Mantle Rock Preserve

Mantle Rock Arch Glade © The Nature Conservancy

Why You Should Visit
This area is not only replete with biological diversity, but with historical and archaeological significance as well. Visitors will find a visit in any season to be a rewarding experience. Rich wildflowers carpet the cliffs in springtime; a small babbling stream adds to the tranquility.

The centerpiece of the preserve is Mantle Rock, a 30-foot high natural sandstone bridge, spanning 188 feet. Physical and chemical weathering along it fractures formed Mantle Rock. Numerous bluffs, shelters, and honeycomb formations embellish this area, which is also known for its extensive faulting and abundant fluorite deposits.

During the harsh winter of 1838-39, many Cherokee Native Americans being expelled along the "Trail of Tears" were delayed by treacherous river conditions on the Ohio. They sought shelter under Mantle Rock and other nearby rock shelters.

Location
Livingston County

Size
367 acres

Conditions
The preserve trails are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. People of all ages can enjoy hiking and other forms of passive recreation through this gently rolling terrain. Approximately 1 mile of easy rated trail extends into the preserve. A trail map is located  at the trailhead.

To protect fragile habitats, activities such as rock climbing, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking and all-terrain vehicles are strictly prohibited.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
For more information on visiting this and other Nature Conservancy sites in Kentucky, see our Preserve Visitation Guidelines page.

Directions
From the Western Kentucky Parkway

• either exit north on Hwy 641 to Marion then continue southwest on Hwy 60 to Salem
• or exit north on Hwy 60 to Salem

From Salem

• take Hwy 133 north two miles past Joy
• On the south side of Hwy 133 is the historical plaque marking the entrance.

What to See: Plants
Kentucky's only known occurrence of June grass (Koeleria cristata) thrives here along with other characteristic glade species such as:

• prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa)
• rush foil (Crotonopsis elliptica)
• hairy lipfern (Cheilanthes lanosa)
• little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• pinweed (Lechea tenufolia)
• poverty grass (Danthonia spicata).

Scattered deep soil pockets are dominated by:

• gnarled and stunted post oak (Quercus stellata)
• Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica)
• farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
• and red cedar (Juniperus virginiana).

What to See: Animals
Forest and grassland wildlife species are plentiful at Mantle Rock. These include:

• grassland and forest guilds of songbirds
• deer
• turkey
• squirrels

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Fragile sandstone glades are interspersed throughout the upland forest community. These areas are some of the best examples in Kentucky of this rare community type.

In 1988, the Reynolds Metals Company generously donated 190 acres of land to The Nature Conservancy, which maintains the preserve with the help of volunteers.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The key objective for this site is to protect the sandstone glade community type, especially the rare populations of June grass and Buckley's goldenrod. Other priorities include protecting several archeological sites, to prevent succession of the glade openings through fire management, to restore the adjacent fields to native vegetation, and to develop the site for public access.