The Daniel Boone National Forest (originally the Cumberland National Forest) is a national forest in Kentucky, United States. Established in 1937, it includes of federally owned land within a proclamation boundary. The name of the forest was changed in 1966 in honor of the explorer Daniel Boone.

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.

Physical geography

As of 2017 the Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses of federally owned land within a proclamation boundary. The land within the proclamation boundary contains both publicly and privately owned land, along with thousands of miles of marked boundary lines between the two. Most privately owned land, accounting for about is held by individuals and ranges from to in size. The terrain is generally rugged, hilly and mountainous, with reliefs of as much as in the north and toward the south. London, Redbird, and Stearns.

Counties

The Daniel Boone National Forest includes land across 21 Kentucky counties, namely:

  1. Bath
  2. Clay
  3. Estill
  4. Harlan
  5. Jackson
  6. Knox
  7. Laurel
  8. Lee
  9. Leslie
  10. McCreary
  11. Menifee
  12. Morgan
  13. Owsley
  14. Perry
  15. Powell
  16. Pulaski
  17. Rockcastle
  18. Rowan
  19. Wayne
  20. Whitley
  21. Wolfe

Water

thumb|Aerial view of the dam at [[Laurel River Lake]]

Major river systems include the Licking River, Kentucky River, and Cumberland River, all of which flow into the Ohio River. Several others made expeditions in the area over the following decades with mixed success.