Explore Estill

04/16/2026

Some very exciting news at Lily Mountain Nature Preserve! Lily Mountain is already a favorite of hikers, explorers, and trail runners, now our wheeled friends will be able join in on the fun!

Exciting things happening for the Lily Mountain Nature Preserve. We were notified this morning that our application to the management of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board for Mountain Bike Trails has been approved!!! Now, this will NOT happen on the hiking trails that comprise the main body of the property; however, it will be situated off the Crooked Creek side of the LMNP that was formerly about 150 acres of heavy agriculture usage in the past. So, if you know anyone that would like to start a local Mountain Bike club or even a team/club at the high school, please let us know!

(We will be strictly adhering to IMBA standards, and NO motorized vehicles will be allowed on the trails, NO DIRT BIKES or ATVs of any kind. If you want to ride those, go to Hollerwood!)

04/02/2026

Today we welcomed the Bluegrass Area Development District THRAC group from across our region! Hosted at Kentucky Mountain Moonshine, the group heard from Skip Johnson with Estill Action Group and Friends of the Fitchburg Furnace about our history and recreation and Evan Peach from Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. about their ongoing development, activities, and tourism impact.

The Kentucky Mountain Wood Fired Oven Cafe lunch was sponsored by Estill County Chamber of Commerce, Explore Estill, and Mercy Health Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital.