Salato Wildlife Education Center

Salato Wildlife Education Center The Salato Center is operated by and located on the grounds of the Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Directions: From 1-64 at Frankfort, take exit 53B to US 127 north and travel 1.5 miles to US 60. Turn left and drive 1.7 miles west on US 60 to the entrance of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Headquarters on the right. Turn into the complex and proceed 0.5 miles to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The center is open seasonally and closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.

🪶 It's Raptor Week at Salato! Get ready for several opportunities to learn about these intelligent, well-adapted birds o...
06/08/2026

🪶 It's Raptor Week at Salato! Get ready for several opportunities to learn about these intelligent, well-adapted birds of prey and why they are so vital to Kentucky's ecosystems.

The word "raptor" means "to seize and capture," which is what these birds excel at when they pursue their prey of rodents and other small animals that can spread disease - free pest control! 🦉❌🐁

Hope to see you soon! 🎊

Tuesday
🔸 12:00 PM – Raptor Program

Wednesday
🔸 10:00 AM – Raptor Program

Thursday
🔸 11:00 AM – Raptor Program

Friday
🔸 10:00 AM – Raptor Program
🔸 10:00-11:00 AM – Stationed Interpretations
🔸 2:00 PM – Help the Hellbender

Saturday
🔸 11:00 AM – Raptor Program
🔸 1:00-3:00 PM – Turtle Pool Party

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

This week at Salato has been moving along swimmingly 🐟 Visitors have learned so much about Kentucky's diverse fish speci...
06/04/2026

This week at Salato has been moving along swimmingly 🐟 Visitors have learned so much about Kentucky's diverse fish species, the basics of fishing and how it helps conservation, and ways they can act as stewards to our native wildlife to preserve it for generations to come 🌄

➡️ Tomorrow we will continue focusing on fish and other aquatic wildlife, then celebrate National Black Bear Day with Saturday's Bear Talk 🐻

📆 Kentucky’s Free Fishing Weekend is June 6–7, when anyone can fish statewide without a fishing license.
🔎 Learn more here: https://fw.ky.gov/Pages/Free-Fishing-Weekend.aspx

We hope to see you at the rest of this week's programs!

Friday
🔸 11:00 AM – Aquatic Habitats 🌊
🔸 2:00 PM – Fascinating Fish 🐟

Saturday: National Black Bear Day 🎉
🔸 11:00 AM – Bear Talk 🐻
🔸 2:00 PM – Fascinating Fish 🐟

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

📸 Bear photo by Rachel Cummings

🚩 Attention hikers! 🚩The trail system located outside Salato’s main entrance (just beyond the picnic shelters), will be ...
06/04/2026

🚩 Attention hikers! 🚩

The trail system located outside Salato’s main entrance (just beyond the picnic shelters), will be CLOSED to the public starting today, June 4, 2026, until further notice due to maintenance and tree removal. The closure is necessary to ensure visitor safety while damage assessments and repairs are completed. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

‼️ This closure includes the Pea Ridge Loop Trail and HabiTrek Trail but does not affect the Salato Wildlife Education Center exhibits and walkways, which remain open during regular business hours.

It's o-fish-ally time for some outdoor adventures! 🐟 This week we're highlighting fishing in Kentucky - its role in cons...
06/01/2026

It's o-fish-ally time for some outdoor adventures! 🐟

This week we're highlighting fishing in Kentucky - its role in conservation, the seemingly endless biodiversity of its native fish, and how to get started on your own fishing journey. Aspiring anglers and seasoned fishing pros are welcome. 🎣

📆 Kentucky’s Free Fishing Weekend is June 6–7, when anyone can fish statewide without a fishing license. To celebrate, we’ll offer special programs about some Fascinating Fish on Friday and Saturday at 2:00 PM.
🔎 Learn more here: https://fw.ky.gov/Pages/Free-Fishing-Weekend.aspx

We’ll close out the week by celebrating National Black Bear Day with a Bear Talk. 🐻

We can’t wait to see you! 🎊

Tuesday
🔸 10:00 AM – Aquatic Habitats 🌊
🔸 2:00 PM – Backyard Bass: Kids Casting Game 🎣

Wednesday
🔸 11:30 AM – Bear Training 🐻
🔸 2:00 PM – Backyard Bass: Kids Casting Game 🎣

Thursday
🔸 11:00 AM – Aquatic Habitats 💧
🔸 2:00 PM – Backyard Bass: Kids Casting Game 🎣

Friday
🔸 11:00 AM – Aquatic Habitats 🌊
🔸 2:00 PM – Fascinating Fish 🐟

Saturday: National Black Bear Day 🎉
🔸 11:00 AM – Bear Talk 🐻
🔸 2:00 PM – Fascinating Fish 🐟

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

🐍 Yesterday's visitors got up close and personal with some incredible native wildlife! Our Snake Talk featured fascinati...
05/29/2026

🐍 Yesterday's visitors got up close and personal with some incredible native wildlife! Our Snake Talk featured fascinating adaptations, a live corn snake encounter, plus shed skins, skulls, and eggs.

