Kingdom Come State Park
Encyclopedia
Kingdom Come State Park is in Kentucky
's state park system. It is located in Harlan County
near the city of Cumberland
and is situated atop Pine Mountain
, and boasts both Raven Rock
and Log Rock.
is a naturally bare, large rock face composed mostly of limestone
, leaning at a 45 degree angle over 290 feet in the air. Nearby is the Cave Amphitheater. If you climb deeply into the back of the Cave Amphitheater, you can find deep crevices that house thousands of bats. Also within the park is a natural sandstone bridge called "Log Rock", which greatly resembles a petrified tree which has fallen over. Unfortunately, the Log Rock has been severely vandalized over the years, and the underside is now covered with people's names that they have spray-painted or scratched onto the stone. There are also numerous overlooks to the valleys below. The most popular of these is the Creech Overlook, which provides a stunning view that is said to encompass several states.
population recently re-introduced to the area, as well as foxes, hawks, rabbits, bats, and an array of insect life.
to the city of Harlan. The Little Shepherd Trail is named for the novel The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox, Jr.
.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
's state park system. It is located in Harlan County
Harlan County, Kentucky
Harlan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1819. As of 2000, the population was 33,200. Its county seat is Harlan...
near the city of Cumberland
Cumberland, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,611 people, 1,076 households, and 723 families residing in the city. The population density was 570.5 people per square mile . There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 281.4 per square mile...
and is situated atop Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain (ridge)
Pine Mountain is a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains running through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. It extends about 125 miles from near Jellico, Tennessee, to a location near Elkhorn City, Kentucky. The highest point is 3,273 feet above sea level, east of Whitesburg, Kentucky...
, and boasts both Raven Rock
Raven Rock (Kentucky)
Raven Rock is a sandstone protrusion in the Daniel Boone National Forest, overlooking Kentucky's Red River within the Red River Gorge. This rock is over 1,100 feet tall and boasts a 600-foot sheer cliff. Although there is no official trail to the top, it can be accessed by a paved road where a past...
and Log Rock.
Natural Formations
Raven RockRaven Rock (Kentucky)
Raven Rock is a sandstone protrusion in the Daniel Boone National Forest, overlooking Kentucky's Red River within the Red River Gorge. This rock is over 1,100 feet tall and boasts a 600-foot sheer cliff. Although there is no official trail to the top, it can be accessed by a paved road where a past...
is a naturally bare, large rock face composed mostly of limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, leaning at a 45 degree angle over 290 feet in the air. Nearby is the Cave Amphitheater. If you climb deeply into the back of the Cave Amphitheater, you can find deep crevices that house thousands of bats. Also within the park is a natural sandstone bridge called "Log Rock", which greatly resembles a petrified tree which has fallen over. Unfortunately, the Log Rock has been severely vandalized over the years, and the underside is now covered with people's names that they have spray-painted or scratched onto the stone. There are also numerous overlooks to the valleys below. The most popular of these is the Creech Overlook, which provides a stunning view that is said to encompass several states.
Wildlife
There is a significant black bearAmerican black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
population recently re-introduced to the area, as well as foxes, hawks, rabbits, bats, and an array of insect life.
Other Attractions
A 9-hole miniature golf course, lake with paddle boats, picnic shelters, and primitive campsites are available at the park. Alongside many of the campsites are playgrounds for children and many rock faces that teenagers and climbing enthusiasts enjoy. In addition, Little Shepherd Trail is a primitive road that winds its way across the ridgetop of Pine MountainPine Mountain
Pine Mountain may refer to:Place names*Pine Mountain, Georgia , the name of a number of locations in the U.S. state of Georgia*Pine Mountain Club, California, a populated area in Kern County...
to the city of Harlan. The Little Shepherd Trail is named for the novel The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox, Jr.
John Fox, Jr.
John Fox, Jr. was an American journalist, novelist, and short story writer.-Biography:Born in Stony Point, Bourbon County, Kentucky, to John William Fox, Sr., and Minerva Worth Carr, Fox studied English at Harvard University. He graduated in 1883 before becoming a reporter in New York City...
Looking Ahead
Plans are underway to make it a resort park, with the addition of the Benham Schoolhouse Inn and the Portal 31 mine, both located in BenhamBenham, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 599 people, 248 households, and 181 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,519.2 people per square mile . There were 288 housing units at an average density of 730.4 per square mile...
.