Dedicated Feb. 20, 1991, Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve is located in Ballard County. Originally 146 acres, an additional 312 acres was dedicated on December 11, 2001. This preserve represents the first steps in the long-term conservation of the entire 3,000-acre Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex which supports at least eight rare plant and animal species.
Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve protects a portion of Kentucky's best known example of a large, intact bald cypress-tupelo swamp. The 3,000-acre wetland complex harbors the state's most significant nesting population of Brown creepers (Certhia americana) and is home to at least three rare species of bats, Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), Southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius) and Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii). The swamp also is utilized seasonally by large numbers of migratory waterfowl, and it has been recognized as a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
Access is by written permission only.