Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Cadiz, Kentucky · Barkley Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Lake Barkley State Resort Park is a 3,700-acre Kentucky State Parks resort on the eastern shore of Lake Barkley, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Cumberland River near Cadiz, KY. The park operates an official seasonal public swim beach, its main swimming hole, in addition to an indoor wellness pool and a guests-only outdoor pool, so visitors get both a lake to swim in and pool options.
The park sits on the wooded eastern shoreline of Lake Barkley, a large reservoir adjoining Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with a lodge, cottages, campground, marina, and golf course spread along the shore.
Swimming at Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Swimming here is at a designated lake beach rather than a backcountry hole: a roped/monitored swim area on Lake Barkley open seasonally with a bathhouse and basketball courts nearby, suited to families and campground/day-use visitors rather than paddlers seeking a wild or secluded spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is about 5 miles west of Cadiz, Kentucky. The swim beach has its own parking in the park's upper lot; campground guests can also reach it on foot via the 0.3-mile Wagon Wheel Trail connecting the campground pavilion to the beach parking area.
Parking: Dedicated parking lot at the beach ("upper lot"), separate from campground parking.
The hike in
Wagon Wheel Trail
- To the water
- 0.3 mi one-way
- Time on foot
- 5-10 minutes on foot
Difficulty: easy - short, flat, paved/park-maintained connector path
Trailhead: Campground pavilion at Lake Barkley State Resort Park's campground
The Wagon Wheel Trail is only 0.3 mi total, running directly from the campground pavilion to the beach parking lot -- it's an optional shortcut for camping guests, not a required backcountry approach. Everyone else simply drives to the dedicated beach parking lot.
No hike is required to reach the swim beach; the beach has its own parking lot. The Wagon Wheel Trail is purely a convenience link for campers who don't want to drive/move their car.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Designated, monitored swim beach with a bathhouse at a family resort park (per official KY State Parks page from prior research pass); no cliffs, currents, or drop-off hazards were found in any source. Current lifeguard staffing and exact water depth at the swim line were not published online in any source found this pass, so call the park to confirm before a trip with small children.
Parking
Lot
Dedicated beach parking lot (the park's "upper lot"), separate from campground parking. No parking fee was found in any source; Kentucky state parks generally do not charge for day-use parking, but this was not explicitly confirmed for this beach.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouse located at the swim beach itself (confirmed by official Kentucky State Parks page, per prior research pass).
Hours
Beach is open seasonally, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, contingent on water-quality testing (per official park page, prior research pass). Specific daily open/close hours were not found published online.
On the water
Restrictions: The designated swim beach itself is a roped/monitored swim-only area (per prior research pass); general boating, including motorboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pontoons, takes place elsewhere on the broader Lake Barkley reservoir and at nearby marinas, not within the swim buoys.
Lake Barkley is a large USACE reservoir (part of the Cumberland River / Lake Barkley-Kentucky Lake system) with no lake-wide motor restriction found; multiple full-service marinas within roughly 4-12 miles of the park rent both motorized and paddle craft.
Rentals nearby
Pontoon/tritoon boat rentals (36' "SlideZilla" with water slide, 30' pontoon with slide, 24' tritoon, 24' pontoon), plus kayaks and paddleboards advertised on their site (kayak/paddleboard rental details not itemized on their online booking page -- call to confirm specifics)
1777 Prizer Point Rd., Mile Marker 55, Cadiz, KY 42211 -- about 4.2 mi from the park (per RIDB facility data)
Tritoons (2023 Crest 24'/22' models, Suzuki 200hp), a Suntracker pontoon, a Weld Craft bass boat, a Jon boat, plus kayak and paddleboard rentals
7612 State Route 93 South, Eddyville, KY 42038 -- about 11.9 mi from the park (per RIDB facility data, matching "Eddy Creek Marina" facility)
Dedicated paddlesport outfitter: kayaks (including youth and tandem, sit-on and sit-in), paddleboards, tubes, and wakeboards, with "training & shuttles offered"
4885 US HWY 62 West, Kuttawa, KY 42055 -- on the north end of the Lake Barkley/Lake Kuttawa area, roughly a 20+ minute drive from the park (exact mileage not confirmed)
Backstory
Park established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Barkley, a Cumberland River reservoir impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Barkley Dam.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park: FAQ
Is Lake Barkley State Resort Park kid friendly?
Designated, monitored swim beach with a bathhouse at a family resort park (per official KY State Parks page from prior research pass); no cliffs, currents, or drop-off hazards were found in any source. Current lifeguard staffing and exact water depth at the swim line were not published online in any source found this pass, so call the park to confirm before a trip with small children.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Dedicated beach parking lot (the park's "upper lot"), separate from campground parking. No parking fee was found in any source; Kentucky state parks generally do not charge for day-use parking, but this was not explicitly confirmed for this beach.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Lake Barkley is a large USACE reservoir (part of the Cumberland River / Lake Barkley-Kentucky Lake system) with no lake-wide motor restriction found; multiple full-service marinas within roughly 4-12 miles of the park rent both motorized and paddle craft.
When is the best time to visit Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), when the lake beach is open and staffed.
What are the rules at Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, contingent on water quality testing; specific swimming hours are set but not published in the source. The outdoor pool (distinct from the lake beach) is reserved for lodge, cabin, and cottage guests; the indoor wellness pool is year-round and reserved for overnight guests or fitness center members.
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