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Cherokee Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Playgrounds Active Life Hiking Parks, Playgrounds, Hiking [Edit]
Willow Ave and Cherokee PkwyLouisville, KY 40205
(502) 458-9450
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
19 reviews for Cherokee Park
19 reviews in English
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Review from Jim G.
Louisville, KY
Updated - 2/3/2012
I got a lot of runs in Cherokee over the past year, yay for me! The 2.4 mile "loop" is tough, man, and includes "Hill of Death" and "Son/Daughter of Hill of Death".
I'm updating because several of those runs were in inclement weather, thrilling, dangerous, and I highly do NOT recommend you run here in thunderstorms and floods.
Mark my words! It can get hairy here. You will know the Creator has a divine eye on Cherokee Park (that may not include your own safety).
But, I did do some unsafe runs here in 2011 (twice during thunder/lightning and once when the areas along the creek were utterly flooded) and I loved it! Sorry! My only defense is that it wasn't actually storming when we ventured out. Still, we should've sought cover and didn't. We abandoned all logic and it was moronic but my beloved running partner and I had to leave the road (flooded) and it was a blast. So, don't do it!Listed in: Deer Park - Tyler Park -…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/5/2006 First to Review
This is one of the great American parks. Not only does it have the credentials it has 524 acres of… Read more »
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Review from Troy W.
1/4/2012
This park has everything you need: Streams, trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, pavilions, playgrounds, and historic features.
I give nearly all parks four stars. I award a fifth star if they have a little something special. For me, the special part about Cherokee Park is Big Rock. This area wraps around the bend of a stream that has cut into the side of a hill leaving a chunky cliff-like wall of various rock ledges. Hundreds of years ago, may be thousands, a large chunk of rock broke away from the cliff and landed in the side of the stream... and Big Rock was born. The rock is easily accessible, climbable, and has a large, flat top where one could have a picnic (of course, one shouldn't bogart the rock). The surface has been worn smooth from all the human paws that have gripped this hunk of limestone over the years.
Some of my other favorite cool stuff: historic Baringer Spring, the teepee-style shelter at Hogan's Fountain, and a Spanish-style shelter at Big Rock. I like that there are park road utilized to make a complete one-way loop for vehicle traffic leaving the other side of the road only for those on bikes or on foot. -
Review from Melanie K.
Louisville, KY
12/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This park has it all. There is a walking/jogging lap that circles almost 3 miles around the park. The great thing about this lap is there are incredible views, inclines, and of course a huge running lane. The lane width is the size of a car lane.
This park has interior jogging/walking trails that go through the woods and wind around. In addition to jogging and walking the park allows for bikes as well.
This park is located right in the highlands, so there are a ton of people out being social and working out.
There are a couple places to have impromptu Ultimate Frisbee , a picnic, or outdoor study session. -
Review from Sarah W.
It is probably a good thing that I can't write yelp reviews while jogging at the park. I've been known to curse profusely at Frederick Law Olmsted while trying to get up the hill to Hogan's Fountain. From the summit, Fred and I are totally BFF. His vision to preserve the naturally high lands of the Highlands is one of the things that makes living in Louisville great. Mid way up said hill, you might wish he had bulldozered the whole thing flat - but I promise that feeling is fleeting.
All of Louisville's Olmsted parks are beautiful and wonderful spaces to enjoy some time outside - but let's be honest - Cherokee is the best one.
The scenic loop and trails are great for running, walking, riding, or generally trying to absorb enough vitamin D to keep the seasonal affected disorder at bay. Dragging a sled over to dog hill is the best part of winter. Watching the little peanuts at the spray ground is the best part of summer. -
Review from Mark W.
1/5/2012 7 Check-ins Here
This is a great park in the middle of the Highlands... for everyone. Walking/running/biking friendly. Climb up and down dog hill for a good workout. Lay out, camp out at Hogan's fountain to enjoy the day. Stop in for a quick 9 at the funky golf course. Hideaway in the numerous (7? 8? 9?) trails for biking and hiking throughout the park. Get out here and discover how much this park has to offer!!
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Tracy S.
Louisville, KY
9/1/2011
My love of our park system is part of why I live in Louisville... I feel spoiled to have Cherokee Park right outside my door. However, Olmstead's legacy in Louisville is grander than just Cherokee... Louisville is honored to be home to the last park system designed by Frederick Olmstead, including 18 parks and 6 parkways connecting the city and all of its neighborhoods - a novel idea in 1891, integrating the natural landscapes and the neighborhoods included in the plan.
