12 Natural Hidden Gems In Louisville Most People Don't Know Even Exist
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Myan Mai
Author
If you’re not from the city, you may not realize that Louisville is filled with such beautiful scenery. We’re lucky to be able to drive 15 minutes to visit an amazing park rather than over an hour, as we have so many natural gems tucked away in every corner of the city. Read this list below whether you’re from Louisville or just looking– you may learn about a few hidden gems in Louisville, KY you couldn’t imagine existing right here in the city.
1. Broad Run Park
Broad Run Park, 11551 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40291, USA
Enjoy these beautiful yellow meadows hidden in Broad Run Park. Located in Southeast Louisville, this 600-acre park is filled with breathtaking flowers, trees, creeks, and hiking trails to access them.
Head to Broad Run Park in Louisville, KY for a peaceful nature getaway in this video from @WiRoadtrippers:
Head to Broad Run Park in Louisville, KY for a peaceful nature getaway in this video from @WiRoadtrippers:
2. McNeely Lake Park
McNeely Lake Park, 10500 Cedar Creek Rd, Louisville, KY 40229, USA
McNeely Lake is a great place to spend time with family and grill, fish, or just view the beautiful surrounding scenery. Watch a beautiful waterfall flow at McNeely Park and take a walk on the tranquil trails here.
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3. Bernheim Forest
Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, USA
Take a walk through this 15,625-acre arboretum, forest, and nature preserve located in Clermont, Kentucky just outside of Louisville. The wildlife in the Bernheim Forest will remind you why Kentucky is such an amazing state to live in.
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4. Iroquois Park
Iroquois Park, 2120 Rundill Rd, Louisville, KY 40214
Enjoy this vista and skyline of Louisville in Iroquois Park at the overlook here. Hiking up to the overlook is a beautiful experience in itself as you are surrounded by tall, vibrant trees and other plants.
5. Fisherman's Park
Fisherman's Park, 5607 Old Heady Rd, Louisville, KY 40299, USA
Fisherman's Park is a beautiful, quiet place to relax and fish. These waters are home to rainbow trout, catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish. It is one of many city, county, and state parks in Kentucky that offer a peaceful place to relax.
6. Falls of the Ohio State Park
Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129, USA
The Falls of the Ohio have amazing fossil rock beds to view, which makes this place one of the coolest natural wonders around Louisville. The 386-million-year-old fossil beds are among the largest exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world.
Learn more about the Falls of the Ohio State Park in this video from Adventures with Roger:
Learn more about the Falls of the Ohio State Park in this video from Adventures with Roger:
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7. Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park
Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park, 3730 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40207, USA
The Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park provides some of the most beautiful views of the Ohio River. It's a great place to take a relaxing walk and watch the soothing water.
8. Louisville Mega Caverns
Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
The Mega Cavern may not seem natural, but it's an interesting place to view Kentucky's limestone formations while having a fun time. Bring your friends and family to experience an exciting day with a trolley tour inside this awesome natural gem.
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9. Cherokee Park
Cherokee Park, 745 Cochran Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40206, USA
Hidden in Louisville, Cherokee Park is one of the closest parks to the city's center you can find to immerse yourself in nature. With many trails, open fields, picnic areas, and play and spray grounds, this park has it all.
10. Henry's Ark Zoo
Note: Unfortunately Henry's Ark has permanently closed, but the Louisville Zoo is always a fun place to meet and greet wild animals.
Meet incredible animals in this small zoo surrounded by Kentucky nature! Henry's Ark is a free zoo, and the perfect outdoor place to enjoy with your family. Donations are encouraged and vegetables should be packed to feed the animals.
Meet incredible animals in this small zoo surrounded by Kentucky nature! Henry's Ark is a free zoo, and the perfect outdoor place to enjoy with your family. Donations are encouraged and vegetables should be packed to feed the animals.
11. Falling Rock Quarry
Falling Rock Quarry, 2201 Fendley Mill Rd, La Grange, KY 40031
Falling Rock Quarry is a beautiful natural spot to relax and float around in during the summer. It's the cleanest natural body of water in Louisville to swim in, but requires you to bring a flotation device and a pay $35 entrance fee.
12. Big Rock Park
Big Rock Park, 2199 Park Boundary Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Big Rock Park's creek is a natural spot many people like to wade, swim, and dive in during the summer. It's a wonderful little park to have a picnic with the family.
Learn more about Big Rock Park in Cherokee Park near Louisville, KY and why we need help keep our parks clean in this video from Olmsted Parks Conservancy:
Learn more about Big Rock Park in Cherokee Park near Louisville, KY and why we need help keep our parks clean in this video from Olmsted Parks Conservancy:
Have you visited all of these hidden gems in Louisville, KY, or were some a surprise to learn about? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! If you liked this article about Louisville’s nature, you’ll love these incredible waterfalls found right here in the city.
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More to Explore
Hidden Gems In Louisville And Beyond
What are the best hidden gems in KY?
There are many wonderful natural areas in Kentucky. We hear a lot about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Mammoth Cave, but there is more to discover. Here are a few of the best hidden gems in KY that you may not have heard about:
- Louisville Mega Cavern, Louisville, KY: Mammoth Cave gets a lot of attention in Kentucky, but there is another cave system near Louisville that is just as fascinating to explore. A journey through Mega Cavern isn't your typical cave tour - this one lets you zoom through the cave on a zip line! There is also a unique ropes course that is the only underground aerial ropes course in the world.
- Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood, KY: This wonderful hidden gem in Kentucky started as a private nursery and garden owned by Theodore Klein in the 1940s. It is now a leading arboretum for plant study and research that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The gardens are a beautiful location to enjoy a walk or even hold a special get-together at the "castle" and castle-like building used for weddings and special events.
- McConnell Springs, Lexington, KY: Another quiet place to escape in nature is this oasis in the heart of Lexington. If you have an afternoon to spare, take some time out of your busy day to enjoy a walk in this very special spot. One of the highlights is the Blue Hole, one of two natural springs in the area with a striking blue color due to the unique blend of minerals in the soil and the shallow depth of the pool.
One of the best ways to discover new hidden gems in Kentucky is by taking a road trip. Grab an RV from RVShare and check out some of the best little-known places in Kentucky with this pre-planned itinerary.