Explore the great outdoors at the Louisville Nature Center with our trails through Beargrass Creek Nature Reserve!

The Louisville Nature Center manages 80 acres of urban forest, including the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve. This includes our few miles of cleared out trails that offer both longer and shorter treks through the woods.

The Red Maple trail covers about a half mile, including many bridges and benches, making for a quick and comfortable stroll. The longer White Oak trail connects through the Red Maple trail, covering an additional mile and a half of pathing with steeper elevation changes and fewer benches for the outdoor adventurers out there.

When exploring our trails, you will have the opportunity to come across a great variety of animal and plant life that inhabit the Beargrass Creek Nature Reserve!

The Beargrass Creek Nature Reserve is home to many species of birds, with over 150 different species of both resident and migratory birds documented. A hike through the trails creates great opportunities to not only see but also hear the many birds within the trees above.

Along with the birds, there are many other beautiful species flying about, most specifically the many butterflies that call the grounds home. There have been over 30 species of butterfly observed and are likely even more out there waiting to be found.

Looking to the ground, the plant life in the area offers much diversity to be observed. Within the Beargrass Creek Nature Reserve, there are over 180 different species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, all making up the dense foliage within the forest. This variety of plant life creates a spectacle when hiking through the woods, as they range from large trees that stretch towards the sky to colorful budding flowers that nestle below. Whether you have been hiking your whole life or are venturing out for the first time, there is always something new to see within our trails.

Even past the wildlife that has been mentioned, there is so much more to be seen on the trails! From the small deer population to the many bugs that crawl beneath the foliage, the entirety of it cannot be stated on one page. We invite everyone to come explore and enjoy the peaceful environment that is often hard to find within the city.

With the trails having frequent ground variation and elevation changes, restrictions are necessary to ensure quality experiences and the preservation of plant and animal life.

For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, the following are NOT permitted in the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve: Walking dogs, motorized bikes, bicycling, camping, fires, fishing, hunting, collecting and littering.

Any person in violation of these regulations may be liable for a civil penalty of $1,000 per day and possible criminal prosecution as provided for in KRS 224.

Come and explore with us today!

Louisville Nature Center manages Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve under an agreement with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Our management goals include preserving biodiversity, restoring habitat quality and maintaining safe trail conditions.