The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit

This trail winds through some fairly rugged terrain and takes the visitor across streams, over a rocky bluff, and down to the bottoms of the Cumberland River. This is a great spot to catch a glimpse of woodland wildflowers, closed canopy hardwood forest, limestone outcroppings, and wildlife such as deer, turkey, and songbirds. Historic features, such as remnants of an old stone fence, can also be seen from the trail.

Location

Far western Kentucky in Livingston County near the town of Burna.

Hours

Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Conditions

This is an easy one mile hike.

Warning: Please do not hike on the bluff. 

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site

The Bissell Bluff Tract was purchased by The Nature Conservancy from Meade-Westvaco in 2002 and in 2004 was transferred to Livingston County using grant funding from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. This approximately 600-acre piece of property is now permanently protected and is jointly managed by Livingston County Fiscal Court, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines"

Directions

Visitors can reach the Bissell Bluff preserve by taking US60 from either Smithland or Marion to the town of Burna. At Burna, turn on Bissell Bluff Rd. Travel approximately 3 miles to Tomahawk Road and follow to end. From here, turn left off the blacktop and follow the gravel road to the parking area.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

Read our guidelines on posting comments