McCreary County

McCreary County is an administrative division in southeastern Kentucky that spreads across a forested landscape with natural stone arches and the Big South Fork National River running through it. The terrain is dominated by dense woodlands, and recreation areas follow along the river and its surrounding valleys.

The county was created in 1912 as Kentucky's last newly formed county, carved from parts of three neighboring counties. This late establishment makes it one of the state's newest administrative divisions.

Coal mining shaped life here for generations, and you can see this heritage reflected at places like the Barthell Coal Mining Camp and Blue Heron Mining Community. Residents keep these stories alive through the communities and landmarks that mark this chapter of their past.

This area is popular for outdoor activities like hiking and boating, with trails and water access scattered throughout the forests and along the river. Visitors should know that the terrain is hilly and sturdy footwear is important for exploring.

The county has no incorporated cities within its boundaries, making county government the sole local authority throughout the entire area. This makes it an unusual case among Kentucky's administrative structure.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: March 12, 1912

Capital city: Whitley City

Shares border with: Pulaski County, Laurel County, Whitley County, Scott County, Wayne County, Campbell County

Website: http://mccrearycounty.com

GPS coordinates: 36.74000,-84.48000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:28