Louisville's Complete Guide to Outdoor Activities

Louisville, KY is a great place to get outdoors and have some fun. Check out this guide to outdoor activities in and around Louisville.

Louisville is a great place to get outdoors and have some fun. Residents enjoy hiking and biking trails, golf courses, pools, ponds and nature centers. It has the greatest amount of parkland per capita in the nation, with over 120 parks covering more than 15,000 acres. Check out this guide to outdoor activities in and around Louisville.

Swimming/Boating

1. Jeffersonville Aquatic Center – Work on your breaststroke, ride a waterslide or splash in the play pool at this fun aquatic center, then enjoy the walking trails and skate park just outside.
2. Louisville Dive Center – Take a trip underwater and learn to scuba and snorkel at this highly rated local dive center.
3. Atlantis Water Park – Swim, surf the wave pool or hike the stairs to the four thrilling water slides at this fun family park. It’s just over the border but well worth the trip.
4. Jefferson Memorial Forest – Rent a kayak or canoe and head out on the lake in one of the largest urban forests in the nation.
5. Metro Parks & Recreation Pools – Beat the heat and work on your laps at one of the city’s four public swimming pools; Algonquin Park, Fairdale, Norton and Sun Valley Park.
6. Clarksville Family Aquatic Center – Cross the river and enjoy lap swimming, splash zones and water slides in this family friendly water park.

Hiking/Biking

1. Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest – Enjoy paved bike paths and hiking trails in this beautiful forest and arboretum. The preserve also has picnic areas, lakes and the Canopy Tree Walk that allows visitors to explore 75 feet above the ground.
2. Jefferson Memorial Forest – The largest municipal urban forest in the nation is located just 15 miles from downtown Louisville and offers fishing, canoeing, horse trails and over 35 miles of hiking.
3. The Parklands of Floyds Fork – The urban and water trails of these beautiful parklands all follow the picturesque stream of Floyds Fork.
4. Tom Wallace Lake – There’s something for everyone in at this beautiful lake, which features wheelchair-accessible hiking trails and a children’s playground.
5. Waterfront Park – Fly a kite, walk the riverfront or rent a bike and explore this scenic riverside park.
6. Wheel Fun Rentals – Choose from a variety of fun and quirky bikes and cruisers to pedal through the park or along the many trails near the Big Four Bridge.
7. Louisville Loop - Enjoy a bike ride along the Ohio River and around the city on this scenic loop that, once completed, will be 100 miles long and wind through five regions.
8. Shawnee Park – This riverfront park features an athletic complex and extensive hiking and biking trails.
9. Louisville Zoo – Take a walk and observe the 1,300 animals living in the naturalistic habitats of this municipal zoo.

Walking Tours

1. The Louisville Quest – Race around the city seeing the sights, learning the history and searching for clues in this fun walking tour of Louisville.
2. Ghosts of Old Louisville – Be prepared to be scared on this semi-historical walking tour of an old Victorian neighborhood.
3. Louisville Historic Tours – Enjoy a daytime stroll around the city with a knowledgeable guide.
4. Horseback Riding
5. Louisville Equestrian Center – Sign up for individual or group lessons at this popular equestrian center.
6. Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area – Outdoor enthusiasts will love Otter Creek’s 12 miles of equestrian trails as well as its hiking and biking paths, gun and archery range and hunting and fishing grounds.
7. Parklands of Floyds Park – In addition to the hiking and biking trails, the Parklands feature horseback riding trails and dog parks so you can enjoy the outdoors with your favorite animal companion.
8. Iroquois Park – Equestrians will love riding through this ancient forest with its rare plants and animals. The park also features a golf course and is a popular location for runners and disc golfers.

Golf

1. Bobby Nichols Golf Course – Bring your clubs to this 9-hole course and enjoy its tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain and large, bunkered greens.
2. Charlie Vettiner Golf Course – Get ready for a challenge when you visit this gorgeous green, which was rated the 7th most difficult course in Kentucky.
3. Cherokee Golf Course – This is one of the oldest municipal courses in the nation and is rumored to be a great place to work on your short-iron game.
4. Quail Chase Golf Club – Voted one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”, this club boasts 27 holes of tough water hazards and white sand bunkers.

Sports

1. Louisville Tennis Center – At least 25 champions have competed at this historic tennis facility, which features 11 clay courts and offers camps, clinics, leagues and lessons.
2. Cherokee Park – While visitors can hike the gently rolling hills of this popular park, they can also enjoy the tennis courts, ball fields, archery ranges and fishing holes.
3. Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park – This waterfront park features walking trails and boats for rent, but is truly distincive as one of the few city parks with a cricket pitch.
4. Charlie Vettiner Park – This park is a mecca for disc golfers and also features ballfields, horseshoe pits and tennis and volleyball courts.

Adventure

1. Go Ape Treetop Adventure – Make fitness fun with this interactive outdoor adventure that features treetop obstacles and breathtaking ziplines.
2. Louisville Mega Cavern – This amazing underground adventure tour will test your balance, brain and grit with its racing ziplines and challenging bridges.
3. Louisville Extreme Park – With its awesome features and 24 foot full-pipe, this is one of the best parks in the nation for skateboarders, in-line skaters and bikers.
4. Red River Gorge – Rock climbers come from around the world to test themselves here on some of the world’s most famous routes. Located in Daniel Boone National Forest, the area is a geological marvel.
5. Louisville Segway Tours – Master your balance and strengthen your legs as you zip around the city, enjoying the sights and the freedom of this unique conveyance.

Whether you’re looking for a stroll in the park or a hearth-thumping adventure, Louisville has something for you. Grab your shoes, bike, horse or canoe and enjoy the city’s abundant outdoors.