Cherokee Park — Attraction in Louisville

Cherokee is a go-to for me. Super close and convenient. Nice park. Decent amount of trails. Nice large open areas as well.

The trail is bike, runner, and walker friendly and is roughly 4.8 miles if you do the full loop. For bikes i recommend doing the loop counter-clockwise because it flows best that direction. Though, know it is multi-directional trail so you can still come across other going against you. Most locals know it flows best counter so typically bikes are going the same direction. Also, i highly recommend using an app like TrailForks to map the loop for you. The loop is rather poorly marked, and signs are faded. Easy to go down the wrong trail and end up off the loop if you arent careful.

When i trail run, i run clockwise so i can be more aware of bikes on the trail, being that most go counter-clockwise. The trail is decent, groomed well, not a lot of obstacles, if any. There is roughly 500ft of elevation on the loop. No long climbs. Some decent downhill sections, for a 500ft elevation loop that is. The trail gets a LOT of traffic so plenty of roots to go around on steeper climbs and decents but nothing to terribly technical.

I like cherokee for what it is. Just know, if you havent been there, it is high traffic with kids and adults alike. Dont plan on setting any new speed records on the trails. Its an easy loop to ride/run and definitely worth it if you are close. Otherwise, trail wise it is definitely not worth the drive. Trails like Waverly are much better. And not nearly as populated. But for a inner-city park cherokee is really nice.

And now for parking. Parking is a joke. And some evenings just a frustrating headache. The park is completely closed off to ALL motorized traffic. And everyone that has a desire to visit the park just has to park along side the roads surrounding the park. There is nearly NO DESIGNATED PARKING for cherokee. Why? Idk. Buts its a joke. If you're lucky maybe you can get in one of the actual parking half donuts that rarely exist around the park. I tend to run mornings, and I can always get a spot in a half donut (Yes i am aware they are called circle drives. I dont care. I love donuts). But in the evenings when my wife and i go for a walk, we just hope to find a decent spot along the road not to far from a newly man made trail head. You know, because parking is a joke.

Also im not implying that I am making new paths to the trail from the road. But when there is close to zero parking, that is saddly what tends to happen. Especially with the amount of traffic that parks like cherokee see. If there are not decent trail heads to get park visitors to the trails, they tend to start making their own. Please dont make new trails. Just take care of the park and "leave no trace" so others can come and enjoy it also, for...

Such a shame Metro Council allowed cars back in throughout all the areas of the park, the compromise was working beautifully. Closing just a small area to cars created a haven for people of all ages, large families/groups walking together, people using wheelchairs, wildlife, kids learning to ride bikes, seniors, dog walkers. Cyclists had room to ride safely without dodging pedestrians. The safety brought people out who didn't usually use the parks. Diversity of age, ethnicity, race, ability increased dramatically. I've been in the park several times a week for almost 30 years and daily during the pandemic and have never seen that many new people there before some of the area was protected from vehicles. It was a precious time and place, what parks are meant to be. We are now back to dodging careless drivers racing through, inhaling car exhaust, squeezing into one lane or stepping off the road to not get hit, and increased crime. Overall a significant loss of health and safety. Louisville listened to a few entitled motorists unwilling to compromise, politicians voted to decrease safety for convenience of a very few at the expense of the more vulnerable who just want a...

🌿 5-Star Review for Cherokee Park, Kentucky 🌿

Cherokee Park is truly a gem in the heart of Kentucky! From the moment you arrive, the natural beauty welcomes you with open arms. The scenic trails are perfect for walking, running, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment surrounded by trees, open fields, and streams.

The bike trails are well-maintained and offer a fun, scenic ride for all skill levels. If you’re bringing your furry friend, the dog park is a hit spacious, clean, and filled with friendly faces (human and canine alike).

Families will love the playground areas, and the picnic and barbecue spots are ideal for everything from a quiet lunch to a big birthday or family gathering. Whether you’re planning a solo nature walk, a casual day out, or a full-scale event, Cherokee Park offers the perfect backdrop.

Clean, safe, and thoughtfully designed this park is an all-around win for outdoor lovers....