Shelby County: Trails, History and Theatre

Woodland trails, a stream corridor that flows intermittently, and historic sites shape experiences in Shelby County. The expansion of Shelby Trails Park protects woodland around the stream corridor. Guist Creek Lake also showcases the county’s natural landscape: it is the largest lake in Shelby County.

Explore Trails and Nature

Shelby Trails Park has more than 15 miles of unpaved trails. They are suitable for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife watching and trail running. Red Orchard Park also has unpaved trails, covering a distance of two miles. The different lengths give you two scales to consider when planning time outdoors.

The Clear Creek Park Greenway provides access to the stream for wildlife watching. It also includes a narrow woodland buffer along the stream. Together with the trails in Shelby Trails Park, these offer several ways to enjoy nature: getting active on unpaved trails, watching wildlife and spending time alongside a stream.

Cycling and Paved Trails

Shelby County has twelve cycling routes totaling 346 miles. They pass through gently rolling terrain, by parks and along paved country roads. Another option is the Shelby Greenway Trail: this scenic, six-mile paved trail runs through Shelbyville’s parks. It is suitable for walking, running, cycling and roller skating.

Unpaved trails and paved routes offer different experiences. When planning your time outdoors, you can choose between activities in the parks and the county’s cycling routes; the Shelby Greenway Trail also offers opportunities for walks, runs and roller skating, as well as cycling.

Historic Downtown and Art

Shelbyville’s historic downtown is characterized by late Victorian buildings. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A self-guided walking tour of downtown includes eight art installations by local artists. This offers a chance to experience architecture and art as different aspects of a visit to Shelbyville.

The Shelby County Historical Society Museum was built in 1872. The grounds of the Lincoln Institute of Kentucky offer another connection to the county’s history: they are home to a simple, two-story wooden house where Whitney M. Young Jr. lived until he was 15. The museum building, the downtown buildings and the house on the institute grounds each represent a different chapter in local history.

Theatre and Programs

The Shelby County Community Theatre in Shelbyville presents live theatre and divides its season into two distinct series. It also offers youth theatre intensives, acting classes for adults and seasonal holiday camps. Performances and theatre programs add a cultural option to the county’s nature and history experiences.

Guist Creek Lake and Trip Planning

At Guist Creek Lake, the campground offers basic campsites and pull-through RV sites from March 1 through November. Since seasonal operating information may change, check the dates before planning your trip. Guist Creek Marina has a boat ramp and a well-stocked supply store.

Shelbyville is at the center of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. This connection, together with outdoor activities and historic and cultural sites, offers several ways to focus a trip. When searching for hotels in Shelby County, you can plan around whether you want to make time especially for trails, cycling, history or theatre.

Discover more destinations: Shelbyville, Madison County, Trigg County, Jefferson, Kenton, Boyd County, Breathitt County, Harlan.

For the main travel overview: Kentucky.