The outdoors are calling! Relax and unwind or explore your adventurous side. Madisonville offers the largest variety of outdoor recreation & adventure in Kentucky. Pack your gear and see for yourself what awaits you in Madisonville and Hopkins County in 2025!
1. Go Geocaching
Geocaching is a real-world, treasure-hunting game. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
2. Go Kayaking
Don’t own a kayak? No worries! Tradewater Kayaking offers rentals and a shuttle service to bring you back to your vehicle! Click here for a list of additional places to kayak & canoe in Hopkins County!
3. Go Birding
Mahr Park Arboretum is a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife and birds are no exception with over 163 different species observed so far! Click here for a birding checklist for Mahr Park or click here for a list of sightings!
4. Go Mountain Biking
Grapevine Lake is known for legendary mountain bike trails for all skill levels! 188 acres features over 8 miles of trails, including a youth trail. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park also offers mountain biking trails!
5. Go Miniature Golfing
The Madisonville City Park offers adventure for all ages! Their 18-hole mini-golf course is a great way to get the whole family outside!
7. Go Golfing
Hit the greens in Hopkins County! Lakeshore Country Club, Madisonville City Parks, Madisonville Country Club, and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park all offer great courses!
8. Go Hunting
Explore 5 wildlife management areas totaling over 11,000 acres in Hopkins County. Hunt waterfowl, deer, turkey, and small game.
9. Go Fishing
Public fishing ponds, lakes, and rivers can be found throughout Hopkins County. Our vast wildlife management areas, City Parks and State Park offer ample opportunity to reel in a big one!
10. Go Pickleballing
This fast growing sport has found huge popularity in Madisonville! With several courts around the community, people from all walks of life are learning and loving this new game!
11. Go ATV-ing
Earlington Loch Mary ATV Park is the place to go to hit the trails! The West Kentucky ATV Trails in Dawson Springs is also rebuilding!
12. Go Hiking
Kentucky’s first certified Trail Town is located right here in Hopkins County! Dawson Springs and Pennyrile Forest offer some of the best hiking trails in the area, no matter your level of experience!
13. Go on the Downtown Walking Tour
These three tours highlight the historical, patriotic, and artistic points of the heart of the city. Click here to download a copy or pick up a copy at our office!
14. Go to the Nature Play Area
Explore Mahr Park’s one-of-a-kind Nature Play Area! The Nature Play Area fosters imaginative play and encourages children to interact with their environment while participating in developmental play.
15. Go Swimming
Hop in a swimming pool during the heat of the summer, or swim year-round at the Hopkins County Family YMCA, which offers a bubble dome over the pool so you can swim in comfort no matter what the weather!
16. Go on a Picnic
Pack a basket and a blanket for a laid-back afternoon at one of Hopkins County’s quieter, scenic green spaces like Trover Wellness Park—bonus points for grabbing lunch from a local spot on the way!
17. Go Find a Waterfall
The Pennyrile region offers stunning waterfalls! Take a short 1-mile walk on the Saltpeter Cave and Falls Trail and discover a cascade that is nearly 70 feet tall!
18. Go Biking
Go for a leisurely ride at any park! Don’t have a bike or want to load yours up? Mahr Park offers bike rentals and paved paths!
19. Go Camping
Our camping facilities range from totally “roughing it” to serene sites with full utility hookups. Pack your gear, hitch up your RV, and come enjoy Hopkins County’s beautiful outdoor scenery.
20. Go to the Beach
Wait.. what? Yup, you read that right. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park offers a gorgeous beach with clear blue waters and sand just like you were on the coast!
21. Go Catch a Sunrise or Sunset
Whether you prefer to wake up early and catch the sunrise or find the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset, it’s a must when exploring the outdoors!
22. Go Skateboarding
Show off your skills or learn something new! The Madisonville Skatepark is a 3,000-square-foot outdoor facility on the corner of Sugg Street and Railroad Street in downtown Madisonville.
23. Go Disc Golfing
Home to the Kentucky State Disc Golf Championship, Madisonville boasts 3 disc golf courses, including a Championship course at Mahr Park Arboretum!
24. Go Pedal Boating
Enjoy this fun family-friendly activity at Mahr Park! Offering pedal boat rentals enjoy some time on the water and spend a day at the park!
25. Go on an Art Hunt
From painted bikes to mural walls and art cans, see how many public art pieces you can spot (and selfie with) across Madisonville. Great mix of walkable and drivable stops!