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Welcome to the official website of the Letcher County Tourism and Convention Commission. Please excuse the simplicity; this website is under construction and will be completely updated for the 2008 tourism season as to better serve those whose paths have pointed them towards Letcher County! Please check back soon.
CURRENT EVENTS IN LEtcher county
Art Exhibit
Recently, Nationally renown artist Doug Adams, a Letcher County native, had his first opening exhibit in many years. Hosted by the Letcher County Tourism Commission, Mr. Adams and his wife June exhibited several pieces of contemporary metal sculpture as well as many original paintings. These pieces will be on exhibit at the Harry M. Caudill Library on mainstreet Whitesburg until the end of January.
Click HERE for more pictures.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN LETCHER COUNTY
Bad Branch Falls
Initially, 435 acres of land in Letcher County were dedicated on Sept. 26, 1985, launching protection efforts for one of the most significant and beautiful natural areas in the state. The original acreage includes Bad Branch Gorge, a forested gorge with a 60-foot waterfall tumbling over sandstone cliffs on the south face of Pine Mountain. Subsequent acquisitions have expanded the preserve west into the Presley House Branch watershed, northeast into the upper reaches of the Bad Branch watershed and a small portion of the north face of Pine Mountain.
Today, this 2,639-acre preserve protects the scenic beauty of the gorge and one of the largest concentrations of rare and uncommon species known in the state. The preserve also protects Kentucky’s only known nesting pair of common ravens (Corvus corax). Bad Branch has been designated a Kentucky Wild River.
- Features - hemlock gorge, waterfall, high-quality stream, numerous rare species, trail along mountain crest
- Access - foot trail and bridges, 7.4 miles of trail over uneven terrain, strenuous
- Facilities - none
- Parking - 10 cars; one bus
- Hazards - steep cliffs, venomous snakes (rare)
- Activities - hiking, birding, nature photography and research
- Directions - Letcher County. From the junction of KY 15 and U.S. 119 S.E. of Whitesburg, follow U.S. 119 south 8.0 miles. Turn left at junction with KY 932, travel east for 2.0 miles to gravel parking area on left side of KY 932.