10 Best Nature Centers in Kentucky!

Discover the best places to get back to nature in the Bluegrass State! From Louisville to Frankfort, this list has some of the greatest nature preserves in the state and is sure to provide you with amazing outdoor experiences.

Louisville Nature Center, Louisville, KY

The Louisville Nature Center is a one-of-a-kind destination, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience nature up close. Get connected to the local environment and learn about how you can become a conservationist! Explore the inspiring world of nature and take advantage of the educational programming available. A must-visit for any nature lover!

Woodlands Nature Station, Cadiz, KY

Discover the wonders of the natural world at Woodlands Nature Station. This environmental education attraction offers a gateway to an 8,500-acre nature watch area. With friendly staff serving as your very own nature guides, you'll get unparalleled wildlife viewings throughout the beautiful Land Between the Lakes.

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, Goshen, KY

Come indulge in the natural beauty of the lush landscape here at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, where conservation, education, and community enjoyment all come together. Spend a day getting lost in the serenity of the preserve, discovering something new each step of the way. From wide open spaces to fascinating wildlife, the Virginia Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is an experience you won't want to miss.

Jefferson Memorial Forest, Fairdale, KY

The Jefferson Memorial Forest is the nation's largest municipally owned urban forest. With over 8,000 acres of woodlands, this park is the perfect escape from the busy city and offers endless opportunities for exploration, recreation, and relaxation.

Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead, Louisville, KY

Blackacre is a hidden gem of outdoor exploration and discovery. It's a place where no two experiences are the same and every age can learn something new. Step inside, and you will find a historic nature preserve that fosters a sense of awe and curiosity, making it the perfect place to explore, celebrate, and just have fun.

Salato Wildlife Center, Frankfort, KY

Come explore the Salato Wildlife Education Center, where visitors can discover native wildlife, including bobcats, wild turkeys, bison, and more. Self-guided tours lead through indoor and outdoor live wild animal exhibits, offering a chance to learn and appreciate nature up close. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to spot some of the state's native wildlife in their habitats.

Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Visitor And Environmental Education Center, Jamestown, KY

Come explore the interactive environmental education center and the hatchery building and raceways, or cast a line at Hatchery Creek's fishing grounds. Experience the wonder and peacefulness while walking the nature trail or observing wildlife. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Visitor And Environmental Education Center is the perfect getaway for those near and far.

Jeffers Bend Environmental Center, Hopkinsville, KY

Jeffers Bend is an outdoor paradise filled with rich history. Its 40-acre grassland, 1-acre lake, and 2.7 miles of walking trails will provide you with an experience like no other. Take a walk in the footsteps of history and enjoy the natural beauty of this outdoor escape while learning about the water quality, environment, and botany of the area.

Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, Clermont, KY

With 16,140 acres of wilderness, Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest is the best place to explore the outdoor elements and take a peaceful journey into nature. Whether you're an outdoors enthusiast or an amateur nature lover, this place surely has something to offer everyone. Come excited, leave inspired!

Clay Hill Memorial Forest, Campbellsville, KY

Clay Hill Memorial Forest is a nature lover's paradise waiting to be explored. With more than 5 miles of trails open to the public from dawn to dusk, you can get up close and personal with nature and take in the wonders of the outdoors. So lace up your hiking boots and take the adventure of a lifetime.

This text was created by the author with the assistance of GPT-3, a large-scale language generation model developed by OpenAI. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the draft language to their satisfaction and is fully responsible for the content of this publication.

View more Kentucky Nature Centers and Botanical Gardens.
Share your favorites!
Kentucky Search
Visit a Nature Center and Botanical Garden Near You
Find Nature Centers and Botanical Gardens Near You
Carpenter Creek Road, Parksville, KY
About the Refuge The Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge is a 500-acre preserve, located 13 miles from Danville in the Parksville knob land and borde... Read More
3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, KY
Raven Run is a unique, 734-acre nature sanctuary dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Kentucky River Palisades and early Kentucky hist... Read More
1305 Germany Road, Frankfort, KY
The Clyde E. Buckley Sanctuary encourages native flora and fauna, and provides an active educational program. Thousands of students, teachers, and ... Read More
7426 Old Lebanon Road, Campbellsville, KY
Clay Hill Farm Title to the land that now is Clay Hill Memorial Forest was held by Thomas James Sanders, his son Henry Sanders, Sr. and their ... Read More
833 West Main Street, Lexington, KY
The Lexington Cemetery is more than a pleasant cemetery. Many consider the grounds to be beautiful in their own right. We are proud of this, and ta... Read More
8000-8110 County Road 2898, Lexington, KY
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary was started in 1989 and dedicated as a Kentucky State Nature Preserve on March 15, 1996, the first in Fayette County. I... Read More
#1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, KY
From the lush, eastern mountains to rolling prairies... from lowland marshes to clear running streams... you'll experience Kentucky's diverse regio... Read More
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing, expanding, and improving the Kentucky Horse Park. Revenue g... Read More
The Mary E. Fristch Nature Center at the Rockcastle River Wilderness Site was rejuvenated to align with the Next Generation Science Standards &ndas... Read More
1001 Cherry Blossom Way, Georgetown, KY
Each vehicle produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., (TMMK) is made of thousands of quality parts. But like a quilt, pieces are onl... Read More
50 Kendall Road, Jamestown, KY
Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery was constructed in 1975. This is one of the most recently constructed hatcheries in the federal hatchery system.T... Read More
616 Pleasant Street, Paris, KY
About Us:The Wallis Arboretum is considered one of the finest old tree collections in Central Kentucky. The Wallis Arboretum provides an educationa... Read More
2075 Clermont Road, Clermont, KY
VisionIsaac Wolfe BernheimIsaac Wolfe Bernheim understood the enduring value of connecting people with nature. It was vision that led him to purcha... Read More
3200 Tucker Station Road, Louisville, KY
Rural land has all but disappeared in Jefferson County– and with it, our only ties to the history of Kentucky’s early settlement. The B... Read More
3451 Skybridge Rd, Hwy 715, Frenchburg, KY
Learn about the cultural heritage, unique resources and spectacular geology found within the boundaries of the Red River Gorge Geological Area and ... Read More
3745 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY
Our mission is to provide nature education and encourage stewardship in an urban forest. We look forward to your visit! A truly unique community r... Read More
12501 Harmony Landing Road, Goshen, KY
About the Nature PreserveCreasey Mahan Nature Preserve is a 170-acre non-profit nature preserve dedicated by Virginia Creasey Mahan and Howard Maha... Read More
701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY
Chartered by the General Assembly of Kentucky on February 5,1848 for the purpose of operating a rural cemetery. Cave Hill was dedicated in July of ... Read More
1902 Easterday Rd. Hwy 36, Carrollton, KY
The Carroll County Conservation District Nature Center is tucked away in the beautiful area known as Camp Kysoc in Carrollton Kentucky. It is opera... Read More
471 West Main Street, Suite 202, Louisville, KY
Beckley Creek Park is one of the most traditional, formally designed parks in the system – the topography in this area lends itself well to w... Read More
Show More
Select a Kentucky town to find
the Best Things-To-Do and Places To Go around you
Anderson County
Caldwell County
Clark County
Clinton County
Fayette County
Franklin County
Fulton County
Harrison County
Hickman County
Nicholas County
Robertson County
Simpson County
Trimble County
Wayne County
Woodford County