Obed Wild and Scenic River

Established by Congress in 1976, the Obed Wild and Scenic River protects parts of four different streams–the Obed River, Emory River, Clear Creek, and Daddy’s Creek–and is approximately forty-five miles in length. The park contains almost 3,500 acres of federally owned land plus 1,723 acres of private and state land, for a total of 5,173 acres.

Despite the park’s size, however, the National Park Service has built few recreational or camping facilities since its creation. The visitor center at Wartburg, the seat of Morgan County, contains exhibits about the natural history of the area. Whitewater canoeists appreciate its fast waters; hikers relish its challenging terrain. Some river bluffs top five hundred feet, and the deep gorges of the area provide for impressive spring and fall scenery. A section of the Cumberland Trail State Park passes through the Obed Wild and Scenic River, including such impressive features as the Devil’s Breakfast Table Trail.