Introduction

Welcome to Fort Knox, KY located in northern Kentucky. The installation is located between the bustling city of Louisville which boasts a population of approximately 602,000 and Hardin County’s Elizabethtown with a population of just over 30,000. This beautiful and historic area has so many hidden gems (or nuggets of gold) to offer visitors and those lucky enough to call it home. And most of the time you won’t even have to leave the main gate to find it! Here is a list of 27 of the best things to do while living on or near Fort Knox.

Suggested Read

: Fort Knox Kentucky: In-Depth Welcome Center

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Many, if not all, of the ones listed here, are likely subject to such restrictions for the time being though new re-openings and closings occur all the time. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being. Check individual websites provided in each section or call to find out each place’s current hours and situation.

25 Of the Best Fort Knox, Kentucky Things to Do

Know what you are looking for? Click the number(s) to go right to what you go: (1-6) Parks, Rivers, and Lakes (7-9) Golfing (10) Shooting Ranges (11) Fishing and Hunting (12-13) Sports and Fitness Centers (14) Bowling (15-18) Gyms (19-24) Attractions (25-26) Museums (27) Distilleries

Parks, Rivers and Lakes

Brandenburg

1. Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area

850 Otter Creek Park Road Brandenburg, KY 40108 1 (502) 492-9854 Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area is a 2,600 acre riverfront park in Meade County, Kentucky. The recreation area conserves and enhances fish and wildlife resources and provides the opportunity for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, wildlife viewing and pretty much every other outdoor recreation activity. It’s the ideal spot for camping or parking your RV and getting in touch with nature in the Kentucky wilderness.

Radcliff

2. Saunders Springs Nature Preserve

100 Saunders Spring Lane Radcliff, KY 40160 1 (270) 351-4079 Saunders Springs Nature Preserve is a heavily wooded natural area that is perfect for hiking, picnicking and historic interpretation. The 26-acre nature preserve is adjacent to a 73-acre tract called the Saunders Springs Annex which is leased from Fort Knox. The preserve boasts three vintage cabins from the 1800s, pavilions with picnic tables, a lake stocked with fish, BBQ grills, and a scout camping area. The area is characterized by sinkholes, caves, and springs which drain into a network of underground caverns making the area interesting to hike through.

West Point

3. Tioga Falls Trail

Louisville Nashville Turnpike West Point, KY 40177 1 (270) 352-1204 This 1.9 mile trail was developed to share an area with a unique combination of natural beauty and 19th century history (there’s stone remnants of an old spring house). The Tioga Falls are a series of waterfalls that are about 130 feet high. The trail lies in an area of Fort Knox used for military training and as a result, is sometimes closed to hikers.

4. Fort Duffield Park & Historic Site

West Point, KY 40177 1 (502) 922-4574 Fort Duffield is a Union American Civil War fort located outside West Point. It saw use in 1862 and was abandoned when it appeared that the war would never come near the fort. The fort can be reached by a ¼-mile hiking trail near the parking lot. Located roughly 300 feet above the city, the fort’s strategic position offers a breathtaking view of West Point looking across the Ohio Rivers.

Falls of Rough

5. Rough River Dam State Resort Park

450 Lodge Road Falls of Rough, KY 40119 1 (270) 257-2311 Rough River Dam State Resort Park has a little something for everyone. You can find the usual park amenities like swimming, fishing, birding, picnicking, and hiking. Rough River Dam is also known for orienteering, a sport in woods navigation where you use a map and compass to complete a course. There are 13 checkpoints for you or a group to discover. You can also enjoy a game of miniature golf, disc golf or just grab something to eat in the lodge and take in your surroundings.

Mammoth Cave

6. Nolin Lake State Park

2998 Briar Creek Drive Mammoth Cave, KY 42259 1 (270) 286-4240 Nolin Lake State Park is an excellent place to camp and fish. The state park has over 30 campsites with hookups and an additional 27 primitive campsites. There is a public beach, playground, 9 miles of trails for biking and hiking, and the lake has an abundance of bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye.

Fort Knox Golf Course

7. Lindsey Golf Course at Fort Knox

4024 Bullion Blvd. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-2717 Open all week (including most holidays) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., this 18-hole golf course on Fort Knox offers a challenging course for golfers, from beginners to the pros, and a relaxing atmosphere for special events. The grounds regularly host charity and corporate group outings or private, retirement or promotion parties. A fully stocked pro shop is available to make purchases or inquire about lessons. There is also Bluegrass Meats & Catering where golfers can take a break and enjoy a variety of barbecued meats, French fries, onion rings, nachos, soft drinks, and a variety of domestic and premium beers.

