Wolfe County (KY) Search and Rescue Team said they located Scott Hern, 48, on Saturday after 14 days, and 12 days without any food or water, according to a social media post.
Rescue officials said they learned from his diary that he had visited Bell Falls, along Highway 715.
They had previously searched the area but did a more thorough check.
Officials said they found a shoe print and evidence of a walking stick in a rarely traveled area.
As they went up the creek, they heard someone yell for help before a five-person team found Hern up a steep embankment, the social media post said.
They asked the Kentucky State Police to conduct a hoist operation to extract Hern.
“It is truly a miracle that Mr. Hern was found after 14 days and 12 days without any food or water,” Wolfe County Search & Rescue said. “We were persistent in our search, but hope was fading.”