A trip to Laurel offers different ways to focus your visit, from Laurel River Lake and walking trails to historic sites. You can focus your stay more on the lake and forest, or on pioneer and Civil War history. Sorting out these interests in advance can also make it easier to compare possible accommodations: check the location of each in relation to the places you want to visit.
Laurel River Lake: Lake and Forest
Laurel River Lake covers 5,600 acres and is located in Laurel and Whitley Counties. It is also within the boundaries of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The lake also offers boating. If you want to make water and forest the focus, the lake is a clear priority for your plans.
From London, the route to Laurel River Lake heads east for more than 20 miles on KY 192 to KY 1193. Road routes can change, so check the route before you travel. The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail passes through the Laurel Dam area and adds options for travelers who also want to include walking trails.
Walking and Cycling Trails
The Hoosier Knob Interpretive Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail with interpretive signs. Another trail is located at Frazier Knob near London, Kentucky: it is 2.7 miles long, out and back, and is used primarily for hiking and trail running. These details allow you to compare the trail lengths directly; the trail at Frazier Knob is the longer of the two.
Another hiking trail combines nature and history: Wildcat Trail #490 runs through the Daniel Boone National Forest from Camp Wildcat to Hoosier Knob. For cycling, London-Laurel County and the surrounding areas have routes on country roads, gravel paths and bike paths, open to cyclists of all skill levels. Since trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.
Pioneer History at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park combines a wooded, gently rolling landscape with a historic site honoring the pioneers who settled Kentucky. At the Mountain Life Museum, the exhibits introduce visitors to a pioneer settlement. The museum consists of seven buildings with artifacts from pioneer times; it also displays handcrafted items by local artists.
The park also has trails and other activities: the Boone Trace Trail runs through it, and there is miniature golf. Different themes sit side by side within the same park, from the landscape and pioneer history to a recreational activity. Camp Wildcat in Laurel County offers a distinct historical focus: the site was the scene of the first engagement between regular troops in Kentucky during the Civil War. Wildcat Trail #490 runs from Camp Wildcat to Hoosier Knob.
Mills, Museums and Local History
McHargue’s Mill is a reconstructed working watermill with an authentic interior. There is a millstone exhibit outside the mill. The Harland Sanders Cafe is of national significance to the history of American commerce and is considered the birthplace of the fast-food chicken restaurant industry. Both places offer a different historical perspective from the pioneer settlement and Camp Wildcat.
The Laurel County History Museum and Genealogy Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Laurel County. Research, education and exhibitions are among the ways it pursues this mission. If you are interested in the region’s history, you can consider this focus alongside the pioneer sites and the Civil War battlefield.
Tailor Your Stay
When choosing a hotel for a trip to Laurel, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: the lake and trails, or museums and historic sites. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences you actually want to include.
Discover more destinations: London, Shelby County, Morgan County, Whitley County, Trigg County, Hancock County, Allen County, Cumberland County
For the broader travel overview: Kentucky.
