To begin Botany Blitz 2026 and Wildflower Week, on Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, KNPS will host a series of Kick Off Hikes in parks and natural areas across the Commonwealth.
These mainly easy nature walks will be led by botanizers and naturalists who know the native plant species that will be encountered in each area. As the Kick Off hikes are meant to start the Botany Blitz project, we are hoping that folks who plan to participate will sign up for an iNaturalist account (if they don’t already have one) and join the Botany Blitz 2026 project.
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page if you are going to participate in one of the First Day hikes. If you have any questions email us at WildflowerWeekend2026@knps.org.
List of Kick Off Hikes
Saturday, April 11 Hikes:
10:00 AM EDT – Lower Trailhead, Blue River Mining Community, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area:
1.5 miles, 3 hours, easy to moderate hike. Join University of Kentucky Arboretum Native Plant Technician Tyson Gregory for a hike along the lower portion of the Blue Heron Loop Trail. A main highlight will be the unique gravel bar habitat along the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. This gravel bar supports many distinctive woody plants, along with a large population of Bird’s Foot Violet (Viola pedata) and Common Goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta). The surrounding woods harbor a rich mix of spring ephemerals and other spring-flowering plants.
Accessibility: Most of the lower trail is considered accessible but will likely be muddy this time of year. An elevation gain of approximately 150 feet occurs along the switchback trail to the upper loop returning to the parking lot. The grade in this section averages about 15%, and the climb extends approximately 0.1 mile. The full trail may not be suitable for those with significant mobility limitations; however, the first 0.5 mile of the loop offers an excellent display of wildflowers. Access to the gravel bar beside the river varies year to year and may be limited by seasonal flood deposits. High water levels at the time of the hike may prevent access to the gravel bar entirely. Restrooms are available at the trailhead.
Site information: Trail details are available on AllTrails.
10:00 AM EDT – Pine Creek Barrens:
2.5 miles, 3.5 hours, easy to moderate hike. KNPS member Alan Abbott will lead a hike through one of Kentucky’s best examples of limestone/dolomite barrens. The trail is primarily wooded but occasionally enters open glades. Participants may see Eastern Shooting Star (Primula meadia), White Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium albidum), Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), and Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum).
Accessibility: Elevation gain is under 150 feet, and most of the trail is relatively flat. However, sections can be rocky, and near the creeks mud may be several inches deep. If the group goes near the creek, the trail may be slippery and steep for a few hundred feet. Ticks are often active in April, so tick protection is recommended. A portable toilet is usually available on the property.
Site information: Trail details are available on AllTrails.
10:00 AM EDT – Buffalo Canyon Trail, Natural Arch Scenic Area:
2.5 miles, 3.5 hours, moderate to strenuous hike with approximately 700 feet of elevation change. Join KNPS member Tyler Adams for a hike along a ridge through the Buffalo Canyon portion of Natural Arch Scenic Area, passing sandstone arches and descending to Spruce Creek. Herbaceous plants that participants may encounter include Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens), Halberd-Leaved Violet (Viola hastata), and Yellow Fairybells (Prosartes lanuginosa). Woody plants in flower may include Pinxter Flower Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) and Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa).
Accessibility: Rocky areas and exposed roots may be slippery, especially after rain. The parking area includes restrooms and picnic tables.
Site information: There is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. Additional information is available on the Natural Arch Scenic Area website.
10:00 AM CDT – Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park:
1.5 miles, 2 hours, moderate hike. Dale Hollow Lake Parks Program Supervisor Coti Groce will lead a leisurely out-and-back hike from the picnic pavilion to the back entrance of Cindy Cave. The route passes through open, dry woods before entering a rich woodland with limestone outcroppings. Participants may see spring wildflowers such as Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), toothworts (Cardamine spp.), trilliums (Trillium spp.), Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis flavula), and Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata). On the return trip, hikers may choose to briefly venture off trail into slightly steeper terrain to look for Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Yellow Star Grass (Hypoxis hirsuta), Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), and Canadian Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). If time permits, participants may also explore an easy 0.5-mile section of the old Jones Branch Trail to look for Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana), Eastern Shooting Star (Primula meadia), and emerging American Columbo (Frasera caroliniensis).
Accessibility: The trail follows natural wooded paths and is generally easy to moderate, but hikers should be prepared for uneven terrain, exposed roots, and occasional elevation changes. Portions of the optional off-trail segment will be slightly steeper.
Site information: More information about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is available on its website.
Sunday, April 12 Hikes:
2:00 PM EDT – Northern Kentucky Field Research Station and St. Anne’s Wetlands:
1 mile, 2 hours, easy to moderate hike. Botany and plant ecology professors Dr. Maggie Whitson and Dr. Richard Boyce will lead a leisurely hike through wet woodlands and open wetlands. The main trail loops through areas with spring ephemerals such as Toadshade (Trillium sp.), False Mermaidweed (Floerkea proserpinacoides), Trout Lilies (Erythronium spp.), Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum), Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Open wetlands feature Shrubby St. John’s-wort, and the banks of the Ohio River may include violets (Viola spp.), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), and horsetails (Equisetum spp.).
Accessibility: Trails may have ankle-deep mud; waterproof boots are recommended. There may be exposed roots or small fallen trees to navigate, although the terrain is relatively flat. Long pants are recommended due to multiflora rose and stinging nettle. Insect repellent is also advisable, as ticks and mosquitoes are often present.
Site information: More information about St. Anne’s Woods is available on its website.