Jefferson Memorial Forest
About the Business
Jefferson Memorial Forest, located at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road in Kentucky, United States, is the headquarters of Louisville Parks and Recreation’s Natural Areas Division. This urban forest spans over 7,500 acres and offers nearly 60 miles of hiking and equestrian trails for visitors to explore. Just 15 miles from downtown Louisville, this wilderness immersion experience is the city's largest nature preserve, home to 275 species of trees, shrubs, and ferns, as well as critical habitat for migratory bird species.
Established in 1945 to honor military veterans, Jefferson Memorial Forest has grown into the largest municipally-owned urban forest in the United States. Visitors can start their outdoor adventure at the Welcome Center, where they can gather trail maps, shop at the gift store, and learn about upcoming events and amenities. The Horine Reservation offers public primitive camping facilities, while the Tom Wallace Recreation Area features a lake for fishing and picnicking.
For horse lovers, the Paul Yost Recreation Area offers a new trail system designed for both horses and hikers. The Scott's Gap Section, accessible from Dixie Highway and I-265, provides a secluded hiking and birding experience with stunning vistas along the 3.3-mile loop trail. Additionally, a new 0.6-mile accessible loop trail winds through a wildflower meadow and open woodland in this section.
Whether you're looking for a leisurely hike or a strenuous adventure, Jefferson Memorial Forest has something for everyone to enjoy year-round. With its diverse ecosystems and natural beauty, this urban forest is a true gem for nature enthusiasts in Louisville.
Photos
Location & Phone number
11311 Mitchell Hill Rd, Fairdale, KY 40118, United States
Hours open
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday:
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday:
Closed
Reviews
"Such an under appreciated place in our city. Great trails and pretty views."
"The best place to hike in the county, as a lot of the other trails are flat and paved."
"I had a great time here with my girlfriend. We walked a few trails through the forest and spent time sitting by the lake enjoying the warm weather and view. This place is beautiful and some might be offended by the graffiti we found located at a pavilion on property but I found it to be entertaining and some of it was inspirational. Plenty of others out and about enjoying what the forest had to offer. I'll be back to walk more of the trails we did not explore!"
"The Welcome Center is the perfect place to start your visit to Jefferson Memorial Forest. There are trail maps, public restrooms, souvenirs, insect repellent, and outdoor picnic tables in the shade. You can get trail recommendations from the very helpful staff. On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the temperature was 70 degrees with low humidity and bright, sunny skies. From the Welcome Center,I took the Yost Ridge Trail to the Mitchell Lake connector trail and the round trip was 3 to 3 1/2 miles or about 1 1/2 hours. This moderate trail was relatively easy to hike with up and down sections and not much traffic. I passed a couple with two dogs, six solo hikers, and a vacation bible study group. The lake is scenic and the day I visited, there were four canoes with kids learning to paddle. Near the lake, there are two picnic tables and a trash barrel. The trail is shaded the entire way. If you get the trail map at the Welcome Center, it's easy to know where you are on the trail. The forest and facility are quite clean. Ample free parking is available at the Welcome Center."
"This place is awesome. Hiking is amazing for what you can get in the greater Louisville area. Some friends and I went camping here and we paid a relatively low cost for one night and it was very peaceful. We were at the group site and it was huge. A big grill so we can cook and a nice clearing so we can see the night sky. I will say that if you camp here, expect to hear planes land and take off since it is well within line of the SDF runways. Would definitely go back."
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