Kentucky has some stunning parks, but Louisville is pretty lucky to be surrounded by many of the most beautiful parks that our state has to offer! These 11 amazing state parks in Kentucky are all less than 100 miles from Louisville, which makes them perfect places to visit for memorable day trips and epic weekend getaways!

  1. Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve

Retired Username/Wikipedia Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is a 41-acre park located just outside of Louisville, and it’s a total hidden gem. It is named for Beargrass Creek, the south fork of which passes along the northern side of the preserve. A beautiful place to hike, the park features two miles of picturesque trails, offering Louisville residents a beautiful reprieve and escape from the hustle and bustle of Kentucky’s largest city. Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve, Louisville, KY 40213, USA

  1. McNeely Lake Park

Yelp / Kathy V. McNeely Lake Park is a large metro park that offers access to a beautiful fishing lake open to boaters, as well tons of other recreation activities, including hiking and horseback trails, sport courts, a golf course, swimming areas, and a Korean War Memorial. Pack a picnic and bring along some friends for a relaxing afternoon in the park! McNeely Lake Park Road, McNeely Lk Pk Rd, Louisville, KY 40229, USA

Flickr / Vicky Vinch ON/OFF McNeely Lake Park is located at 10500 Cedar Creek Rd, Louisville, KY, 40229.

  1. E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park

Flickr / Erik Eckel This 550-acre Kentucky state park near Louisville was opened in 1947 and offers tons of activities and opportunities to folks who visit. While many people come here to use the gymnasium, sport courts, and playing fields, the one-mile fitness trail and 1.25-mile nature trail provide a beautiful spot to enjoy this little oasis in the middle of the city. It’s fun to stop and watch the little planes zipping overhead at the model airplane airfield, and you can even bring your furry friends along to play in the dog park. E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40241, USA

Flickr / Vicky Vinch ON/OFF E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is located at 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY, 40241.

  1. Beckley Creek Park

Flickr / Shannon Tompkins Beckley Creek Park is part of the Parklands of Floyds Fork and is a popular spot for kayakers and canoers to launch and explore the beautiful waterways and for fisherman to toss out a line in the creek and ponds. The beautiful 22-acre Egg Lawn is a commonly used spot for fun events and the Marshall Playground & Sprayground is an awesome spot to bring the kiddos on a sunny day. There are also several short trails for walking and cycling throughout the park. Beckley Creek Parkway, Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY, USA

Yelp / Matt C. Beckley Creek Park is located at 1411 Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY.

  1. Knob State Forest & Wildlife Management Area

Flickr / Tom Gill Knob State Forest is open for day use, welcoming hikers and wildlife-watchers to come and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. There are four short marked trails in the area, three of which can be accessed from parking areas along Crooked Creek Road. The Wildlife Management Area also allows hunting opportunities for wild turkey, quail, rabbit, squirrel, and deer (although there is a non-firearm restriction for deer hunting) with permits in season. Knobs State Forest, 1006 Audubon Dr, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, USA

Flickr / Tom Gill Knobs State Forest is located at 1006 Audubon Dr, Shepherdsville, KY, 40165,

  1. Taylorsville Lake State Park

Yelp / Joseph T. This 1,200-acre park is about halfway between Louisville and Lexington and is a wonderful spot to bring along your fishing gear and try to catch dinner! Bass, bluegill, and crappie are common in Taylorsville Lake. If you aren’t a fisherman (or just aren’t patient enough to watch your line) there is still tons to do here! With more than 24 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to explore, you’re sure to find yourself an adventure around the lake. There is also a campground with both tent sites and RV hookups if you want to extend a day trip into a fun little weekend getaway! Taylorsville Lake State Park, 1320 Park Rd, Mt Eden, KY 40046, USA

Yelp / Kelly Y. Taylorsville Lake State Park is located about 40 minutes east of Louisville at 1320 Park Rd, Mt Eden, KY, 40046.

  1. General Butler State Resort Park

Yelp / Donna T. While the beautiful lodge at General Butler State Resort Park is definitely a centerpiece, there is plenty to do here, even if you don’t plan to stay overnight. Birdwatching is a popular activity here, as many beautiful migratory birds make a stop here along their journey. Hawks, owls, and woodpeckers call this area home all year long, but in the fall and winter, you can see Canada geese, Great Blue Herons, wild turkeys, and several types of ducks and waterfowl. Spring brings out lovely little songbirds, doves, robins, sparrows, and goldfinch, as well as vibrant Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.

