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 trailhead 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. My kids and I were 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).
Upcoming 2026 Stargazing Dates – No Registration Needed!
March 21 – 8:00pm – 10:00pm
April 18 – 8:30pm – 10:30pm
May 16 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
June 13 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
July 11 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
August 15 – 9:00pm – 11:00pm
September 12 – 8:30pm – 10:30pm
October 10 – 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 on 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.
Spring Migration Bird Walks
May: 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. Program is recommended for adults and children ages 10+. Free. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. Some binoculars are available to borrow if you don’t have your own. Hiking routes vary but typically routes will be approximately 1.5 – 2 miles over 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. Registration is strongly encouraged but not required for this program. Please feel free to reach out to us at the Nature Center if you have questions at 859- 272-6105.
May 1, 2026 9 am – 11 am
May 8, 2026 9 am – 11 am
May 15, 2026 9 am – 11 am
May 22, 2026 9 am – 11 am
May 29, 2026 9 am – 11 am
Junior Naturalist
May- Jr. Naturalist: Frogs & Toads (10am-11:30am). Join us to learn all about frogs and toads at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary! We will be learning about the life cycles and behaviors of these special creatures. Join us to walk around and investigate our pond; make a fun craft; and meet our special guest – Color the Toad – who will be joining us this month. K-5th grade. Registration is required. All children must have an attending adult. Please register all adults and children attending. Dress for the weather. If you have issues registering or have questions, please call Raven Run at (859) 272-6105.
May 30, 2026 10 am – 11:30 am FREE
Bird Banding Demonstration
Bird Banding Demonstration: Stop by Raven Run Nature Sanctuary to observe a Bird Banding Demonstration with ornithologists from the University of Kentucky. Don’t miss a great opportunity to see birds up close and learn about how scientists use banding to conduct conservation research. No registration required. Free. All ages. Please note that the public can observe bird banding but will not be handling or banding the birds. If you have any questions, please call the Nature Center at (859) 272-6105.
April 17, 2026 8 am – 11 am FREE
Earth Day Cyanotype Nature Prints
Join us to celebrate Earth Week at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary by making beautiful nature-inspired art! Participants will create unique images by arranging natural objects on pre-coated cyanotype paper and exposing them to sunlight and “developing” them in water. Come learn how to do this simple alternative photographic process and take home your creations! Program will take place indoors and outdoors. All ages. Free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. This is a drop-in program while supplies last. If you have questions, please call the Nature Center at (859) 272-6105.
April 22, 2026 1 pm – 2 pm FREE
Amphibian Week: Amphibian vs Reptiles
Join us to celebrate Amphibian Week with our special drop-in program: Amphibians vs. Reptiles! Ever wondered about the differences between these two amazing groups of animals? Ever had a chance to see and touch a turtle, salamander, or snake up close? Stop by Raven Run to learn and experience these creatures up close. The Price Herpetology Lab from the University of Kentucky will be joining us with their expert knowledge and live adult amphibians and reptiles. This is an all-ages drop-in program in our Education Building area. Free. No registration required but please be respectful in sharing space. Please note that this program does not include a hike to the creek or pond.
May 9, 2026 1 pm – 3 pm FREE
Bat Hike
Come learn about our local Kentucky bats and try out our acoustic bat detectors! May is a busy time for bats. Having emerged from hibernation in March/April, they are now fully active and feeding. Many will be migrating to their summer roosting locations and females will be forming maternity colonies to raise their young. Join us as we take a walk through our trail system to look for and learn about these amazing creatures during this important staging time. This program is recommended for adults and children ages 8+. Registration is required. Please register all participants attending. Hike will be about 1.5-2 miles over moderately difficult terrain with some elevation changes and uneven terrain. If you have accessibility questions or concerns about the hike, please email pmeyer@lexingtonky.gov. If you have issues registering, please give us a call at the Nature Center at 859-272-6105
May 15, 2026 8:30 pm – 10 pm $8
Fungi Foray with Bluegrass Mycological Society
Join us to learn about all about fungi at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary! Featuring special guests: Bluegrass Mycological Society. Program will focus on identification; the importance of these amazing organisms in our ecosystems; and other topics of interest to participants. Program is recommended for adults and ages 8+ but all ages welcome. Hiking route will be slow paced over 1.5-2 miles of moderately difficult terrain with some elevation changes. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring water and tick protection. Registration is required. Please register all guests attending. If you have issues with registration, please call the Nature Center at (859) 272-6105.
May 23, 2026 1 – 2:30 pm FREE
Volunteer Day
Our Volunteer Morning is a recurring program for the public to help staff manage invasive species, plant native plants, pick up litter, and help keep the park beautiful. Volunteer Mornings occur on the first Saturday of the month March – November. Please note that times of day change seasonally for this program to adjust for hotter summer temperatures.
May 2, 2026 10 am – Noon FREE
May Volunteer Morning: Agroforestry. Join park staff to help tend to our agroforestry plot on site! We would love your help weeding, preparing, and planting this season’s vegetables. Recommended for adults and ages 16+ but all ages are welcome. Tools, equipment, and gloves are provided but feel free to bring your own gloves if you prefer. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants will need to sign our volunteer waiver prior to volunteering. Thanks for your interest in volunteering with our natural areas!
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.
