Located in Western Metcalfe County, off highway 3234 at the end of Branstetter Road, The Dry Fork Gorge is the only Nature Conservatory in Metcalfe County.  It is a pristine, 80 acre reserve that is open to the public for hiking and educational purposes only.  Hunting, fishing, camping and motorized, wheeled vehicles are not allowed as the purpose of this project is to PRESERVE the property, it’s water resources and the unique wildlife that inhabits it.  This project is funded by a grant from the Kentucky Heritage Land conservation fund and is managed by the Metcalfe County government through a committee of appointed directors.

There is an unmarked foot trail that provides approximately 2.5 mile hike.  There are three creek crossings without bridges, in the winter and spring and after heavy rain, the water runs fast and high.  Hikers should be prepared to get their feet wet.  Hikers are encouraged to remain on trail, as the terrain off trail can be steep and slippery.

   Photo by Lynn Blankenship                                                                                                                                                                     Photo by Lynn Blankenship

Four caves are located on the eighty acre property none of which have been permanently named. The names used were given by the surveyors for identification purposes only.

DOWNSTREAM CAVE:

The entrance is located directly above a spring emerging through breakdown that feeds Dry Fork.  This spring appears to emerge at the boundary between the Salem and Warsaw Limestone above and the Ft. Payne Formation below.  There are two remaining passages that have not been explored; one is the stream passage and the other appears to be an overflow passage for the stream.

UPSTREAM CAVE: 

The stream flowing from this cave is a tributary to Dry Fork. The cave continues past thesurvey in a passage with one foot of air  space above three foot of water. The cave spring appears to emerge at the contact between the Salem and Warsaw Limestone above and the Ft. Payne Formation below.  At the entrance there is a 15 foot waterfall and following the drip line, there is a small shelter cave on the opposite side of the stream.

DRY FORK CAVE #3

This cave is located in a bluff 100 feet from the seasonal waterfalls at the head of Dry Fork.  Scat and small animal bones indicate that animals may use this cave.

DRY FORK CAVE #4

This cave is located in a bluff 20 feet above a spring feeding Dry Fork.  There is evidence that people have been digging in the dirt floor of this shelter cave.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Photo by Lynn Blankenship