E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park
4.6(2.6K)google
4.3(57)yelp
HikingFamily
Overview
E. P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park is a 550-acre (220 ha) Kentucky state park located in the Freys Hill area of Louisville, Kentucky, on former land of Kentucky's old Central State Hospital. When opened in 1974, it was named in honor of Republican Jefferson County Judge/Executive Erbon Powers "Tom" Sawyer (18 November 1915 - 23 September 1969), who was killed five years before in a car accident on Louisville's Interstate 64 in 1969 at age 53 while still in office. Judge Sawyer was the father of journalist / television news anchor Diane Sawyer (born 1945, at CBS News and later ABC News).
Practical Info
Every day7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeMay through September brings excellent field recreation conditions, while mid-October features spectacular fall canopy colors. Plan your visit for a bright afternoon between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM; the daylight slants beautifully across the open meadows, making it perfect for taking photos of active riders at the national-caliber BMX track or wandering the limestone trails.
Getting ThereTucked inside an upscale northeastern suburban enclave at 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville. Driven access is exceptionally fast and simple; sprint east from downtown via I-64 E to Exit 15 for Hurstbourne Pkwy, head north to Westport Rd, and take Freys Hill Rd straight into the park. The facility is free to enter and operates a massive, complimentary paved lot.
Travel Tips
- The elite indoor BMX track is restricted to authorized league events/club days and is not a free-ride zone; crossing security meshes triggers bike impoundment.
- The outdoor public pool closes post-summer and utilizes an independent standalone entry fee; federal Interagency Passes yield zero discounts or free entries.
- Goose Creek Trail cuts through urban woodlands featuring frequent wild deer crossings; state park law mandates dogs wear physical leashes capped at 6 feet.
Reviews
Positive
- A massive, high-utility metropolitan park spanning hundreds of scenic acres; the broad open fields and wooded dirt paths deliver pure wilderness serenity.
- The sports amenities are phenomenal, packing a nationally top-rated Olympic-caliber BMX racing track, a huge swimming pool complex, and Archery ranges.
- Features a dedicated, highly acclaimed radio-controlled model airplane airfield, offering fantastic and unique spectator entertainment for families.
- Completely free to enter and park with massive open parking lot availability; restrooms and park gazebos are kept highly secure and clean.
Heads up
- As a massive youth sports and BMX league hub, summer weekends are heavily congested and loud, losing any peaceful wilderness feel to cheering crowds.
- The massive swimming complex and locker pavilions keep tight seasonal schedules, and a few changing rooms show slight age and wear due to funding.
- The sprawling wild tallgrass meadows can host heavy deer tick populations in late August, forcing pet owners to do intense checks after hiking.
- The deeper unpaved loop trails rely on sparse English-only wooden markers, which can get faded, and low spots get washed out and muddy after rain.