Located in Frankfort Kentucky and just minutes from the Buffalo Trace Distillery,this nature preserve offers easy walking trails,waterfalls and wetlands. There is a small parking lot which is a short walk to see one of the waterfalls. Public restrooms are also available as well as a kids play area. read more

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So close to Buffalo Trace that we had to stop and it out. You can't miss the waterfall because it can be seen from the parking lot. There are nice trails and many birds along the way. read more

Cove Spring Park - Parks Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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I was in the area today & Cove Spring Park was a great addition to the day's adventures. It was a pretty quick stop to see the waterfalls though I'd love to return another time to hike. The waterfalls are peaceful and even on this toasty day, they offered a cool breeze from the water. The waterfalls are a short walk from the parking lot. There were quite a few other cars there this afternoon, but parking wasn't an issue. There is a pavilion and a portapotty right off the parking lot as well. read more

Cove Spring Park - Parks Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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What a great local park. Just be prepared if it's rained in the recent past as pathways are mostly packed earth. Lots of pathways, beautiful scenery, waterfalls. Nice people on the paths. Dog friendly. Bathrooms available. read more

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Calm relaxing environment for a leisurely stroll on a Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed the beautiful waterfalls and nature views. Highly enjoyed the meadow trail path. Will be back again in the future. read more

Cove Spring Park - Parks Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

The park here is quite a combination of different environments. The ostensible main parking lot pulls you right next to an aesthetic waterfall, while several trails run to various sights. The actual spring was probably the least interesting part of the park; you just sort of look at it from a boardwalk overhead and it doesn't look like much. The trails are a good workout, and at while the forest is thick, at the top there is an excellent meadow area (and another parking lot if you'd prefer to start at the top). The restrooms work, but the roads could use some work. Strangely enough, the other section of the park appears to be an abandoned road, which you can walk on and which ends in an overlook of the new road. In the other direction, from this little parking area off the highway lies a kind of hidden boardwalk which goes through some marshy terrain to a creek. A covered picnic area lies at the end of the boardwalk, but speaking from experience, the roof has some holes. Overall a really interesting park that could use a bit better upkeep. It is, however free. read more

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You can hear the waterfall as soon as you exit your vehicle, it is that close. We had time to kill & our server at the Cliffside Diner referred this beautiful area to visit. If we had more time we would have visited more of the area. The waterfall was smaller than pictures, but worth it. Refreshing air, clear stream & bridge crossing over to the falls. We also took a 2022 visitors guide of the area which was helpful to visit more places along the way. read more

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This is one of my favorite parks to go to. I love the hiking and walking ways. I've met friends here before and I have gone with my two dogs. I've been coming here for years, and these past few month, we have gotten so much rain. While it has made it very humid, in the shade, it really wasn't that bad. This past Saturday the local library also had an interactive history in regards to the park. While I didn't know about it until the very end of my hike/walk, I saw people from all age groups really enjoying it. The only bad part, is that after it has rained, the hiking trails are a little slippery. Just wear shoes that have a good grip on the soles, and it really isn't too bad. Nature is all around and showcases beautifully....just have to go looking for it at times. There is also picnic areas for get togethers and a port-a potty. I will continue to keep coming back until I move from the area. read more

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What an awesome park! We stopped over travelling some back roads from Indiana to Florida, and we are so glad that we did. It was the perfect break and leg-stretching place to refresh after being on the road for 5 hours. There were only a few other people there, so it felt like we stumbled onto some kind of hidden secret. Hurst Falls was a cool site, and the creek was dried up - but the trails and whole setting was beautiful. Especially in Fall with all of the leaves changing. It seemed remote, too - even though the highway was pretty close. Well-maintained, and a perfect place for a quick walk, long hike, or picnic lunch. read more

Went with a couple of friends to the park for a hike. The waterfalls are incredible and plentiful especially after a rain. But many of the trails run along side of the water so we could always hear the water running. It was a git day. Always be prepared with drinking water. We took a shorter version of the holly Hill trail and it ended up being about 1 and a half miles and is pretty strenuous at times. But it is so pretty and the trail is well kept and well marked. It was a Friday afternoon and I thought it would have been deserted but we actually ran into numerous other hikers. So I would say on weekends it would be really crowded. There is a decent amount of parking in gravel lots but I would think they could fill up quickly on a pretty weekend. They did have bathroom facilities that were open there in the parking lot. There is a trail kiosk but no maps to take with you. Lots of waterfalls, I highly recommend. read more

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I have lived in Kentucky since I was born and never knew until several weeks ago that Frankfort had such beautiful parks! This park is a dream for anyone that enjoys a hike filled with scenery and I am sure we all do. I didn't have a lot of time to spend here but thoroughly enjoyed the little time I had. They do have a picnic area by one of the falls that makes it great for family events. read more

