Kentucky Travel Blog: River View Park in Frankfort, Kentucky

Wonderful Wife and I chose the hottest, most humid day we've seen in weeks to take a stroll along the Kentucky River in Frankfort's River View Park. At least it wasn't raining, which is remarkable given the incredibly wet summer our area has been experiencing. Extending along the bank of the river from the Ward Oates Amphitheatre to the Buffalo Trace Distillery, the River View trail is a mile-long paved walking path lined with picnic tables and a handful of historical markers. Parking at the Farmer's Market Pavilion, we didn't quite make it all the way to the distillery but still got in over a mile of walking.

Kentucky River Bridges, Frankfort

The highlights of the trail are the views of the Kentucky River, since at the level of the park most of Frankfort is obscured by the levee that was built in the 1960's in response to decades of often devastating river floods. In fact, much of the park was under water as recently as 2010! Some of the most enjoyable vistas are of the several old bridges, both auto and railroad, spanning the river where it's joined by Benson Creek.

This junction of waterways also lends Frankfort its name. In frontier times, when the land that was to become Kentucky was still a vast and untamed wilderness, a group of settlers established a camp on the point of land where the creek meets the river. At this spot there was once an island where local Native Americans set their fishing nets, and the encroachment

Benson Creek emptying into the Kentucky River

by the white settlers was not taken kindly. The settlers' camp was attacked, resulting in the death of a man named Frank Ford. Since then, the crossing point of the river was known as Frank's Ford - over time morphing into Frankfort. The island disappeared under the river after the construction of the dam just downstream from the park, but the mouth of Benson Creek can clearly be seen from the trail.

Other interesting sites along the trail include several examples of dry mortar stonework, an art that originated in Old World countries such as Ireland and kept alive today by specialized craftsmen.

Stone bridge built by the Dry Stone Conservancy

Stonemasons from the Dry Stone Conservancy have constructed small sections of wall representing some of the common styles found in the Bluegrass region such as the double-faced fence, plantation fence, and edge fence. The stonemasons also crafted a beautiful walking bridge that would serve as an ideal location for Senior Pictures - something we'll keep in mind since The Youngest is a senior this year!

At a point near the northern parking lot (accessed from Wilkinson Blvd across from the Capital Plaza Office Tower) is a boat launch where you can get an up-close-and-personal look at the Kentucky River. Looking upstream affords a nice view of the newish (1980's) Robert C. Yount* Memorial Bridges, with the much older spans in the background.

Looking Upstream

Downstream, just out of sight, is Lock and Dam Number 4 which recently underwent a rehabilitation project with the goal of reopening this stretch of the river to boating traffic. Other than a nifty fishing spot, the boat launch is used for free river tours conducted by the Capital City Museum. Reservations are required for the 1.5 hour trip on the pontoon boat Nancy Wilkinson, but you can't beat the price!

A very scenic choice for a short walk, Frankfort's River View Park is a bit of a hidden gem worth a stop.

* Franklin County native and World War II Navy veteran Robert C. Yount (1909-1989) was mayor of Frankfort from 1953-57