Beauty is everywhere you turn -- in the people, the farms, hills, cliffs, lake, and trails. You can see how sightseeing is a must! Menifee County has much to offer in outdoor recreation and businesses. Menifee County is located in the midst of Daniel Boone National Forest between the 8,270 acre Cave Run Lake and the Red River Gorge.
Menifee became the Commonwealth's 113th county in 1869 when it was formed from the adjoining counties of Bath, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell, and Wolfe counties. Menifee was named after Richard H. Menefee, a well-regarded statesman and successful lawyer. Mr. Menefee was serving in the state legislature when he ran for Congress in 1837 and defeated Judge Richard French in a vigorous campaign. Mr. French was equally well known and admired; and his name was chosen for the county seat, Frenchburg.
Mr. Menefee's untimely death in 1841 at the age of 31 ended a successful career. He was the youngest person in Kentucky and perhaps in the nation to have a county named for him. The misspelling of the county name occurred in the legislature when the county was chartered.
About Menifee County
Scenic Menifee County is nestled within the Daniel Boone National Forest, and visitors from all over the country come to Cave Run Lake on the county's northern border for camping, boating, fishing, and hunting.
Much of the Red River Gorge Geological Area is found within Menifee County, which is now home to the Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning Center. Visitors to the center will learn about the cultural heritage, unique resources and spectacular geology found in the area.