Grayson Lake State Park, spanning 1,512 acres, boasts sheer sandstone canyons and gentle slopes.
The park’s location served as a favored camping area for previous inhabitants, including the Shawnee and Cherokee Native Americans.
Explore the hiking trails for an excellent adventure, showcasing various ferns, mosses, lichens, the blooming rhododendron, “lizard head rock,” and the unique combination of beech-hemlock trees.
Winter Operations:
- Park grounds: Open 7 days a week, dawn to dusk
- Campground: Closed
- Golf Course: Open
Top Five Things to Do:
- Explore Grotto Falls by kayaking.
- Hike the Beech Hemlock Trail to admire sandstone rock formations.
- Enjoy a round of golf on the 18-hole championship golf course.
- Camp in the 71-site full-service campground.
- Hike the Lick Falls Overlook for cliff line exploration or photography.
Boating Launch your boat at the ramp to access Grayson Lake’s 74.2 miles of shoreline, ranging from gentle slopes to scenic canyons. The marina, located 3 miles from the park, offers rental fishing boats and pontoon boats, bait, groceries, and restrooms. The marina is open year-round, and there’s a fee for boat rentals. Contact the marina at 606-474-4513.
Camping Select your spot under the stars in the spacious 71-site campground. Utility hookups, a dump station, and two central service buildings with restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available. The check-in station sells items such as soft drinks, ice, and firewood. Open mid-March through mid-November.
Canoeing Bring your canoe and explore the lake surrounding Grayson Lake State Park, discovering steep cliffs and coves, especially after a good rain.
Fishing Grayson Lake, a 1,512-acre lake, offers largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. A Kentucky Fishing License is required and can be purchased at the Campground Ticket Booth. Fishing equipment is available for loan at no charge from the Campground Ticket Booth. The campground is open from April 1st to October 31st.
Golf Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky, is a Signature Series course rated #4 by Golf Digest in 2005. Nestled through tall trees around scenic Grayson Lake, the course features Bermuda grass fairways, large undulating Bermuda grass greens, and white sand bunkers. Tee times can be booked online.
Hiking Embark on the 0.8-mile Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail, offering a chance to discover distinctive plants, rock formations, and wildlife. The trail starts near the theater area, circling the campground along the lake shoreline. Notable features include various ferns, mosses, lichens, rhododendron blooms, “lizard head rock,” and the unique beech-hemlock trees. For more adventurous hikers, the 3-mile Lick Falls trail is also available.
Kayaking Bring your kayaks to explore the lake surroundings, revealing steep cliffs and coves, with potential waterfalls to discover after rainfall.
Picnicking Enjoy a family picnic in the large picnic area, perfect for grilling the day’s catch. Three playgrounds keep children entertained. Two large picnic shelters are available for rental up to one year in advance, with a fee for shelter rental.
Trails
Beech Hemlock Trail
Explore the 0.8-mile trail named after the dominant tree species in the area, featuring sandstone rock formations along the lake shoreline, including the distinctive “Lizard Head Rock.” The trail is rated as easy.
Lick Falls Overlook Trail
Embark on the 3.0-mile looped trail, encountering a seasonal waterfall near the western edge of the park. Exercise caution while hiking along the top of the cliff line near the lake, and enjoy scenic vistas of the lake. The trail concludes by following an abandoned roadbed. It is rated as moderately strenuous.
Golf
Grayson Lake Golf Course
Explore the Grayson Lake Golf Course, situated in Olive Hill, Kentucky, offering an unforgettable golfing experience. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it as #4, providing golfers with an exclusive atmosphere. The course features gently rolling Bermuda grass fairways weaving through tall trees and around the picturesque Grayson Lake. Challenge yourself with some of the largest white sand bunkers and undulating bent grass greens. With back tees at 7,155 yards, it offers a challenge for serious players while accommodating golfers of all ages and abilities. Located just minutes off I-64 in eastern Kentucky, it’s a hidden treasure among America’s top golf courses.
Notable Accolades:
- 2005: Ranked #4 in Kentucky by Golf Digest Magazine
- 2004: “Best New Affordable Public Courses” Ranked #4 Nationally by Golf Digest Magazine
Golf Passes: Enjoy a year of golfing at Kentucky State Parks with Golf Passes, providing unlimited access to nationally recognized golf courses by Golf Digest. Purchase your pass at any Kentucky State Park golf course or call (866) 905-7888 for more details. Golf Discount Cards are also available; inquire at the pro shop.
Other Park Amenities:
- Walking & Jogging Trails
- Boating
- Fishing
- Nature Trails
- Planned Recreation
- Picnicking
Cooler & Alcohol Policy: To comply with the law, only alcohol purchased at Kentucky State Parks is allowed on the golf courses. Personal coolers or food and beverage storage devices are not permitted, but complimentary coolers are available, including ice. The pro shop offers a selection of beverages, snacks, and sandwiches for purchase.
