Laurel Branch Beach
McDaniels, Kentucky
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per day
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Laurel Branch Beach
Laurel Branch Beach is a public swimming hole at Laurel Branch Campground, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed campground on the shore of Rough River Lake near McDaniels, Kentucky. The 5,100-acre reservoir is jointly managed by the Corps and Kentucky state authorities, and it is a busy lake to swim in, drawing over two million visitors a year for camping, boating, fishing, and swimming.
The campground sits on the shore of Rough River Lake amid rolling, forested hills in south-central Kentucky, an area described in official recreation listings as having ancient sandstone, shale, and limestone cliffs, with karst features such as sinks and caverns carved by groundwater in the surrounding limestone.
Swimming at Laurel Branch Beach
Swimming takes place off a designated public beach within the campground on the open reservoir, alongside boating, fishing, and other lake recreation; sources do not describe water clarity, depth, or bottom conditions at the beach itself.
The hike in
Not applicable, the beach is a drive-up facility within Laurel Branch Campground, reached directly from campground parking (walk of a few minutes at most). A separate on-site nature trail exists at the campground but is not required to reach the swim beach.
No hike is needed; this is a car-accessible reservoir beach.
Plan your visit
Parking
Lot
Beach is inside the developed Laurel Branch Campground/day-use area, which has vehicle parking as a standard USACE campground facility. A $5/day boat-ramp fee is documented (Recreation.gov), and a separate Wikipedia source cites $2-per-launch boat-ramp fees ($25 annual pass) across the lake's five ramps including Laurel Branch, but no distinct beach parking or day-use fee was confirmed in either source.
Restrooms
Yes
Laurel Branch Campground lists flush toilets and showers among its amenities (per Recreation.gov); exact location relative to the beach itself is not specified.
Hours
Laurel Branch Campground (and its beach) operates seasonally, consistent with the lake's other USACE campgrounds which run roughly April through October per Wikipedia; no specific daily beach hours were published in sources found.
On the water
Rough River Lake is a 5,100-acre USACE/Kentucky reservoir with five boat ramps (including one at Laurel Branch) and marinas renting pontoons, johnboats, and jet skis (per Recreation.gov and Wikipedia). No no-wake, electric-only, or carry-in-only restriction specific to this area was found in sources reviewed, so none is asserted.
Rentals nearby
Nick's Boat Dock
General lake marina rentals reported for Rough River Lake include pontoon, johnboat, and jet ski rentals (per Recreation.gov); not confirmed which specific items this marina stocks.
About 5 miles west of McDaniels, KY, the closest of the lake's three marinas to Laurel Branch Beach · Seasonal: open April 1 through November 30 (per Wikipedia's Rough River Lake article)
Bill's Marina
General lake marina rentals reported for Rough River Lake include pontoon, johnboat, and jet ski rentals (per Recreation.gov); not confirmed which specific items this marina stocks. Wikipedia notes it charges no launch fees.
About 6 miles north of Leitchfield, KY · Seasonal: open April 1 through October 15 (per Wikipedia's Rough River Lake article)
Rough River Dam Marina
General lake marina rentals reported for Rough River Lake include pontoon, johnboat, and jet ski rentals (per Recreation.gov); this marina is associated with Rough River Dam State Resort Park, which Wikipedia also lists as having its own marina.
Off KY 79 near Falls of Rough, KY · Seasonal, open through October 31 (per Wikipedia's Rough River Lake article)
Laurel Branch Beach: FAQ
Does Laurel Branch Beach charge a fee?
A $5 per day boat ramp fee applies at Laurel Branch; campsite rates run from about $18 to $50 per night depending on amenities. No separate swim-beach admission fee was found in sourced material.
Do I need to hike to reach Laurel Branch Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Laurel Branch Beach?
Beach is inside the developed Laurel Branch Campground/day-use area, which has vehicle parking as a standard USACE campground facility. A $5/day boat-ramp fee is documented (Recreation.gov), and a separate Wikipedia source cites $2-per-launch boat-ramp fees ($25 annual pass) across the lake's five ramps including Laurel Branch, but no distinct beach parking or day-use fee was confirmed in either source.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Laurel Branch Beach?
Rough River Lake is a 5,100-acre USACE/Kentucky reservoir with five boat ramps (including one at Laurel Branch) and marinas renting pontoons, johnboats, and jet skis (per Recreation.gov and Wikipedia). No no-wake, electric-only, or carry-in-only restriction specific to this area was found in sources reviewed, so none is asserted.
What are the rules at Laurel Branch Beach?
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (generators must be off); off-road vehicles and golf carts are prohibited; a 'Don't Move Firewood' policy is enforced to prevent pest spread. These are general campground/recreation-area rules from the official Recreation.gov listing rather than swim-beach-specific regulations.
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