Jefferson Memorial Forest: Nature is minutes away
Located just 15 miles from downtown Louisville, Jefferson Memorial Forest provides miles of hiking trails, camping areas, fishing, boating, picnic tables and the serenity and beauty of unspoiled nature.
At 6,191 acres, Jefferson Memorial Forest is the nation's largest owned by a city or county. The forest, owned by Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, boasts more than 35 miles of hiking trails, ranging from the tenderfooted — the paved, 0.2-mile (352 yards one-way) Tulip Tree Trail — to the advanced — the 6.2-mile (one-way) Siltstone Trail over rugged terrain. To get maps of the various trails before setting out on a hiking expedition, click here.
Fishing is allowed at the 5.5-acre Tom Wallace Lake, located across from the Welcome Center. The lake remains stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. A Kentucky fishing license is required, but, otherwise, fishing is free.
While electric trolling motorboats, rowboats and canoes are permitted, Tom Wallace Lake has no boat ramp or canoe launch. The lake also has a children's playground, quite a few open-air picnic tables and three picnic shelters, each with enough seating for 24. Two have large barbecue grills. It costs $25 to reserve a picnic shelter; you must call (502) 456–8173 to reserve one.
But the Jefferson Memorial Forest isn't just for day trippers! The forest boasts seven family tent-camping sites and four group camping sites — all near latrines and water. Family-tent camping sites cost $15 per night, while group sites cost $30 per night. Ten dollars gets you 20 sticks of firewood.
Family sites have a fire ring, picnic table, tent pad, lantern post and room for one car. Group sites have picnic tables, a fire ring, lantern posts, and parking for two or three cars. Call (502) 368–5404 for camping reservations.
The City of Louisville seeks to create a closer relationship with nature with fourth-graders through its EKO (Engaging Kids in the Outdoors) program. The fun, inquiry-based program, tied to the school curriculum, helps boost student's health and academic achievement.
Jefferson Memorial Forest also has a number of other educational programs, whether for preschoolers through primary school, Grade 3 and up or Scouts. Environmental education programs start at $6 per student (with a $60 minimum charge).
The Alpine Tower Adventure, a team- and self-esteem-building exercise on a 52-foot climbing tower, is great for seventh-graders through adults. See details here. Call (502) 368–5404 for information on pricing to include these fun and educational programs in your field trip.
You can rent the forest's elegant Horine Conference Center or rustic King Conference Center for scenic meetings, retreats, weddings or other celebrations. For more information, call (502) 366–5404.
Metro Parks intends to make all programs and services accessible to all individuals, regardless of ability. For special-needs accommodations, call (502) 368–5432 in advance of your visit.
- by Ivonne Rovira, Louisville Reporter for HelloMetro
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Ivonne RoviraA graduate of the prestigious Columbia University School of Journalism in New York City, Ivonne Rovira worked as a reporter for the Miami News, The Miami Herald and The Associated Press. She has written articles for The National Catholic Reporter and The Courier-Journal. For more than 15 years, Ivonne wrote and edited articles aimed at middle-school children.
