Nature trails, paddling, performances and local history offer different ways to experience Garrard County. First, decide which activity will shape your trip: trails on foot or by bike, a paddling route, an evening at the theater or historical attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel, choose one based on that focus and plan your days around it.
Trails at Logan Hubble Memorial Park
Logan Hubble Memorial Park is a 400-acre park and nature preserve. It has trails for walking, running and cycling. Visitors can choose from these different ways to get active in the same park. The acreage describes its size; the three activities offer guidance for planning time outdoors. Consider whether you’d like to explore the park on foot, running or by bicycle—this makes the nature portion of your trip more specific than a general search for outdoor activities.
Paddling on the Kentucky River
On Kentucky River Pool 7, an 18-mile paddling route runs from the put-in at U.S. 27 to the take-out near High Bridge. On the Garrard County side, the Pool 7 put-in is at old U.S. 27, at the foot of the new U.S. 27 bridge. As you paddle, the Palisades rise above the boats on both sides, shaping the scenery along the route. Both the put-in and take-out matter when planning your trip: the route described covers 18 miles to High Bridge. This makes a specific route the focus for the river, while the park offers trails for three different activities. If paddling is the main reason for your trip, plan for the entire route to the take-out.
Performances and an annual festival
The Lancaster Grand Theatre is a 441-seat venue with a variety of performances. If you’d like to plan an evening at the theater, time your trip around a specific performance and check the schedule in advance. The Garrard County Rural Heritage Tobacco Festival offers a different cultural experience: it takes place annually and grew out of the region’s agricultural history. If you’re planning around the festival, check the dates for the year you plan to visit. This way, you can decide whether a particular performance or the recurring festival is a better fit for your stay.
History in Paint Lick and at the Jail Museum
Fort Paint Lick was the site of a blockhouse and a stockade built by Lt. Col. Wm. Miller. The structure was built over a spring, with steps leading down to it. Paint Lick Presbyterian Church was founded in 1784 by Rev. David Rice. Soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War are buried in Paint Lick Cemetery. Together, these historical topics represent different chapters: a fortification, an early church foundation and the memory of soldiers from two wars.
At the Garrard County Jail Museum, visitors can tour the cellblock on the ground floor and the jailer's living quarters on the second floor. Several items on display highlight other aspects of Garrard County history. The museum combines a tour of specific rooms with a broader look at the county's history. If you’d like to include it in your travel plans, check the latest visitor information in advance.
Discover more destinations: Paint Lick, Morgan County, Montgomery County, Taylor County, Breckinridge, Bourbon County, Allen County, Barren County
For the broader travel overview: Kentucky.
