Situated in the heart of the Appalachians, this mountain resort is named after a legendary pioneer woman. The park offers accommodations in rooms and cottages, features multi-use trails, and provides a campground.
Winter Operations:
- Lodge & Cabins: Open 7 days a week
- Restaurant: Open 7 days a week
Top Five Things to Do:
- Take an elk viewing tour.
- Boat or fish Dewey Lake.
- Mountain Bike Sugar Camp Mountain and Dawkins Line Rail Trail.
- Try signature catfish or hot brown.
- Sample bourbon or appetizers.
Biking: The Sugarcamp Mountain Trail system is a multi-use (mountain biking, hiking, and horse) facility created through a joint effort by Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and the city of Prestonsburg. For more information, click here or here.
Birding: The biggest attraction at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is the Spring Warblers and migration. You will be able to add numerous warblers to your list along with many sightings of American Redstarts, Eastern Bluebirds, and Bald Eagles.
Boating: We have pontoons, canoes, kayaks, and a Jon boat available for rent so you can enjoy Dewey Lake. Visit the marina for rentals. The marina is open March 15-October 31.
Canoeing: Whether you are looking for a relaxing day of paddling, an afternoon of fishing, or you want to explore all Jenny Wiley State Resort Park has to offer, you can do all of this from a canoe! Stop by the Nature Center 8 am to 4 pm any day of the week, Memorial Day through Labor Day for rental ($).
Elk Watching: Elk have been introduced to Kentucky as a wildlife re-introduction program. Before the release in 1997, elk had been gone from Kentucky for nearly 150 years. Check our event listing for a list of upcoming Elk Tour dates.
Fishing: For “reel” excitement, Jenny Wiley is the place to be! Dewey Lake has largemouth and hybrid striped bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Plan your fishing trip and improve your success with the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources fishing forecast. Click here to view. Don’t have a fishing pole? No problem! Ask at the park about their fishing loaner program where you can check out FREE equipment.
Gift Shop: Book lovers flock to this gift shop. There they find historical books, cookbooks, and novels by Kentucky authors. The selection of handcrafts includes walking sticks, coal figurines, candles, and unique artwork.
Hiking: Acquaint yourself with the natural beauty of Jenny Wiley State Resort Park on the trails. The trails provide over ten miles of hiking for all ability levels, as well as a three-mile mountain bike loop. The Jenny Wiley Trail Heritage Byway embraces a 154-mile loop drive in eastern Kentucky. The park provides easy access to more than 60 miles of existing recreational facilities, such as hiking trails.
Nature Center: Located just at the bottom of the hill from the May Lodge, you will find the interpretive center with displays discussing natural, cultural, and historic facts of the area. Take a look into a Beech Forest where you can learn about some of the animals that call Jenny Wiley State Resort Park home. Plus, take a step back in time as you learn about our namesake, the courageous pioneer lady whose story still rings loudly through the mountains, or view a replica of an actual coal mine and learn of the many benefits that come from coal. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Tuesday through Saturday 8 am to 4 pm.
Outdoor Theater: Jenny Wiley is a showplace for the performing arts! All performances, times, and prices are subject to change without notice. For the latest information and reservations, call Jenny Wiley Theatre (606) 886-2683.
Picnicking: Picnic tables, grills, and playgrounds are located throughout the park for the perfect family outing.
Playgrounds: Picnic tables, grills, and playgrounds are located throughout the park for the perfect family outing.
Swimming: The lodge pool is for the exclusive use of overnight guests. Open Memorial Day through mid-August.
Lodging & Camping
Experience the secluded beauty of the 49-room May Lodge, which overlooks Dewey Lake, surrounded by towering pines and peaceful mountains. Rooms are available by late afternoon. Lodge room check-out by 11 a.m., local time. We are now pet-friendly! No more than two pets are allowed per room/cottage. The park also has 18 cottages. There are two campgrounds for guests. A 121-site campground with utility hookups, buildings with showers/restrooms, and a dump station that campers can access. Also available are boat-in campsites that can only be accessed by water. These sites cost $10 per night (cash only). For more information about the boat-in campground, call (606) 889-1790.
Dining
Music Highway Grill Indulge in breathtaking mountain views as you dine at our restaurant. Committed to the Kentucky Proud program, we prioritize local meats and produce whenever possible.
Restaurant: Open 7 days a week
Meetings and Events
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park provides a distinctive setting for your upcoming meeting or gathering in Prestonsburg, KY. For more details about hosting a group or wedding, please inquire.
Outdoor Theatre The accolades are pouring in, and they’re all positive! Jenny Wiley stands out as an exceptional venue for the performing arts! For the most up-to-date information and reservations, contact the Jenny Wiley Theatre at (606) 886-2683.
The lodge at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park features 49 lodge rooms, eight 1-bedroom cottages, and ten 2-bedroom cottages. Jenny Wiley can provide up to six meeting rooms. The conference center includes pre-meeting space for registration or casual receptions, and the meeting space is adaptable enough to accommodate meetings or expos. Two smaller meeting rooms, located just off the lobby, are ideal for board meetings or department events. Our meeting facilities can accommodate from 10 to 800 people. Full-service catering with a bar option is available for all rentable areas in the park. While hosting your next event at Jenny Wiley, make plans to enjoy the Jenny Wiley Theatre this season, an outdoor venue for the performing arts!