With steep cliffs and wooded coves along the shoreline, this state park lake in eastern Kentucky provides 1,140 acres for your boating, skiing, and fishing pleasure. The park offers three great trail options. Hikers will love the 1.6-mile Kiwanis Trail. The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders and stretches 18 miles from Johnson County to Magoffin County.
Winter Operations:
- Park grounds: Open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk
- Campground: Open year-round
Top Five Things to Do:
- Camp at our beautiful campground in one of 32 full-service RV sites and 10 walk-in sites.
- Enjoy the lakeview picnic shelters and recreation areas.
- Explore the beautiful clean lake for boating and fishing.
- Meet our helpful and friendly park staff.
- Stroll along the scenic walking trail of the lake and nearby Dawkins Trail.
Fishing: Plan your fishing trip and improve your success with the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources fishing forecast. Check out the new Casting for Kids boardwalk and kayak launch.
Basketball: A basketball court is located lakeside at the entrance to the campground.
Camping: The 32-site campground has electricity, water, and sewer hookups at each site. In addition, there are 10 primitive sites. Restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are provided. Two of the RV Sites are adapted for the disabled. Pets are allowed if restrained. Open year-round.
Horseshoes: Horseshoe pits are located lakeside at the entrance to the campground.
Kayak Launch: The Paintsville Lake universal kayak launch is for everyone, but it also provides individuals with disabilities accessibility to explore Paintsville Lake via kayak or canoe. It has an easy-to-use transfer bench with two heights for easy transfer from wheelchairs, and the railing system for slide board stabilization and transfer support allows for easy side movement.
Marina: The marina has 80 boat slips, with some of them under cover. The marina store offers hand-dipped ice cream, snacks, ice, miscellaneous boating and camping needs, fishing gear, and bait. There are also pontoon and kayak rentals available.
Open 7 days a week:
- March to November: 7 am to 7 pm
- December, January, and February: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: (606) 297-5253 Check them out on Facebook under Paintsville Lake Marina – The Hook Marina Shop
Picnicking: Four shelters are located in the park. Each can be reserved in advance by calling the campground number. A reservation fee applies.
Playgrounds: A playground is located lakeside at the entrance to the campground.
Volleyball: A sand volleyball court is located lakeside at the entrance to the campground.
Camping
After a day on the lake, unwind in the campground, which offers 32 developed sites equipped with restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and sewer hookups. Enjoy waterfront picnic tables, two playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. If you prefer a primitive walk-in campsite, there are 10 available. A full-service marina is conveniently located near the campground, providing rental houseboats, pontoons, and fishing boats.
Trails
Kiwanis Trail
A 1.6-mile trail located across from the administration building at the Mountain Home Place. Rated easy, it offers plenty of scenic views of the lake, and wildlife viewing is also possible.