Devil’s Jump Overlook
“…at that point where the river flowed swiftly between large rocks, there the Devil himself leaped from one of the large rocks onto the raft, sank the raft, and grabbed his property.” —from the Legend of Devil’s Jump, National Park Service
Overview. This overlook delivers the goods. Situated at a bend in the Big South Fork with a commanding view of Devil’s Jump, we enjoyed some late day sun and clouds with paddlers just below the rapids. The lore of Devil’s Jump stems from the earliest discovery of oil in the U.S. and is a good, quick read. Check it out here.
Route Type | Out and Back
Total Distance | 0.28 miles
Elevation Gain | 55 feet
Overall Difficulty | Easy with a Moderate Climb Coming Back
GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 36.674450, -84.537750
Devil’s Jump Overlook | 36.674093, -84.537045
Big South Fork NRRA Area Map
Blue Heron Area Map
Parking. Several parking spots are available at the trailhead and it’s typically only busy on holiday weekends.
Trail Navigation. Locate the trailhead at the east side of the parking lot and follow the paved trail downhill. Stay straight at the first intersection and turn sharply at the next to reach the overlook. Take in the sights and retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
CAUTION - Deadly Drops. Long falls from high places are the #1 non-health related cause of death for hikers in Kentucky. Keep your distance from the edges of cliffs to avoid a deadly fall. Young children should be kept close.
CAUTION - Poisonous Snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can be found in the area. Should you encounter one, stop and slowly back away. Always give venomous snakes a wide berth. Know Before You Go => University of Kentucky Venomous Snake Guide
CAUTION - Black Bears. Ursus Americanus - a.k.a. the American black bear is growing in population throughout much of Kentucky. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips
Devil’s Jump Overlook Trailhead
Devil’s Jump Overlook
Sharp Bend in the Big South Fork
Looking Down to Devil’s Jump in Big South Fork