The 4.5-mile Fossil Trail is a popular spot to go mountain biking, but it’s a moderately difficult trail that is best for experienced riders. There are several short nature trails to enjoy, as well as boating and fishing on Butler Lake, which is stocked with bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. General Butler State Resort Park, Kentucky 227, Carrollton, KY, USA

Yelp / Cynthia K. General Butler State Resort Park is located about 50 minutes north of Louisville at 1608 Kentucky 227, Carrollton, KY, 41008.

  1. Lincoln Homestead State Park

TripAdvisor / jgbtravels Lincoln Homestead State Park should top the list for every history buff! Step back in time and see the original home occupied by President Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, as well as a reconstructed blacksmithing workshop used by Lincoln’s father, Thomas. The 1780s-era structures are beautiful in their rugged simplicity and offer a unique look into life more than 200 years ago. While the grounds are open year-round, the cabins are closed from October through April to protect them during the winter months. Lincoln Homestead State Park, 5079 Lincoln Park Rd, Springfield, KY 40069, USA

TripAdvisor / ampd333 Lincoln Homestead State Park is located about an hour southeast of Louisville at 5079 Lincoln Park Rd, Springfield, KY, 40069.

  1. Big Bone Lick State Park

Flickr / albedo20 This is one very cool state park! Big Bone Lick State Park was named for the incredible prehistoric fossils found in the area, which is thought to have once been a salt lick. Fossils of mammoths and large ancestral species to modern-era bison, horses, and sloths have been pulled from the earth here since the late 1700s. Big Bone Lick State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1962 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2009. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, USA

Flickr / PunkToad You definitely do not want to miss the Visitor Center here; it houses incredible exhibits featuring some of the ancient fossils found in the area, archeological and historical information, and beautiful Native American art. There are several nature trails throughout the park, including a wheelchair accessible boardwalk called the Discovery Trail that winds through grassland, wetland, and savannah habitats. There is also a herd of American Bison living here!

Big Bone Lick State Park is located just over an hour northeast of Louisville at 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY, 41091.

  1. Green River Lake State Park

TripAdvisor / VisitCampbellsville This 1,331-acre park is located around the lovely Green River Lake and is a popular spot to go boating and camping during the warmer months. There is a large marina where visitors can rent houseboats, fishing boats, and jet skis and the lake is great for fisherman looking to catch large and small-mouth bass, muskie, bluegill, and crappie. There are 28 miles of multipurpose trails at Green River Lake State Park, ranging from easy mile-long trails to difficult, longer treks. Some trails are open to horses, but all are open to hikers looking to get out and stretch their legs in this beautiful region of the state. Green River Lake State Park, 179 Park Office Rd, Campbellsville, KY 42718, USA

Flickr / LouisvilleUSACE Green River Lake State Park is located about 1.5 hours south of Louisville at 179 Park Office Rd, Campbellsville, KY, 42718.

  1. Mammoth Cave National Park

Flickr / Garden State Hiker We know: Mammoth Cave is technically not a state park (it’s a national park!), but it’s simply too incredible not to include on this list. This unbelievable national park in the Bluegrass is home to the longest cave system in the entire world! Over 400 miles of underground tunnels have been explored, but the 10-million year old cave is still revealing new passageways to this day. Mammoth Cave was (formally) discovered in 1797, but artifacts found inside the cave show that early humans and animals explored the area over 4,000 years ago! The cave is made up mostly of limestone and sandstone and millions of years of erosion have created some absolutely stunning geological formations, including some amazing otherworldly flowstones. Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA

Flickr / Michael Sobota You can head down underground on guided tours through several different sections of Mammoth Cave. You shouldn’t pass up the chance for a guided tour of this world-famous attraction!

Flickr / Stanislav Vitebskiy Mammoth Cave National Park is located about an hour and a half south of Louisville. To get there, head south on I-65 to the Cave City Exit (Exit 53) and take a right onto KY-70. KY-70 becomes Mammoth Cave Parkway, which will lead you right to the Visitor Center!

We really are lucky to be surrounded by such amazing parks. While there are hundreds of beautiful spots around the state, these are just a handful of highlights that are close to Louisville and easy to get to, no matter what type of adventure you’re looking for!

