Raven Run is a 734 acre nature sanctuary located just at the southern end of Fayette County. A short drive down Old Richmond Road or out Tates Creek Road will lead you to Raven Run located just off Jack’s Creek Pike. The sanctuary is run by the Fayette County Parks Department and is FREE to visitors.
What’s great about Raven Run is that it is truly a great hike but still within the city limits. You can always head to Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge for a big day of hiking but Raven Run offers a beautiful day in nature right here in Lexington!
The trails are longer so be prepared for more of a hike with your kids. The trails are not stroller friendly and are not paved. McConnell Springs features paved walkways and a great nature experience so if you still have one in a stroller check it out. For more info on McConnell Springs click here. Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort is paved, has live animal exhibits and is also very stroller friendly. For more information on Salato click here.
Raven Run has a nature center at the trail head and offers special programming throughout the year. Their full calendar is available online and some events are great for children as well as adults. We’ve enjoyed spring break activities at Raven Run as well and were very impressed with how educational and fun they were – and they’re FREE! Call ahead or go online to register for an event. (859) 272-6105
Raven Run has numerous trails running through the park. The trails are well marked and you can find information about the various trails at the entrance. When I took my boys (2 and 4 years old at the time) we headed toward the creek and I easily navigated the trails. There are other trails that lead to wonderful Kentucky River overlooks and various habitats. You can easily spend the entire day within the park so pack plenty of water and snacks or a picnic lunch. The path we took to the creek is a true hike in the woods with rocks and inclines. I was super impressed with my boys when they made it that far. It was early, not too hot and we weren’t needing naps. Plan appropriately if you take little ones on a trip like this.
There is a great trail to a beautiful overlook of the Kentucky River!
During our adventure to the creek we were visited by a doe and her fawn. They walked down the stream then crossed about 50 feet from us. The kids were so excited to see deer right there in front of them and it was a great teachable moment. Be prepared to see other creatures along the way and be respectful by taking care of their home and not leaving anything behind on your adventure.
The trails are beautiful in summer but the late fall and winter can also be a great time to visit. You can see even more without the tree cover and it’s a whole new experience!
Raven Run Trails
Map
Trail map in color
- Red Trail – The main trail loop that takes you through the majority of the park. This is a single track wooded trail which consists of exposed rocks and roots, mud, and potentially downed trees/limbs.
- Green Trail – This is a series of trails that allow visitors to experience the meadows of Raven Run. These trails consist mainly of mowed grass, are more open than the Red Trail and generally easier to walk on.
- Orange Trail – This trail is a 1 mile loop off of the Red Trail and consists of open meadows, some wooded areas, and great views from a high elevation.
- Blue Trails – These trails connect the Green Trails to the Red Trail at various intersections. These trails are often shorter and offer the ability to see parts of the Red Trail without having to complete the 4 mile loop.
- Yellow Trail – Located off the Red Trail, this trail provides a shortcut from Point D to H. This short, but scenic, trail offers incredible views of spring wildflowers during their peak blooming season of April to May.
- White Trails – These short trails connect the Red Trail to points of interest throughout the park.
- Freedom Trail – This is a paved, barrier-free trail located beside the parking lot. This trail is roughly 1 mile long and is the only paved trail at Raven Run.
Points of interest
Kentucky River Overlook – A 70 ft overlook of the Kentucky River provides a view of the scenic Kentucky River Palisades.
Evans Mill – The site of a historic grist mill built by Peter Evans in 1833. Raven Run Creek was dammed at the time and the water from the creek powered the mill. Area farmers would bring corn to the mill to be ground.
Moore Grave – This headstone marks the grave of Archibald Moore. Moore was born on November 25, 1840 and was buried in front of his log cabin on February 9, 1871.
Prather Homestead – The majority of what is now Raven Run was owned by the Prather family in the early 1800’s. The homestead includes a historic home, cemetery, and smokehouse.
Stargazing!
Stargazing nights at Raven Run are a special treat. I enjoyed a date night at the Stargazing event once and I was amazed at the huge telescopes local astronomers bring out for visitors to use. We saw the Space Station fly overhead, planets, constellations and other things in the night sky. Some events are held as early as 7:30 pm (time depends on sunset) and would be great to take kids to.
