Great, unique park with amazing scenery and wildlife habitat! It's a perfect mix of grasslands,…read morewoodlands, and wetlands! Chapel Lake is absolutely in my top 5 parks in the area, and I try to make a visit at least once a week. I hope the city of Jeffersonville will take some of the features of this park, and adds them to future parks too!

Located on New Chapel Road in Jeffersonville is a great new park in the east side of town. The…read morepark has one entrance so you can't miss it. There are hiking trails, walking trails, playground for the kids, restrooms are available as well as picnic tables located in a sheltered area. They have a very large pond if you want to kayak and the pond is stocked with fish. Fishing is catch and release and you do need a license to fish in the pond. A great family park and dog friendly! Please pick up after your pets. Leave the park clean and enjoy the day!

Had a great time with the grand kiddos. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the mess in…read morethe latrines.

I like hiking. A lot. And I like hiking at new and different places…read more Charlestown State Park is....okay. They have some really nice trails, spread out and across a large area. There is plenty of parking. And I believe that camping is an option. You have to pay to get in, which is fine. But I am highly annoyed that out of state cars have to pay more. Once when I went though, it was in the off season and there was no one working at the entrance gate. We were hoping to pay with a card, and it appeared to be an honor system for paying the $9 on days when the park is open, but no one is working. I was enticed by the promise of Rose Island ruins (a former amusement park/resort. Not actually an island). But as interesting as it sounds, it was disappointing. It has been all cleaned up and sign-ified and it is more meh than I had hoped. I would probably come back more often if it was more like $5 to get in. But with Louisville's copious parks, state and otherwise, and Bernheim about the same distance drive, I'm inclined to stay on my side of the river.

This is a great park! Lots to do for all ages. A huge fenced in playground, several swings, a…read moresplash park and a nice walking path! An amazing addition to the community!

Very nice place to visit and enjoy the view and relaxing atmosphere fishing hiking hanging out with…read morefriends and family and enjoying atmosphere.

My parents are staying at the camp ground. It's very nice and clean. We went and spent the…read moreafternoon hiking with them at Rose Island. It was really neat! It's a very steep walk down and then back up. My dad and I both have bum knees and the walk down was hard on our knees. It says in several places that trail 3 is longer but not as hard, so we decided to take trail 3 back. I don't know who decided to play a mean trick on people and say trail 3 is easier to take but man they have a sick sense of humor! The mail trail is about a mile down a wide paved road. You could easily drive down it. Trail 3 is a windy, steep up and down, rocky, rooty, dirt trail that is also very narrow. It is not in any way shape or Form easier than the main trail. Oh and did I mention it is about a mile and a half or more? So it's harder and longer than the main trail . See the pictures. We did see more cool stuff on trail 3 than the main trail though. Rose Island itself was really cool. It would have been an amazing place in its hay day!

My sister came across this Forest by reading through a book about hikes in Indiana. Our first visit…read morehere was in April and we hiked along trail 7 which was a rugged 1.7 miles and took us up along a number of overlooks. We then hiked along Knob Lake- trail 5- only .25 miles but beautiful views of the lake. Plenty of people were fishing here. There are 10 trails overall and most range from 1-3 miles. We noticed that there were primitive camp sites and someone told us that it is very rarely full. We decided to come camping here in September after Labor Day. It is only $13 a night and self registration. The camp sites have plenty of room for car and tents. The sites each have a fire pit and picnic table. There are only pit toilets but they all had plenty of toilet paper. There were a handful of people camping so it was a very quiet evening. This time we hiked trail 2 which was 1.75 miles moderately rugged. This takes you up 985 feet above sea level. There are horse trails, hunting, archery range and plenty of picnicking spots. If you enjoy the outdoors- this is only about an hour and 30 minutes from Indianapolis.

