jackson county ky tourism

“Where the mountains and the bluegrass blend.“

Jackson county, about jackson county.

Jackson County, Kentucky is a place of superb natural beauty.

One fourth of Jackson County  is Daniel Boone National Forest ​(56,000 acres), making it representative of Eastern Kentucky’s unique Appalachian topography, wildlife, and heritage. It is a place of rural simplicity and hidden treasures; a place of proud traditions and exciting vision.

Jackson County is home to some of the ​state’s most beautiful and accessible attractions and recreation spots such as Flat Lick Falls, S-Tree Campground, Turkey Foot Campground, and the centermost trailhead  of the historic Sheltowee Trace.

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• Kids and Family

The wild and wonderful countryside in Jackson County offers stunning views, miles and miles of trails and beautiful waterfalls to visit. The Jackson County waterfalls on our list are easy to reach, family-friendly and fairly near one another, making them perfect for a day trip.

Flat Lick Falls

This impressive plunge waterfall drops nearly 30 feet from the cliff above into a nice, clear plunge pool that’s perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Our favorite thing about this waterfall is that it’s accessible to anyone as a wheelchair and stroller accessible paved path leads to a viewing platform where you can enjoy it from above. Reaching the bottom of the waterfall will involve some light scrambling. It’s a bit tricky in spots but our 5-year old managed with just a little assistance, as did mom carrying a 10 month old. The area surrounding the waterfall is lush and beautiful. There’s approximately 5 miles of developed hiking trails but you’ll only have to hike about 400 yards to the viewing platform to see the falls. Swimming is permitted but jumping from the falls is not only forbidden, but very dangerous.

Overnight camping is available at Flat Lick Falls at both basic tent sites and RV sites with electric and water. Primitive camping is allowed throughout the park. There is plenty of parking at the trail head, so even though this is a very popular Jackson County waterfall, you shouldn’t have trouble finding room to park. The cabin near the parking lot offers restrooms, showers and running water. A nearby picnic shelter offers lots of room to enjoy a meal with your family, although many carry their picnic down to the base of the falls.

How to get to Flat Lick Falls: Flat Lick Falls is located off of US 421 near Gray Hawk, Kentucky. The route is very well-marked and easy to find with GPS navigation

McCammon Branch Falls

This hidden waterfall is reached by hiking an unmarked trail from an unmarked trailhead, but it’s not difficult to find if you know what you’re looking for. The waterfall is an impressive sight, flowing beautifully over the cliff. It’s not too difficult to get to the top of the falls where a dilapidated bench offers a place to stop and enjoy them. However, the trail is steep and certainly not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly.

It’s possible to descend to the base of the falls, but since we had two young children we didn’t try on the day we visited. There are supposedly a set of user-fixed ropes to help on the descent. As always with such ropes, use caution when relying on them to climb. The trail to the top of the falls follows the cliffside and doesn’t have any rails, so watch your footing and your children carefully. There’s a privately owned house right near the top of the waterfall, so please be quiet and respectful.

To get to McCammon Branch Falls: The trailhead for McCammon Branch Falls can be a bit hard to find. Go to the end of Gray Hawk Community Park Drive and park right near the picnic shelter at the end of the road. From there, walk behind the picnic shelter, across the mowed grass. The trailhead isn’t easy to see from a distance, but it’s well-maintained. You’ll find it in the far corner behind the picnic shelter.

Alcorn Branch Falls

This small waterfall in Jackson County is a bit more off the beaten path. It is reached by a short hike through a rarely-visited section of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The waterfall is a low-flow falls and may not be flowing at all if there hasn’t been rain recently. If you do happen to see it, you’ll be seeing a Jackson County waterfall that most visitors never get a chance to enjoy. The trail is an easy walk along a section of the Sheltowee Trace, and both kid- and leashed dog-friendly.

How to get to Alcorn Branch Falls: Park off Highway 1209 at the Arvel Post office Road. Walk across the highway and hop on the Sheltowee Trace Trail. You’ll walk a short distance uphill where you’ll take a left on a gravel roadway, walk about 100 feet and then follow the trail off to the right again. From this location it’s about a 1/2 mile walk to the spot where Alcorn Falls will be if there’s been enough water. Even if the falls aren’t visible that day, the 1.3 mile out-and-back walk is nice as there’s usually an abundance of wildflowers along the trail and the natural surroundings are pleasant. There’s a number of other waterfalls that appear in the area if there has been a heavy rain.

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Jackson County, Kentucky

We have a place for you here, located in kentucky's beautiful appalachian region, jackson county is a unique blend of appalachia's history and future..

Founded in 1858 and named after the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, Jackson County encompasses 347 square miles–including over 56,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest–of some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Kentucky.  Home to Flat Lick Falls, multiple campgrounds, rivers, hiking trails, lakes,  and recreational areas, Jackson County also hosts several festivals, the “Battle of Big Hill” Civil War battle reenactment, and is the birthplace of Grand Ol’ Opry star,  David “Stringbean” Akemon–whose name graces the Bluegrass festival held in his honor.  As we like to say, Jackson County is the place where the mountains and bluegrass blend.  

