The Daniel Boone National Forest is the only national forest completely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It comprises two purchase units, the original one trending south-north along the Pottsville escarpment east of central Kentucky, and the Redbird Purchase Unit, in southeastern Kentucky. The Jefferson National Forest also has a small area in Kentucky.

The Daniel Boone forest includes the Red River Gorge Geologic Area, popular with hikers, campers, and rock climbers.

The Daniel Boone forest was named after Daniel Boone, a frontiersman and explorer in the late eighteenth century.