Discover Kentucky

Parks & Outdoors

Where Parks & Greenspaces Set the Pace

From garden paths to lake shores, discover the natural beauty of the Bourbon, Horses & History region.

There’s a different kind of Kentucky waiting just beyond the road—one shaped by sunlight through trees, the stillness of water, and the quiet rhythm of a trail beneath your feet. Across this region, nature isn’t something you pass through—it’s something you experience.

Where the Landscape Comes to Life

Day 1 begins in Louisville at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park and Waterfront Park, where open green space, riverfront views, and walkable paths offer an easy introduction to the region’s outdoor rhythm—just minutes from the city, yet immediately immersed in green space.

From there, continue into Oldham County, where nature feels both curated and wild. Explore Yew Dell Botanical Gardens and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, 2 stops on the Kentucky Garden Trail, where garden paths, open meadows, and wooded trails invite you to slow down and take it all in. A stop at Kentucky’s largest beer garden is a must – 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens – 8 acres of outdoor gorgeousness with three restaurants!

Wide Open Spaces

Continue into Shelby County, where outdoor recreation meets wide-open space at Shelby Trails Park, a destination known for horseback riding, trail systems, and a strong connection to the region’s equestrian culture.

From there, head to Spencer County and Taylorsville Lake State Park, where lake views stretch wide and opportunities for boating, hiking, and horseback riding create a full outdoor experience.

Experience The Perfect Blend of Nature & Creativity

As the day continues, move into Bullitt County, where Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (also part of the Kentucky Garden Trail) offers thousands of acres of forest, trails, and large-scale outdoor art installations—an immersive blend of nature and creativity.

America's First Garden Trail

Across this region, gardens and greenspaces are more than scenic, they are curated expressions of Kentucky’s landscape. The Kentucky Garden Trail, the first of its kind in the country, is a passport program connecting 12 botanical gardens and arboreta across 9 communities. 3 of those communities (6 gardens) are found right here in this region!

Visitors can pick up a Garden Trail Passport at participating locations, collect stamps along the way, and earn prizes as they go.

Each Stop Reveals Kentucky's Natural Beauty

In Oldham County, both Yew Dell Botanical Gardens and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve serve as signature stops along the trail.

In Louisville, the trail continues through Waterfront Botanical Gardens, University of Louisville Arboretum, and Cave Hill Cemetery—each offering a unique perspective on nature, design, and history.

Together, these spaces create a journey that is both peaceful and rewarding—where every stop reveals a different side of Kentucky’s natural beauty.

Where the Outdoors Stretch Further

Begin Day 2 in Nelson County at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, where historic grounds and open green space create a setting that blends landscape with legacy.

From there, continue into Hardin County and Elizabethtown, a designated Kentucky Trail Town, where outdoor exploration is part of everyday life. At Freeman Lake Park, scenic walking trails, lake views, and wide-open green space create an easy connection to the outdoors.

The Birthplace Of Abraham Lincoln

Continue into LaRue County, where national park sites—including Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park—connect natural surroundings with one of America’s most defining stories.

Nearby, the Pearman Forest at the LaRue County Environmental Education Center offers a rare glimpse into one of only six old-growth forests in Kentucky, with more than 25 tree species over 150 years old—an experience that feels both quiet and extraordinary in one of Kentucky’s newest Trail Towns.

Where Lake, Forest & Sky Come Together

Continue into Grayson County, home to Rough River Dam State Resort Park, where lake, forest, and sky come together in one of Kentucky’s most expansive outdoor settings.

A Breath of Kentucky

In this part of Kentucky, the outdoors isn’t just something to see… it’s something to feel.

From garden paths and forest trails to lakeshores and riverbanks, this is where you find space to slow down, look a little longer, and take it all in.

And somewhere between the trail and the horizon, you realize Kentucky isn’t just a place you visit… it’s a place you experience.

Come find your Kentucky!