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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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White Trails – These short trails connect the Red Trail to points of interest throughout the park.
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Freedom Trail – This is a paved, barrier-free trail located beside the parking lot. This trail is roughly .5 mile long and will pass over Chandler Creek.
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Discovery Trail – This is a paved, barrier-free trail located in front of the Nature Center. This trail is roughly .25 mile long.
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 – No Registration Needed!
March 29 – 8:00pm – 10:00pm
April 26 – 8:30pm – 10:30pm
May 24 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
June 28 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
July 26 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
August 23 – 9:00 – 11:00pm
September 20 – 8:00pm – 10:00pm
October 18 – 7:30pm – 9:30pm
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.
Bird Walks
Join the Raven Run staff for our Spring Migration Bird Walks during peak migration in May. We will explore the birds throughout Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Beginner and experienced participants are welcome. Binoculars are provided if you don’t have your own. Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. Dress for the weather. Free. Registration is strongly encouraged. If you have issues registering, please call the Nature Center at (859) 272-6105.
July 11, 2025 9 am – 11 am FREE
August 8, 2025 9 am – 11 am FREE
September 5, 2025 9 am – 11 am FREE
Junior Explorers
July Junior Explorers: Dragonflies. Come learn about dragonflies! We will learn about life cycles and investigate our trails and ponds for these amazing creatures. If we have inclement weather or extreme heat, program will be hybrid indoor/outdoor. Otherwise, dress for the weather and bring plenty of water. Kids K-5th grade. Free. Registration is required. Please register all guests attending (adults and children). All children must have an adult attending. If you have issues registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
July 26, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
August Jr. Explorers: Mystery Animals. Come learn about wildlife at Raven Run through through an interactive and hands-on game called “Mystery Animals”. We will use biofacts (pelts, skulls, tracks, shells) and a series of clues to help us learn about different animals and their unique adaptations. Afterwards, we will take a walk to explore and observe any animals we might find (weather permitting). Program is for children K-5th grade. Please register online. Please register all guests attending (adults and children). If you have issues registering, please call Raven Run at (859) 272-6105. Indoor space will be available for extreme weather/temperatures.
August 30, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
Full Moon Hike
July: Join us to celebrate the Full Moon! Take a walk through the park at night to listen and watch for our nocturnal wildlife. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking/hiking shoes or boots. Hike will be approximately 1.5 miles overly moderately difficult terrain over turf grass and dirt paths with roots. Best for adults and children ages 5+ but all ages are welcome. Registration is required. If you have any questions or issues registering, please give us a call at (859) 272-6105.
July 11, 2025 8:30 – 10 pm $8
Critter Crawl
Take an evening stroll at Raven Run to learn about all things nighttime nature! Along the way, you’ll stop at stations with crafts, critters, stargazing, educational material, and more. This event is self-guided, so feel free to drop in for a short walk or stay all evening to experience night falling at Raven Run. Registration is not required. All ages. Free.
August 23, 2025 7 pm – 10 pm
Moth Week
Join us to celebrate Moth Week with our night time program Moths and Night Time Insects! We will explore night time critters around the Nature Center as well as take a short walk on our trail system at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Registration is required. All ages. If you have issues registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
July 19, 2025 8:30 pm – 10 pm $7.55
Bat Hike
Come learn about our local Kentucky bats and try out our acoustic bat detectors! We will take a walk through our trail system while we look for and learn about these amazing creatures. This program is recommended for adults and children ages 8+. Registration is required. Please register all participants attending. If you have issues registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105.
August 16, 2025 8:15 pm – 9:45 pm $8
All programs are weather dependent and require registration through RecTrac. For any questions regarding registration, please call (859) 288-2900.
REGISTER HERE
Track Chair Reservations
Lexington Parks & Recreation is proud to offer guided hikes for users in our all-terrain Action Track Chair, stationed at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Users with mobility issues now have a chance to explore more of what our park has to offer! Currently, the chair will be stationed at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary and those participating in a Trackchair hike will be accompanied by a staff member and will have the chance to choose between several different routes throughout the park, depending on weather and trail conditions.
