Review of Tioga Falls and Fort Duffield

Tioga Falls Kentucky

With spring just around the corner, we took a drive about a 40 minute drive southwest of Louisville to hike and visit some historic sites and a 130 foot waterfall. We started off by hiking the Tioga Falls trail. The parking area has 4 picnic tables, but I did not see any restrooms nearby. This hike is about 2 miles roundtrip with a few steep places and some rough footing. At a casual pace, it takes about 2 hours. The Tioga falls were great to see and hear. From the website, there is a downloadable brochure to learn about 33 points of interest including how there used to be a hotel at the top of the falls in the 1800s. Wealthy planters from the south would send their families here in the summer to escape malaria. On the hike back we hiked along the creek. This would be a great summer hike to let the kids splash in the creek. In the same area is another historical hiking site, Bridges to the Past. We did not hike this trail this time.

Fort Duffield

Just north of the falls is Fort Duffield Park in West Point, Kentucky. At the parking area are 2 brochures: one of the maps of the trails (although none are well marked) and the other a walking tour brochure with the history. This was known as “Union Stronghold At The Mouth of Salt River” during the Civil War. It is 300 feet above the city and is largest earthworks in Kentucky. We were able to see southern Indiana once at the top. There are 10miles of hiking and mountain biking trails (intermediate and expert riders) at the park, a few picnic tables, and a restroom. Our oldest son loved checking out the 3 buildings onsite. The fort typically has a living history demonstration every Memorial and Labor Day weekends.

Louisville Nashville Turnpike, West Point, KY 40177

West Point, KY 40177

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