Vine Grove

8. Lincoln Trail Golf Course

900 Country Club Road Vine Grove, KY 40175 1 (270) 877-2181 Lincoln Trail Golf Course is a PGA course carved out of the beautiful landscape of central Kentucky, less than 10 miles from Fort Knox. The 18-hole course offers just the right amount of challenge with a fair test for every golfer. The club also features a fully operational bar and grill. Lincoln Trail’s dining room offers scenic views that enhance any special event.

Shepherdsville

9. Heritage Hill Golf Club

1050 Valley View Drive Shepherdsville, KY 40165 1 (502) 531-0606 Heritage Hill Golf Club, rated a top 10 new course by Golf Digest in 2008, is a par 72 course planned by a former Jack Nicklaus design associate. The public course’s 7,100 yards tests golfers of all abilities while still being fun to play. The club is a short 30-minute drive from Fort Knox and offers a full-service pro shot and snack bar.

Fort Knox Shooting Range

West Point

10. Knob Creek Gun Range

690 Ritchey Lane West Point, KY 40177 1 (502) 922-4457 Knob Creek Gun Range is a premier outdoor shooting range, just 12 miles from the front gates of Fort Knox. The 350-yard outdoor range is available for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The range is a former military-munitions test range so it’s perfect for soldiers looking to get some shot practice in. Targets, a large selection of firearms, ammunition, scopes, mounts, reloading supplies, and everything else you need are available for sale. The range also hosts a biannual gun show and a number of competitions in the spring.

Fort Knox Fishing and Hunting

11. Hunt Control Office

4916 Wilson Road, Building 9297 Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-7311/2712 Hunting and fishing are permitted on approximately 65,000 acres of Fort Knox, with the proper permits, registration, and licenses in place. You’ll find information, maps, and policies for both hunting and fishing at the Hunt Control Office.

Fort Knox Sports and Fitness Centers

12. Intramural Sports

6607 Wilson Road Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-1247 The Fort Knox Intramural Sports Program offers active-duty military the opportunity to enhance morale and unit esprit de corps through competitive sports. Intramural sports include activities such as softball, golf, bowling, soccer, flag football, racquetball, volleyball, and basketball.

13. Anderson Indoor Aquatics Center

7962 Wilson Road Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-6217 The Anderson Indoor Aquatics Center houses an indoor, heated, Olympic-sized pool that features a 1-meter diving board, 50-foot tube water slide, and a rock wall. The aquatics center is also home to a cardiovascular fitness room with a treadmill, ellipticals, stationary and recumbent bicycles, a rowing machine, and more. There are two separate indoor and outdoor spray parks for the little ones in your life, open during recreation swim hours. The outdoor patio area has ample space for eating and sunbathing.

Fort Knox Bowling Alley

14. Houston Bowling Center at Fort Knox

2385 Knox St. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-4740 Houston Bowling Center offers 32 synthetic lanes, automatic scoring, bumper bowling, a well-stocked pro shop, party room, billiards and video games. Strike Zone eatery, inside the center, offers a full menu featuring hamburgers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads and more. Additionally, electronic bingo is available at Houston Bowling Center every day.

Fort Knox Gym

15. Smith Fitness Center

5927 26th Cavalry Drive Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-3641 The Smith Fitness Center features multiple basketball and volleyball courts, two glass-enclosed racquetball courts, saunas, locker rooms, and a 20-foot-high rock wall and 14-foot-high bouldering wall. This Fort Knox gym also has a strength training and cardiovascular training area featuring some of the industry’s best equipment.

16. Otto Fitness Center

6591 Abel St. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-3316 The Otto Fitness Center features multiple basketball and volleyball courts, saunas, locker rooms, cardiovascular equipment to meet all of your needs, and a strength performance zone that focuses on functional fitness and human performance. This gym is open on weekdays only.

17. Gammon Fitness Center

850 Radio St. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-4033 The Gammon Fitness Center has something to fit every active person’s need, from group classes and personal training programs to a full range of cardio equipment and free weights. The gym also features newly renovated locker rooms, an indoor walking track, 25-meter indoor pool for training exercises and laps, and childcare for parents who need it while they work out.

