Zilpo Road is in the forested hills of eastern Kentucky approximately 60 miles east of Lexington. The short, nine-mile byway ends on the western shore of Cave Run Lake at the Zilpo Recreation Area. It follows FSR 918, which is a wide two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The byway is open year-round.
Zilpo Road is a ridgetop route running through the hardwood forests of Daniel Boone National Forest. The road is a wide, gently curving road among trees that offer beautiful colors of orange, red, and gold during autumn. Wildlife observers will want to stay alert and be looking for white-tailed deer foraging among the woods. The patient observer may also see an occasional wild turkey. Woodpeckers, owls, and whippoorwills make their presence known within the forest. Hawks, osprey, and the bald eagle can also be seen soaring on the wind currents.
Cave Run Lake is perhaps the main attraction of this byway. It is a 7,390-acre lake constructed on the Licking River by the Corps of Engineers. The lake provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. The Zilpo Recreation Area is a 355-acre park offering 172 wooded campsites, some with hookups. Facilities include restrooms with showers, a boat ramp, swimming beach, drinking water, walking trails, and two dump stations. On the other side of the lake is the 700-acre Twin Knobs Recreation Area. Each of the 277 campsites found here will accommodate large recreational vehicles or tents. Restrooms with showers, a swimming beach, and walking trails are among the facilities offered. Weekly programs are offered at the amphitheater.
A smaller, more primitive camping area is found near the beginning of the byway, the Clear Creek Campground. This campground has 21 units with picnic tables and chemical toilets.
The Zilpo Road scenic byway runs through the heart of the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area. This 7,480-acre area provides hunters the opportunity to experience hunting the way Daniel Boone did years ago. Hunting is limited to pioneer weapons such as the bow and arrow, cross bow, and black powder firearms.