• 3 min read

Bluegrass and Wildflowers

Spring is thrilling.

We’ve been resting.

We’ve been waiting.

We’ve been watching for those first leaves that dare to start unfurling in a color so green it seems magical. 

And then the show really starts with blooms of purples, yellows, whites, reds, pinks, oranges and all the shades in between.  We have right at 100 miles of trails here and there’s no better time to be in the woods than when the ground is covered or dotted with color amidst the green.  And speaking of green, that bluegrass that we are so well known for, it’s actually green.  In the spring, however, the bluegrass does produce a bluish-purple bud that gives a rich blue cast to the grass when seen in large fields.  So, there’s that.

Hart County wildflower hiking trail
Hart County wildflower hiking trail
Hart County wildflower hiking trail

Here’s what you should know:

  • There are FREE birding hikes and spring flower walks at Mammoth Cave National Park every Monday and Thursday, from March 18th to April 29th. Birds are the focus at 8:30 am and flowers/nature are featured at 11:15 am on these days. Walks start at the Visitors Center and last 1 to 2 hours. Hart County naturalist Steve Kistler will be leading the hikes.
  • There is an amazing Mammoth Cave Area Flora website that can help you with identification and inspiration.
  • A local, Randy Seymour, actually wrote the book on Wildflowers of Mammoth Cave National Park years ago.  You can click it for an Amazon link to the book or you can usually find the book at the Eastern Book Store located in the Visitor’s Center.

And here’s where you should go:

At Mammoth Cave National Park we recommend these trails in the front country:

  • Cedar Sink – 1 mile
  • River Styx Springs – .4 miles from the Historic Entrance
  • Green River Bluffs Loop – 1.3 miles
  • We also recommend the Jenny Wilson Byrd trail in Munfordville.  This trail runs along the Green River for 4.5 miles to Johnson Springs.  You can enter the trail at either location and leave a vehicle for shuttling.  The trailhead in Munfordville begins at the Green River Park and Arboretum.

Have the greatest time & don’t forget to take pics and tag us at #kygetaway

And super big thanks to Mammoth Cave Area Flora‘s website for all the photos you see here.