Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve

Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve is a 458-acre (1.9 km²) nature reserve located near Barlow, Kentucky in Ballard County in an area known locally as "the Barlow bottoms", a wetland created by periodic flooding along the mouth of the Ohio River. Originally, Axe Lake consisted of 146 acres (0.6 km²) of the main lake and about 120 lots on the dryer portions of the property. These lots, the gate and an access road were maintained by a member/share-holder organization which agreed to the lake's dedication as a nature reserve on February 20, 1991. An additional 312 acres (1.3 km²) was dedicated on December 11, 2001.

The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission with assistance from The Nature Conservancy have identified Axe Lake as the centerpiece of an expanded long-term project to protect 3,000 acres (12 km²) of bald cypress-tupelo swamp lands which is to be called the Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex. This cypress-tupelo swamp is the best example of a large intact cypress-tupelo swamp in Kentucky. This protected area is known to support at least eight rare plant and animal species. The site has been recognized as a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Written permission is required for access to the preserve.