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We drove scenic Highway 127 to Frankfort to hike Cove Spring Park. It was worth the drive! Beautiful children's memorial, waterfalls, creeks, hiking and entry to an area containing islands of native flowers, rocks and miscellaneous materials from dumped construction waste that volunteers have made (and continue) into a magical garden! I hope they get donations to finish amazing projects planned. read more

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I really loved this park. The trails were very challenging and marked clearly. I didn't really know where I was going, I just parked and started walking until I saw the first trail mark and went. It led to a few different trails and I think I did a bit of each. Beautiful streams and rocks and the memorial for deceased children was especially beautiful and touching. read more

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Fun walking trails and beautiful scenery await you at Cove Spring Park! The perfect place for a run, a walk with the family, or time to ponder your thoughts. read more

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I've hiked and walked quite a few parks and nature preserves in the area. This one is quite nice. The bathroom (full plumbing, not a porta-potty or outhouse) wasn't locked as a prior reviewer noted. The waterfall is gorgeous. There are benches and picnic shelters and wooden walkways in some areas. Some of the upper trails were closed today for an archery tournament (I'm down with not getting hit by arrows). Wildflowers were in bloom aplenty. Warning: the trail leading up a hill to a meadow, wildflower garden, and frog pond is pretty steep and has lots of loose rocks. It's also extremely narrow in places. There's abundant shade but it could also be abundantly muddy in wet weather. Dress appropriately for a pretty strenuous short hike. The trails in the lower area around the falls and to the spring are easier but could also be muddy at times. There is a large trail map located in the picnic shelter area. The spring is located back a short easy trail behind the meadow. The cool air back there is quite refreshing. Tucked away in the forest to the side of the meadow is a memorial statue of children playing, surrounded with a walkway paved with bricks engraved with deceased children's names. There are benches for quiet contemplation in the shade. That's a lovely addition to the park. The upper area of the park includes the aforementioned archery range which looked pretty well-maintained from an amateur's perspective. There's a nice view up there, and we spotted a stubborn groundhog looking for dinner while driving through the area. On the whole, it's a nice park, well-suited for some hiking and dog walking (leashes on, pick up the poop please). Don't go to the lower section after/during heavy rain. read more

I hate giving a park a 3 star, maybe it does deserve a 4 star depending on one's interests and needs. First, nice place overall. Easy to get to if you can figure out the confusing maze that is Frankfort. There are several entrances depending on what you are wanting to do, which is both convenient (for access) and annoying (meeting people, going to several spots in the park). Some shorter paved paths, some longer hiking mulch and dirt paths. There is a seasonal archery range which is in the process of expanding. So there will be more options for archery but some trails will close to walkers in season. Not a bad view of the city from the upper trails, the lower trails are under construction and when it is at all wet are slippery and/or boggy. Walking with a pregnant friend and our dogs, we had to be much more cautious than some people might need to be about slipping and sliding on the trails so this did limit our access around the park. If someone has mobility problems, they should be cautious on the steps and paths near the river. The upper trails were dry though and fine for walking a few days after the last rainstorm. I think after the construction on some of the trails is complete that this park will reach 4 stars. I wouldn't drive a distance just to go here, but it is a lovely place to visit if you live in Frankfort or are passing through and have extra time. read more

This park is really nice and all, but sadly it needs some work. The bathrooms are always locked so you can't use them. The picnic area needs some work. The trails needs some stops with seats. The springs needs some work too. Looks like they started to fix up the park but gave up. I will say the trails are really nice and give you a work out. I will say I would come up here just for a hike but that's all. read more

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Funny, and suspicious, that someone from Louisville give this park a less than stellar rating. I lived most my life in Louisville, and know all the parks there, and there is nothing there remotely as magnificent as Cove Spring Park. The best one there is probably Joe Creason. The rest of them are hangouts for loud drunks and drug abusers, period. I am reluctant to give Cove Spring a great review only because it is a well kept garden of Eden, because it is a secret that is meant for true Nature lovers and true exercisers. There are multiple entrances on foot, three major ones by car, and two sections. I love both, and both are useful for different exercises. The flat side, or swamp side, is breathtaking and full of wildlife. Being level and soft ground, it is good for jogging, but also for Nature walks. You'll see a creek and a marsh pond on this side, and some swampy area that you can cross if it has been relatively dry. The other side is great for hiking. Very hilly. I would call it a mountain, it's that steep, but to the fitness guru, it is a hill. You can take various short cuts and make it any length you want. I wouldn't jog it, as it would involve safety problems along some areas if one met hikers, and it is steep. Only the most fit jog this side. There are many treasures here I will allow you to experience yourself. It is the best park I've seen in the many places I've been, and those who work it are to be commended. read more