Retired Username/Wikipedia

Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is a 41-acre park located just outside of Louisville, and it’s a total hidden gem. It is named for Beargrass Creek, the south fork of which passes along the northern side of the preserve. A beautiful place to hike, the park features two miles of picturesque trails, offering Louisville residents a beautiful reprieve and escape from the hustle and bustle of Kentucky’s largest city.

Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve, Louisville, KY 40213, USA

Yelp / Kathy V.

McNeely Lake Park is a large metro park that offers access to a beautiful fishing lake open to boaters, as well tons of other recreation activities, including hiking and horseback trails, sport courts, a golf course, swimming areas, and a Korean War Memorial. Pack a picnic and bring along some friends for a relaxing afternoon in the park!

McNeely Lake Park Road, McNeely Lk Pk Rd, Louisville, KY 40229, USA

Flickr / Vicky Vinch ON/OFF

McNeely Lake Park is located at 10500 Cedar Creek Rd, Louisville, KY, 40229.

Flickr / Erik Eckel

This 550-acre Kentucky state park near Louisville was opened in 1947 and offers tons of activities and opportunities to folks who visit. While many people come here to use the gymnasium, sport courts, and playing fields, the one-mile fitness trail and 1.25-mile nature trail provide a beautiful spot to enjoy this little oasis in the middle of the city. It’s fun to stop and watch the little planes zipping overhead at the model airplane airfield, and you can even bring your furry friends along to play in the dog park.

E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40241, USA

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is located at 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY, 40241.

Flickr / Shannon Tompkins

Beckley Creek Park is part of the Parklands of Floyds Fork and is a popular spot for kayakers and canoers to launch and explore the beautiful waterways and for fisherman to toss out a line in the creek and ponds. The beautiful 22-acre Egg Lawn is a commonly used spot for fun events and the Marshall Playground & Sprayground is an awesome spot to bring the kiddos on a sunny day. There are also several short trails for walking and cycling throughout the park.

Beckley Creek Parkway, Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY, USA

Yelp / Matt C.

Beckley Creek Park is located at 1411 Beckley Creek Pkwy, Louisville, KY.

Flickr / Tom Gill

Knob State Forest is open for day use, welcoming hikers and wildlife-watchers to come and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. There are four short marked trails in the area, three of which can be accessed from parking areas along Crooked Creek Road. The Wildlife Management Area also allows hunting opportunities for wild turkey, quail, rabbit, squirrel, and deer (although there is a non-firearm restriction for deer hunting) with permits in season.

Knobs State Forest, 1006 Audubon Dr, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, USA

Knobs State Forest is located at 1006 Audubon Dr, Shepherdsville, KY, 40165,

Yelp / Joseph T.

This 1,200-acre park is about halfway between Louisville and Lexington and is a wonderful spot to bring along your fishing gear and try to catch dinner! Bass, bluegill, and crappie are common in Taylorsville Lake. If you aren’t a fisherman (or just aren’t patient enough to watch your line) there is still tons to do here! With more than 24 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to explore, you’re sure to find yourself an adventure around the lake. There is also a campground with both tent sites and RV hookups if you want to extend a day trip into a fun little weekend getaway!

Taylorsville Lake State Park, 1320 Park Rd, Mt Eden, KY 40046, USA

Yelp / Kelly Y.

Taylorsville Lake State Park is located about 40 minutes east of Louisville at 1320 Park Rd, Mt Eden, KY, 40046.

Yelp / Donna T.

While the beautiful lodge at General Butler State Resort Park is definitely a centerpiece, there is plenty to do here, even if you don’t plan to stay overnight. Birdwatching is a popular activity here, as many beautiful migratory birds make a stop here along their journey. Hawks, owls, and woodpeckers call this area home all year long, but in the fall and winter, you can see Canada geese, Great Blue Herons, wild turkeys, and several types of ducks and waterfowl. Spring brings out lovely little songbirds, doves, robins, sparrows, and goldfinch, as well as vibrant Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.

The 4.5-mile Fossil Trail is a popular spot to go mountain biking, but it’s a moderately difficult trail that is best for experienced riders. There are several short nature trails to enjoy, as well as boating and fishing on Butler Lake, which is stocked with bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.

General Butler State Resort Park, Kentucky 227, Carrollton, KY, USA

Yelp / Cynthia K.

General Butler State Resort Park is located about 50 minutes north of Louisville at 1608 Kentucky 227, Carrollton, KY, 41008.

