Daniel Boone National Forest
The Daniel Boone National Forest (originally the Cumberland National Forest) is a national forest in Kentucky. Established in 1937, it includes 708,000 acres (287,000 ha) of federally owned land within a 2,100,000-acre (850,000 ha) proclamation boundary. The name of the forest was changed in 1966 in honor of the explorer Daniel Boone.
| Daniel Boone National Forest | |
|---|---|
View from Tater Knob in the Daniel Boone National Forest | |
| Location | Kentucky, USA |
| Coordinates | 37°17′17″N 83°52′31″W |
| Area | 2,100,000 acres (8,500 km2)(proclamation boundary); 706,000 acres (286,000 ha) (Forest Service) |
| Established | February 23, 1937 |
| Named for | Daniel Boone |
| Visitors | 2,507,000 (in 2004) |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Daniel Boone National Forest |
The terrain of the forest is generally rugged, and includes multiple prominent water features. It is home to a range of plant and animal species, although many areas still bear evidence of industrial logging and other practices which took place mostly prior to federal protection. It is a popular recreational and tourist destination which serves a million or more visitors a year, and contains several widely recognized areas which are protected in their own right, including state parks, trails, wilderness areas, and landmarks.