Building upon our love of Jackson County, its history, and our shared heritage, we’re boldly embracing the future and ensuring we position our region and its people for success in the 21st Century and beyond.  Taking the lead in this area, one of our local companies–Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC)–provides some of the fastest internet speeds east of the Mississippi River;  providing 1gig download speeds to all of Jackson County (as well as XXXXXXXX County and other select nearby areas), we are a “Certified Gig Community” and can provide the internet speeds to support any business.  Furthermore, we have worked hard to become a “Certified Work Ready Community”, have the required infrastructure in place to support business and population growth, and have positioned Jackson County to take the forefront in leading our region into the future.    

Places of Interest

Jackson County is a place of immense natural beauty, containing mountains, rivers, lakes, rolling green pastures, and waterfalls.  Historical landmarks dot the landscape and we hold several annual festivals which we highly recommend.  Here are four “must see” places you can see regardless of the time of year;  for everything Jackson County offers, please check out the “Things To Do” tab. 

Flat Lick Falls

The Annville Institute

Downtown McKee

Veteran's Memorial

Important numbers, questions and comments.

• Fire/Police Emergency
• Sheriff (non-emergency)
• Fire Dept. (non-emergency)
• Water Service
• McKee City Hall
• (606) XXX-XXXX

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Jackson Kentucky

Take a step back in time into Kentucky’s past in Jackson, where you can visit an original one-room Little Red Schoolhouse, enjoy a home-cooked meal at Cozy’s Corner Café, pop into Kelsey’s on Main for a baked goodie, and find a little something for everybody at Thatcher’s Downtown. Explore the Breathitt County Museum’s prehistoric exhibits, peek into the Old Breathitt County Jail, view the Bloody Breathitt historical marker noting the area’s tumultuous “feudin’ n’ fightin’” past, and learn at the Breathitt County War Memorial how this was the only county in the U.S. to fully fill its WWI service quota solely with volunteers.

Then head out 16 scenic miles past historic schools, cemeteries and coal mines on your way to the South Fork Elk View (use of swinging bridge optional) and the mountaintop observation point to see the largest elk herd in Kentucky. Experience eastern Kentucky’s great outdoor traditions, including hiking deep into the Robinson Forest, fishing for crappie and bass on long Panbowl Lake, and horseback or ATV riding in the Breathitt County ATV Trail Park. Don’t miss the special Fourth of July Heritage Fair, Breathitt County Honey Festival and Downtown Christmas Parade events.

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The Kentucky Wildlands

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Jackson County

 where the mountains and the bluegrass blend.

Jackson County History

​ Early History

Jackson County, Kentucky was established February 2, 1858.  It was formed from small parts of Madison, Estill, Owsley, Clay, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties; every surrounding county except Lee, which would not be added until 1870. The population then was about 3,000. Jackson County was named after the 7th President of the United States, Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson, and was the 106th to be formed of Kentucky's 120 counties. The county seat,  McKee, Kentucky , is located geographically in the center of the county.

Before being named McKee, the town was known as Yellow Dog . In 1827, a disaster destroyed many records from before Jackson County was formed. 

The town of McKee was established in 1858, on April 25, and was probably named after state legislator, Judge George Robertson McKee , ( 1810-1889 ) from Garrard County, Kentucky. The first McKee Post Office was also established in 1858 on October 25, and the first Post Master was  Harris Freeman .  

McKee, Kentucky was incorporated as a city in 1882.

The First and, so far, Only!

While not the first woman sheriff in Kentucky, Sarah Jane Morris was the first, and so far the only, woman to be elected Sheriff of Jackson County. Her husband, Johnnie Morris , was elected Sheriff of Jackson County, Kentucky on August 5th, 1933. During the course of his duties, Sheriff Johnnie Morris was tragically shot down while attempting to arrest two suspects of a disturbance in Sand Gap on September 23, 1934. 

Appointed by Judge John Davis to serve in her late husband's place, a practice not altogether uncommon at the time, Sarah Morris served as sheriff until the next election on August 6, 1935. Exactly two years after her husband had been elected, Sheriff Sarah Jane Morris officially became the first elected female Sheriff of Jackson County. 

A Portrait of Jackson County 1858-2008 Available at The Jackson County Public Library, The Jackson County Extension Office, and PRTC.

A Portrait of Jackson County 1858-2008 - Celebrating 150 Years

The new Jackson County Courthouse in McKee, Kentucky, built in 1950, was originally painted white. The paint was remove to reveal the present-day red brick in the late seventies.

First woman yet to be elected Sheriff of Jackson County, Kentucky on August 6, 1935.

Sworn in January 1934, Sheriff of Jackson County unti his death by shooting on September 23, 1934. Succeded by his wife, Sarah Jane Morris, first woman Sheriff of Jackson County, Kentucky.

Located just outside Jackson County Court House.

Sheriff Sarah Jane Morris, the first, and as yet only, woman to be elected Sheriff of Jackson County.

This book on the history of Jackson County was produced by the Jackson County Development Association, and provides a fascinating look into the lives and times of historic Appalachia. 

The Kentucky Encyclopedia , edited by John E. Kleber

Click HERE for Geneology Inc., Jackson County, Kentucky Geneology and Facts!

Click HERE for KYGenWeb Archive 

Jackson County, Kentucky!