What are the opening hours?

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

Salato Wildlife Education Center

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United States
Frankfort, KY
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.

11/08/2024

📢📢 Friendly reminder 📢📢 Salato's hiking trail system will be CLOSED to the public beginning TODAY (Friday, November 8th) and will reopen on Tuesday, November 12th.

This closure coincides with the opening weekend of modern gun season. Though hunting is not allowed on Pea Ridge property, it borders actively hunted land. For your safety, please mind the trail closure signs and stay off trails until reopened. Thank you!

11/07/2024

Curious about wild game cooking? Join us on Saturday at 11:00 am for our Hunter's Harvest program, where you'll learn about the nutritional advantages of wild game meat, field-to-table cooking tips, and more. We can't wait to see you at the rest of this week's programs!

TODAY
10:30 am – Leave the Leaves! 🍁
2:00 pm – Bulking up for Fall 🍂

Friday 11/8
11:00 am - Bald Eagle Program 🦅

Saturday 11/9
11:00 am – Hunter's Harvest (Wild Game Cooking) 🦌
2:00 pm – Decomposers Talk 🍄

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

📷 Northern Bobwhite: Ben Robinson

11/06/2024

❗ ❗ ATTENTION ❗ ❗ Salato's hiking trail system will be CLOSED to the public beginning Friday, November 8th and will reopen on Tuesday, November 12th.

This closure coincides with the opening weekend of modern gun season. Though hunting is not allowed on Pea Ridge property, it borders actively hunted land. For your safety, please mind the trail closure signs and stay off trails until reopened. Thank you!

11/05/2024

🌟 Friendly reminder 🌟

In observance of Election Day, the Salato Center will be CLOSED today (Tuesday, November 5th). Please plan your visits accordingly.

The center will resume normal hours of 9am to 4pm on Wednesday, November 6th. We look forward to seeing you!

11/04/2024

Did you know that there are more bald eagles in Kentucky today than there have ever been on record? Join us for our Bald Eagle Program on Friday at 11:00 am to learn more about this stately raptor. We'll also delve into fall-themed topics such as wild game cooking (Hunter's Harvest) and the benefits of waiting to rake leaves.

We can't wait to see you at this week's programs!

Salato calendar and program info: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

11/02/2024

In observance of Election Day, the Salato Center will be CLOSED on Tuesday, November 5th. Please plan your visits accordingly.

The center will resume normal hours of 9am to 4pm on Wednesday, November 6th. We look forward to seeing you!

11/01/2024

✨ In case you missed it:

Halloween at Salato was a spook-tacular time for all! Staff members dressed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Kentucky’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Discover more in the comments of each photo of the species in their "native habitats."

We hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween! 🎃

For more information about Kentucky's SWAP, visit https://app.fw.ky.gov/kyswap/

11/01/2024

Congratulation to Bart Riddle, our dedicated Animal Care Specialist for 20 years of service. Bart quietly works behind the scenes to keep our animals healthy. His hard work is a big part our our success. Thank you, Bart, for your unwavering commitment to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife!

10/29/2024

🎃 Join us Thursday, October 31st for our Halloween Bear Enrichment at 9:30 am along with our Vulture Culture program at 2:00 pm!

But the fun doesn't stop there – to spotlight Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Kentucky’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), like the American Black Duck, our staff will be dressed as a few of these unique animals. SWAP helps us prioritize projects to protect Kentucky’s vulnerable species and their habitats. 🐟🦅

Learn more about Kentucky's SWAP species here: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kyswap/

See you on Halloween! 🦇

📷 American Black Duck - Cornell Lab

10/28/2024

Happy "Halloweek!"

We can't wait to see you at this week's programs!

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

10/27/2024

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts and curious minds!

Salato's season will come to a close on November 27th, but there is still time to visit our brand new Healthy Hunting Grounds exhibit. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn about the role hunting plays in conservation and ways you can help!

📷 Rachel Cummings

10/24/2024

Yesterday's visitors had a hands-on learning experience during our Creep-uscular (crepuscular) Creatures program, where they learned about animals that are most active during dawn and dusk.

The Halloween Raptor Encounter was a spook-tacular time! Our American Kestrel got the opportunity to find and forage for mealworms, mice, and other favorite foods in a pumpkin and haunted house.

Check out the rest of this week's spooky season programs! 🦇🎃

TODAY
10:30 am – Halloween Reptile Program 🐢
2:00 pm – Not So Scary Spiders 🕷

Friday 10/25
9:30 am - Halloween Bobcat Enrichment 🐾

Saturday 10/26
2:00 - Raptor Program: Owl-o-ween 🦉

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

10/23/2024

Great news! Salato's hiking trails are now OPEN! Get outside and enjoy the fall scenery and native wildlife.

10/21/2024

Spooky season continues! Come prowl with us on Friday at 9:30 am for our Halloween Bobcat Enrichment. Embrace the fall feeling while watching our bobcats navigate a corn maze and learning about these stealthy animals' behavior and adaptations.

We can't wait to see you at this week's programs!

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

10/17/2024

We can "bear"-ly wait for today's Bear Training. We hope to see you at the rest of this week's programs!

