Whether or not the tale is true, it's a spectacular spot on the map to discover - one that's perfect for US history appreciators, nature enthusiasts, wildlife spotters, and those who adore off-the-radar crowd-free attractions that most tourists seem to miss. Still, the main trail offers a wonderful easy hiking opportunity to leisurely saunterers who wish to soak up the scenery and the history of the park although tragedy struck this place, it's a stunning off-the-beaten-path hidden gem in Kentucky, once that's seldom visited, gentle to explore, and beautiful to behold.Īll that remains is this last burning question: how did Broke Leg Falls get its name? The local folklore tells of an ox that was gored and broke its leg, after which it was swiftly carried by the stream's water over the cliff and into the gorge below. Though the site was left in the trusted hands of Mother Nature, the stairs and bridge at the falls were rebuilt several years after the tornado swept through the park, totaling over $38,000 in costs.Įven with some reconstruction efforts, the falls and most of their trails are still blocked, granting an enchanting yet creepy realm prime for exploration - some of which can be challenging to access, such as the abandoned walking bridge set over the creek. The park's officials chose to leave debris to let nature do what it does best, which has thus left the scars reminiscent of that fateful natural event for all to behold. However, officials recognized that the heavy machinery employed as part of the cleanup initiatives was causing more harm than good the delicate ecology of the gorge and the ecosystems within the park weren't able to withstand the hefty works, which became burdensome to the natural structures and put stress on the wildlife.Īs a result, the county decided to leave the area be, instead of letting nature take its course and repair itself. In the aftermath of the tornado's destruction, the county began to restore the site yet again in an earnest effort to clean it back up to its former glory, removing the fallen logs and tree stumps left in the wild wind's wake. So much work and finances had gone into the restoration and reopening of the park, meaning the natural disaster was particularly devastating to the local communities all the love and effort gone into its revitalization felt like it was for nothing, as much of it was obliterated in a matter of minutes. The Broke Leg Falls tornado barreled through the park, buffeting the scenery and altering it dramatically. However, sadly, their labors and resulting success were not meant to be.Īfter the park and its falls were finally redeveloped for public enjoyment and things appeared to take a turn for the better, the site was sadly hit by an EF-3 tornado only six months after the reopening. The county then launched a ten-year project to restore the falls, incorporating the construction of a new gazebo, hiking trails, and a picnic area to make the site an attraction worthy of tourists' attention once again - and that's exactly what the campaign's teams accomplished.

In the 1980s, the land was handed to private owners, after which it remained virtually abandoned for fifty years, sitting idle right up until 2002, when Menifee County repurchased the property and began undertaking its maintenance.

As traffic flow reduced, park attendance died down, which led to the state abandoning the site and selling it again not too soon after.

Only five years after the state park's unveiling, the newly constructed Mountain Parkway Toll Road was inaugurated, effectively rendering Highway 460 useless and with it redirected traffic. With the ever-changing Broke Leg Falls landowners, the business tactics they deployed to persuade the public to stop and pay their 10-cent fee to see the falls also adapted - techniques that saw them do well, albeit for a short time. Indeed, Highway 460 was one of the major lifelines between Lexington and the numerous southeastern counties of Appalachia, which extended all the way to West Virginia. This refreshing period of popularity brought much-needed economic activity to the area - but that lively financial success wasn't to last. In 1958, Broke Leg Falls was decreed an official Kentucky State Park, bringing touristic and thus economic success as it attracted hordes of visitors.

Kentucky waterfall trip