Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area offers 170,000-acres of outdoor activities and environmental learning between Barkley and Kentucky Lakes in western KY/TN. Enjoy hundreds of miles of bike, hike, horse, hunt, and off-highway vehicle trails. Campgrounds and picnic areas offer lake access to swim, boat, and bank fish. Get up close to owls, foxes, bobcats, and other rescued native wildlife at Woodlands Nature Station. Experience life on an 1850’s farm with period animals, crops, and hand-made tools at The Homeplace. Drive the 700 acre Elk & Bison Prairie to view native plants and wildlife. Daily shows at the Golden Pond Planetarium bring outer space to life in a 40-foot dome theater. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service.See more..
4.5Bernheim Arboretum & Forest(250 reviews) - Signs of spring in the air plus the gift shop and Isaac’s Cafe is open. Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is a private, non-profit educational and recreational nature preserve located 20 minutes from the Louisville airport in Kentucky. Bernheim, founded in 1929 by philanthropist Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, opened to the public in 1950. More than 200,000 annual visitors connect with nature by enjoying over 32 miles of hiking trails, a Canopy Tree Walk, a Children’s Play Garden, year-round educational programs and events. Bernheim, steward to 14,500 acres of natural lands, includes a nationally-recognized, 600-acre arboretum designed by the landscape architecture firm of Frederick Law Olmsted. The arboretum contains over 8,000 plant species including the renowned Hubbuch Holly Collection. Bernheim has won numerous awards on sustainability initiatives including LEED® Platinum for the Visitor Center, which was the first Platinum award in Kentucky and surrounding five-state region. Isaac Cafe is open from 11-4 daily and serves soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts.See more..
4.5Raven Run Nature Sanctuary(198 reviews) - Green Trail is Easiest Walk to the River Outlook Nature & Wildlife Areas
Don your walking or hiking shoes and follow the trails through this 350-acre tract of land complete with forests, creeks, meadows, wildflowers and historic and geological landmarks.See more..
We were needing a little adventure on our long trip from Maryland to Missouri. This gem was only a few minutes out of our way and we are so glad we stopped. $5 to get into a little museum and access to live animals in their very natural setting. There are also hiking trails. We had the place to ourselves on a Wednesday at 2 pm. If you have kids or just like animals yourself you have to stop here. The museum has live displays and all sorts of interesting info. Staff was very friendly. We loved seeing the black bear up close, the bobcat, the hellbender and the bobwhites. What a treat!See more..
Come and visit Ashford Stud, international breeding giant Coolmore’s home in the Blue Grass. Coolmore also have large operations in Ireland and Australia, making us one of the biggest bloodstock players globally. Behind Ashford’s historic stone walls you will find some of the most sought-after horseflesh in the world as well as a storied history. Our iconic stallion barns are home to Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic hero AMERICAN PHAROAH along with the likes of Kentucky Derby winner FUSAICHI PEGASUS and record breaking freshman sire UNCLE MO. Come and see why Coolmore’s farms around the world have earned the moniker of the Home of Champions. We do our best to let fans see American Pharoah and our other champions, however, no guarantees can be made for any particular tour - showings are pending the health and welfare of the animals. For the same reason, we're unable to allow feeding of the horses during tours. No pets are allowed on property.See more..
The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is a must visit if you are in the Lake Cumberland Area. It is located near the dam and the campground and makes for a great morning or afternoon activity. Kids love it as well! See more..
This is such a beautiful place to visit and spend a little time with nature. At the entrance are some original log cabins that have historical significance to the community. There are walking trails, both flat or as hilly as you can handle. The creek running through is calming and cooling. I’ve attended several weddings and several picnics here in the pavilions. So pretty!See more..
5.0Nada Tunnel(76 reviews) - awsome. Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
The tunnel was so neat, dark, cool and so much fun to go through. You had to see if anyone was coming threw because there is only room for one vehicle. Of course you had to use your headlight to see because it is dark in there so someone could also see you if you were driving through. See more..
Just when I thought we wouldn't see anything, we turned the corner and saw a big herd of bison. It was cool to see them so up close. They did block the road for 15 to 20 minutes. Then we saw one elk on the way out. We went at 10 am but the sign says to get there earlier for the best viewing (like 6-8am). It was well worth the $5 per car.See more..
4.5Woodlands Nature Station(35 reviews) - We enjoyed this nature center! Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Although small this nature center was so enjoyable. The staff inside & out were wonderful. Just the people you need in a place like this. We enjoyed the interaction & talk about Bob cats. We got see one up close. We were delighted with the interaction with "ranger" who gave us good info about this beautiful animal. The other animals were a bit shy but we did see foxes, deer, turkey, owls and the such. We loved the butterfly & bird area. The store inside had some lovely items. We were even able to pick up some wild flower seeds. We got a colorful booklet for fifty cents on wild flowers. So enjoyed talking with the very informed staff too. See more..
