U.S. Forest Service-Daniel Boone National Forest

10/22/2026

The Daniel Boone National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burns on roughly 2,600 acres in McCreary County, October 23.

📍 Operations are planned in the Goodin Ridge burn unit in the northern portion of Beaver Creek WMA between the Cumberland River and Beaver Creek Wilderness in the far northeastern corner of McCreary County.

⛔ Impacted areas will be closed during active operations and may remain closed for several days to ensure all fire operations have been successfully completed.

⚠️ Smoke is expected to move southwest towards Greenwood. Residents in McCreary and Pulaski counties may see or smell smoke. If you encounter smoke while driving, turn on your low beams to become more visible. For more detailed information about air quality, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ or download the AirNow app.

Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuels, improves forest health and supports habitat for native wildlife. Applying low-intensity fire under the right conditions also helps lower the risk of severe wildfires in the future.

See a map of all the Daniel Boone National Forest’s planned, active and completed prescribed burns for 2027 at https://arcg.is/0mvK1

10/17/2026

Update 10/18/2026: Operations cancelled due to current conditions.

The Daniel Boone National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burns on roughly 2,600 acres in McCreary County, October 18.

📍 Operations are planned in the Good In Ridge burn unit in the northern portion of Beaver Creek WMA between the Cumberland River and Beaver Creek Wilderness in the far northeastern corner of McCreary County.

⛔ Impacted areas will be closed during active operations and may remain closed for several days to ensure all fire operations have been successfully completed.

⚠️ Smoke is expected to move west towards Blue John. Residents in McCreary and Pulaski counties may see or smell smoke. If you encounter smoke while driving, turn on your low beams to become more visible. For more detailed information about air quality, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ or download the AirNow app.

Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuels, improves forest health and supports habitat for native wildlife. Applying low-intensity fire under the right conditions also helps lower the risk of severe wildfires in the future.

See a map of all the Daniel Boone National Forest’s planned, active and completed prescribed burns for 2027 at https://arcg.is/0mvK1e

10/15/2026

The Daniel Boone National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burns on roughly 8 acres in McCreary County, October 15.

📍Operations are planned in wildlife openings in the Pond Ridge, Sandhill and Marsh Creek burn units in the eastern potion of McCreary County.

⛔ Impacted areas will be closed during active operations and may remain closed for several days to ensure all fire operations have been successfully completed.

⚠️Smoke is expected to move northeast towards Cumberland Fall State Park and disperse quickly given predicted conditions and the small size of these burns. If you encounter smoke while driving, turn on your low beams to become more visible. For more detailed information about air quality, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ or download the AirNow app.

Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuels, improves forest health and supports habitat for native wildlife. Applying low-intensity fire under the right conditions also helps lower the risk of severe wildfires in the future.

See a map of all the Daniel Boone National Forest’s planned, active and completed prescribed burns for 2027 at https://arcg.is/0mvK1e

10/05/2026

Alpine Picnic Area is getting some much-needed TLC!

From today through April 1, 2027, we'll be renovating the area and installing new toilet facilities, trail steps and accessible parking. The area will be closed for public safety during renovation.

Find a new picnic area to explore during the closure at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/danielboone/recreation/opportunities/picnicking

10/02/2026

See an orange "survey" sign in the Daniel Boone National Forest? Stop by and tell us about your visit!

From October 2026 through September 2027, you may encounter survey interviewers conducting public surveys near recreation areas. These National Visitor Use Monitoring surveys are a Forest Service program designed to estimate visitor volume and usage on national forests. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential! The information you share is useful for forest planning and local community tourism efforts. Thank you for participating!

Learn more about National Visitor Use Monitoring https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/nvum

10/01/2026

09/22/2026

Misty mornings. Overcast days. Crisp breezes. 🍂

The first day of fall has ushered in perfect weather for a walk in the woods. With more than 700,000 acres to explore, which Daniel Boone National Forest destinations are at the top of your fall bucket list?

Plan your visit at www.fs.usda.gov/r08/danielboone

(USDA Forest Service photo by Wayna Roach.)

09/08/2026

Laurel River Lake levels are currently 10ft below normal summer pool. Water access walkways and boat ramps may be steeper than usual, and potential unusable, until water levels rise. Before you load up your boat for a visit, be sure to:

✅ Check current lake levels for Laurel River Lake. Normal summer pool is 1015 ft.
✅ Confirm the status of boat ramps and water access points.
✅ Contact your chosen marina directly to confirm operating status as concessionaire-operated marinas may close or offer reduced services during this time.

Check the comments for helpful links to help you know before you go on your next boating adventure!

09/04/2026

08/26/2026

"I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain.... These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world." ~ Dolly Parton