TripAdvisor / jgbtravels

Lincoln Homestead State Park should top the list for every history buff! Step back in time and see the original home occupied by President Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, as well as a reconstructed blacksmithing workshop used by Lincoln’s father, Thomas. The 1780s-era structures are beautiful in their rugged simplicity and offer a unique look into life more than 200 years ago. While the grounds are open year-round, the cabins are closed from October through April to protect them during the winter months.

Lincoln Homestead State Park, 5079 Lincoln Park Rd, Springfield, KY 40069, USA

TripAdvisor / ampd333

Lincoln Homestead State Park is located about an hour southeast of Louisville at 5079 Lincoln Park Rd, Springfield, KY, 40069.

Flickr / albedo20

This is one very cool state park! Big Bone Lick State Park was named for the incredible prehistoric fossils found in the area, which is thought to have once been a salt lick. Fossils of mammoths and large ancestral species to modern-era bison, horses, and sloths have been pulled from the earth here since the late 1700s. Big Bone Lick State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1962 and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2009.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, USA

Flickr / PunkToad

You definitely do not want to miss the Visitor Center here; it houses incredible exhibits featuring some of the ancient fossils found in the area, archeological and historical information, and beautiful Native American art. There are several nature trails throughout the park, including a wheelchair accessible boardwalk called the Discovery Trail that winds through grassland, wetland, and savannah habitats. There is also a herd of American Bison living here!

Big Bone Lick State Park is located just over an hour northeast of Louisville at 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY, 41091.

TripAdvisor / VisitCampbellsville

This 1,331-acre park is located around the lovely Green River Lake and is a popular spot to go boating and camping during the warmer months. There is a large marina where visitors can rent houseboats, fishing boats, and jet skis and the lake is great for fisherman looking to catch large and small-mouth bass, muskie, bluegill, and crappie. There are 28 miles of multipurpose trails at Green River Lake State Park, ranging from easy mile-long trails to difficult, longer treks. Some trails are open to horses, but all are open to hikers looking to get out and stretch their legs in this beautiful region of the state.

Green River Lake State Park, 179 Park Office Rd, Campbellsville, KY 42718, USA

Flickr / LouisvilleUSACE

Green River Lake State Park is located about 1.5 hours south of Louisville at 179 Park Office Rd, Campbellsville, KY, 42718.

Flickr / Garden State Hiker

We know: Mammoth Cave is technically not a state park (it’s a national park!), but it’s simply too incredible not to include on this list. This unbelievable national park in the Bluegrass is home to the longest cave system in the entire world! Over 400 miles of underground tunnels have been explored, but the 10-million year old cave is still revealing new passageways to this day. Mammoth Cave was (formally) discovered in 1797, but artifacts found inside the cave show that early humans and animals explored the area over 4,000 years ago! The cave is made up mostly of limestone and sandstone and millions of years of erosion have created some absolutely stunning geological formations, including some amazing otherworldly flowstones.

Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA

Flickr / Michael Sobota

You can head down underground on guided tours through several different sections of Mammoth Cave. You shouldn’t pass up the chance for a guided tour of this world-famous attraction!

Flickr / Stanislav Vitebskiy

Mammoth Cave National Park is located about an hour and a half south of Louisville. To get there, head south on I-65 to the Cave City Exit (Exit 53) and take a right onto KY-70. KY-70 becomes Mammoth Cave Parkway, which will lead you right to the Visitor Center!

What are your favorite Kentucky state parks to visit near Louisville? Did we miss any of your can’t-miss spots? Share your thoughts and favorite locations with us in the comments below!

For another beautiful place to explore in Kentucky’s largest city, check out this beautiful park that boasts the best views of downtown Louisville!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

