the Barrens

region, Kentucky, United States

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Barrens was a region in Kentucky, United States, characterized by grasslands that resulted from the continuous burning of forest cover by local populations. This practice aimed to create open areas for deer and buffalo. The Barrens is part of the larger Pennyrile region in Kentucky, known for its caves and limestone deposits. This area is now part of the Land of Ten Thousand Sinks, which includes Mammoth Cave.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Kentucky
Relief
…an area once known as the Barrens—in reference to a condition caused by the continuous burning off of forest cover by the local population to make grasslands for deer and buffalo. Most notably, it is a region of caves. Abundant waters, both surface and underground, and the limestones deposited during…
Read More
…an area once known as the Barrens—in reference to a condition caused by the continuous burning off of forest cover by the local population to make grasslands for deer and buffalo. Most notably, it is a region of caves. Abundant waters, both surface and underground, and the limestones deposited during…
Read More