Seven top ways to see Kentucky’s fall foliage, from gorge train rides to scenic byways

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a route beloved by leaf peepers for its beautiful mountain vistas blanketed in fiery fall colors, remains closed and has been since Sept. 29 due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

In some cases, entire sections of the mountain road have been washed away, leaving gaps on a parkway that normally gets 16 million visitors a year . Given officials with the hardest hit areas have asked tourists to stay away for the time being, there are plenty of colorful alternatives in the Bluegrass State.

To get at the best fall drives and hikes, we asked Kentucky Tourism for its recommendations, one of which includes a mountain train ride showcasing Eastern Kentucky’s brilliant fall colors.

“With our rolling hills, scenic byways, and expansive forests, leaf peeping is an unforgettable experience,” Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot wrote the Herald-Leader in an emailed statement. “As the colors change, they transform our landscapes into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges and golds. Whether hiking through our state parks or taking a leisurely drive, there’s no better place to embrace the beauty of autumn than right here in the Bluegrass State.”

Big South Fork Scenic Railway

Located in the heart of McCreary County about two hours from Lexington, Big South Fork Scenic Railway makes for an ideal family day trip that blends education and the outdoors.

The experience, about three hours round trip, takes riders down 600 feet into the Big South Fork Gorge, offering autumnal views of the surrounding mountains along the way.

The destination is the Blue Heron mining community. Operational between 1937 to 1962, what is now a ghost town was once home to hundreds of people. In this self-guided, open-air museum, you can explore the mine’s facilities, company store, residences, bathhouse, church and schoolhouse to get a feel for daily life in this isolated community.

Today, the historic site is perhaps the most comprehensive resource for understanding daily life in American coal mining communities, while also offering an easy-going ride to take in Kentucky’s fall colors.

If you go:

• Tickets are available for sale on the railway’s website at bsfsry.com/information .

• Ticket prices are $28 for adults and $18 for children. There are discounts for seniors, veterans and active duty service members.

• Admission also gets you access to the McCreary County Museum in Stearns.

• The address is 66 Henderson St. in Stearns.

Best scenic fall drives in Kentucky

If you’d rather take an easy afternoon drive to do some leaf peeping, one of the best scenic routes in the state can be found right here in Lexington.

Old Frankfort Pike is lined with overhanging trees and beautiful horse farms hemmed in by dry-laid stone fences. There’s a lot to see and do along the way , including a visit to the historic and picturesque city of Midway.

A bit further afield, but still close enough for a nice day trip, Eastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest offers several scenic drives .

There’s the Zilpo scenic byway , which can be found south of Salt Lick in Bath County, about 90 minutes northeast of Lexington. The route takes you through an eastern hardwood forest typical to the region, so you should have unmatched views of the fiery fall colors all around. Be on the lookout for wildlife crossing the road.

Drivers can access the byway by exiting U.S. Highway 60 in Salt Lick. Take Kentucky 211 south for about 4 miles to Forest Service Road 129, which will be on your left. Clear Creek Lake, about 1 mile on, is the first stop.

Additionally, the Red River Gorge scenic byway is 46 miles long, but you can easily make an afternoon of it by making time for stops along the way. The byway will take you through the Nada Tunnel and offer views of the stone arches the gorge is known for. The drive begins in Powell County’s Stanton by heading west on Kentucky Route 11.

Kentucky is home to 3 of the best drives to see fall foliage in the US, survey says

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum

There’s a lot to see and do at Bernheim any time of year, but the forest and arboretum is definitely worth a look in the fall.

Hikers can explore the sun and shade loop for some spectacular fall foliage views . A drive up Forest Hill Road will offer views of the surrounding hills and fall forest colors.

Bernheim’s biggest festival of the year, ColorFest , coincides with peak fall colors and takes place this year Saturday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for nonmembers and $12 for members. Children 10 years old and younger get in free.

Do you have a question about the environment in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.