Clay Hill Memorial Forest

Clay Hill Memorial Forest is a place rich in history, education, and offers peaceful interpretive hiking trails.

It was once part of Clay Hill Farm, which played a significant role in the early 1800s, expanding from 300 to over 4,000 acres, largely due to the labor of enslaved individuals. During the Civil War, it served as a refuge for John Hunt Morgan. You can explore a reconstructed model of an old slave cabin on-site.

Clay Hill Memorial Forest Trails

With 4 hiking trails covering nearly 6 miles, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging, there's something for everyone. These trails are color-coded and well-marked, featuring informative signs along the way. Clay Hill Memorial Forest is approximately 8 miles from Campbellsville.

One of the trails is the Little Angel Spring at Clay Hill Memorial Forest, measuring 1.4 miles and marked by green signs. It takes you through a mature beech-maple woodland, showcasing some of the largest trees at Clay Hill. To reach the spring, you'll descend about 100 feet along a trail with steps and a handrail. At the spring, you'll find a small observation deck, a marble angel statue, and a plaque honoring Joan White Howell. This spring is home to a unique group of insects found nowhere else in Kentucky and boasts some of the highest quality water in the Upper Green River.

Clay Hill Memorial Forest Trail Map

Regional Education Center

Clay Hill now serves as a regional hub for environmental education and research, promoting a deep connection with nature. Managed by Campbellsville University, the Center offers an impressive array of displays, including an alternative energy building, a center for sight-impaired children, a "living wall," a wastewater purification wetland circuit, a cemetery, a natural cob bench, a pond observation deck, boardwalk, and five miles of trails that delight birdwatchers.

Field Trips

To schedule a field trip to Clay Hill, visit their website and complete the form.

Events

Clay Hill hosts several events throughout the year. Check their Facebook page for event updates.