TODAY
11:00 am – Bear Training 🐻
2:00 pm – Wild Encounter 🐍

Friday 10/18
11:00 am – Stationed Interpretation 💡

Saturday 10/19
11:00 am – Leave the Leaves! 🍂

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

10/14/2024

Come see us at Salato this week to explore the world of conservation and learn about native species you can find right here in Kentucky! 🦌

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

10/10/2024

This October and November, Salato is offering special seasonal conservation education programs!

Get into the Halloween spirit with our spooky decorations and join us for programs like “Creep-uscular Creatures,” where you'll discover Kentucky’s animals that are most active at dawn and dusk. Or embrace the fall season with talks like "Hunter's Harvest," where you can learn about the nutritional value of wild game meat.

Programs are available daily—visit our online schedule for more details! https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/

10/10/2024

How would you rate this eastern screech owl's camouflage? We think 10/10. We can't wait to see you at the rest of this week's programs!

TODAY
11:00 am – Leave the Leaves! 🍁
2:00 pm – Owl Prowl 🦉

Friday 10/11
2:00 pm – Vulture Culture 💡

Saturday 10/12
2:00 pm – Creatures of the Night 🌙

Salato calendar: https://app.fw.ky.gov/salatocalendar/
Learn about Kentucky Wild: https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/

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

http://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Salato-Wildlife-Education-Center.aspx

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Videos

The bobcats thoroughly enjoyed foraging for food and exploring their Halloween corn maze yesterday! Physical and mental stimulation is essential for an animal’s health, so Salato enriches its animals' lives with fresh sights, scents, and chances to engage in natural behaviors while adding variety to their daily routines. We thank Devine's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch for their donation of the cornstalks! #SpookySeason #conservation #KeepKYWild

🌟 Big day at Salato! 🌟 Get ready for an action-packed Saturday, September 28th at Salato Wildlife Education Center! We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new exhibit, Healthy Hunting Grounds, and the fun doesn’t stop there—admission is FREE in celebration of National Hunting & Fishing Day! 🦆🎣 Don’t miss out on all the excitement! 📅 When: Saturday, September 28th 🕒 Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm 📍 Where: Salato Wildlife Education Center 💲 Cost: FREE See you then! #NationalHuntingAndFishingDay #KeepKYWild #conservation #Kentucky #outdoors

Wishing you a lucky St.Patrick’s day from Salato! 🍀Our bobcats, kestrel, and black bear enjoyed St. Patrick’s day enrichments this weekend. Visit our calendar and plan your next visit to Salato! #bobcat #blackbear #kestrel #stpatricksday #lucky #conservation #kentuckynative #wildlifeeducation

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Salato! Our bobcats are enjoying their gingerbread house enrichment, what are you doing to get into the holiday spirit? 🎄🎁

🍂🍁Are you loving the recent fall weather? We sure are!🍁🍂 #PumpkinSpiceAndEverythingNice #FinallyFeelingFall #KentuckyWildlife #AnimalEnchrichment 🎥: Adriana Perez

With temperatures expected to reach the upper 90’s this week, even the bobcats can’t resist a dip in the pool. ⛱️ Enrichments like these not only provide entertainment for our animals, but also help to simulate wild behaviors, such as fishing and hunting. #bobcat #kentuckywildlife #animalenrichment #gofish 🎥 Video credit: Bekah Keating

Have you met our bobcats? Showing off their wrestling skills is a daily occurrence for these two. Stop by this summer to see if you can catch them in action! #bobcat #kentuckynative #playtime #wildlifeconservation Video credit: Rebekah Keating

🏕️ Camping season is here! Make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to be BEAR AWARE! . Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind if you find yourself in bear country: 🐻 NEVER feed or approach bears. 🗑️ Secure garbage and recycling in bear proof containers. 🍔 Hang food and coolers high in trees. 🐦 Remove bird feeders. 🐈 NEVER leave pet food outside. 🌭 Clean grills and smokers. 🐾 Alert neighbors of activity. . Black bears are found in the Eastern part of Kentucky. It’s not uncommon to see them at Red River Gorge, a popular camping destination. As a part of our black bear enrichment and bear wise program at Salato, our animal care specialists and conservation educators set up a mock campsite for our resident black bear. He was able to access various treats and food items in a matter of minutes, demonstrating to visitors the importance of being bear aware. For more information check out fw.ky.gov and bearwise.org. . #blackbear #bear #bearaware #hikingsafety #bearwise #wildlifeeducation #animalenrichment #conservationeducation #kyblackbears #kentucky #explorekentucky #redrivergorge

Happy Easter! We hope you enjoy your hunt for eggs as much as our bear did. Please remember there is no bag limit on Easter eggs. [No bunnies were harmed in the making of this video] 🐻🥚🐰 #HappyEaster #EasterEgg #AnimalEnrichment 🎥: Cassidy Cornett

Salato opens in just TWO WEEKS and we can BEARly wait!! If you’re looking for something to do this spring, stop by and LETTUCE enrich you! Beginning March 14th, our hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm (closed Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays). #ItsAlmostTime #WildlifeViewing #OpeningSoon