McConnell Springs

A peaceful place to wander and relax. Even though it is next to an industrial park, it is peaceful. And, there is a good variety of birds and other wildlife.The paths are easy to walk for all ages and abilities - with plenty of benches scattered throughout for resting or observing.

McConnell Springs is an AOK venue that's situlated in the middle of an industrial park.  The trails here are suitable for everyone as the terrain in easy, with very little elevation change.Tip: There are no dogs allowed hereWhile it's certainly not nice enough to be a cross-country destination, if you happen to be in the area then a visit here would probably be worth the time it takes.

You'll wonder if you've taken a wrong turn when you hit the warehouse district, but behind it lies a quite magnificent set of scenery. There were some hangups; notably the parking lot and visitor center closing early and forcing one to park on the street nearby. A couple of trails were closed for me. Nonetheless, the open trails and boardwalk lead to lush and peaceful scenery that seems distinct from the surrounding city. The clear water and ample plant life make for great views, and there's plenty of space to get your workout in. The word "oasis" is probably overused to describe urban parks, but in this case it applies.

Just a great and easy hike in Lexington. Definitely kid and stroller friendly as a lot of the trail is paved or hardpack. Best part is this nature preserve is about a mile from downtown and you don't need to drive the 30+ minutes to get to some other trails around Lexington. For days I don't have a lot of time but feel the need to be outside this place is wonderful. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. There are some very unique spots to check out while on the trail from spring and boils and a stream to some very pretty wild flowers to a small lake. Every time I come here there are a bunch of turtles just swimming around. I find it very relaxing to just watch them. If you are looking for a free and easy way to get outside with the family or you just want to be with nature, this is a great place.

This is not far from campus at all.It's small and you can see the whole thing in less than an hour and a half.I came here one early morning with a friend. Still humid out though as it was summer.It's calming and fun. You can look at all kinds of vegetation and the ponds were such a nice touch.The springs themselves were interesting. They had lots of signs telling you about them. It's a must see in Lexington. It's not gonna blow you away or anything, but it's cool to know that the city has a lot of random fun things to look at.

This was my first visit to McConnell Springs, a 26 acre natural reserve in the middle of town. William McConnell, along with his party of explorers and surveyors, established a camp there in 1775. Four years later, the name Lexington came to be, in honor of the first battle of the Revolutionary War. I suggest you venture down the paths in cooler weather, and keep your eyes open for creatures of the habitat. There is a small nature center with exhibits. Do go, and take a picnic lunch to enjoy. I definitely plan to return in the Fall.

This is a great place to bring kids to run/walk off some energy. It usually takes my son and I 20-30 minutes to finish the loop. There cool places to venture off and see the springs, and nice trails.

A hidden gem in an odd area of town! Seriously. Driving through the industrial section of town, you would have no idea this little wooded area along the creek was even here! I was almost convinced we were in the wrong spot until we arrived.There's a small area to park and a covered shelter before you walk into the woods. The paths are short enough to get a quick hike in or time in nature without taking hours to get through the woods.... but long enough to give you time to breathe and relax. Our toddler is able to walk most of the trail by himself, which is awesome. We all delight in finding things along the path and looking at the springs. There are also multiple benches to sit on if you need to take a break or would just like to sit and read a book in an area that makes you forget you are in downtown Lexington. It's not the most scenic spot in Kentucky or anything like that, but it's a nice, quiet and secluded respite from the city. If I lived downtown, I'd come here often.Oh. And it's FREE.

I was eager to stop by this little park to check out the trails! Unfortunately it is only open from 1-5pm on Sundays, but there is plenty of free parking available. The main loop is under a mile long and great for a quick afternoon walk. Parts of the trail are paved, while other sections are just leaves and dirt. The location is convenient, but I probably wouldn't bother going here if you have a long commute. Peaceful and scenic though!

Wildflower tour through McConnell Springs both experientially and vocally entertaining when we went in 2023. We had a great guided trip in Springtime seeing both native and invasive species. A novice at going on such walks, I found it very interesting, full of information and a short experience.