Love the beautifully landscaped arboretum! Close to MSU and well maintained. Take your dog and walk the sidewalks. It’s always a peaceful place to spend time with friends and family.See more..
4.5Jefferson Memorial Forest(32 reviews) - See Wildflowers, Plants, and Trees Monday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
The place provides an unusual experience. The place is an urban forest. With its rough, craggy topography users will need some time to move across its landscape. It provides an experience of being away from the look of the urban environment and the suburbs. There are few opportunities for seating once in the forest. Weary users will have a difficult time finding a spot to rest.See more..
4.5Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area(24 reviews) - Beautiful scenery, lots to do, trails everywhere, fishing, hiking, camping, etc. Nature & Wildlife Areas
Otter Creek Recreational Area is an awesome place to get in touch with nature and get away from whatever you're wanting to escape from. There is so much to do here and there is even a frisbee golf course in there! Some of the best hiking and it's easy to just hike cross country in the higher up areas where the underbrush is not as thick. Campsites that accommodate different types of campers (tents or RVs) and folks who fish there often pull out ver large trout. I go there to geocache and hike. There are over 70 geocaches scattered all over the place in there of varying levels of difficulty. I've found just over 30 so far so I've got a lot of visits in front of me. A day pass is only $3 and well worth it from my perspective. You can also get an annual pass to have even more access. If you like the great outdoors, give this place a try. There is more to do out there than you're probably thinking and I am sure you won't regret it!See more..
The hike to Bad Branch Falls is an absolutely beautiful one. We went on a warm April Saturday with pretty much perfect weather. The entire trail follows the stream until you reach the falls, so you have the music of trickling water to accompany you as you walk through the woods, which are filled with mountain laurel and hemlocks. The trail is of average difficulty until you reach the fork to continue up the mountain to the High Rock loop or veer to the right to head on to the falls. Almost immediately, the trail gets much more strenuous, with increased elevation and lots of rocks to climb over. However, it is well worth the extra work to get to the falls. They are absolutely lovely and so tall that it is nearly impossible to get the whole falls in one picture. It is a hike that is definitely worthy of two hours of your time.See more..
It was a beautiful drive back to park. I enjoyed hiking the blue trail and sat for awhile at the pond and enjoyed the sun, birds, and breeze. I didnt mind paying a fee as it cost money to keep up these parks and I found the experience very relaxing. The bird blind was great as well. Plan to visit again.See more..
The John Holder trail goes up and down hills and has a nice rolling creek to cross and skip rocks. Old and interesting rock fences and remains can be found along the well marked and maintained trail. Pick up the map at the trail head or print from the website for information on the markers found along the trail.See more..
Lilley Cornett Woods is a must see if you have any interest in old growth forestry. Robert was our guide and he did an excellent job answering all of our questions while also maintaining a pace that was manageable for us. The hike is moderate in difficulty, but worth the effort given the scenery. The short trail took about 3.5 hours. I look forward to going back and attempting the long trail. I highly recommend this trip.See more..
We stayed here over Fathers Day weekend. Our first trip to the are and we were pleasantly surprised. The campground had only 30 sites, a boat ramp, playground, dump station and plenty of area to hike around Lake Cumberland. The best part was the views from the campsites, overlooking the lake. The area was peaceful and quiet, allowing for a relaxing sunset. The sites were large and nestled on the edge of the water. The sites were graveled and well protected with railings. All of the sites were on a hill, downward slope towards the lake. However, the COE did an excellent job making the sites level. It is amazing. The only issue is that you may have to back up a small incline to get into the sites. But again, the sites themselves were level. Don Cummings and his wife, the camp hosts, made our stay even more enjoyable. Kind, always smiling and always there to help in anyway they could. This is definitely off the beaten path but it is a hidden gem. We plan to return and stay a lot longer.See more..
We did this hike before heading home. We didnt realize how steep it would be and so it took us longer than expected. Me and my husband are in our 50's and were so proud to reach the top. We took the grand babies and they really enjoyed it too. The view from the top is spectacular. See more..
We are a working alpaca farm with a fiber mill, and farm store. Come feed the alpacas and learn why their fiber has been revered for thousands of years. In our fiber mill you will see how we turn nearly 200# of fiber each year into finished products. Our farm store not only offers alpaca products and yarns, we have locally handcrafted gifts, and even a few collectibles. Tours by appt. year round.See more..
I stumbled across Jeffers Bend during my search for places featuring butterfly gardens. Although I was not able to see butterflies, I was pleasantly surprised to see the dragonflies, damselflies, and darners along the path leading to the water. There is also an outdoor observatory for bird lovers as well as a botanical garden. If you are in the mood for fishing, there are plenty of opportunities to do so as well. There is no charge to visit.See more..
4.5The Great Saltpetre Cave(4 reviews) - A Must See!!!! Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Caverns & Caves
Who even knew it was here!!! Open once a year, third weekend of May in Rockcastle County, an amazing cave! Free admissions and free food!!!! A must visit ! See more..
