KY garden among most beautiful in US. HGTV calls it an ‘enchanting scavenger hunt’
The “most beautiful” public garden in Kentucky can be found in Clermont, according to popular home improvement network HGTV.
The network named Bernheim Forest and Arboretum the top spot in Kentucky to take the sights and sounds of a public garden in its August article “The Most Beautiful Garden You Can Visit in Every State.”
“A 16,000-acre living laboratory where forest bathing takes on new meaning. The garden’s famous Forest Giants — massive sculptures crafted from reclaimed wood — hide among the trees, creating an enchanting scavenger hunt for visitors of all ages,” writer Alexis Benveniste says of Bernheim.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum was founded in 1929, according to its website, and features a visitor center and cafe in addition to the natural areas. It offers more than 40 miles of hiking trails, with options available from paved paths designed for accessibility and short loops less than a mile long, to moderate and difficult trails.
Some of the “must-see” attractions at Bernheim include a 27-foot-tall Tin Man sculpture, a canopy tree walk, sensory gardens and giant wooden sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo.
“Bernheim Forest and Arboretum was delighted to be included in the HGTV article. Founded in 1929, our 600-acre Arboretum houses unique, rare, and endangered species from our region and around the world. Our magnolia and oak collections are both nationally accredited by the Plant Collections Network of the American Public Gardens Association. Visitors enjoy strolling our trails, exploring art in nature, and connecting with nature at interpretive programs and events,” Lynette Cox, director of marketing and communications at the arboretum, wrote in an emailed statement to the Herald-Leader. “Experience the wonder of over 3,500 accessioned plants in the Arboretum and then take a hike in the forest. With more than 16,000 acres, there’s a million things to do!”
Here’s what else to know about exploring the garden.
Visiting Kentucky’s ‘most beautiful’ garden
Bernheim is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the visitor center and cafe are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours vary for some of the natural areas. Dogs must be leashed onsite, and owners are responsible for cleaning up their dog’s waste.
Admission costs $15 per car for non-members, and memberships that include admission are available.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum comprises more than 16,000 acres of wild forest, and along with enjoying the many hiking trails, you can also attend special events, such as ColorFest, at the forest.
ColorFest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, and will feature live music, giant slides, a corn pit, food vendors and more. Admission costs $15 for non-members, and children 10 years and younger enter free.
Other popular events include guided hikes, a family friendly fossil exploration and “Spooktacular Trunk or Treat.”
Bernheim isn’t the only Kentucky spot to receive a recent shouout from HGTV. In September, the home improvement network named Covington among its picks for the most enchanting small downtowns in the U.S.
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 11 a.m. Oct. 21, 2025, to include a statement from the arboretum and update the official name.
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This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 4:45 AM.