State parks to visit near Louisville February 11, 2022 Sarah M. What’s the most famous park in Kentucky? Kentucky is world-famous for Mammoth Cave National Park, and it’s truly a bucket-list destination. A network of underground passageways and tunnels that forms the longest cave system in the entire world, Mammoth Cave is home to over 130 species of wildlife and almost every type of cave formation, making it the world’s most diverse series of caverns. It’s amazing, and a huge point of pride for us here in Kentucky! What are some other beautiful places to visit near Louisville? While we definitely think you should plan to visit all of the above state parks near Louisville, the Bluegrass State is also home to numerous other spots where you can revel in our lovely landscape. Iroquois Park Overlook is one of them. A popular place for all sorts of festivals and events, this park is also a wonderful day trip destination for those looking to escape in nature for a bit. The overlook is located just a stone’s throw from Kentucky’s largest city; from the top of this perch, you’ll enjoy picture-perfect panoramas of Louisville for miles and miles. The path is short — just 1.2 miles — and the views are expansive. If you’re looking for a beautiful, short-and-sweet hike in Kentucky, this is it! What are some hidden gem parks near Louisville? We are partial to the new Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail, and think it belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket list! It’s just two miles long, and connects two Kentucky State Parks: the Historic Cherokee Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. But this trail does so much more than merely bridge two formerly disparate parks. Named after long-time Kentucky Park Superintendent Coach Lester Mimms, this trail is significant for numerous reasons. Cherokee State Park was originally a blacks-only state park, created to complement the then-whites-only Kentucky Lake State Park (now Kenlake State Resort Park). Today, however, this new trail represents not only a literal bridging between two Bluegrass parks, but also a symbolic connection between two cultures. Definitely check it out!

The OIYS Visitor Center

State parks to visit near Louisville

February 11, 2022

Sarah M.

What’s the most famous park in Kentucky? Kentucky is world-famous for Mammoth Cave National Park, and it’s truly a bucket-list destination. A network of underground passageways and tunnels that forms the longest cave system in the entire world, Mammoth Cave is home to over 130 species of wildlife and almost every type of cave formation, making it the world’s most diverse series of caverns. It’s amazing, and a huge point of pride for us here in Kentucky! What are some other beautiful places to visit near Louisville? While we definitely think you should plan to visit all of the above state parks near Louisville, the Bluegrass State is also home to numerous other spots where you can revel in our lovely landscape. Iroquois Park Overlook is one of them. A popular place for all sorts of festivals and events, this park is also a wonderful day trip destination for those looking to escape in nature for a bit. The overlook is located just a stone’s throw from Kentucky’s largest city; from the top of this perch, you’ll enjoy picture-perfect panoramas of Louisville for miles and miles. The path is short — just 1.2 miles — and the views are expansive. If you’re looking for a beautiful, short-and-sweet hike in Kentucky, this is it! What are some hidden gem parks near Louisville? We are partial to the new Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail, and think it belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket list! It’s just two miles long, and connects two Kentucky State Parks: the Historic Cherokee Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. But this trail does so much more than merely bridge two formerly disparate parks. Named after long-time Kentucky Park Superintendent Coach Lester Mimms, this trail is significant for numerous reasons. Cherokee State Park was originally a blacks-only state park, created to complement the then-whites-only Kentucky Lake State Park (now Kenlake State Resort Park). Today, however, this new trail represents not only a literal bridging between two Bluegrass parks, but also a symbolic connection between two cultures. Definitely check it out!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Kentucky is world-famous for Mammoth Cave National Park, and it’s truly a bucket-list destination. A network of underground passageways and tunnels that forms the longest cave system in the entire world, Mammoth Cave is home to over 130 species of wildlife and almost every type of cave formation, making it the world’s most diverse series of caverns. It’s amazing, and a huge point of pride for us here in Kentucky!

What are some other beautiful places to visit near Louisville?

While we definitely think you should plan to visit all of the above state parks near Louisville, the Bluegrass State is also home to numerous other spots where you can revel in our lovely landscape. Iroquois Park Overlook is one of them. A popular place for all sorts of festivals and events, this park is also a wonderful day trip destination for those looking to escape in nature for a bit. The overlook is located just a stone’s throw from Kentucky’s largest city; from the top of this perch, you’ll enjoy picture-perfect panoramas of Louisville for miles and miles. The path is short — just 1.2 miles — and the views are expansive. If you’re looking for a beautiful, short-and-sweet hike in Kentucky, this is it!

What are some hidden gem parks near Louisville?

We are partial to the new Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail, and think it belongs on every Kentuckian’s bucket list! It’s just two miles long, and connects two Kentucky State Parks: the Historic Cherokee Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. But this trail does so much more than merely bridge two formerly disparate parks. Named after long-time Kentucky Park Superintendent Coach Lester Mimms, this trail is significant for numerous reasons. Cherokee State Park was originally a blacks-only state park, created to complement the then-whites-only Kentucky Lake State Park (now Kenlake State Resort Park). Today, however, this new trail represents not only a literal bridging between two Bluegrass parks, but also a symbolic connection between two cultures. Definitely check it out!