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Best Lakes in Kentucky

9 top-rated lakes in Kentucky. Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.

Lake Cumberland (4.8 from 963 reviews), Cave Run Lake (4.8 from 456 reviews) and Lake Venus (Bremen, 4.6 from 389 reviews) are the most-reviewed swimming lakes in Kentucky. The full ranking below covers 9 spots, ordered by how many people have reviewed them, each with photos, ratings and directions.

SwimmingFishingKayakingBoatingCamping

Top Lakes in Kentucky

Top 10 on the map

Locations approximate to pin
#9 Paintsville Lake9#8 Dewey Lake8#7 Taylorsville Lake7#6 Guist Creek Lake6#5 Rough River Lake5#4 Green River Lake4#3 Lake Venus3#2 Cave Run Lake2#1 Lake Cumberland1
Lake Cumberland14.8(963)

Lake Cumberland

Lake · Kentucky

Created by the Wolf Creek Dam, this lake is a popular fishing & boating destination.

Cave Run Lake24.8(456)

Cave Run Lake

Lake · Kentucky
Camping nearby

Home to many fish species, this 8,270-acre man-made lake features swimming, beaches & boat charters.

Lake Venus34.6(389)

Lake Venus

Swimming lake · Bremen, Kentucky

Opening Day is May 25, 2024, for the 2024 swimming season. Checkout Facebook for all current information including operational hours due to weather. Visit Lake Venus for all your summer fun Memorial Weekend through Labor Day! Lake Venus is a fresh spring water lake which is surrounded by a beautiful, clean beach. Choose to lounge on the beach or head over to the diving boards. Our lake does have fish, but they love to stay in the deep water. A mini golf course, basketball court and volleyball are available. We offer concessions, but you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks. No pets, alcoholic beverages, or glass bottles! Admission is $10 per person, children 3 and under are FREE.

Green River Lake44.7(304)

Green River Lake

Lake · Kentucky

Forest-lined lake sheltering migratory songbirds, with bass fishing, boat launches & campgrounds.

Rough River Lake54.8(150)

Rough River Lake

Lake · Kentucky
Camping nearby

Hiking trails, disc golf, boating & bald eagle spotting around a vast body of water.

Guist Creek Lake64.5(93)

Guist Creek Lake

Lake · Kentucky

This 317-acre reservoir on Guist Creek offers fishing, boating & kayaking, plus a marina.

Taylorsville Lake74.6(72)

Taylorsville Lake

Lake · Kentucky

Popular spot for fishing & boating, with an extensive network of trails & bald eagle nesting sites.

Dewey Lake84.7(61)

Dewey Lake

Lake · Kentucky

Recreational waters for fishing, swimming & boating, with surrounding forests, trails & campsites.

Paintsville Lake94.9(51)

Paintsville Lake

Lake · Kentucky
Camping nearby

1,139-acre reservoir offering a variety of fish, boat launches, wooded surrounds & campsites.

Trip packing checklist

Gear for Lakes in Kentucky

Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Inflatable Paddleboard

Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.

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Day Cooler

Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.

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Fishing Rod Combo

A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.

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UPF Sun Hat

Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.

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Tips for Lakes in Kentucky

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Check for boat launch facilities and fees

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Obtain required fishing licenses before arrival

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Be aware of lake-specific regulations and restrictions

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Monitor water quality reports before swimming

More water adventures in Kentucky

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Waterfalls
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Rivers & Streams
🛶
Kayaking Spots
🎣
Fishing Spots
🏖️
Swimming Beaches
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Dog-Friendly Beaches

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