The ‘Giants’ in This Kentucky Forest Welcome You For a Fun Late Summer or Fall Road Trip

I live about 90 minutes north of Lake Malone State Park in Muhlenberg County. Over the last few years, the park has added the Big Twigs, a "family" of wooden giants scattered across the property.

Lake Malone, however, isn't the only Kentucky park where you'll meet "giants." Take a drive up Interstate 65, and when you get past Elizabethtown, look for Exit 112. That will take you to KY 245 and the entrance to Bernheim Forest, a wonderful destination that would be right at home in a fairy tale. I mean, come on; you have to have giants in fairy tales.

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum

Certainly, the forest giants are a huge draw, but don't sleep on the Canopy Forest Walk. It's a boardwalk that suspends visitors 75 feet above the forest's floor. And with Bernheim Forest being in the Knobs region of Kentucky, the views are astounding. The Canopy Forest Walk is one of several hiking trails at Bernheim.

Kids will love Playcosystem, a 17-acre natural playground, and kids of all ages will marvel at L+A+N+D, which stands for "landscape + art + nature + design." Ten immersive installations designed and built by creatives from all over the world are only the start. Bernheim will add to the "exhibit" every year.

Forest Giants

In 2019, Danish artist Thomas Dambo was commissioned to create three giants using recycled wood from the Arboretum. They are Mama Loumari and her children, Little Nis and Little Elina. And they are the stars of a fairy tale Dambo created for them. It's called "While the Weather Got Better."

Well, I certainly hope the weather does get better. And it will. It may not be until fall, but it will, in which case it's time to put Bernheim Forest somewhere on your calendar. Have fun.