Kentucky

Greenup County

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park Trais

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park has over 25 miles of trails to suit every hiker, mountain biker and horseman. Trails include Fern Valley Self-Guided Interpretive Trail, Michael Tygart Loop Trail , Claylick Loop Trail and Carpenter's Run Trail

Spanning 3,300 acres, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park has over 25 miles of trails to suit every hiker, mountain biker and horseman. 

• Trails are designed for the different types of travel.
• Trail shelters are designated for day use only; for the purpose of picnicking and resting.
• Please pack out what you pack in.
• Enjoy the woods but remember that you are a visitor to the home of many plants and animals.
• Please take only photographs; leave only footprints.
• Confine your activities to the trail.
• To help the park maintain the trail, you may leave your comments on trail condition at the lodge front desk.

Fern Valley Self-Guided Interpretive Trail (1 mile loop) A trailhead station with information on the park's trail system is located at the end of the lodge parking lot. The Fern Valley and Michael Tygart trails begin here. The Fern Valley trail follows a hillside maintenance trail, then winds thru a valley. You will find a variety of vegetation and often see grouse, deer, squirrel and many different songbirds on the trail. The trail returns you to the back of the lodge and is fairly easy walking. There is one steep area on the trail for a short distance and the location may be muddy after a rain. There are sixteen stations on the trail, which interpret some of the natural and cultural features you will encounter. A guide book is available at the lodge front desk. Please return the book after completing the hike. There is no horseback riding or mountain bike riding on this trail. 

Michael Tygart Loop Trail (7 mile loop) This trail also begins at the trailhead station located at the end of the lodge parking lot. Starting at the lodge and marked in yellow blazes, the trail crosses the road to the campground and boat dock about 1.5 miles from the lodge. For an easy, shortened route, follow the road back to the lodge to complete a 2.5 mile loop hike. There is no horseback riding or mountain biking on this section of trail. 

To continue the 7 mile loop, cross the road and pass the cemetery. Mountain bikers may enter this part of the trail by going down the road towards the campground. The trail head is about 100 ft. past the stop sign on the left (marked with a mountain bike trail sign). The Blackberry shelter (trail shelter #1 on the map) is located about 2 miles past the cemetery. Approximately 1 mile beyond the Blackberry shelter you will reach Bays Ridge Road. Turn right and follow the gravel road for about .25 mile. The trail will enter the woods on the right. Watch for yellow blazes because the marks can be easy to miss. You will quickly descend a short, moderate hill. From this point on, you will follow the trail through a valley along Pruitt Fork Creek until you reach Greenbo Lake. The trail will cross this small creek several times. In this area you will see a few old abandoned home sites, some from the 1800s and a variety of animals and plant life. Upon reaching the lake, the trail follows the lake shore for about two miles to its end at the marina. 

The Michael Tygart Loop Trail is most enjoyable in the fall, winter and spring. The last week of April, the month of May and the last two weeks of October are the best times for photographing spring wildflowers or seeing the changing colors of fall. During mid-summer the hiker may find weed growth on some sections of the trail. 

Claylick Loop Trail (7 mile loop trail blazed in blue) The trailhead is located off Hwy 2 on Bays Ridge Road. Park in the horse trailer parking lot, and continue down the gravel road for about .25 mile. Claylick trail, marked with blue blazes, begins where the sign says Park Marina. The trail follows forest ridgelines, descends down towards the lake and circles back to the original starting position. The trail offers beautiful views of forested ridgelines of oak, beech and poplar trees, scenic lake views and rock and cave formations. The Belwood shelter (trail shelter #3 on the map) is located on this trail. 

Carpenter's Run Trail (10 mile loop trail blazed in red) The trailhead starts in the same location as the Claylick Loop Trail. Turn left at the trail sign and follow the red blazes. This trail also follows forest ridgelines, descends down towards the lake and offers scenic views of the lake and Greenbo Dam. The trail frequently follows the lakeshore. The E. Stevens Shelter (trail shelter #2 on the map) is located on this trail at a beautiful point overlooking the lake.

Length: 7.3 miles

Difficulty: 2