Daniel Boone National Forest
Manchester/Clay County is the gateway to the majestic Daniel Boone National Forest. More than 700,000 acres of national forest cover 21 counties with 600 miles of trails and over 250 recreation sites. The Clay County section provides countless opportunities to explore eastern Kentucky’s landscape, heritage, and culture while the possibilities for hikers, hunters, and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts are endless.
Redbird Crest Trail
The Redbird Crest Trail provides nearly 100 miles of wooded trails for visitors to enjoy year-round. It is a multiple-use trail, meaning hikers, horses, mountain bikes, and off-highway vehicles are welcome. Some trails are open to street-legal vehicles only, and some are open to single-track ohv only (motorcycles). The trail makes a loop that begins and ends near the historic Redbird District Office, while two inner loops and a connector trail to a private off-highway vehicle campground add to the recreational experience. The trail, also known as the “Diamond Trail” because orange diamond-shaped markers mark it, includes three developed trailheads:
Bear Creek (Latitude: 37.02263601 Longitude -83.53301195)
Sugar Creek (Latitude: 37.12639657 Longitude -83.48399937)
Peabody (Latitude: 37.14360869 Longitude -83.58006022)
Permits are required for OHV use on the trail: $15/day; $60 annual pass. Passes may be purchased at the Redbird District Office or from local vendors. Camping is permitted on national forest lands. Camps should be at least 300 feet away from the trail. To enjoy the Redbird Crest Trail, travel east from Manchester on the Hal Rogers Parkway for approximately 10.7 miles. Turn left at Exit 34 (Big Creek). Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto KY 66. Travel 0.7 miles to the intersection of US 421/KY 80. Turn right and travel 0.8 miles. Turn left onto KY 66 and continue for 1.7 miles. The Redbird District Office is on the right and the Peabody trailhead is on the left.
Hunting
Clay County has two wildlife management areas designated for hunting of deer, turkey, squirrel, and, in marked areas, elk. The Redbird Wildlife Management Area is off south KY 66 and part of the Redbird Crest Trail. The area is open to archery hunting for deer with a limited gun season. The area is rugged and known for large deer harvests since the early 1980s. The Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area incorporates the 34-acre Bert T. Combs Lake and features a five-mile road that travels along the ridgeline of the watershed area. The road is accessible off Bar Creek Road from KY 149. The steep hillside features lush areas for deer and turkey hunting.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website for more information about both areas.
Fishing
Goose Creek begins in southeast Clay County, flows north into the town of Manchester, KY, and continues northeast into the town of Oneida. Upon reaching Oneida, Goose Creek comes to its confluence with the Red Bird River and Bullskin Creek to form the South Fork of the Kentucky River. Goose Creek provides anglers with an excellent opportunity for a variety of species including smallmouth bass, rock bass, walleye, and muskellunge. Fishing enthusiasts can also navigate the beautiful Red Bird River, full of muskie, sun fish and Kentucky bass. Excellent opportunities for catching trout, channel catfish, bass, crappie, and bluegill can be found at the 34-acre Bert T. Combs Lake on Hwy 3432 (Beech Creek Road) east of Manchester.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources for detailed directions and ramp access sites.
Along the Way...
Redbird District Ranger Office
The Redbird District Office of the Daniel Boone National Forest was built in the early 1920s by the Fordson Coal Company, a branch of the Ford Motor Company. Used as housing for survey crews, engineers, and draftsmen, the building was crafted by local woodworkers and stonemasons and features handmade wall paneling in walnut, oak, maple, and American chestnut. The sandstone foundation and interior fireplaces were hand-cut from nearby sources.
The land was sold to the US Forest Service as part of the Red Bird Purchase Unit in 1967 and the building became the Redbird District Ranger Office. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Big Double Picnic Area
A scenic and popular site for small picnics or large family gatherings, the Big Double Picnic Area is open from 6 am until 10 pm, April through October. Each picnic site includes a grill and picnic table. There are no developed trails, but the area has lots of room to explore. Two nearby fields are suitable for sports or other outdoor activities.
Directions: Take KY 66 south from the Big Creek interchange with the Hal Rogers Parkway for 3 miles. Turn onto Forest Service Road 1501 (first right past Redbird District Office). Follow the signs for 2 miles along Big Double Creek.