Cherokee holds a special place in my heart as the epicenter of my childhood and is integral to my adulthood... placed between my childhood home and middle and high schools and so near the first home I purchased as an adult (a major factor in that decision I might add).
Memories: of walking home through the park in 6th grade when I was supposed to take the bus; of escaping high school and taking a bag of fresh cherries from the fruit market, with dogged copies of Wordsworth, Shelley & Keats to the frisbee field and lying in the sun reading poetry; racing thru to get to class on time in the morning; nervously meeting boys on the paths and in the nooks; driving the wrong way on the road when the one way walking loop was created during college and I somehow missed the news; of recently dragging a blanket and my dog out for a lunar eclipse one fine night and meteor shower another cold one; and the daily gratitude walking my beastie in the park gives me in all of the seasons.
Sometimes, when it gets cool I can even hear a weekly drum circle on the hill with Hogan's Fountain from my backyard.
P.S. The teepee may not historically be park of Olmstead's plan but it is a fine monument and holds many memories. The movement to save it has energized the community and made many come out to support our lovely parks.Listed in: My Favorite Haunts
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Review from Rachel F.
10/3/2011
This park has 5 stars from almost everyone for a reason. Well lots of reasons - thus the stellar rating. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. Even on a perfect Saturday with loads of people out and about, jogging, walking their dogs, biking the numerous trails, there is always a spot that you can tuck away in and call your afternoon Oasis. Park benches scattered about meant for curling up with a good book, grassy knolls for picnics (or picnic tables if you prefer.) Fun playground equipment for the kids, basketball courts, games of frisbee abound, and entertaining statues.
TIp: Bring your smart phone with a map for the first visit. This park is massive and you can definitely get lost in the woods or loop for a while in confusion. And there are lots of roads named Cherokee, so pay attention to that as well! -
Review from Greg N.
Boston, MA
7/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is a treasure. Plain and simple. If you're coming to Louisville, visit here and the other Olmstead "anchor" parks (Shawnee and Iroquois park).
Everyone knows the scenic loop because you can't get lost (it's a loop!), but if you're feeling brave, run over to Lotsa Pasta to pick up some picnic essentials, and seek out Big Rock. Plenty of shade, a little more quiet, and the perfect place for that post-lunch game of frisbee (or nap).
If you're gonna stick to the loop, go EARLY in the morning. It's quiet and you're likely to see some deer. Usually there's a light fog or mist that will settle in the lower parts of the paths. -
Review from Meghan B.
Washington, DC
8/24/2010
Louisville has to be the greenest city in the south. This park was pristine and gorgeous even though the heat index was up around 105 when I visited. I went for a couple runs there in the morning and loved the flowers, trees, and trails. Tons of other runners, walkers, dog walkers, and bikers were always out and about on it too.
Just take warning that the Scenic Loop is a bit longer than you might expect. I'm used to loops in parks being 1 - 1.5 miles long. Oh no, this one is about 3.25. Woopsies. I ended up having a much longer run than I expected, but at least it was pretty.Listed in: The Sights and Tastes of Derby…
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Review from Valerie P.
Sunset Valley, TX
9/26/2010
I went for a run in my favorite park of all time. As I was running around the scenic loop I remembered why I loved this park so much, all the trees, the rolling hills and the views of some of the most beautiful homes peeking from the treetops.
This park is another selling point to my potential relocation to Louisville. -
Review from Matthew S.
Brooklyn, NY
8/27/2009
things to do in Cherokee Park (chronologically)
Age 10: take a nature walk with your mom and dad
Age 11: fly kites; cross country ski in the winter with your Dad
Age 12: ride bikes; play with other people's dogs at Dog Hill
Age13: mountain bike
Age 14: write really bad nature poetry
Age 15: smoke cigarettes after school
Age 16: cut school and go here by yourself after your girlfriend dumps you the night before.
Age 17: smoke a lot of weed and drive around at night with no headlights listening to Zeppelin
Age18: wish you were ages 10-17 and didn't have to worry about going to real jail for smoking weed in Cherokee Park
** thanks Mr. Olmstead -
Review from Carla L.
1/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
I adore this park, located less than a mile from my sisters house, I am here every single day when I am visiting and I visit A LOT!
