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 places you couldn’t imagine existing right here in the city.
- Broad Run Park
Yelp / Thao T 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.
Broad run park is located at 11551 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40291.
- McNeely Lake Park
Flickr / EX22218 - ON/OFF Watch this beautiful waterfall flow at McNeely Park and take a walk on the tranquil trails here. McNeely Lake is a great place to spend time with family and grill, fish, or just view the beautiful surrounding scenery.
McNeely Lake Park is located at 10500 Cedar Creek Rd, Louisville, KY 40229.
- Bernheim Forest
Yelp / Ward W. Take a walk through this 15,625 acre arboretum, forest, and nature preserve located in Clermont, Kentucky just outside of Louisville. The wildlife here will remind you why Kentucky is such an amazing state to live in.
Bernheim Forest is located at 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110
- Iroquois Park
Flickr / Bryan Siders 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 with tall, vibrant trees and other plants.
Iroquois Park is located at 2120 Rundill Rd, Louisville, KY 40214.
- Fisherman’s Park
Flickr / David Kidd Fisherman’s Park is a beautiful, quiet place to relax and fish. These waters are home to rainbow trout, catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish.
Fisherman’s Park is located at 5607 Old Heady Rd, Louisville, KY 40299.
- Falls of the Ohio State Park
Yelp / Kelly P. 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.
The Falls of the Ohio State Park is located at 201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129.
- Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park
Yelp / Hillery B. This 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.
Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park is located at 3730 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40207.
- Louisville Mega Caverns
Yelp / Cathy H. 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 of ziplining inside of this awesome natural gem.
The Louisville Mega Cavern is located at 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213.
- Cherokee Park
Flickr / Zepfanman.com 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, play and spray grounds, this park has it all.
Cherokee Park is located at 745 Cochran Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40206.
- Henry’s Ark Zoo
Yelp / Michelle C. 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.
Henry’s Ark Zoo is located at 7801 Rose Island Rd, Prospect, KY 40059.
- Falling Rock Quarry
Flickr / The Pug Father This 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 $10 entrance fee.
Falling Rock Quarry is located at 2201 Fendley Mill Rd, La Grange, KY 40031.
- Big Rock Park
Kathy V. 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.
Big Rock Park is located at 2199 Park Boundary Rd, Louisville, KY 40205.
Have you visited all of these natural spots, or were some a surprise to learn about? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook! If you liked this article about Louisville nature, click here to read about some incredible waterfalls found right here in the city.
Yelp / Thao T
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.
Broad run park is located at 11551 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40291.
Flickr / EX22218 - ON/OFF
Watch this beautiful waterfall flow at McNeely Park and take a walk on the tranquil trails here. McNeely Lake is a great place to spend time with family and grill, fish, or just view the beautiful surrounding scenery.
McNeely Lake Park is located at 10500 Cedar Creek Rd, Louisville, KY 40229.
Yelp / Ward W.
Take a walk through this 15,625 acre arboretum, forest, and nature preserve located in Clermont, Kentucky just outside of Louisville. The wildlife here will remind you why Kentucky is such an amazing state to live in.
Bernheim Forest is located at 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110
Flickr / Bryan Siders
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 with tall, vibrant trees and other plants.
Iroquois Park is located at 2120 Rundill Rd, Louisville, KY 40214.
Flickr / David Kidd
Fisherman’s Park is a beautiful, quiet place to relax and fish. These waters are home to rainbow trout, catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish.
Fisherman’s Park is located at 5607 Old Heady Rd, Louisville, KY 40299.
Yelp / Kelly P.
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.
The Falls of the Ohio State Park is located at 201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129.
Yelp / Hillery B.
This 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.
Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park is located at 3730 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40207.
Yelp / Cathy H.
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 of ziplining inside of this awesome natural gem.
The Louisville Mega Cavern is located at 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213.
Flickr / Zepfanman.com
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, play and spray grounds, this park has it all.
Cherokee Park is located at 745 Cochran Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40206.
Yelp / Michelle C.
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.
Henry’s Ark Zoo is located at 7801 Rose Island Rd, Prospect, KY 40059.
Flickr / The Pug Father
This 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 $10 entrance fee.
Falling Rock Quarry is located at 2201 Fendley Mill Rd, La Grange, KY 40031.
Kathy V.
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.
Big Rock Park is located at 2199 Park Boundary Rd, Louisville, KY 40205.
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