Top Five Things to Do:
- Dive into the community pool featuring a water slide.
- Secure an RV or primitive campsite reservation.
- Book a Lodge room for a comfortable stay.
- Rent a boat and explore the picturesque lake.
- Savor a delicious meal at the restaurant.
Basketball A basketball court is located near the camping booth area, where campers can check out balls. Additionally, two basketball goals are available at the Community Pool parking lot.
Biking Sixteen miles of moderate to difficult trails offer a scenic experience for mountain bikers in the beautiful Greenbo Forest. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails.
Birding Greenbo Lake Park provides excellent birdwatching opportunities throughout the year. Spring showcases warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers, and waterfowl. Colorful songbirds are abundant in summer, and fall welcomes migrating birds and waterfowl. Winter highlights sparrows, finches, and hawks. The Fern Valley Trail is ideal for birdwatching, and a pontoon boat ride or canoe trip along Greenbo Lake offers great birding along the shoreline.
Boating The marina is open daily during the summer, offering 25 open slips, rental pontoon boats, rowboats, canoes, and motorboats. No jet skis are allowed on the lake. Boaters must adhere to idle-only regulations, and no-wake speeds are mandatory. The marina provides various boat rental options with pricing.
- Large Pontoons: $50/hour, $115/4 hours, $175/8 hours
- Regular Pontoons: $40/hour, $100/4 hours, $165/8 hours
- John Boats: $20/hour, $50/4 hours, $85/8 hours
- Canoes & Pedal Boats: $10/hour, $25/4 hours, $50/8 hours
- Kayaks: $15/hour, $35/4 hours, $60/8 hours
Canoeing Canoes are available for rent at the park marina during the spring through fall seasons.
Fishing Enjoy fishing at Greenbo Lake, home to two state largemouth bass records. The lake also offers large bluegill, crappie, catfish, and trout. A Kentucky Fishing License is required, and fishing equipment can be borrowed through the fishing loaner program at the marina.
Gift Shop The lodge lobby features a small selection of Kentucky gifts, handcrafts, and books, including works by Jesse Stuart.
Hiking Explore the picturesque Greenbo Forest on the self-guided trails, covering 33 miles of easy-to-difficult hiking terrain. The trails cater to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Horseback Riding Two multi-use trails span 24 miles, providing opportunities for equestrians to explore the scenic surroundings.
Kayaking Rent two-seat kayaks at the marina from April through October.
Miniature Golf Challenge yourself on the 18-hole miniature golf course in the camping area, open year-round. Golf clubs can be signed out at the lodge front desk.
Outdoor Theater Enjoy a variety of entertainment at the outdoor theater, featuring high school drama productions, concerts, music festivals, and more. Pets are allowed if restrained.
Pedal Boating Rent pedal boats at the park marina for a family-friendly experience.
Picnicking Two picnic shelters along the pool road, equipped with restrooms, are available for rental. Additional picnic areas are situated in the campground for campers.
Playgrounds Explore three playgrounds located behind the lodge, in the campground, and near the large shelter.
Swimming A lodge-exclusive swimming pool is available for lodge guests, while a community pool adjacent to the lake features a water slide and a children’s area. Swimming is not allowed in the lake.
Community Pool Operating Hours:
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
- Adults: $8 per person
- Children 4-12 years old: $5 per person
- Children 3 and under: $2.50 per person
- Campers with parking pass: $4 for adults; $2.50 for ages 12 and under.
- Lodge guests with room key: $4 for adults; $2.50 for ages 12 and under.
Scuba Refuge Divers can explore the 10-acre scuba refuge in Greenbo Lake from May through November and other designated times. Divers must present open water certification or have an approved instructor. Accepted certifications include Advanced and Rescue Diver. Divers should have a dive buddy and display diver-down flags. Water depth averages 25 feet, and a daily fee of $12 applies.
Lodging & Camping
The resort’s 36-room fieldstone lodge pays tribute to Jesse Hilton Stuart (1906-1984), Poet Laureate, and native of Greenup County. Explore Stuart’s literary works and personal mementos in the lodge reading room. Most rooms boast private patios and balconies with scenic views of beautiful Greenbo Lake. Room availability starts in the late afternoon, and check-out is by 11 a.m., local time. Lodge rooms are pet-friendly, allowing up to two pets per room/cottage.
