Parkers Mountain and Buffalo Arch Trail - Hiking trail near Whitley City, Kentucky, United States - Description

The trail follows along the ridge for a mile before descending 600 feet to Rock Creek. Below the cliff you will encounter several coves, caves and small waterfalls. The trail ends on Forest Road 137. You can reach the Great Meadow Campground by following this road northeast for three miles.

Note: You can access the eastern trailhead by following the signs to Great Meadow campground. Continue 3 miles past the campground and the trailhead will be on your right.

Access for the Buffalo Arch Trail is from the Parkers Mountain Trail. The trail follows follows a ridge for .27 miles before reaching the arch. Native Amercians gave the arch its name because they used the arch’s height as an advantage when hunting buffalo. The arch, located at the end of a ridge, is 18’ 6” in height with a width of 81’ 8”. The ridgeline drops along the back of Buffalo Arch into a valley created by a nearby stream.

From US 27 in Whitley City, take KY 92 west. Just past the Yamacraw Bridge over the Big South Fork River, go south (left) onto 1363. Follow the signs to to Great Meadow Campground. When you reach the fork for Forest Road 137 and 562, take 562 to Parkers Mountain. Follow 562 until you reach Forest Road 6305 on your left.