Muhlenberg: Trails, Music and History

On the Green River, where it meets the historic Rochester Dam, lies John Prine Memorial Park. Dedicated in 2022, the park commemorates the musician: 18 Chinkapin oak trees stand there, each representing one of his studio albums. Muhlenberg also offers trails through forests and wetlands, music history in Central City, and architecture in Greenville—different themes that can shape your stay.

Trails and Landscapes

At Lake Malone State Park, two moderately difficult trails differ mainly in their routes. The Blue Heron Trail is about 1.5 miles long and combines a loop with a connecting trail. Parking is available at the campground. The Laurel Trail is also 1.5 miles long, but follows a linear route as a connecting trail; parking is available at both entrances. The two trails are therefore similar in length but offer different trail types and parking arrangements.

The six-mile paved Muhlenberg County Rail-Trail passes through former coal towns, rural hamlets, scenic wetlands, and deciduous forests. Runners, cyclists, dog owners, and horseback riders use the trail. Near the trailhead in Central City is an antique railroad car used as a railroad museum. The variety of landscapes along the trail gives it a different character from the shorter trails in the parks.

Two smaller parks also offer different scales for a stroll. Brizendine Brothers Nature Park is a 12-acre woodland park with a trail about half a mile long through the forest. At Luzerne Lake City Park, the lake covers 52 acres; a two-mile walking path runs around its shore. John Prine Memorial Park also has a boat ramp providing access to the Green River for fishing and kayaking. Check the ramp’s condition before setting out.

Music, Remembrance, and Architecture

Life-size bronze statues of Don and Phil Everly and John Prine stand in downtown Central City. The story of the Everly Brothers is also part of the area’s history: their Homecoming concerts began in 1988 and became a tradition that brought thousands of fans downtown. The Muhlenberg Music Museum is located in the Central City Tourism Commission office.

The Felix E. Martin Jr. Hall is a dedicated venue for events. This performing arts center is on the West Campus of Muhlenberg County High School, covers 24,000 square feet, and has 782 seats. It hosts large-scale touring productions, concerts, lectures, and gatherings. The hall combines an extensive event program with a clearly identified location on the school campus.

In Greenville, the Muhlenberg County Courthouse, built in 1907, stands at the center of the courthouse square. Its architectural features make it one of Kentucky’s notable courthouses. House of Onyx offers a different perspective on Greenville: its showrooms display unique designer jewelry. The selection includes colored gemstones, gemstone jewelry, minerals, fossils, and Mexican onyx.

Plan Your Stay

If you’re looking for a hotel in Muhlenberg, first decide which themes matter most for your trip: trails and landscapes, music history, architecture, or jewelry.

Discover more destinations: Greenville, Laurel, Simpson County, Clark County, Pike County, Scott, Bell County, Cumberland County.

For the broader travel overview: Kentucky.