Outdoor
Kentucky’s Official State Arboretum – Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest boasts more than 16,000+ acres of wildlife sanctuary, landscaped gardens and arboretum. Knobs State Forest & Wildlife Management Area offers seasonal hunting on 1,500 acres.
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont, KY 40110
Hours: Open daily, 7am to sunset
Admission: $10 per car recommended donation
Phone: 502-955-8512
Web: www.bernheim.org
Kentucky’s Official State Arboretum, Bernheim boasts more than 16,000 acres of wildlife sanctuary, landscaped gardens and arboretum. Inside Bernheim’s one-of-a-kind Visitor Center are new exhibits, a gift shop, and Isaac’s Café, which offers fresh seasonal menus made with local produce, meats and cheeses. Bernheim offers a variety of programs and events intended to inspire, educate and entertain.
Knobs State Forest & Wildlife Management Area
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.89027, Longitude W -85.6961
Contact: Kentucky Division of Forestry
Phone: 502-564-4496
Web: www.fw.ky.gov
Operated by the Kentucky Division of Forestry, this 1,500-acre forest is open to foot traffic only.
Directions & Description: Located 28 miles south of Louisville near Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest and the Camp Crooked Creek Boy Scout Camp. It is east of I-65 and south of Clermont, and may be accessed from the west via Pioneer Drive and Crooked Creek RD east of KY 61 and via KY 733 from the south. Boundaries are marked with State Forest and WMA markers as well as red blazing on trees.
There are currently 3 small parking areas, two of which are on the right (south) side of Crooked Creek RD; the first is near the entrance and the second is further down across the creek (there may be running water present, use caution if attempting to cross). The third parking area is at KY 733. An information kiosk (board) is at the first parking area. There is a turnaround at the end of Crooked Creek RD.
The best hunting opportunities are deer, turkey, and squirrel due to the extensive (about 1500 acres) oak-hickory woodland. There are some fields on the area
(about 45 acres) along Crooked Creek RD so rabbit or quail hunting may be fruitful. The area is open under statewide regulations for all hunting and trapping seasons, except firearms may not be used to take deer. Trapping is by permit only (call 502-477-9024 to apply).
Do not park in the road or on roadsides; park in one of the three designated areas only.
There are no ponds or lakes on the Knobs State Forest & WMA so fishing opportunities are restricted to Crooked Creek, which is intermittent (the creek dries up periodically). Thus fishing is not recommended.
Owned by Kentucky Division of Forestry and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Portions purchased with funds from the Heritage Lands Conservation Fund.
Online Resources: Public Hunting Area users must abide by the Kentucky hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations. It is incumbent on persons using Public Hunting Areas to become familiar with these regulations. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources provides these regulations on our Web site at fw.ky.gov or by calling 1-800-858-1549.
Knob Creek Gun Range
690 Ritchey Ln., West Point, KY 40177
Hours: Thursday-Monday 9am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Phone: 502-922-4457
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.knobcreekrange.com
Knob Creek Gun Range is Kentucky’s premier outdoor shooting range. Located just 20 miles south of Louisville and 12 miles north of Ft. Knox, Knob Creek is just minutes away for your convenience. The facility hours are 9am – 6pm everyday, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Their gun shop has everything you need to enjoy a fun day of target shooting. They have a large selection of pistols, rifles and shotguns for sale, along with ammo, targets, scopes and mounts, reloading supplies and a variety of Knob Creek souvenirs. The range fee is $12 per person, per day, with yearly memberships available.
Slow Poke Farm
8910 Cedar Grove Rd., Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Phone: 502-921-9632
Web: www.slowpokefarm.com
Beautiful and historic Slow Poke Farm boasts a multi-purpose setting for group outings whether it is school field trips, reunions, weddings, birthday parties, graduation parties or other gatherings. Groups can experience farm life and meet the animals that call the farm home. A picturesque willow tree or a scenic dock on the pond makes a charming site for a wedding.
Additionally, the farm is home to a Fall Festival, The Old Country Store, Antique Gift Shop and Made by Mamie Shop. *Reservations/appointments are required prior to visiting or shopping.