Found this park by way of AllTrails app, and I'm so happy I did! My sweet spots are national and…read morestate parks, but I'm so happy I stumbled upon this state forest. Being a state forest, it's free entrance, for one. It's about 1.25 hours from downtown Indy, so not too far of a trek and about the same distance to Brown County area. I came for the purpose of a day hike on the Knoblake and Pinnacle Loop Trail. It's labeled "hard" on AllTrails. As with most Indiana "hard" trails, if you're an experienced hiker, it means they're "easy-to-medium" challenge. However, I will happily say that this trail kicked my booty. It was a challenge. The elevation gains/descents are no joke. Bring hiking poles if you can! The final views were incredible and a great place to feel the spring sunshine and breeze to reward our hard work. It meanders through some creek area as well. I can't wait to come back and take advantage of their buddy camping system. $13 a campsite - an absolute win compared to other nearby campsite prices. Would highly recommend for camping, fishing, hiking and general nature time!

A beautifully restored site! We took the house tour today and loved seeing everything inside and…read morehearing about the history. Our 20 year old guide seemed very nervous, maybe it was his first week there? He's obviously studying history and knew a fair amount, but could honestly use some more practice with public speaking. However, the home was incredible and we enjoyed ourselves. Hoping to come back in a few weeks and walk the grounds. They have a very cool "self guided" QR code tour around the outbuildings and gardens that you can do for free! And the gift shop is probably one of the nicest I've been to at a site of this size. Handmade and local items when possible, and a very chatty and kind store manager.

It's been 10+ years since I last visited Locust Grove, so I was excited to recently, when I stopped…read moreby for their annual book sale fundraiser. First, what a beautiful spot! I only got to see a sliver of its many acres, but my blood pressure dropped just from driving up to its main building. And if you are a bibliophile, don't miss this annual book sale! The proceeds benefit Locust Grove, and it boasts an awesome, overflowing selection of used books. I got there right when it opened at 10 a.m., and by 10:15, everyone was shoulder to shoulder. I came away, though, with a box of books for my and my family, costing just $30. The volunteers were great too, taking everyone's stacks of books to set aside while they shopped for more. I would love to come back for a proper tour and to bring my kids. Can't believe this site is just 10 minutes from my house and that I haven't properly enjoyed it yet. I'm excited to learn more about it!

Louisville is one of my favorite towns to visit with my wife. Every-time we go we find another…read morecool part of the city, the botanical gardens are tucked away and almost a hidden gem. Very nice paved walking paths throughout and great variety of species to experience. Even just for a peaceful afternoon stroll. Highly recommend.

The gardens really are stunning and beautifully cared for. You will see plants there you could…read morenever have dreamed up. Unfortunately, if you are sensitive to smell (or sound) DO NOT GO. Or perhaps check which way the wind is blowing (and bring earplugs). The gardens are on a hill where the wind carries the smell of rotting carcasses from the butcheries below. (The land is also a few yards from the highway, so the sound of cars is constant). I got used to the sound. I did not get used to the smell. The air is thick with the stench of rotting meat. You can feel it. You must swim your way through it. There is no respite. Every ounce of your breathing air is decaying, sliced animal flesh. I wretched more and more as I made my way, into the wind, to get back to the parking lot. I thought I was going to vomit. The smell has permeated my clothes and I doubt I'll be able to eat until I toss these in the wash and take a long shower. If you've read this far, I'll also add that the tour guide was a wealthy old white man volunteering to work there and he was pretty insensitive to the diversity our group represented - age, gender, race, different bodies and abilities, etc. Tactless jokes. A lot of standing still on hard ground. No escape from the smell even when folks were in physical distress. Too many tangents and asides to make whatever relevant info he might have had worth waiting for. So, yeah. Check the weather and wind direction, consider earplugs, and skip the tour. (I'll try again some day and maybe I'll get to immerse myself in those gorgeous flowers!)

This is such a hidden gem! There are many photo opportunities in this beautiful Nature preserve…read more If you're having a picnic or want an areas you can rent for events! I this is the place! I highly recommend Saunders Springs! I recently took my sister's maternity photos there! Great photo opportunities.

Beautiful scenery! The comeback trail was easy to walk, there are several steps to go up. The…read morewaterfall is so peaceful too! Because of how secluded it is in my opinion, please do not go alone.

