Active Heroes Retreat Center – Shepherdsville, KY
1022 Ridgeview Drive Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Open Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM and weekends by appointment
Activities currently include:
- Disc golf on our 18-hole professionally designed course
- Archery range
- Hiking trails
- Picnic pavilion
- Cabin Stays (free to veterans and their families, see Cabin tab for details)
- Equine – assisted services for Veterans provided by Equid Branches
- Quarterly family camp outs (coming 2022)
- Special events throughout the year
Upcoming Events at the Retreat
- Bernheim Forest
- Jim Beam Distillery
- Slow Poke Farm – Hay Rides and more
- Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery
- Four Roses Distillery
- Forest Edge Winery
- Golf Courses
- My Old Kentucky Home
- My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train
- Over 40 Restaurants within 12 Miles
- The Active Heroes Community Center
- Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby)
- Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
- Museum Row
- Water Front Park
- 4th Street Live and Downtown Louisville
- Cherokee Park
- Hundreds of Restaurants
- and more…
The Active Heroes Retreat Center was acquired on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2013. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have removed over 60 tons of debris and cleared out sections of land for future development. “Phase One Development” was finished in 2019 with the completion of the Retreat Center. In 2021 our Event Pavilion was completed and hosted its first gala and was rented to host several weddings. We also added an equine program to the retreat’s offerings, which included installing fencing to create 2 additional pastures. With the help of many volunteer groups trails were cleared and improved upon. Our 18-hole disc golf course was also designed and installed during this time.
Next Development at the retreat:
- Main Entrance Roads
- Welcome Center
- Wedding/Event Pavilion
- Larger Cabin w/ Wounded veteran access
- Bridges
- Equine Services Barn and Covered Arena
HEALING THROUGH INTEGRATION
Integration is the first step towards healing. Many veterans and military families dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) struggle with going out into the public. The Active Heroes Retreat is designed to give these families a safe place where they can intermingle with others but also have the option to enjoy the quiet of the surroundings.
HEALING THROUGH NATURE
The Active Heroes Retreat and Nature Park is located on 147 beautiful acres seated in between rolling hills and valleys with four dedicated flat activity areas. The retreat gives military families a place where they can leave their personal problems behind and step into the warm embrace of nature. Visitors can even expect to see deer, turtles, hawks, while here at the retreat.
There are several hiking trails of varying lengths for visitors to enjoy. The sound of water can often be heard as you walk around the 147 acres, making the area an ideal place for rest and relaxation! Four main creeks run throughout the property.
HEALING THROUGH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Many adults enjoy the serenity of spending time relaxing with outdoor activities to escape the stress and craziness of everyday life. Fresh air and natural scenery have a positive impact on adults and kids a like. The Active Heroes Retreat offers several outdoor activity options for every member of the military family. Some of these include hiking the Honor hiking trail that follows the outer edge of the retreat, building a fire at one of our outdoor fire pits, an archery range (junior bows are available for use), biking, croquet, badminton, and many other outdoor games!
