Buttermilk Falls Hiking & Biking Trail

Quick Facts

Location:

Brandenburg, KY

MANAGED BY:

Meade County, Kentucky

Amenities

4 listed

Parking - Auto, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

The Buttermilk Falls Hiking & Biking Trail was initially developed in 1996 by turning 2.5 miles of county road into a trail that connects Riverfront Park, on the banks of the Ohio River in Brandenburg east to Kentucky State Route 933. This riverside trail winds through the wooded, scenic area along Flippins Run Creek.

The Buttermilk Falls Trail (2.5 miles) includes a wooden footbridge over one of the many streams and passes Buttermilk Falls. These falls are formed from a series of hillside springs that run throughout the year. This spring system once supplied water to many of Meade County’s residents.

Emmert Falls Primitive Trail (1.1 miles) gently climbs through the hardwoods above, a trail spur leads to Emmert Falls and a pavilion with seating. Both trails converge at the “learning tree”, a 100-year-old Osage Orange Tree, a popular gathering spot with handmade sassafras benches. Its highlight during the spring is the wildflowers that grace the forest floor. Common species include Blue Bells, Dutchmen’s Britches, Shooting Stars, Wild Ginger, Trillium, and Yellow trout lilies.