucky Dam Village State Park • US-0703 / US-3790 Fort Heiman (possible 3-fer)
Water Route bank on the Mississippi River: US-3808 Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area
Northern Route through the park: US-3823 Livingston County Wildlife Management Area
On the Ohio River Water Route, inside the park and within 100 ft of the water (possible 3-fers with Lewis & Clark): US-3793 Ballard Wildlife Management Area • US-3797 Boatwright Wildlife Management Area • US-3837 West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area • US-3796 Big Rivers Wildlife Management Area
US-4572 • NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Lewis & Clark

Use the Kentucky trail page and official NPS maps for visitor centers, museums and route information along the Ohio River.

POSSIBLE 2-FER — VERIFY
On the NPS Visitor Centers in Kentucky list, NOT within 100 ft of the river: US-3779 Big Bone Lick State Historic Site (NPS ↗) • US-3788 Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site (NPS ↗) • US-3792 Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond Visitor Center (NPS ↗)
Ohio River bank, inside the park and within 100 ft of the water: US-8144 Otter Creek State Recreation Area • US-3830 Sloughs Wildlife Management Area • US-3840 Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area • US-1260 John James Audubon State Park • US-7951 Green River State Forest • US-7955 Six Mile Island State Nature Preserve • US-3793 Ballard Wildlife Management Area • US-3797 Boatwright Wildlife Management Area • US-3837 West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area • US-3796 Big Rivers Wildlife Management Area
Ohio River island (boat only): US-0608 Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Riverbank GPS points are guides only and have not been checked against the water line.
US-4572 • LEWIS & CLARK IN KENTUCKY

Lewis & Clark Trail Map & Info

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is one POTA park, US-4572, and the National Park Service counts all of these as part of it: the expedition route (in Kentucky, the Ohio River), the signed auto tour route, and the official visitor centers and historic sites. Set up on public land at a signed or certified spot, and look for the brown Lewis and Clark Trail signs.

Loading map…

Trail route (Ohio River)Auto tour route (signed roads)★NPS visitor centerPossible 2-ferPossible 3-fer

Kentucky sites on the NPS visitor center list: Big Bone Lick (US-3779), Wickliffe Mounds (US-3788), Golden Pond at Land Between the Lakes (US-3792) and Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (US-0608, boat only) are POTA parks; the William Clark Market House Museum (Paducah) and the Filson Historical Society (Louisville) are good stops but not POTA parks. GPS points on the map are guides only. Do your own research before you count a spot.

KENTUCKY OFFICE OF NATURE PRESERVES

Kentucky's Nine Wild River Corridors

Only designated sections are Kentucky Wild Rivers — not the entire length of each named river. Use the official Wild Rivers map to view the state-designated corridors, and the access links for locations confirmed by land managers.

Important boundary and access notice: Kentucky Wild River corridors protect specific reaches and adjacent visible lands, with corridor limits set by state law. Many banks and access routes are privately owned. A Wild River designation does not automatically establish a separate POTA reference, a public access right, or a valid 2-fer.

16.1 MILES DESIGNATED

Cumberland River

Summer Shoals to Lake Cumberland backwaters.

Access: Kentucky Nature Preserves directs visitors to Kentucky Fish & Wildlife access maps.

9.1 MILES DESIGNATED

Red River

KY 746 toward KY 715 / Swift Camp Creek area; verify the official corridor boundary.

Access: State directs visitors to the US Forest Service Red River Gorge resources.

26 MILES DESIGNATED

Green River

Within Mammoth Cave National Park.

Access: Three NPS-listed river access points within Mammoth Cave National Park: Dennison Ferry, Green River Ferry, and Houchin Ferry. These are access locations, not a guarantee that every launch point is within the designated Wild River reach. The Nolin River Dam Tailwater Recreation Area is outside Mammoth Cave National Park and is NOT part of the designated Green River Wild River section.

15.9 MILES DESIGNATED

Rockcastle River

Lower Rockcastle reach toward Lake Cumberland; use the current state boundary map for exact endpoints.

Access: State identifies multiple access points and directs visitors to Daniel Boone National Forest.

10.2 MILES DESIGNATED

Big South Fork of the Cumberland River

Kentucky–Tennessee line to Blue Heron.

Access: Use National Park Service maps and access guidance.

10.4 MILES DESIGNATED

Little South Fork of the Cumberland River

KY 92 to Lake Cumberland backwaters.

Access: Banks may be privately owned; no verified public put-in supplied.

18 MILES DESIGNATED

Rock Creek

Kentucky–Tennessee line to White Oak Junction.

Access: State reports multiple access points; consult the U.S. Forest Service.

4 MILES DESIGNATED

Bad Branch

Pine Mountain headwaters to KY 932.

Access: Do not assume streambank access; check preserve rules.

3.9 MILES DESIGNATED

Martin’s Fork

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park area to KY 987.

Access: Private ownership limits access; no verified public put-in supplied.

The map shows the designated state Wild River corridors, not entire rivers. Some access descriptions are general land-manager guidance rather than confirmed launch locations. The federal Scenic River designation on the Red River is separate.

Before You Go

Verify current conditions. Check access, closures, permits, campground status, hunting restrictions, seasonal conditions, activation boundaries, weather, and local rules with the current land manager before travel or portable operation. 2-fers and 3-fers: our 2-fer guide pins are guides only. Do your own research and confirm every boundary on the official map: overlapping maps or a nearby trail or river do not prove you are inside both parks. This will get you close; the rest is up to you. WMAs and public hunting areas: check season dates before you go and wear blaze orange during gun seasons.

LIVE CONDITIONS

Which Bands Are Active?

Real signal reports around Kentucky, the day/night gray line and the latest solar numbers, so you can pick a band before you leave the truck.

Ready To Explore Kentucky?

KENTUCKY PORTABLE CLUB • EST. 2026

← BACK TO KPC HOME
KPC tools and guides are planning aids, not official sources. We make mistakes. Do your own research and check official maps. KPC is an independent ham radio club, not part of Parks on the Air®, SOTA or WWFF.