Welcome to the Houseboat Capital of the World! Lake Cumberland in Kentucky maintains this claim with the largest fleet of rental houseboats in the United States. Initially created as a reservoir to provide flood control and hydroelectric power, Lake Cumberland has become a renowned vacation destination.
Lake Cumberland offers over one-thousand miles of shoreline, bordering over 65,000 acres of water. The reservoir was impounded from the Cumberland River with the creation of the Wolf Creek Dam in 1952. The lake is a tremendous boost to the economy in the local area due to its tourist-friendly amenities.
There is much to see and do near this Kentucky lake! Over 1,500 houseboats call Lake Cumberland home, and the waterside eateries, resorts, and record-taking fish keep visitors coming back year after year. One relaxing vacation on the Kentucky lake will make the Kentucky motto “Unbridled Spirit” your new daily mantra.
What to Do Near Lake Cumberland
The incomparable scenery surrounding Lake Cumberland offers the perfect background to the many local attractions that will capture your attention. The towns of Jamestown and Russell Springs offer unique shopping opportunities, including fabulous lake art, antiques, and specialty shops. No matter where you shop, you will find the perfect Kentucky lake art souvenir!
The Creelsboro Natural Bridge provides a one-of-a-kind experience. The “Rockhouse” is over 300 million years old. A natural limestone arch that stretches to over 60 feet high and 120 feet wide, the bridge was created by river erosion and is classified as a meander national bridge.
Anglers have considered Lake Cumberland their fishing paradise for years. The lake holds the record on the taking of the largest of several species of fish, including:
Record-Making Fish Caught in Lake Cumberland
- Crappie
- Bream
- Walleye
- Largemouth, Smallmouth, White, Kentucky, and Rock bass
The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is located just below the Wolf Creek Dam. Created in 1975, the Wolf Creek fishery is one of the newest in the federal hatchery system. This station produces over one million brown, brook, cutthroat, and rainbow trout every year, stocked into public waters for fishing.
The fishing in and around Lake Cumberland is phenomenal and the variety of fish available is incredible. Fish are plentiful throughout the Kentucky lake’s waters; however, the area near Wolf Creek and Caney Creek is indisputably the best for record-breaking smallmouth bass. There is no shortage of fish tales to be told around the campfires on Lake Cumberland!
Lake Cumberland has Creative Lodging Options
If you are looking for unique lodging options, look no further than the shores of Lake Cumberland. There is lodging with water views, or you can lose yourself in the surrounding forest. Each offers plenty of elbow room and alone time. From houseboats to log cabins, there is sure to be an option that appeals to the lake lover in you.
The Lake Cumberland State Resort Park offers over one hundred campsites in addition to its sixty-three room Lure Lodge. If you prefer the cottage feel, twenty rustic cabins await you as well. There is so much to do at this park; you will find that you can schedule your return visit anytime year-round.
Year-Round Activities at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
- enjoy the indoor pool
- excellent birding opportunities
- boating is always available
- camping with central service showers and restrooms
- disc golf never has a bad “tee time”
The State Dock Marina is the crown jewel of lake experiences. You can rent the watercraft that matches your vacation mood. Gauge your speed and pick your vessel, such as:
Watercraft to Match Your Speed
- kayaks: for lazy day drifting
- ski boats: for creating wake and playing in it
- pontoon boats: bring your party barge to the nearest sand bar meet-up
If you choose to spend your vacation relaxing on a houseboat, State Dock offers a provisioning service that stocks your cabinets and fridge before arrival. You will arrive one step closer to relaxation and miles away from one of your least favorite errands—grocery shopping. Plus, you can always eat out.
Sensational Dining Options at the Fabulous Kentucky Lake
On one of those evenings when you want to step away from the campfire or treat yourself to a meal you do not have to prepare in your cottage kitchen, you will find endless dining options in the area surrounding Lake Cumberland. Whether you prefer farm-to-table or fried fish served picnic style, you will not be disappointed. Meander through the nearby towns, and you will be delighted with the local flavor.
Creelsboro Country Store is a historic landmark that has long been a local favorite, rising from its ghost town past. The farm-to-table dining experience offers local fruits, vegetables, and meats served in a relaxed atmosphere. Home-cooked meals coupled with a convenient general store featuring the products of local vendors create an extraordinary experience you will not soon forget.
If you are looking for a Florida Keys–style meal served with a water view, the Wolf Creek Marina Fish Tales Restaurant is the place for you. Stunning views from the outside tiki hut provide the perfect backdrop for a family meal with food prepared for seafood lovers and landlubbers alike. Leave room for the decadent dessert, and keep an eye out for lake art displayed in the dining room!
The resorts and amenities of Lake Cumberland are a remarkable south-Kentucky treasure. Embrace the ambiance of houseboats, the beauty of lake art, and food inspired by times past. With so much to do, your time at the Kentucky lake will find you already planning your next trip before you reach your driveway back home.
This Kentucky lake will inspire thoughts of future travel and home décor. The relaxed, easy ambiance of the lake art in your cottage will fuel your desire to redecorate or at least enhance the décor of your home. It is the high-quality lake art you add to your home that will create smiles each day until you find yourself back on the banks of Lake Cumberland, enjoying the unbridled spirit of that memorable Kentucky lake!