Yahoo Arch — Attraction in Monticello

Yahoo Arch is about 1.5 miles past Yahoo Falls, if I remember correctly. It is always so interesting to see these mammoth, elegant rock formations in the middle of earthy Kentucky forests. Between the arch and Yahoo Falls, this is a good morning or afternoon trip. If you liked Yahoo Arch, you will also like a few of the other arches in the area: Split Bow Arch is smaller, also enshrouded in a forest, and a much shorter walk (5 minutes) as well as a five minute walk from Bear Creek Overlook. Natural Arch is a massive arch sticking out above the trees not too far away, about a mile walk if I remember. Twin Arches right over the Tennessee bordered are probably amazing, although I chickened out hiking there due to seeing a bear near the trailhead; they're also a longer (couple hour) hike. Not as close but still awesome add Natural Bridge (1-1.5 hour hike) and Rock bridge (20 minute hike) leading to a small...

Hiked on an early Sat morning in late June and, remarkably, didn’t see another person.

The hike from the parking lot is 2.1mi one way (4.2 mi round trip)

Saw a doe right on the the trail and didn’t spook her until I raised my arm to shoo a fly.

I highly recommend the Merlin app and to use the new sound ID to learn what birds you are hearing during your hike.

Because I hadn’t yet discovered the sign understates the distance of the hike by a whopping 40%, I found myself (at ~1.5mi hiked) wondering how far the arch REALLY was and resolved to press on past the point where I had my first, “should I turn back? Will it be worth it?” thought...

So glad I did. The arch is surreal. Well, well, WELL worth the hike past Yahoo Falls. Now that I know what it’s like, I’d have hiked 3X the distance to see it.

Hope you enjoy!!

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This truly is one of my happy places in our area, we visit regularly throughout the year, but winter is my favorite time to go. Just the two of us on the trails is so peaceful. Trails to both the arch and the falls are classed as moderate I believe and while they can get a little muddy and squishy in places, they are well maintained though. A couple of spots you have to cross creeks, nothing large and they do have stepping stones. The flow on the falls was pretty strong today but it can be almost next to nothing at times. Visit the arch, you will not be disappointed with the sunlight just right it is almost magical. Headed down is not overly steep but there is a pretty steep metal set of stairs on one of the choices back up. Enjoy what this beautiful area has to offer, plenty of picnic tables and parking make this a pretty...