Cave Run Lake in the Morehead, KY area is a convenient getaway from surrounding urban areas like Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati and less than an hour away from Lexington. Surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest, Cave Run offers miles of US Forest Service managed trails ranging from fast and flowy to rough and rowdy.
Related: See the guide for the White Sulfur OHV Trail, also located within the Cave Run Lake management area, here.
The Cave Run Lake area is located within the Cumberland Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest - which also manages the very popular Red River Gorge area. You can download a paper map of the overall Cave Run Lake area here but you can find trails specific to mountain biking at the USFS’s Cave Run Non-Motorized Trails page here. The Non-motorized trail map prints in on 11x17 paper. I’ve found their map to be a bit outdated on some trails but overall it’s still very useful.
Here is the overall Cave Run Lake map from Trailforks:
Here are a few rides of my favorite rides, easily done in a couple hours or less:
Above: A 10 mile out-and-back that can be ridden either direction. This route combines two climbable ascents with two fun, flowing descents. Beginning at the swinging bridge off of US-60 is closest to Morehead and finishes with the longer of the two descents. Traveling north on the Limestone Connector (ridgetop to the swinging bridge) is one of the longest flowing descents in the area.
Above: Parking is at the end of FR 964, just passed Amburgy Rocks. Can be ridden in either direction. Flowy, little elevation change, with occasional rock gardens.
Above: 6 mile loop beginning at Shallow Flats and follows KY-801 to the entrance of the trail across the road from the Cave Run Visitor Center parking lot. The Lakeview Ridge Trail begins with an enjoyable ascent before it gains the ridge for great views of Cave Run Lake. The descent is one of the fastest in the area with several jumps. Riding in the opposite direction (singletrack from east to west) would likely mean a hike-a-bike up to the top of the ridge, which is why I chose to follow along the roadway.
Info
Bike Shops:
The only bike shop outside of Lexington is Switchback Cycles. They are located within the New Frontier Outfitters flagship store in Downtown Morehead. At the time of this update (Dec. 2020), there are still a few new bikes in the store and some random parts and pieces that could come in handy in a pinch. However, I don’t know if anyone with the old bike shop still works here and usually the guys working the clothing store have no idea how to ring you up, and definitely can’t answer any bike related questions. Basically it’s a crap shoot whether or not you’ll walk out with a needed tube or the Stan’s Tire Sealant on the shelf but it is there. Their Facebook page, Switchback Cycling, hasn’t been updated recently.
Restaurants:
Near the lake (area is moist, drive into Morehead for a cold beer):
Pop’s Southern Style BBQ - Closed during the winter months, very popular throughout the season.
Midland Frosty Freeze - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typical dairy bar food, ice cream, cold cut meats and small convenience store inside.
Reno’s On The Run - Local chain steakhouse with a location at Scott Creek Marina, open seasonally.
Clear Creek Market - Buy usage permits, camping supplies and other convenience store items, life-giving double cheeseburgers, Ale-8-Ones and Gatorade. Located on the Zilpo side of the lake.
In Morehead (about a 10 minute drive from the lake):
Reno’s Roadhouse - Steaks, bar food, fully stocked bar
Melini Cucina - Local Italian chain, wine and beer.
Don Senor - Local Mexican chain, full bar.
Hibachi Express - Carry out sushi and hibachi.
Two more Mexican restaurants, two Chinese buffets, and other national chain restaurants located in town.
Fuzzy Duck Coffeeshop - Coffee and espresso, baked goods, soups and sandwiches located in downtown Morehead.
Sawstone Brewing Co. - Craft brewery located in downtown Morehead.