The Rockhouse (Creelsboro Natural Arch)
At the intersection of state routes 379 and 1058 in Russell County Kentucky sits the sleepy remains of the community of Creelsboro. Formed in 1809, it was once the busiest river port between Nashville Tennessee and Burnside Kentucky. The development of the state highway system in the 1930’s made river travel irrelevant to commerce, and the town quickly dried up as a result. Today it consists of a small country store, a few houses, and some grand abandoned buildings that stand as a testament to the town’s former glory.
The town itself is a neat little slice of history, but 5 miles further down route 379 is a unique natural wonder that is well worth the drive to this “off the beaten path” destination. The Creelsboro Natural Arch, or “Rockhouse” as locals call it, is a truly massive natural stone arch that cuts through a ridgeline and opens up onto the shores of the Cumberland River.
Finding this one can be a bit of a challenge. If you follow the map coordinates I’ve provided, just watch the road to your left as you near the destination and you’ll see a small gravel off to pull off on. You’ll travel down hill a bit, and eventually come to a decent sized parking area, with a large stone dedicated to a church that once set in the area. From there it’s just a short hike, and a brief scramble into a creek bed, and you’ll find yourself staring right into the arch.
The scale of this thing is simply breathtaking. If you’re familiar with other “natural arch” attractions like Natural Bridge, or the many found in the Red River Gorge, the Rockhouse is on a completely different level. It feels more like something a multilane highway should be running through. It’s also DEEP. Rather than walking under a natural bridge, it feels like making your way through a tunnel.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can walk to the far side of the tunnel entrance (without going through it), and there is a small but steep path to the top. Supposedly native Americans used that upper area as a burial ground. Walking through the tunnel you’ll naturally want to look up and take in the full scale of the arch’s grandeur, but be careful. A species of small bird makes its home in small crevices in the roof, and in certain areas there’s almost a constant rain of bird droppings. There is a fair bit of ground inside the tunnel to cover, with large boulders to scramble up, and several excellent vantage points.
Emerging from the other side of the arch you’ll find yourself standing on the banks of the Cumberland river. You’ll now have access to a thin strand of shoreline that runs quite ways along the ridge, and during my visit there were several fishermen there taking advantage of this uniquely gorgeous fishing hole.
The Creelsboro Rockhouse is a textbook example of an “off the beaten path” attraction. If you enjoy the outdoors, or especially fishing, it is definitely worth the trip by itself though. If you’re not quite sold on the arch alone though, it is very close to the massive Wolfcreek Dam, which holds back Lake Cumberland. It’s also only about 40 miles from the Kentucky/Tennessee border, and could easily be paired with a number of other attractions to make a great little day trip.
Want to Experience This Adventure for Yourself?:
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