18. Natcher Fitness Center

2341 Garry Owen Ave. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-8176 Head to the Natcher Fitness Center for a pickup game of basketball on one of the three courts or practice serving at the volleyball court. The center also features two glass-enclosed racquetball courts, a strength training area, a fully equipped cardio room, indoor suspended running track and an outdoor track.

Fort Knox Attractions

Fort Knox

19. Leisure Travel Office

1053 Spearhead Division Ave. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-5030 The Leisure Travel Office offers discounted and special offer tickets to local, regional and national theme parks, tours, attractions and events for day trips, weekend getaways or vacations. Special military discounted tickets and passes to Disney World, Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay, other theme parks, Armed Forces Recreation Center Resorts like Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii, zoos, aquariums, sporting events and movie tickets are just a few of the offers the LTS provides. This office is a great resource for seeking out new adventures and area information.

20. Fort Knox Water Park

5539 Chaffee Ave. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-1253 Fort Knox Water Park is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. The water park has all kinds of fun ways to stay cool and beat the summer heat with slides, sprays, and pool fun for kids and adults.

21. Long Recreation Center

268 N. Knox St. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 626-3033 Long Recreation Center offers the ultimate gaming and entertainment experience for all valid DOD ID card holders over 18. The Long Recreation Center is the perfect spot to meet up with friends to socialize, relax, play video games, surf the web, watch movies, shoot a game of pool or play table tennis.

22. United States Bullion Depository

397 Redmar Blvd. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (800) 872-6468 The United States Bullion Depository, often known as Fort Knox, is a fortified vault building next to Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is operated by the United States Department of the Treasury. No visitors are permitted in the facility but there is a gold vault on display in the Patton Museum store that was used in the movie Goldfinger, which is basically the same thing.

Louisville

23. Louisville Zoo

1100 Trevilian Way Louisville, KY 40213 1 (502) 459-2181 The Louisville Zoo has more than 1,700 animals on display throughout its 134 acres. There’s so much to see, hear, touch and smell at the zoo! From the new sloth exhibit in the South American zone to the Australian section where you can feed nectar to the lorikeets. Explore the lands of Africa and marvel at the world’s tallest mammal (the giraffe) and the world’s largest living land mammal (the elephant) and enjoy watching a herd of zebras run by. There’s lions and tigers and bears, oh my! You’ll want to come back again and again to see all of the animals.

24. Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay

937 Phillips Lane Louisville, KY 40209 1 (502) 813-8200 Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay has over 70 thrilling rides, coasters and water attractions to entertain and excite you, including the award-winning roller coaster, Storm Chaser. Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay offers something for everyone in the family from water fun and animal shows to roller coasters, thrill rides and family rides. You’re sure to find something here to make you say it was the best day ever.

Fort Knox Museums

Fort Knox

25. General George Patton Museum of Leadership

4554 Fayette Ave. Fort Knox, KY 40121 1 (502) 624-3391 The General George Patton Museum of Leadership is a living dedication to the legendary Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. and his role in both world wars. The museum has a number of Patton’s personal items on display, including childhood mementos, uniforms, swords, his office van and touring car. The museum previously had more tanks on display but they moved to Fort Benning as part of the Post Realignment and Closing decision by Congress. A few tanks remain outside and inside as part of the new exhibits that were unveiled in 2018.

26. Kentucky Derby Museum

704 Central Ave. Louisville, KY 40208 1 (502) 637-1111 The Kentucky Derby Museum is an American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville. Dedicated to preserving the tradition, history, hospitality and pride of the Kentucky Derby, it first opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1985 and welcomes more than 230,000 visitors each year. The museum offers visitors the chance to experience the world-renowned event through interactive exhibits, a 30-minute guided walking tour and by watching the museum’s signature 18-minute movie “The Greatest Race.” Don’t forget to grab a mint julep and wear your biggest hat to feel like you’re at the races.

Distilleries

27. Distilleries

You can’t mention Kentucky without talking about bourbon. The area is legendary for that barrel-aged distilled spirit made mostly from corn, and there are countless places to enjoy a tasting just a short drive from Fort Knox. Or, venture further out to Louisville to follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Conclusion

There is so much to do right around Fort Knox or just a short drive away. It’s the perfect place for someone who enjoys exploring the great outdoors, history buffs who love to learn about our nation’s storied past, and everyone else in between. Whatever your mood or hobby, there’s something for you to enjoy near your new home at Fort Knox. Get out there and see why there’s so much to love about the Bluegrass State!  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.