Need a low-cost summer getaway? These Kentucky lakefront beaches are true hidden gems
You don’t need to get on a plane or endure an hours-long car ride to feel the sand between your toes.
Lakes and rivers span the length of Kentucky, and many are located in state or national parks, meaning the price of admission is often low or no cost.
If you need to getaway this summer without putting too much strain on your wallet, here are three hidden gem lakefront beaches you can escape to.
Laurel River Lake
Located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel River Lake features 5,600 acres of clear, deep water and nearly 200 miles of shoreline.
Its quiet coves, sheltered by trees and cliffsides, offer plenty of private spots, and there’s a good chance you’ll have at least a piece of it to yourself. While there, you can enjoy boating, fishing, water-skiing and scuba diving. Laurel River Lake is a good spot for it, too, given it’s one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky, with crystal clear waters that some reviewers say rival the Caribbean.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers this reservoir and its facilities, which include a beach for swimmers near the dam’s spillway.
Accommodations: Holly Bay and Grove drive-in campgrounds with water and electricity.
What to do: Laurel River Lake is an ideal spot for paddling. The Flatwoods Picnic Area is a great place to launch your kayak or canoe, but there are many others. Beach parking is $5.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in Dawson Springs, you can enjoy gently-lapping waves pretty much all summer long since the beach is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It’s available to the public between Monday and Friday, but on the weekends, beach access is reserved for in-house guests, so you’ll be guaranteed a more exclusive experience if you book a stay there.
Accommodations: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park has a campground, lodge and cottages with private docks.
What to do: Make sure to check out Fisherman’s Rock for a memorable view and photo opportunity.
The Sands at Kentucky Lake
What makes “The Sands” a true hidden gem is you can’t drive to it. Found on Kentucky Lake near Land Between the Lakes, this secret beach is only accessible by boat during the summer months when the water level is high enough. There is no parking lot or lakefront facilities and you won’t find “The Sands” on a map.
Accommodations: Look for The Sands near the Birmingham Ferry Campground.
What to do: There’s a lot to see and do at Land Between the Lakes, but something you shouldn’t miss is the opportunity to view bison and elk in their natural habitat.
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