Summary
The park is situated around a 10,000-acre lake and offers a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. The park has a marina, two beaches, an 18-hole golf course, and several picnic areas with grills.
One of the main attractions at the park is the Barren River Lake Dam, which was completed in 1964 and is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The park also has a nature center and offers guided hiking tours to explore the surrounding wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the lake was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The park is also home to several endangered species such as the Indiana bat and the bald eagle.
The best time of year to visit the park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is perfect for swimming and water sports. However, fall is also a popular time to visit when the leaves change colors and the park offers guided nature tours.
Overall, Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the beauty of Kentucky's natural landscapes.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Barren River Lake State Park
Walnut Creek Marina
The Narrows - Barren River Lake
Baileys Point - Barren River Lake
Narrows Boat Ramp - DFWR
Tailwater Below Dam - Barren River Lake