The purpose of the LaRue Environmental Education and Research Center is to provide for educational opportunities in ecology, genetics, forestry, natural resource conservation and wildlife management. The site has a three-quarter mile long trail through the forest that contains more than 170 species of plants and interpretive tree identification markers. The most significant forest stand is approximately 80 acres of mature white oak approaching old growth. While the dominant canopy species is white oak, 18 additional species have been observed in the canopy and co-dominant trees include sugar maple, tuliptree and black oak. The understory is dominated by spicebush, pawpaw, and Carolina buckthorn. In addition to the forest, there is also a created native grass prairie and small pond. A picnic shelter is near the entrance, and a weather station has been installed nearby.
Access: 
Anna Belle’s trail is open dawn to dusk for hiking. From downtown Hodgenville go north on KY 84/US 31E and turn onto KY 1794 and go approximately 2.5 miles to the entrance on the south side of the road. Parking is available at the end of the lane.