Summary
This area spans across 3,600 acres of land and is known for its scenic beauty, wildlife, and outdoor recreational activities.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, and wildlife watching in this area. The wildlife includes various species of birds, mammals, and fish. Some of the specific points of interest in this area are the Laurel River Lake, the Rattlesnake Trail, and the Laurel Gorge Trail.
The Laurel River Lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The Rattlesnake Trail is a 3.5-mile-long trail that offers scenic views of the lake and the surrounding forests. The Laurel Gorge Trail is a 6.5-mile-long trail that offers more challenging hiking opportunities.
Interesting facts about this area include that it was once inhabited by the Cherokee people and that it was used for logging and mining in the early 1900s. Today, it is managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The best time of year to visit Ed Mabry-Laurel Gorge Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and the foliage is vibrant. However, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in this area throughout the year.
Overall, Ed Mabry-Laurel Gorge Wildlife Management Area is a scenic and diverse area that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and appreciate the natural beauty of Kentucky.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References