Knobs State Forest And Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Knobs State Forest and Wildlife Management Area is located in the state of Kentucky, covering a total area of 2,758 acres.
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Summary
The area is popular among tourists and locals alike for its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities.
Visitors can indulge in a wide range of activities, such as hiking, bird-watching, fishing, hunting, and photography. The forest is home to several species of animals, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and gray squirrel. It also boasts a variety of flora, including oak-hickory and beech-maple forests, as well as numerous wildflowers.
One of the main attractions in the area is the Knobs Overlook Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the forest is home to several trails, including the 7.2-mile Knobs Loop Trail, which takes hikers through some of the most scenic spots in the area.
Interesting facts about Knobs State Forest and Wildlife Management Area include the fact that it was originally established in 1937 through the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and that it has undergone several transformations over the years. Today, it is managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The best time to visit Knobs State Forest and Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, visitors should be aware that hunting is permitted in the area during certain times of the year, so it is important to check the regulations before planning a visit.
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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
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
John C Williams Wildlife Management Area
Frank E Simon Memorial Park