Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)
Campground · Kentucky · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
Nolin Rv Recreation Area (Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 120
- People per site
- 460 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Tailwater Day Use area is located on the Nolin River below Nolin River Lake Dam and Spillway. The day use area has restrooms, playgrounds, a boat ramp, picnic tables, and a reservable group shelter.
Recreation
Known for its unique blue/green water, Nolin Lake is one of the top lakes in Kentucky for catfish, bass, crappie and walleye fishing.
Visitors can enjoy scenic canoe and boat trips along the river, part of which is located within Mammoth Cave National Park. Boat ramps are provided around the lake for campers' convenience.
The Moutardier, Ponderosa and Wax Marinas are located around the lake and offer pontoon and john boat rentals, as well as boat slips and groceries, bait, gas and more.
Natural Features
Nolin Dam creates a 5,795-acre lake that draws more than two million visitors each year to enjoy water sports and camping in the surrounding expanse of rolling forest.
Nearby Attractions
Mammoth Cave National Park is located a short drive or ferry ride away.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (270) 286-4511.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- 1 site for day use only
- Up to 120 people per site
Site types
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Picnic tables
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills, shade.
1 campsite at Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)
Check-in 06:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tailwater Shelter | — | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | Lakefront | — | 120 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Bowling Green, KY
Follow US 31W North from Bowling Green for approximately 14 miles then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for 11 miles before turning right on KY 728. Follow Hwy 728 for 2 miles. Follow signs to Nolin Tailwater on the right. Total driving distance from Bowling Green is about 35 miles; driving time is around 50 minutes.
From Louisville, KY
Follow I-65 south to exit 91 toward Elizabethtown/Paducah. Follow signs for Western Kentucky Pkwy and Leitchfield.
Stay on Western KY Pkwy for 30 miles. Take exit 107 for KY-259. Turn left on 259 toward Brownsville. Continue to follow KY-259S for approx 17 miles. Turn left onto KY-728 Follow Hwy 728 for 2 miles. Follow signs to Nolin Tailwater on the right. Total driving distance is about 95 miles; driving time is about 1 hour, 30 minutes.
From Nashville, TN
Take I65 North for approximately 66 miles. Merge onto KY 446 exit 28. Merge right onto Hwy 31W North. Follow 31W North for approximately 10 miles, then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for 11 miles before turning right on KY 728. Follow Hwy 728 for 2 miles. Follow signs to Nolin Tailwater on the right. Total driving distance from Nashville is about 96 miles; driving time is around 1 hour, 40 minutes.
37.27498, -86.25101 · 37°16'29.9"N 86°15'3.6"W
Typical weather
Typically 91°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 46 | 51 | 60 | 71 | 79 | 88 | 91 | 91 | 85 | 73 | 60 | 50 |
| Low °F | 24 | 26 | 33 | 42 | 52 | 61 | 64 | 63 | 56 | 44 | 34 | 28 |
| Precip in | 4.1 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 5.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.4 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 Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)
- Can you reserve a site at Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)?
- Yes, Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake) have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake).
- Does Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake) have hookups?
- Electric, Water.
Camping near Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake)
- Moutardier Day Use 3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Moutardier 3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dog Creek Day Use (KY) 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dog Creek (Ky) 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Maple Springs 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mammoth Picnic Shelters 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mammoth Cave National Park presents Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra with special guest Yo-Yo Ma 10.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Mammoth Cave National Park Floyd Collins History Tour 10.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Mammoth Cave National Park Tours 10.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Mammoth Cave Campground 10.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Wax 8.1 mi · Campground
- Mammoth Cave Visitor Center 10.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 270-286-4511
- Email lrl-pagemaster-grn@usace.army.mil
- 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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