Winter Operations: The lodge is open Wednesday to Saturday until March 29.
The campground offers 75 RV sites and four year-round horseback camping sites. Reservations for horse campsites can be made by calling the park directly. Camping amenities include two dumping stations, two central service buildings with showers and restrooms, and a grocery store for added convenience. WiFi is available, and the campground remains open year-round.
Dining
Indulge in the breathtaking mountain views while dining at Angler’s Cove Restaurant.
As advocates of the Kentucky Proud program, we prioritize the use of local meats and produce whenever available.
Meetings
Greenbo is an ideal venue for your upcoming meeting. The Jesse Stuart Lodge features five meeting rooms that can be combined to accommodate large groups for general session meetings or separated for smaller meetings ranging from 10 to 225 people.
The 36-room Jesse Stuart Lodge offers five meeting rooms that can be combined to accommodate large groups for general session meetings or separated for smaller meetings ranging from 10 to 225 people.
Each room is accessible through a foyer, suitable for pre-event functions or registration. The Greenup Room boasts an outdoor patio with picturesque views of Greenbo Lake and the surrounding woodlands.
Additionally, there is one smaller meeting room and an Amphitheater available. Full-service catering is provided for all rentable areas within the park. The fieldstone lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is named in honor of Jesse Hilton Stuart, an author and native of Greenup County.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy an 18-hole golf course located just one hour from Greenbo Lake State Resort Park.
Trails
Claylick Loop Trail
The Claylick Loop Trail is identified by blue blazes and commences at the sign indicating Park Marina.
This trail meanders along forest ridgelines, descends toward the lake, and completes a circuit back to the initial starting point.
It provides captivating views of forested ridgelines adorned with oak, beech, and poplar trees, along with picturesque glimpses of the lake, and notable rock and cave formations.
Notably, the Belwood Shelter, marked as #3 on the map, is situated along this trail.
Carpenter's Run Trail
The Carpenter’s Run Trail originates from the same starting point as the Claylick Loop Trail, diverging left at the trail sign and marked by red blazes.
Following forest ridgelines, it descends toward the lake, providing scenic views of both the lake and Greenbo Dam.
The trail often traces the lakeshore, and along this route, you’ll encounter the E. Stevens Shelter (shelter #2 on the map), strategically positioned at a picturesque spot overlooking the lake.
Fern Valley Self-guided Interpretive Trail
The Fern Valley Trail traces a maintenance trail along a hillside, meandering through a valley, and eventually leading back to the starting point.
The trail offers relatively easy walking, with brief steep sections, and it might become muddy after rainfall.
Featuring sixteen interpretive stations, the trail highlights various natural and cultural features. A guidebook, available at the lodge front desk, complements the experience.
Notably, horseback riding and mountain biking are prohibited on this trail, and visitors are kindly requested to return the guidebook after completing the trail.
Michael Tygart Loop Trail
The Michael Tygart Loop Trail commences at the Jesse Stuart Lodge, initially following the Fern Valley Trail for approximately half a mile before branching off to the left.
Marked by yellow blazes, the trail spans 1.5 miles, crossing a road, passing by a cemetery, and reaching Blackberry Shelter (shelter #1 on the map). Continuing for about 1 mile, it emerges at Bays Ridge Road.
After turning right on the gravel road for 0.25 miles, the trail is picked up at the sign that reads Park Marina. Proceed straight, following the yellow blazes, descending a short hill into the Pruitt Fork Valley.
Along this route, hikers will encounter small creeks, abandoned homes dating back to around 1880, diverse plant life, and wildlife.
Upon reaching the lake, the trail follows the shoreline for about two miles, concluding at the Park Marina.
The Michael Tygart Loop Trail offers a delightful experience in fall, winter, and spring.
April and May are particularly suitable for photographing wildflowers, while the end of October provides an excellent opportunity to witness fall colors.