Redbird Ranger District - Acreage: 145,840

91 Peabody Road
Big Creek, KY 40914
606-598-2192

District Ranger:
Thomas Dozier

Acreage: 145,850
Counties: Clay, Leslie, Owsley, Perry, Harlan and Bell

Redbird Ranger Station

The Redbird Ranger District Office was built in 1924 by the Fordson Coal Company, a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company. The building served as living quarters for survey crews, engineers and draftsmen. Crafted by local woodworkers and stonemasons, the building features handmade wall paneling in walnut, oak, maple and American chestnut. The sandstone for the foundation and interior fireplaces was hand-cut from nearby sources.

Directions

From the Big Creek (exit 34) of Hal Rogers Parkway, travel east on KY 66 0.7 miles to where it t-bones into US 421 and KY 80 at the gas station. Turn right onto KY 66 (you'll pass under the parkway) and go .8 miles, then turn right where KY 66 joins US 421/KY 80. After .8 miles, turn left to stay on KY 66 (US 421/KY 80 goes straight and will take you back to Manchester). Continue on KY 66 for 1.7 miles to the Redbird Ranger Station on the right.

Redbird Crest Trail

Redbird Crest Trail provides nearly 100 miles of recreation for off-highway vehicle use, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Trailhead parking is available at three separate locations. One of the parking areas is located across the river from the Redbird Ranger Station, and the other two areas are located at the trail junctions with Sugar Creek Road (Forest Road 1600) and Bear Creek.
This trail is popular with riders who enjoy the challenge of rugged terrain and the adventure of riding. The trail is open all year.
• No off-trail travel is allowed.
• You must wear a helmet.
• A fee pass is required.
• It is illegal to operate an ATV on most public highways and roads, including Forest Service roads. (KRS 189.515). Check status before riding an ATV on any public road. Motor Vehicle Use maps are available that show road stauts.

Picnic Areas

Redbird Ranger District maintains two picnic areas for the public. Come to Big Double Creek Picnic Area or Cawood Recreation Area to picnic in the cool shade of creekside woodlands. Also enjoy fields big enought to play softball, volleyball and horseshoes. Both sites provide handicapped accessible toilets. Learn more...

Redbird Wildlife Management Area

This 25,529-acre area in Leslie and Clay counties is mostly wooded with about 100 acres in developed wildlife openings. This wildlife management area is managed cooperatively with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to help sustain species populations for hunting and fishing. Learn more...

Redbird History

One of the most significant Weeks Act purchase programs after World War II was the Red Bird Purchase Unit in Kentucky in the late 1960s and early 1970s, now the Redbird Ranger District.

Legislation of the 1890s, which authorized the creation of national Forests from land in the public domain, had a great effect on the West. Unfortunately, there was little land in the public domain, in the heavily populated East.

In 1911, the Weeks Act provided the means to purchase “forested, cut-over or denuded lands within the watersheds of navigable streams…”.

It was followed by the Clark McNary Act, which allowed “the production of timber…” as another purpose for forest acquisition. Purchase units were designated by Congress and the Forest Service started purchasing land. Learn more...