While you're here, slow down and look closely along the path - you never know what interesting plants, insects, or fungi you might discover! 🍄🌿🔍

TODAY
🔸11:00 AM – Freshwater Mussels of Kentucky
🔸2:00 PM – Bear Talk

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

You may have heard “poison” and “venom” used interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things:🟣 Poisonous a...
05/25/2026

You may have heard “poison” and “venom” used interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things:
🟣 Poisonous animals (such as the pickerel frog) are harmful when touched or eaten.
🟠 Venomous animals (like the timber rattlesnake) inject toxins through bites or stings.

Learn more at Thursday's Toxin Talk! 💡

🌊 Also this week, join us for Freshwater Mussels of Kentucky to learn how these often-overlooked animals help keep aquatic habitats healthy, why many species are endangered, and how you can help.

We can’t wait to see you!

Tuesday
🔸 10:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🌳
🔸 1:30 PM – Deer Feeding 🦌

Wednesday
🔸 11:00 AM – Wild Encounter 🔍
🔸 2:00 PM – Reptile Program 🐢

Thursday
🔸 11:00 AM – Toxin Talk 🎤
🔸 2:00 PM – Slithery Snakes Talk 🐍

Friday
🔸11:00 AM – Freshwater Mussels of Kentucky 🌊
🔸2:00 PM – Bear Talk 🐻

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

📸 Mussel photo by Monte McGregor, Ph.D.

Turtle Pool Party is still on, rain or shine, until noon today 🎉 🌦️At 2:00 PM, we have Snapper Snacks! Hope to see you t...
05/23/2026

Turtle Pool Party is still on, rain or shine, until noon today 🎉 🌦️

At 2:00 PM, we have Snapper Snacks! Hope to see you there 🕑

Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢

🎉 We have an exciting week ahead at Salato!Wednesday is World Bee Day 🐝 Join us for Be Kind to Bees to learn about the v...
05/18/2026

🎉 We have an exciting week ahead at Salato!

Wednesday is World Bee Day 🐝 Join us for Be Kind to Bees to learn about the vital role these pollinators play in our ecosystem.

We will wrap up the week with the first Turtle Pool Party of the year followed by a Turtle Feeding (Snapper Snacks) on Saturday to celebrate World Turtle Day 🐢

See you soon! 🌟

Tuesday
🔸 11:00 AM – Bobcat Chat 🐾

Wednesday: World Bee Day 🐝
🔸 10:00 AM – Raptor Program 🪶
🔸 2:00 PM – Be Kind to Bees 🐝

Thursday
🔸 10:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🌲
🔸 11:15 AM – Bear Training 🐻
🔸 2:00 PM – Bobcat Chat 🐾

Friday
🔸 10:00 & 11:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🌳
🔸 1:30 PM – Bison Feeding 🦬

Saturday: World Turtle Day 🐢
🔸 10:00 AM to noon – Turtle Pool Party 🏖️
🔸 2:00 PM – Turtle Feeding: Snapper Snacks 🐢

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

🐻 Spring at Salato continues! Some highlights of this week included a Bear Enrichment, up-close looks at native animals ...
05/15/2026

🐻 Spring at Salato continues!

Some highlights of this week included a Bear Enrichment, up-close looks at native animals such as a red-tailed hawk, kingsnake, and common map turtle, plus beautiful spring blooms like the swamp rose mallow to appreciate along the way.

Join us tomorrow for a Bald Eagle Talk and Snapper Snacks to close out the week! 🦅💫

Saturday
🔸 11:00 AM – Bald Eagle Talk
🔸 2:00 PM – Turtle Feeding: Snapper Snacks

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

☀️ We're looking forward to a wonderful week of learning and spending time outdoors in Kentucky's gorgeous spring! Each ...
05/11/2026

☀️ We're looking forward to a wonderful week of learning and spending time outdoors in Kentucky's gorgeous spring!

Each day Monday through Friday, our Kentucky Habitats program will explore the state's diverse ecosystems, featuring animal pelts, skulls, and other props. A Bobcat Training on Wednesday and Bald Eagle Talk on Saturday are just a few of the other highlights. 🐾

We hope to see you there!

Tuesday
🔸 10:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🌳
🔸 11:30 AM – Bear Enrichment 🐻
🔸 2:00 PM – Raptor Encounter 🪶

Wednesday
🔸 10:00 & 11:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats🌲
🔸 2:00 PM – Bobcat Training 🐾

Thursday
🔸 10:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🖼️
🔸 10:30-11:30 AM – Stationed Interpretations 💡
🔸 2:00 PM – Raptor Encounter 🪶

Friday
🔸 10:00 AM – Kentucky Habitats 🌿
🔸 11:00 AM – Wild Encounter 🐍
🔸 2:00 PM – Bison Program 🦬

Saturday
🔸 11:00 AM – Bald Eagle Talk 🦅
🔸 2:00 PM – Turtle Feeding: Snapper Snacks 🐢

Programs are included with admission 🌟

📅 Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

📸 Bobcat and bald eagle photos by Jackie Singer

Address

1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, KY
40601

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15025647863

Website

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