5.0LITTLE BIG ATV TOURS(3 reviews) - Outdoor fun Monday: Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests • Off-Road & ATV Trails
Little Big ATV Tours offers a one hour guided ATV ride through our 350 acre property viewing nature and wildlife.See more..
4.0Cummins Nature Preserve(3 reviews) - Perfection Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas No litter. The most meticulously maintained park I’ve ever been to. Benches to rest on on trails. Very well marked trails. Love it!!!!!See more..
3.5Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge(3 reviews) - Come And See The Kentucky Warbler And The Indigo Buntings! Monday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
This May my wife and I were able to travel here and we enjoyed both the nice weather and the beauty of the refuge. This NWR is located in the western tip of Kentucky near the town of Benton. It was established as one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the region. We very much enjoyed driving the interpretive auto tour and learning about the refuge. We walked some trails and enjoyed interacting with the refuge staff at the visitor center. The refuge also offers fishing, hunting and we utilized the observation deck for photographic opportunities. Come and bring your family (especially children), binoculars, camera and see what this region of Kentucky has to offer. This is a beautiful refuge and is certainly filled with an abundance of wildlife.See more..
Options of both cliffs to climb with rope and hilly courses to choose from for a safe and close by The track markers are less than great so pay attention where you turned off See more..
5.0US Army Corps of Engineers Litt Carr Campground(2 reviews) - Great place to camp Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas We stayed here for 4-nights in our 37-foot class A motor-home, May 30-June 3, 2016. All of the sites are back-in, and have water and electric, with a few that have full hook ups. Our site was a full hook up, all cement so very level. There is a picnic table, a taller prep table, a grill and fire pit on each site. The sites are generous in size and angled so that you are not right next to your neighbor. The entire campground is extremely well maintained and the river runs down one side of it. There are three playscape areas, places to dock a boat, and benches along the river to sit and rest on. The bathrooms, showers and laundry room were very clean. It was nice and quiet at night. Marie, the camp host is helpful and friendly.See more..
Lovely little trail right in town. Easy walk for young and old alike. Trail has a small stream and bridge. See more..
5.0Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary(1 review) - Hidden Gem Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas This is a great location that rehabs injured local wildlife. The animals were well cared for and those that can not be released back into the wild have a permanent home here. You do need to call in advance as they only schedule tours on an as required basis and don't have regular hours. Julie was the employee that took us around to see all the rescued birds they have including, falcons, owls, hawks, etc. They also get local mammals like raccoons and foxes on occasion. They only ask for a small donation per person and that goes to help feed and care for all the animals. If you are in the area, make sure to reserve a tour, if you are an animal lover like us, it will be worthwhile.See more..
5.0Horine Reservation(1 review) - Great hiking trails and camping too. Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas We walk and hike the trails here regularly. The views and trails are great walking with our dog. There is almost no one around on week days (my favorite time). But even on weekends there are sometimes events happening and fun to interact. Some of the trails are steep and are color coded for rating. All are travel-able by most. Bathrooms are outhouse style. Park is always clean. You can even camp here. It is off the beaten path to find but worth it. The drive up through the hills is half the enjoyment. I bring my jeep up as slow as I can just to watch the enjoyment of my dog enjoying the ride up hanging halfway out the window. The park in the background has a community center which is open to the public for a meeting place. The view from the back porch is amazing and overlooks the top of the mountain. There is a sitting bench in the front and a Pokemon Stop there.See more..
5.0Boone County Cliffs State Nature Preserve(1 review) - Hiking in Kentucky Nature & Wildlife Areas First, the parking area holds about 6 cars so if it is full, you might want to do the trails at Middle Creek Park or Dinsmore Nature Preserve and come back. The hike was great! Spectacular winter views (not as good in summer). We hiked counter-clockwise to avoid steep downhills -- I recommend counter-clockwise. the trail is a very distinct path, not wide. Once on the ridge(s) the views were simply open and beautiful. We took about 1:20 for the 2.3 mile loop. Very informative botany signs and lots of benches for taking in the scenery. Thank you, Nature Conservancy for this site! Invasive report: lots of Japanese (vine) honeysuckle, garlic mustard, and bush honeysuckle. Scattered privet.See more..
4.0Fagan Branch Reservoir(1 review) - Nice experience but could have been better . Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Fagan Branch Reservoir and walk the 3.2-mile Cecil L. Gorley Naturalist Walking Trail or bring your rod for great fishing. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Lebanon, this is a no fuel lake that allows for canoes, sail boats or fishing boats with electric motors. The Reservoir possesses trout year round.See more..
1.0Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge(1 review) - Not a place to visit Nature & Wildlife Areas Not somewhere to visit, I don't know why this is listed as something to do. Drove out here since it's one of the few "things to do" in the area, 3 people sitting there told me you have to have an appointment. There is no information to indicate that on their website, nor is there a number to call so I don't know how anyone could know that.See more..
