McConnell Springs

McConnell Springs Experiencing nature is a vital part of the McConnell Springs adventure. To the left is a grassy slope leading to the pond wetlands. Sunday: 1-5 p.m.

A historic site, educational resource for culture and the natural environment, beautiful nature park, over a mile of walking trails located near downtown Lexington. Wildflowers wave in the breeze and greet visitors to the site as they emerge from the locust grove and enter a clearing at the rim of the Town Branch valley. To the right is an accessible trail to the natural spring where green water p

lants flourish year round. Directly ahead across the brush-covered valley stand two towering bur oaks — mute witnesses to the McConnell exploring party more than two centuries ago. A wide variety of plants flourish in The Springs from the delicate wetlands on the east boundary to the old quarry on the west. Restoration of vegetation at the site has focused on plants native to the area. Trees line the boundaries of the park and serve as a buffer between parkland and the neighboring urban landscape. Underneath The Springs, limestone bedrock is honeycombed with crevices that allow water to slip through and eventually emerge as a natural spring — The Blue Hole — at the center of the site. An elevated walkway crosses the wetlands area, offering an excellent view of the surroundings while protecting the fragile environment. After flowing just a few yards, this portion of Town Branch runs underground again, only to reemerge nearby as the bubbling Boils beside a natural stone bank. In the west corner of the park stand the remains of a small abandoned quarry from which was taken much of the material to build the oldest structures on the property. Beneath the quarry, the final sink closes the karst window as the stream disappears for a final time. The park is open daily year-round, Dawn to Dusk. The Education Center is open
Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

February planning? Join us for one or all of these events. See you at the Springs.
01/24/2025

February planning? Join us for one or all of these events. See you at the Springs.

11/28/2024
Come out and enjoy the beauty of November in the park!
11/18/2024

Come out and enjoy the beauty of November in the park!

Some pictures from Saturday night's Jack o Lantern Trail. One more night with activities! (Monday night the trail will s...
10/27/2024

Some pictures from Saturday night's Jack o Lantern Trail. One more night with activities! (Monday night the trail will still be open.)
Thursday, Oct. 24 | Friday, Oct. 25 | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Sunday, Oct. 27
Open trail (no activities and no cost): Monday, Oct. 28
Trail times: 6:30 – 10 p.m. (gates close at 9:30 p.m.)
Admission: $6 per person at the gate (children 12 and under free)

Enjoy an enchanting Halloween experience at McConnell Springs Park featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins as they li...
10/26/2024

Enjoy an enchanting Halloween experience at McConnell Springs Park featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins as they light up the night. In addition to marveling at the glow of the pumpkins, there will be campfires for roasting marshmallows, live owls from Critters in the Classroom and tasty fall food and beverages. Perfect for all ages, this night hike will be a great event for all.

McConnell Springs Park
Thursday, Oct. 24 | Friday, Oct. 25 | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Sunday, Oct. 27
Open trail (no activities and no cost): Monday, Oct. 28
Trail times: 6:30 – 10 p.m. (gates close at 9:30 p.m.)
Admission: $6 per person at the gate (children 12 and under free)

Jeff Garrett's presentation on "The Great Kentucky Hoard" was our last History to Chew on for 2024. Imagine finding over...
10/09/2024

Jeff Garrett's presentation on "The Great Kentucky Hoard" was our last History to Chew on for 2024. Imagine finding over two million dollars worth of coins in your cornfield! If you did not get a chance to come, check out the link in the comments section.

10/05/2024
Come take an October walk at the springs and be sure to visit the newly built stone wall by the cabin! Thanks to Dry Sto...
10/02/2024

Come take an October walk at the springs and be sure to visit the newly built stone wall by the cabin! Thanks to Dry Stone Conservancy.

New Fence at McConnell Springs, thanks to the Dry Stone Conservancy.
09/16/2024

New Fence at McConnell Springs, thanks to the Dry Stone Conservancy.

Address

416 Rebmann Lane
Lexington, KY
40504

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Website

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Videos

Join us next Saturday for the founding of Lexington.

Learn how to build a rock wall fence this weekend!!!! Masons will be on hand to show you how at America's FIRST 25-hour rock fence build June 26-27 at the Springs on Rebmann Lane. There will be an end of build celebration on June 27, 11 a.m. - 1 pm. with reenactors, music, food and more! Come join us!

Monarch Butterfly emerges from chrysalis
Monarch Butterfly emerges from chrysalis

A Monarch Butterfly emerges in this time lapse video that take 25 second. The actual process took 2+ hours. As soon as it popped out, it was release into the park. Most of the action is in the last few second of the video.

Here is the bat video Mary Todd Elementary students created after there visit to McConnell Springs. They were inspired by the different species of bats at the park. Please share with your friends.

Notching Logs - building a log cabin
Notching Logs - building a log cabin

Cecil Keesee & Tom Landefeld

Notching Logs - building a log cabin
Notching Logs - building a log cabin

Cecil Keesee & Tom Landefeld

Sawing Logs
Sawing Logs

Building an 18th century frontier log cabin (Cecil Keesee & Tom Landefeld)

Chopping Logs
Chopping Logs

Notching logs for a log cabin (Larry Heavrin & Cecil Keesee)

Bringing Logs Onsite (Skidding) with Sweetie the horse
Bringing Logs Onsite (Skidding) with Sweetie the horse

Building a log cabin 18th Century frontier style

Log Cabin Site Preparation (chopping down tree)
Log Cabin Site Preparation (chopping down tree)

Larry Heavrin, Tom Landefeld & Sweetie

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