Its the perfect place to run and hit the wicked hills. Great calf workout. Also a perfect place to hit with my road bike. Again those hills, on a bike they are more wicked. I come from the flat lands, to me this is foreign and wonderfully challenging. My legs feel like they have been put through a blender and I relish every muscle fibre being in pain, bring it on. Never have tried rollerblading the hills, I don't have the guts to, but one day..... I shall succeed!
Hiking here is also awesome, there are incredible trails to just take your pet. Oh yes, did I mention they have the dog hill? Daisy, my dog niece is a regular, and man does she adore it.
I cannot even begin to describe how much I love this park and miss having it where I live.
Great place to chill out, take a walk, have a hike, take a ride, and just be in such a wonderful place.Listed in: Louisville, KY
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Review from Nicole W.
Louisville, KY
4/26/2009
This park has it all: golf, pavilions, paved trails, hiking trails, dog friendly, scenic overlooks, valleys, a driving scenic route, and parking.
I heart Cherokee Park, and visit as often as I can. -
Review from Ryan C.
10/11/2008
What a park! This park was designed by Olmstead, who also designed GoldenGate Park in San Fran as well as many other famous parks throughout the country. I used to live behind Cherokee Park and this place has so many memories that will be stuck in my mind until the day I die. I cannot tell you how much time I have spent lounging around on Frisbee Field doing absolutely nothing other than "feelin' the breeze."
They have some of the best bike trails for road and mountain biking. Most of the mountain biking trails are seek and find, but exploring is half the fun. Excellent place for trail running, as well.
Have a dog? Let 'em run around until they are wore out!
If you haven't had a chance to go to Big Rock, you are missing out. This is a park like no other and love every bit of it.
The park has gone through changes over the last few years. Some renovations of trails, gathering sites for groups. I volunteered with the Olmstead Conservative Group for two years to help remove invasive plants that changed the plantation of the park. If you appreciate the park, I would recommend volunteering to pitch it. You'll appreciate the park move than ever. If you do go there, please pick up your trash! -
Review from Dianna O.
Louisville, KY
5/3/2007
You don't have a dog? Then borrow one and take her for a walk. Forget the sunscreen -- the 2.5 mile walking loop is mostly shady but a little hilly. That's okay, you can use the exercise.
On Sundays you might see the guys in skirts and wooden swords doing their thing. If you find out what it is, let me know.
And if you happen to have a girlfriend who drives a motorcycle, ask her to take you through the park. At night. That's when the magic happens. -
Review from Lou G.
Louisville, KY
2/28/2011 1 photo
This park is one of the city's treasures. Unfortunately, the landmark teepee shelter is slated for removal by the Olmstead Conservancy and the city. Can you imagine walking the scenic loop without seeing it as you climb the hill from Eastern Parkway? You can learn more about this and take action at http://www.savehogansf.../
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Review from Terry M.
New York, NY
7/7/2010
I have really fond memories of this park from when I was living in Louisville and didn't have many friends. I lived nearby and did a loop around that was about 2.3 miles, and eventually I started doing two loops, so 4.6. It was a great course -- not too crowded, not too dangerous, hills but not too difficult, and generally very pleasant views and scenery all around.
I was there working on a political campaign and once passed by our opponent when I was jogging shirtless, and wisely decided not to get into an argument. I also unwisely decided to go out running in the pouring rain once, figuring that a little rain never hurt anyone, and forgetting that a little lightning absolutely has hurt anyone. The worst part is that it took two fairly close calls for me to give up and sneak back home.
Finally, being from coastal Rhode Island, humidity was not something I really did until I came to Louisville. Where I'm from, rain usually breaks up a heat wave. In the depths of the Ohio River Valley, apparently, rain just makes a heat wave worse, as it's not an incoming cold front and in fact it just makes the air still more humid once it starts to evaporate.
So thank you, Cherokee Park, for plenty of good times and the most humid runs of my life. -
Review from Greg B.
Sacramento, CA
10/19/2006
Jim's right, one of the great American parks. I lived in the Highlands across the street from Cherokee Park. The colors are really beautiful in the Fall as well as in the Winter when it snows. The crickets go nuts out there!
My wife and I have had some fond memories of Cherokee. -
Review from Corey H.
Louisville, KY
2/17/2011
Nice large park in a good part of town. Dog park is exclusive, by permit only:(
