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Submission
Jefferson Memorial Forest features a campground for tent camping and can accommodate both families and groups. Although the Forest is only minutes from Metro Louisville, camping here seems like a much more remote camping experience. Located within the Horine Reservation, the campground is in the uplands of the Forest and has good separation between individual campsites. Seven family campsites and four group campsites are available. Latrines and water are near to all the sites.
Horine reservation is a very quiet, well kept campground. I went in early March so there was only one other occupied campsite. The spaces are quite large however they only allow one vehicle per site. Any additional vehicles can be parked just outside the campground gate. Make sure to call ahead and make a reservation. Once a reservation is made, you will receive an email with a code to unlock the gate to the campground. There are a number of quiet hiking trails in the area with a nice view of the valley below. They even delivered wood to my campsite for $10.
We love all of the trails at Jefferson Memorial Forest, but I think today's trip to the Orange Trail would lead me to call it the best! The trail had surprisingly varied terrain for such a short trail. It started out mostly flat as we winded through pine trees and as the name indicates, the fallen pine needles in Winter covered the forest floor in orange! Suddenly the land seemed to end up ahead and it has hard to tell what awaited us. The trail got very narrow as it switched back down the steep hill to a creek below. We all loved playing by the water and being surrounded by hills on all sides. There were so many little things along the way that caught our attention. I would almost move to Louisville just to be close to the JMF!
A beautiful gem in Louisville, Kentucky. The hikes are family friendly, I have a three year old, and for the adventurous soul! This place always amazes me in every season.
It was such a sunny day, nice breeze. I decided to go write. The scenery gives you inspiration. The sound of nature gives you peace. A couple of picnic tables to relax on, or take a blanket and sit in front of the lake. Today was a bit damp. It give you a nice bit of a rush on your short journey to the lake. There are restrooms if needed.