Upcoming 2025 Stargazing Dates – REGISTER ONLINE
March 29
April 26
May 24
June 28
July 26
August 23
September 20
October 18
Call ahead or check their Facebook page to make sure the event isn’t canceled for weather.
Hosted by the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club
Raven Run is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (trails close at 4:30 p.m.). They are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas.
To learn more and view the calendar for the year click here. Call ahead or go online to register for an event. (859) 272-6105 Registration is required for events.
Take A Hike
Join Outdoor Programs staff for a walk in the woods. This hike will be easy/to moderate and approximately 2 mile in distance. Learn hiking basics and outdoor skills like reading a map and situational awareness, in additional to tree identification. Participants should dress for the weather. Daypacks/bags and a bottle for water and snacks for personal comfort are suggested, but not required. Please contact Outdoor Programs at 859-397-5027 with any questions.
March 8, 2025 9:30 am – 11 am FREE
Bird Walks
Join the Raven Run staff in our monthly program series exploring the birds throughout Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Beginner and experienced participants are welcome. Free. Registration strongly encouraged.
February 14, 2025 9 am – 11 am FREE
March 14, 2025 9 am – 11 am FREE
Full Moon Hike
Join us for the first Full Moon Hike of the year this March at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary! Take a nighttime walk to look and listen for nocturnal wildlife. Please dress for the weather. Online registration is required. Hike will be approximately 1.5 miles and include easy to moderately difficult terrain with some uneven terrain and elevation gains/losses. Please feel free to call ahead for further details about route and/or any accessibility concerns. Best for adults and children ages 8+ but all ages are welcome. If you have any questions or issues registering, please give us a call at (859) 272-6105.
March 14, 2025 7 pm – 8:30 pm $8/person
Junior Explorers
Join us this March for Jr. Explorers: Fossils and Gems to learn about different kinds of fossils and gems in Kentucky! We will explore our fossil/gem collection; have outdoor adventures; and make some fossil crafts. If we have inclement weather, program will be held all indoors. Registration is strongly encouraged. Free. Program is for kids grades K-5. If you have issues registering, please call Raven Run at (859) 272-6105.
March 29, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
Salamanders at Raven Run
Join staff to explore the creeks and forests of Raven Run Nature Sanctuary to learn about the elusive and intriguing salamanders of Kentucky! We will also have live salamanders for observation provided by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of Kentucky. Registration for this program is required. Please register all guests attending. Salamander habitat is very sensitive so please be advised that space for this program is limited to preserve habitat. Dress appropriately for the weather. Wading boots are strongly encouraged! We have wading boots to borrow! Please call ahead to check if we have your size. Program will include moderately difficult hiking on uneven terrain with elevation gains/losses. Program is best for adults and children ages 10+. FREE! If you are having issues registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
March 8, 2025 1 pm – 3 pm FREE (FULL as of 2/9/25)
Geology Walk
Geology Walk. Kentucky is home to rich and diverse geology right under our feet! Join us to learn about our local geology and common fossils in Kentucky. Program will feature some of our geological collection and a geology walk around the property. Program is best suited for adults and children ages 12+. Free. Registration is strongly encouraged. If you have any issues registering, please call Raven Run Nature Sanctuary at (859) 272-6105.
February 15, 2025 1 pm – 2:30 pm Free (Full as of 2/9/25)
Raven Run Volunteer Day
March Volunteer Morning: Invasive Species Awareness Week. Join park staff to help us remove invasive plant species! Wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Program is best suited for adults or children ages 16+. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration strongly encouraged. If you have trouble registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
March 1, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
Water Week: Test the Waters
Want to help take care of our water? Did you know that you can learn a lot about the quality of our creeks, lakes, and rivers just by exploring what critters live in them and by conducting a few simple chemical tests? Come join us at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary to learn how to do water quality tests and how you can become more involved in stewardship of your local waterways. Program is best suited for adults and children 10+ years. Registration is required. Program is free. If we have inclement weather, program will be held indoors. If you have issues registering, please call the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
March 22, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
All programs are weather dependent and require registration through RecTrac. For any questions regarding registration, please call (859) 288-2900.
