Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
Campground · Kentucky · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
Laurel Rv Recreation Area (Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 100
- People per site
- 2
- Accessible sites
- 1,090 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Laurel River Lake Picnic Area is a day-use facility located on a peninsula along the shores of Laurel River Lake. The picnic area provides 19 individual picnic sites which are first-come, first-serve, and two reservable shelters. There is no overnight camping allowed in the area.Click here for the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area virtual tour.
Recreation
Laurel River Dam was completed in 1974 creating a 5,600-acre lake which provides hydroelectric power, safe drinking water and recreation opportunities for the public. Since its impoundment, the Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers have cooperated in developing public recreation facilities on and around the lake.Facilities
Laurel River Lake Picnic Area offers one small and one large reservable group picnic shelter, with 19 additional picnic sites with tables and grill. port-a-potties, drinking water, playground, horseshoe pit, fishing pier and a volleyball net are also provided.
Natural Features
Laurel River Lake, with its cliff-lined shores and quiet coves, is a favorite destination for thousands of visitors each year. They come to boat, canoe, fish, hunt, hike, camp, swim, scuba dive, view wildlife and relax at one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (606) 679-6337.Nearby Attractions
Less than a mile up the road is a 725-feet long sandy beach area with a parking lot and chemical treated toilets. The beach is unguarded so always wear a flotation device when you're on or in the water. While visiting the picnic area you can stay at one of the Forest Service drive-in campgrounds located at Holly Bay and Grove Recreation Areas. Whiteoak and Grove boat-in campgrounds are accessible only by boat or trail. Cumberland Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Rockies. It is about a 20 mile drive from the area. Cumberland Falls State Park provides lodge and cabin accommodations for guests.The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- 2 accessible sites
- Up to 100 people per site
- Loops: Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
Site types
- 2 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.
2 campsites at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
Check-in 7:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A100 | Laurel River Lake Picnic Area | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | Lakefront | — | 75 | ♿ 🐾 |
| A200 | Laurel River Lake Picnic Area | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | Lakefront | — | 100 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
36.96790, -84.26805 · 36°58'4.5"N 84°16'5.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 45 | 50 | 58 | 69 | 77 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 80 | 70 | 58 | 49 |
| Low °F | 27 | 30 | 36 | 45 | 54 | 62 | 66 | 65 | 58 | 45 | 36 | 30 |
| Precip in | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
- Can you reserve a site at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area?
- Yes, Laurel River Lake Picnic Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Laurel River Lake Picnic Area have?
- 2 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area.
- Does Laurel River Lake Picnic Area have hookups?
- Electric.
Camping near Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
- Holly Bay 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Craigs Creek Group Area 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Grove 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fishing Point 0.2 mi · Facility
- Long Bend Fishing Site 0.4 mi · Facility
- Whitman Branch Shooting Range 1.9 mi · Facility
- White Oak Boat-In Campground 2.5 mi · Campground
- Laurel River Lake 2.7 mi · Facility
- Grove Boat-In Campground 2.7 mi · Campground
- Grove Drive-in Campground 3.4 mi · Campground
- Bee Rock Boat Ramp 5 mi · Facility
- Lake Cumberland - Stearns 9.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 606-864-6412
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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