About Baker Natural Area
Located in the heart of the “Big Barrens” region of central and western Kentucky, this natural area is an excellent example of remnant grassland and glade ecosystem nestled within an oak hickory forest complex. The forest, which covers approximately two-thirds of the area, is dominated by six species of oak and three species of hickory.
The grassland vegetation is dominated by various prairie grasses including big bluestem and Indian grass on deeper soils and little bluestem on more shallow soils. The plant community is diverse and over 375 species of plants have been documented. The grassland wildflowers are showy throughout the summer months and include the glade and narrow-leafed coneflower, black-eyed susans, button and spiked gay feather, various sunflowers, and several rare species including cut-leaf prairie dock, Carolina delphinium, purple prairie clover and chestnut sedge.
The site also includes several small limestone glades, a place where the limestone bedrock comes to the surface, and unique species like prickly pear cactus, widow’s cross, and slender heliotrope can be discovered growing it appears almost out of the rock.
Baker Natural Area is owned by the Logan County Conservation District, which has constructed a public walking trail, small pond, weather station and bird blind on the natural area. The district has participated in Envirothon and recieved the KHLCF Stewardship Award in 2012 for their work on the Baker Natural Area.
Baker Natural Areas is open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily.
Directions to Baker Natural Area
Use Google Maps to navigate to Baker Natural Area
The property is located at the corner of Sportsman Road and the north Bypass on the northwestern corner of the city of Russellville.
Parking is available at the north end where the trail begins.