Members-Only Hike to Lilley Cornett Woods

Join Kentucky Heartwood staff and members for a guided exploration of Lilley Cornett Woods!

Located in Letcher County in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, Lilley Cornett Woods (LCW) encompasses 554 acres of mixed mesophytic forest. A portion of the total acreage, 252 acres, is designated as “old-growth” forest; a forest which has not undergone any manmade changes in 150 years. Biodiversity of plants and animals abound at LCW. There are over 530 species of flowering plants and an estimated 700 breeding pairs of birds present. In addition, a variety of small mammals, amphibians and reptiles call Lilley Cornett Woods home.

Our very own Jim Scheff conducted his graduate research at Lilley Cornett Woods which was an investigation into the development of old-growth forest characteristics in second-growth forests in the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is Jim’s work and research that informs our science based approach to protecting our public land and we can’t wait to show you why old-growth forests are so important!

Trips to LCW are by appointment only and will be facilitated by one of their on-staff guides. We will only be able to take a limited number of people on this trip.

IF you are coming from far away, housing options are available in Whitesburg, KY.