Locust Grove Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Locust Grove Park is a historic site and nature preserve located in Louisville, Kentucky.


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Summary

The park is known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and diverse wildlife. There are several good reasons to visit Locust Grove Park, including its historical significance, outdoor recreational opportunities, and educational programs.

One of the main points of interest at Locust Grove Park is the historic house museum, which was built in the late 18th century and was once home to the Croghan family. Visitors can tour the house and learn about the daily life of the Croghans, who were prominent figures in early Kentucky history. Other points of interest include the nature trails, gardens, and archaeological sites that can be found throughout the park.

Locust Grove Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Visitors can observe these animals in their natural habitats while hiking the trails or exploring the park's wetlands and woodlands.

One interesting fact about Locust Grove Park is that it was once a stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom in the northern states and Canada. The park offers educational programs and exhibits that highlight this important chapter in American history.

The best time of year to visit Locust Grove Park is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its most beautiful. The park is open year-round, however, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy in every season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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