Jones-Keeney WMA

“Back in 1931, two far-sighted men worked together to purchase the first wildlife management area for the people of Kentucky. Their names were Dr. Joe W. Jones and Dr. B. L. Keeney, and they were both members of the old five-person Game and Fish Commission. At the January 1931 meeting, Jones invited the Commission to visit a site near Dawson Springs, which he proposed buying for use as a game refuge. By March, commissioners decided to acquire the property and name it the Jones-Keeney Game Refuge. The area is now called the Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area” (Kentucky Afield, 2002).

In the early 1900’s the nearby city of Dawson Springs once thrived with numerous mineral resorts and spas, and   people came from all over the United States to soak in the healing waters. When people weren’t taking advantage of the natural springs and cultural amenities, they were out hiking the surrounding countryside. One highly visited natural wonder was the Dawson Cliffs, which is a prominent feature found on the property of the Jones-Keeney WMA.

In the book Hopkins County, Lisa D. Piper states, “The Dawson Cliffs became the place where hikers chiseled out their name and the date of their visit on the rocks. It was around this area that sights like Point Lookout, Counterfeiter’s Cave, and Bandit’s Cave were found” (p. 92). Many of these notable landmarks have been forever preserved in old postcards from the era, including what the locals call Saltpeter Cave. This massive rock shelter, along with its beautiful waterfall, can be accessed by hiking the trail leading southwest away from the second gravel parking lot on the right.

In the springtime the fields surrounding the trail to Saltpeter Cave are strewn with daffodils, leading the locals to call this area “Buttercup Hill.” In the vicinity of Buttercup Hill lies a rare rock formation called a waterfall natural bridge; and there is actually a small waterfall directly behind it, which creates a stream that flows beneath the structure. There is no marked trail leading to the natural bridge; and since there is presently no graffiti at this site, I hope to keep it that way by not specifying its exact location. The whereabouts of this natural feature will be left to the avid explorer.

The history of the Jones-Keeney WMA predates the Dawson Cliff explorers of the early 1900’s. Dawson Springs was originally named Tradewater Station. In the 2005 “Master Tourism Plan” of the Dawson Springs Economic Development Group, it is stated that Native Americans once used the present day Dawson Springs site, located along  the Tradewater River, as a place for trading; and that there is a two hundred seventy acre Native American site located near the Jones-Keeney WMA. Therefore, Native Americans likely enjoyed exploring the cliffs and natural features as well.

Beautiful scenery and unique rock formations await visitors of the Jones-Keeney WMA. Please be careful, as there are high cliffs that create a falling hazard. Saltpeter Cave contains graffiti, litter, and rock climbing bolts. Please do not contribute to the degradation of this natural wonder. Remember to “take only pictures” and “leave only footprints.” Respect and conservation of this site should contribute to keeping its access open to the public for generations to come.