Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation & Recreation Area - Nature preserve in Hawesville - 715 Willamette Rd, USA

Had an amazing time today hiking here. Many slick spots which was expected with recent weather but experience was awesome regardless. This is the third time we’ve been here and drive a good distance to come but well worth it. Beautiful place.

As an avid hiker since childhood, I will advise that there are no true “easy” trails here. Only moderate lower trails, to moderate/difficult areas on the higher trails, from my own experiences. There’s plenty of tree roots to trip over, or roll your ankle on, along with a plentiful dose of up and down hiking on the bottom paths that will remind you of calf muscle importance to the human body, very quickly. As for the cliff trails overhead…to be perfectly honest, no one under the age of 12 (or at least old enough to have a clear understanding of how quickly a simple curiosity can lead to a swift and unforeseen death), should have any business up there, as in my eyes the upper trails are just as dangerous as anything you’d come across at Chimney Top Rock in Red River Gorge. As a matter of fact, for me personally, this IS Western Kentucky’s Chimney Top Rock. Not as high, but just as dangerous. Non fenced off cliffs straight to hell are abundant, with many drop offs being heavily wooded with trees and foliage ladened forest floor all the way to the edge, thus becoming not so obvious death zones to the oblivious in sometimes almost camouflaged fashion (see photo 2 of 4). Many of these same foliage ladened overlooks slant downwards, heading in the direction to the point of no return. Being a fairly new park, just opening in 2018, I’m still amazed (and thankful) that no one has fallen yet. Anyone with the stupid skills wouldn’t have any issues dying here at all. Intoxicated hikers, daredevils set to impress, non abiding night thrill seekers…etc. As sobering as my review comes across, I thoroughly enjoy this place, and even Morgan’s cave alone is worth a 2 hour drive for true nature enthusiasts. Watch those narrow staircases and go in with a healthy respect and common sense…you should be fine. Keep small children off the high trails, and avoid the entire park in wet weather conditions at all costs!

This is such a cool place. We’ve been to numerous national and state parks and this place offers some amazing views and is a great hike. We appreciate trails that aren’t paved or boardwalks, just good old dirt trails lol. The trail is well marked. Very clean. The cave trails are fairly easy, the cliff trail is moderate easy. You’re walking up a mountain so incline is a little tougher. The mossy stairs are kind of steep, but very well built, sturdy and well maintained. There is a section where you’ll do about 4 feet of rock climbing but it’s fairly easy. My wife who’s scared of heights was able to do it with a water bottle in hand. Once you get to this part, you still have about half a mile to go to lookout point. About 10-15 min walk. When you start the trail, going left takes you to Tobacco cave and the cliffs. Then you’ll see a sign that shows going straight to cliffs or right to the cave. If you take the cave route, you don’t have to turn around to get back on the trail to cliffs, keep going and it will bring you back out to cliffs/mossy trail. Only complaint, no dogs and closed on Wednesdays which is my day off. Would love to see a doggy bag stand installed and pets allowed. Other than that, very nice area. Didn’t have time to explore devils den.

Photos don't do the place justice as it's hard to show the scale. Still, great hiking with some amazing geology. Definitely worth a return trip to explore more.

Beautiful place. I used to wander around those woods as a kid. Nice to be able to go back there.

Great place for a hike. Good views and trails. I will be back to finish all the trails.

I could not recommend this place enough. It is unlike any topography I’ve seen in western Kentucky. You could spend just 30 minutes here on an easy walk to Morgan’s cave and have a great experience. But give your self at least a couple more hours to explore other trails and hike up to the Mossy Gap stairs, which lead to great vistas at Jeffrey’s Cliff and Lookout Point, among others.

Very beautiful scenery with easily marked and maintained trails. This place is quite the hidden treasure in Kentucky. There are 2 main loop trails, one is on the bottom and let's you see the "caves". Although not real caves they are large sandstone areas that have collapsed. If you go up to the top of mossy gap you will access the trails up there that have views from the top of the cliffs. It's a great experience for a simple day hike.