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Jeffreys Cliffs: Western Kentucky’s Hidden Sandstone Escape

 

Jeffreys Cliffs: Western Kentucky’s Hidden Sandstone Escape

Rock shelters, sandstone bluffs, and views of the Ohio River aren’t what most people expect in western Kentucky. Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation & Recreation Area in Hawesville covers 230 acres of forest, with rock shelters, cliff overlooks, and a sandstone plateau of more than 90 acres. One local leader involved in the project said there’s nothing else like it in this part of Kentucky.

A Homestead on Top of the Cliffs

The cliffs are named for John Augustus Jeffreys. He acquired the property, blasted a wagon road to the top on the north side, and built a home there with his wife, Elizabeth Boone, a great-niece of Daniel Boone. The couple raised 11 children there, though only six lived to adulthood, and the family stayed until 1898. Little remains today. A small pond and an intact cistern are all that is left of the family’s years on the plateau

From Private Land to Public Trail

For years the cliffs were hard to reach. They were completely surrounded by private land. The Hancock County Heritage Commission first had to buy an adjacent farm to gain access, with help from the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. The property came together through a land donation from the Jerry R. Harris family trust, plus additional purchases funded by the state conservation fund.

The area opened in June 2020 after five years of negotiations, surveys, and biological inventories. It is now owned by the Hancock County Fiscal Court and protected by a conservation easement that allows limited public use and prohibits future development.

What You’ll See

The trails are split between the lower and upper areas.

Lower trails. One popular route is a loop of roughly 1.8 miles with about 363 feet of elevation gain. It leads to Morgans Cave, an enormous rock shelter in the sandstone cliffs, and to Tobacco Cave, where an old tobacco drying structure still stands. Visitors are asked to stay off the structure to protect it.

The stairs at Mossy Gap. A two-flight staircase of 50 steps takes advantage of three natural terraces as it winds up the cliff face, rising roughly 70 feet above a ridge about 40 feet tall. It links the lower and upper trails.

Upper trails. Longer loops of about 5.5 miles connect the overlooks: Lookout Point, East Overlook, Troop 36 Point, and Devils Point. Several offer views of the Ohio River Valley, and the remnants of the Jeffreys homestead are along the way.

Best Time to Visit

Every season has something to offer, but October brings the most visitors, as the foliage turns red and gold. Interest has been strong since the opening. Trail counters recorded 2,396 visitors between the end of July and October 25 in 2021, and the commission thought the counters might be undercounting.

Planning Your Visit

  • Location: The parking lot is at 715 Willamette Rd, Hawesville, KY 42348. 

  • Hours: Trail listings say the area is open only Friday through Sunday, from sunrise to sunset. Hours can change, so check the Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation & Recreation Area Facebook page before you go.
  • Facilities: There are no restrooms or water, so bring what you need.
  • Rules: Following the posted rules is critical for protecting the area and keeping it open to the public.

Jeffreys Cliffs combines geology, history, and river views in a small area. If you go, wear sturdy shoes, take your time on the climbs, and keep well back from the cliff edges.


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