LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2025) – Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Hodgenville in LaRue County has officially been certified as the commonwealth’s 31st Kentucky Trail Town.
“Team Kentucky is thrilled to welcome Hodgenville as our 31st Kentucky Trail Town,” said Gov. Beshear. “This program showcases Kentucky as a prime location for outdoor recreation, providing travelers with unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to bring this project to life. I can’t wait to see all the new visitors this Trail Town brings to our New Kentucky Home.”
The Kentucky Trail Town program is a tourism and economic development program designed to provide communities with a strategic plan to capitalize on recreational opportunities. Each of Kentucky’s 31 Trail Towns has made a public commitment to share its outdoor opportunities, culture, history and stories with guests seeking opportunities for adventure.
“Kentucky was the first state in the country to implement a statewide Trail Town program, and Hodgenville is a wonderful addition,” said Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “In addition to highlighting outdoor adventure, the Trail Town program helps communities share their arts, culture and history with visitors while supporting local businesses. We can’t wait to watch Hodgenville continue to grow and thrive as our newest Trail Town.”
“We are happy this program continues to grow within the Department of Parks,” said Mark Kellen, deputy commissioner of the Department of Parks. “Hodgenville is a great community with plenty of history, unique dining and many outdoor experiences to explore. This partnership between Kentucky State Parks and Kentucky’s Trail Towns represents the best of the best in Kentucky outdoor recreation.”
Hodgenville officials worked to identify and enhance their outdoor recreation and create new opportunities in their area. Outside of outdoor recreation, the Trail Town program aims to build downtown areas by offering more destinations, including restaurants, coffee shops, retailers and event venues.
Hodgenville is most famous as the birthplace of America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. His namesake National Historic Park welcomes visitors throughout the year. Additional outdoor destinations include McDougal Lake and Trails and the Pearman Forest at the LaRue County Environmental Education & Research Center, which provide great outdoor access for LaRue County residents. The 1976 TransAmerica Cycling Route travels just outside of town through LaRue County. Several Hodgenville destinations have received recognition in recent years as part of Kentucky Living’s Best in Kentucky awards, including Vibe Coffee, Laha’s Red Castle, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market, the Lincoln Museum, the Lincoln Lodge and the annual Lincoln Days festival.
“The idea of becoming a Trail Town started seven years ago when I became mayor,” said Hodgenville Mayor Jim Phelps. “A few dedicated individuals found out that the city owned about 80 acres of wooded land at McDougal Lake. They asked for permission to build a hiking/biking trail there. These folks have worked tirelessly to develop our trail system, maintain it and be the driving force for the Trail Town designation. They are the true heroes!”
“When I first became judge/executive, one of the first visionary projects I looked at was a comprehensive trail network to connect LaRue’s places of interest,” said LaRue County Judge/Executive Blake Durrett. “I’ve been dreaming of what Trail Town status would do for this vision. I can’t thank the volunteers enough for all their hard work in achieving this for our county.”
“Starting the process to become a trail town allowed us to step back and really inventory all the various activities that the Hodgenville and LaRue County citizens and visitors alike can take advantage of,” said Trail Town Chair Jim B. Phelps. “Our local historical establishments, entertainment, eateries, downtown appeal, trails, U.S. bike routes and agritourism locations all surfaced. In the end, we realized, we are very fortunate.”
During the 2024 legislative session, Gov. Beshear signed House Joint Resolution 56, releasing $71 million for capital construction projects, including building system upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various parks.
Gov. Beshear announced that $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote recreational projects.
To capitalize on Kentucky’s historic economic momentum and record-breaking tourism success, Gov. Beshear announced New Kentucky Home, a strategic initiative to further drive economic investment, attract and retain talent and increase tourism across the commonwealth.
Earlier this year, the Governor announced that 2024 was the strongest year on record for tourism, generating $14.3 billion in economic impact and supporting 97,394 jobs. This milestone marks the third straight record-breaking year for tourism in Kentucky.
Kentucky’s impressive economic success over the last five years is a direct reflection of the Beshear administration’s continued investments in the tourism industry.
In December 2024, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth achieved another historic milestone, marking a new record with 10 new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $256 million in economic investment. These projects are also expected to create 1,696 jobs once operational.
In 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Previously, the Governor dedicated $5.3 million in federal funding to 103 tourism and destination marketing organizations in 88 Kentucky counties.
Since the beginning of the Beshear administration, 33 tourism development projects totaling an estimated investment of $1 billion have received final approval. Once operational, these projects will create roughly 4,825 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
Hodgenville joins Dawson Springs, Livingston, Morehead, Olive Hill, London, Stearns, Elkhorn City, Jamestown, Manchester, Berea, Columbia, Royalton, the Harlan County Tri Cities of Cumberland, Benham and Lynch, McKee, Slade, Munfordville, Cave City and Horse Cave, Campbellsville, Irvine and Ravenna, Hazard, Elizabethtown, Morgantown, Park City, Livermore, Burkesville, Hyden, Liberty, Pikeville and Leitchfield as Kentucky Trail Towns.
Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov. For more information on exploring Kentucky’s great outdoors, visit Kentucky Trail Towns.