Fairmount falls is a hidden and very well kept Louisville treasure. This is a walking trail located…read morein the fern creek/zoneton areas of Louisville. For whatever reason it is owned by Jefferson memorial Forrest which is in Fairdale a good 20 min away. The park area is blocked off by rope and a lock. To get the lock combo you have to call 502-368-5404 and hit "0" for the operator. At that time either someone will pick up and you tell them you want to reserve a spot for Fairmount falls and the date you need it. Or you can leave a voicemail and they will call you back ASAP. If available (only 3 cars a day) they will get your vehicle make and color and license plate number and give you the code. They will tell you to enter the home address of 9601 thixton lane but the entrance is actually across the street. How hidden and unknown is this place? I live literally a mile from here for the last 3 years. I had no idea it even existed. I've probably drove by the hidden entrance 20 good times with no idea. The woods and creek that it attaches is literally the same woods and creek in my actual back yard. If I was grizzly adams I could probably find a way to navigate or kayak my way there. But I'm not about that life. It's the 21st century and I have no problem calling a phone number, reserving a day and driving myself here. As alluded to the entrance is very small and tight (large vehicles may have to adjust a few times) and hard to miss. When you take the rope off you have a tiny parking area and a nice picnic table area. From there you start the trail. The trail is 1.1 miles round trip and it is a loop. First part of the trail has a variety of beautiful mossy rocks and fallen trees in a well beaten out and carved out nature trail. You will come up to a normal road and have to cross it to continue the trail. At that point is where you approach the breathtaking and beautiful Fairmount falls. They have a few side trails to get closer looks and photos. However you will be cross over the falls shortly while staying on the trail. When on top of the falls your feet will get a little wet. There is no barricades so you have to be careful of you dare get closer to the edge for a look see. It's pretty much straight rock in what I'd say is well over a 50 foot drop. So there is not walking it off if you slip. So proceed off trail with extreme caution. The trail continues through more beautiful natural Forrest areas. Including some nice random spots that had yellow water Lilly's that popped up. That second half also has a couple bench areas to sit and relax in the woods. The second half of this trail once you cross the waterfall has some very muddy spots. It is flat Ground and you can trek around them in the woods. Which you can tell has been done before as a second path is starting to emerge. Eventually you loop back around to the waterfall and head back to the beginning. Fairmount falls is Breathtaking, peaceful and quiet. You feel like your in on a top secret place when going there because you will likely be the only ones there and upon arrival you have to take a lock off the rope then lock it behind you and do the same when leaving. Being a mile away from my house I'll reserve this a bunch moving forward. It's an easy well shaded walking trail and relaxing. My family and I have done majority of Louisville walking trails. There isn't another waterfall like this nearby. So it is unique too. Overall extremely glad to have found this hidden gem. I would highly recommend for any nature lover!

We went hiking here last week my daughter and I with my buddy and his kids. And my friend called…read moreGod is the code to get into the Fairmont Falls cause only allow three vehicles at a time I believe that not here by far is that rules though because we saw Alyssa good for five when we were there but we were legit we had correct place in line and we put our names in I don't know if they did or not and I don't know I guess you can just use the same code every time I'm not sure. But besides the point we got there had a lot of cool photo ops had a lot of cool little waterfall things going on and just saw lotta good things good big hiking loop going across the whole thing is like a mile long and easily marked And easily accessible for all of us and we had a really good time I will definitely be back to this place and I bet he's already giving back the same day with the rest of his family so he really enjoyed it so I will definitely be back it's a fun little hiking trail if you like woods and you like hiking you'll like this place

Briar Hill Park is a new Oldham County Park and is just off of Hwy 22 in Crestwood. Located…read morebetween the Orchard Grass and Briar Hills neighborhoods. This park is a very welcome addition to the Crestwood area since there was no previous park. Located on 52 acres there are many activity opportunities. There are Picnic shelters with restroom facilities. A very nice Playground for the little ones. A Basketball court. Walking trails. Sand volleyball court similar to a beach court. And adult size Tennis courts. There is a paved path around the playground for walking or biking. there is a nice creek for kids to explore in the summer. If you are nearby make sure you stop and check it out.