Outdoor Recreation
In The Heart of Kentucky!
Fagan Branch Reservoir
Fagan Branch and its Cecil L. Gorley Naturalist Trail. It’s an outdoor mecca in Marion County, and a place where folks truly can find their nature.
The Fagan Branch Reservoir project was completed in 1992, is owned by the Lebanon Water Works Company, and is designed to be a secondary raw water supply backup for the Rolling Fork River.
Nowadays it’s home to Canada geese, eagles and ospreys, deer, beaver and all of Kentucky’s typical wildlife, trout (stocked because of the deep, cold water), and a broad variety of fish and aquatic life. Even smallmouth bass, which were caught by Gorley in Green River and used to stock Fagan Branch.
Come to Fagan Branch for your Fishing or Hiking experience! Click “Learn More” below for details!
Floating the Fork
The richest living document of life, history and heritage in Marion County can’t be found in a book, or online.
It’s the green flowing ribbon of water known as the Rolling Fork River. It even provides you with the glass of water you hold in your hand.
All you need is a canoe or kayak, a paddle, and a lifejacket, and you’re ready to enjoy recreational opportunities with endless discoveries.
You can take shorter trips by leaving from and returning to the same put-in and take-out ramp. That can be fun and enjoyable. But the best way to experience the river is extended day trips – letting the river carry you on the journey in your self-propelled watercraft, that’s the way to experience this river.
Ready for your day on paddling and floating down the river? Click “Learn More” below!
Graham Memorial Park
The Lebanon city government municipal park ranks as one of the biggest and best in Kentucky. In fact, the massive indoor and outdoor swimming facility, the park’s Lebanon Aquatic Center, is unique among any city, anywhere.
There’s also almost two miles of walking track, much of it lighted; basketball, tennis and volleyball (in season) courts; up to 13 regulation-size soccer fields; two large state-of-the-art playgrounds; four large-scale pavilion areas available for your large events, such as family reunions, picnics, birthday parties and more; and two baseball and softball complexes and a total of six fields, all big enough to host the Kentucky Little League state baseball tournament… twice.
Address: 525 Graham Memorial Dr, Lebanon, KY 40033
Lebanon Aquatic Center
The Lebanon Aquatic Center at Graham Memorial Park is open throughout the year and features a 25-meter by 25-yard heated indoor pool with water up to 5.5 feet deep. It also has roped lap lanes for swimming exercise. During the summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) the outside pools are open, which includes a 100-foot winding water slide and a children’s pool.
Offering: Water Aerobics, Swimming Lessons, American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, CPR Training
Fees
Monthly rates are: individual $25; family $50; senior $20; senior family $32. (Family rate includes up to four members living in the same house, each additional member is $5 per person)
Annual rates are: individual $250; senior $180; family $500; senior family $300. Annual membership includes free admission to all water aerobics classes. Silver Sneakers accepted, and includes free admission and classes with active membership.
Also accepted is Renew Active insurance. Members receive free admission and classes with active membership.
The daily rate is $3 per person. Children 3 and under are free with paying adult. Senior citizen, veteran and active military special daily rate is $2.50 per person.
Hours
(Summer Hours)
Mon-Fri: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
(Spring, Fall & Winter hours)
Mon-Fri: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: (270) 692-9358
Marion County Quilt Trail
The Marion County Quilt Trail is a portion of the “Clothesline of Quilts Trail” that runs throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The Clothesline of Quilts Trail was created to draw tourists off the interstates and into rural areas to experience the region’s unique culture. The project involves painting quilt squares and murals of rural life on barns and other structures along the roadway.
Each “quilt square patch” must be at least 8-feet by 8-feet… that means you can’t miss them. In the Heart of Kentucky the idea works great, because the Marion County Quilt Trail draws you into the wonderful, unique and colorful communities of Gravel Switch, Bradfordsville, Raywick, Loretto and more. There are excellent places to dine and explore in each of those communities along the way. Just remember, however: You are going to get to enjoy the wonderful experience of wandering country roads…some of them remote!
We’re tried to make the experience easier to navigate with a free trail map you may pick up during normal business hours at the Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission office. Or contact the office at (270) 692-0021 and we’ll mail you one.
Rosewood Golf Course
Lebanon, the Heart of Kentucky can be your golf vacation destination. Visit the fabulous Rosewood Golf Course, a full-featured 18-hole professionally designed course that’s as beautiful as it is challenging. Featuring 7,266 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72, it’s more than just a golf course. The privately-owned venture is a complex that is complete with the Rosewood Hotel, Rosewood Cabins, and Rosewood Bar and Grill, one of Lebanon’s top dining destinations.
Facilities even include a pro shop and swimming pool. Rosewood Bar and Grill offers fine food and features all the distilled products made in Marion County by Maker’s Mark and Limestone Branch Distillery, as well as wines made by Marion County’s Jesters Winery.
Address: 520 Fairway Dr, Lebanon, KY 40033
Phone: (270) 692-0506
Website: www.rosewoodgolfcourse.com
Marion County Bike Trails
Five Biking Trails (Map Below)
66-Mile Marion County | 40-Mile Eastern Marion County | 45-Mile Central Marion County | 45-Mile Souther Marion County | 12-Mile Bourbon Trail
Bike Marion County
The full 66-mile route take you throughout beautiful Marion County! Start your route in downtown Lebanon and make your way towards Gravel Switch along Hwy. 68. Gravel Switch got it’s name because of it’s valuable gravel deposit to which the local railroad directed a railway track. Ride along those same routes that trains from 1870 traveled. From Gravel Switch you will travel towards Bradfordsville along a steep and curvy route down Hwy. 337. Bike right through the quaint town of Bradfordsville and journey on down Hwy. 1157. This will be some of the curviest terrain but also some of the most stunning, as you see the beautiful backwoods of Marion County and Fagan Branch Reservoir. After you trek through Calvary, KY you will travel to St. Joe, KY and venture to Scotts Ridge lookout. From there travel a steep downhill route that brings you into the town of Raywick, KY. It’s a straight stretch from there to Loretto, KY. While in Loretto don’t miss one of the world’s most famous distilleries! Maker’s Mark has been producing their famous bourbon in the Loretto since the 1950’s. See how it’s made and even dip your own bottle! From Loretto you will make your final leg back into downtown Lebanon.
Bike the Bourbon Trail
Experience scenic Maker’s Mark, Limestone Branch, and the Kentucky Cooperage all by bike! We’re pleased to offer cyclists and others seeking “the route less traveled” an alternative way to experience our legendary distilleries and gorgeous Kentucky landscape – by bicycle. The Lebanon route is scenic and hilly, traveling through the rural roads of Marion County in Central Kentucky. We recommend these routes for the experienced cyclist, as the terrain can be challenging. You will start your journey at historic Maker’s Mark in Loretto, KY, and trek down a winding and hilly route approximately 12 miles into Lebanon, Kentucky. Lebanon offers two stops: Limestone Branch Distillery, and the final stop, Kentucky Cooperage, the only Cooperage on the Bourbon Trail. Visitors can see how bourbon barrels are made by hand!
