Tour Info

1) Auto Tour:
To travel the Trace by vehicle (entirely paved), it is suggested by first following the section provided on the Official Kentucky Tourism Website entitled “Boone Trace.”

It will take the traveler south to north through five Kentucky counties and ten cities, in order, as close as possible to the actual Trace. Near Livingston and Mount Vernon, the paved road departs from Boone Trace, rejoining it north of Mt Vernon. There is no roadside signage yet, so maps and GPS must be utilized. The state tourism website will also reference some of the same maps and photos found on the Friends of Boone Trace website. Note links to Maps #1 & 2.

This will give the traveler a basic understanding of the Trace, which can then be then be supplemented by more information located on this Friends of Boone Trace (FBT) website.

2. National Bike Route 21
(the Daniel Boone Bicycle Route) follows Boone Trace through the same five counties as the auto tour with a few alterations for safety reasons for bicycles. When completed, USBR 21 will connect Atlanta, GA to Cleveland, OH passing through a total of ten Kentucky counties. There is roadside signage for USBR

Downloadable maps of the USBR 21 route to GPS devices (Ride with GPS) can be found on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website and the Adventure Cycling Association website. A narrative of Boone Trace along USBR 21 is also available on both websites at: https://transportation.ky.gov/BikeWalk/Documents/Boone Trace Along USBR 21.pdf

3. Hiking
A hiking route of Boone Trace has also been created most closely approximating the actual trail of which about 40% is overland and 60% paved, but about half of that considered “good paved” (30%.) See the map here.

This route has been hiked by several people, including Chris Penix whose 5th great grandfather, Joshua Penix, came in with Daniel Boone along Boone Trace in 1779.
The video of this venture is below.

Boone Trace Tourism Instructions

Boone Trace can be experienced in five different ways:

1. Auto
2. Bicycle (US Bike Route 21)
3. Hike
4. Horseback
5. Paddle

4. Horseback
The Boone Trace was essentially a bridle path and could only accommodate horseback and foot travel. There are several areas where

5. Paddle
Canoe and kayaking opportunity is also available along Boone Trace since it follows buffalo trails along its course. The large animals needed water while they rummaged through the countryside in search of food. There is almost always a water way near the Trace it entire length. Some of the major ones are Yellow, Roundstone and Otter Creeks and the Cumberland, Rockcastle and Kentucky Rivers.

FOR STARTERS:
It is suggested before touring Boone Trace, go to this website: Friends of Boone Trace www.boonetrace1775:

1) Obtain a copy of In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone by Randell Jones (required reading beginning at least on pg 89.) Located on home page of this website
2) Become familiar with Early Kentucky Frontier Trails map. Click on link
3) Obtain a Kentucky Gazetteer which will give additional scale and detail to clarify some of your travels along the Trace. You are on your own for this one. About $23.
4) Once the base route is determined, additional information and detail can be found on the Friends of Boone Trace website.
5) Enjoy!