With 26 Acres Of Trails And Brilliant Blue Streams, McConnell Springs Is An Underrated Treasure In Lexington, Kentucky
By Sarah McCosham|Published January 25, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Hidden gems abound in the Bluegrass, whether it’s a tiny town worth exploring, off-the-beaten path restaurant, or enchanting natural oasis. Today’s adventure is of the natural variety; a hidden gem park located mere minutes from Lexington. McConnell Springs boasts 26 miles of trails and some of the bluest steams and verdant greenery in Kentucky, and it’s a marvelous place worth discovering.
Just outside of the hustle and bustle of Lexington, Kentucky, McConnell Springs is an unexpected natural pocket within a heavily industrial area.
William McConnell first set up camp here in 1775, and in the centuries since, McConnell Springs has seen a variety of farming and other activities. Today, it's a small sanctuary just outside Lexington with stunning natural features and lots of beginner-friendly trails.
The park's hallmark is the Blue Hole, one of two major springs at McConnell Springs. The waters originate from a wide area southwest of Lexington, flowing underground through the limestone bedrock.
Prismatic effects due to its depth of 15 feet cause the pool's eponymous and striking blue hue. This open body of water was caused by a discharge of water from a fissure in the bedrock that had sufficient force to blow away the overlying soil and sediment.
Beautiful all-year long, each season presents visitors with a fresh perspective and new, wholly wondrous experience. The park's trails allow visitors to get up-close with its numerous natural wonders, from the natural pools to its statuesque, 250-foot Burr Oak.
John Muir said that the clearest way into the universe was through a forest wilderness. When you visit McConnell Springs, you might just think you've stumbled on the key to the universe... right here in Lexington, Kentucky.
