Travel Features

What a unique roadside attraction: The Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland

August 26, 2025 | Lakin' It with Lydia

Right there on Highway 68, just a short drive from Kentucky Lake, you'll find one of the most unique roadside attractions in the region: the Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland. This quirky, one-of-a-kind destination gives off major Route 66 vibes and is a must-see for anyone who appreciates creative artistry and a good story.
This property has been in artist Keith Holt's family for generations. What started as a simple country store in 1928—selling everything from produce to moonshine—later became a gas station as well. Today, that old country store has been transformed into a charming museum filled with relics of the past, including a mannequin of Keith's mother, cooking fried chicken just like she used to.
The true highlight, however, is the artwork itself. The property is a wonderland of found object art, where every piece of junk has been repurposed to tell a unique story. From a clever collection of cans forming the "Grand Can-ion" to the whimsical piece titled "driving my wife up the tree," the creativity is endless. And as if that wasn't enough, there is a separate building filled with thousands of toys, all meticulously organized to tell their own unique stories.
The garden is open to the public from 8 a.m. to dusk, and a suggested donation of $10 per person is greatly appreciated to help support the continued maintenance of this incredible place. I truly enjoyed my visit and the chance to step into a piece of local history and folk art.

Here's a video of my experience...







Here is a map to the Woodlands Nature Station...

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