Laurel River Lake
Near Woodland Estates, Kentucky · Daniel Boone National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Laurel River Lake
Laurel River Lake is a 5,600-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Laurel River within Daniel Boone National Forest in southeastern Kentucky, managed day-to-day by the U.S. Forest Service. Widely described by the Forest Service as one of the clearest and deepest lakes in Kentucky, with nearly 200 miles of tree-lined shoreline, it is a natural pick for anyone after a swimming hole with real depth, or simply a clear lake to swim in.
The lake sits in the cliff-lined, forested hill country of Daniel Boone National Forest west of Corbin, KY, with quiet coves and a long, winding shoreline formed when the Laurel River was dammed between 1964 and 1974. Surrounding land is national forest, with multiple developed recreation nodes (Grove, Holly Bay, Bald Rock, Flatwoods) spaced around the shoreline.
Swimming at Laurel River Lake
Designated swimming is concentrated at two developed areas: a public swim beach near the dam spillway, and a 725-foot sandy beach adjacent to the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area, which has its own parking lot and chemical toilets. Both are described by the Forest Service/Recreation.gov as unguarded, so flotation devices are recommended. Beyond these designated beaches, the lake's water is repeatedly characterized in official and travel sources as unusually clear and deep, suiting swimming, snorkeling-style clarity viewing, and boating alongside it.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: A dedicated parking lot serves the 725-foot sandy beach at the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area; the picnic area itself is day-use only.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up swim beach: the Recreation.gov facility page describes the beach's own dedicated parking lot immediately adjacent to the sand, with no trail or hike needed. Exact walk time from lot to water was not stated in any source found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The Laurel River Lake Picnic Area beach is a 725-foot sandy, shallow-entry swim beach (good for kids), but the Forest Service/Recreation.gov note it is unguarded with no lifeguard, so flotation devices are recommended. USFS also gives a general forest-wide caution about currents/undertows in its waterways, though the designated beach itself sits in a calm cove away from boat traffic.
Parking
Lot
Dedicated parking lot serves the 725-foot sandy beach at the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area (day-use only); no fee was stated on the Recreation.gov facility page.
Restrooms
Yes
Chemical toilets/port-a-potties at the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area beach parking lot; no flush restrooms noted.
Water clarity
Clear
USFS's own recreation pages repeatedly describe Laurel River Lake as one of the clearest and deepest lakes in Kentucky ('5,600 acres of clear, deep water'). First-hand visitor accounts of clarity could not be found to independently corroborate this, so the rating rests on official USFS characterization rather than crowd-sourced reports.
On the water
Restrictions: USFS designates Laurel River Lake a 'premier boating opportunity' and confirms waterskiing is permitted lakewide, but advises avoiding waterskiing near marinas/boat ramps/docks, and prohibits swimming in those same developed zones. No lake-specific horsepower, no-wake, or electric-only restriction was found in official sources for the general lake (unlike some smaller forest ponds).
Two marinas on the lake (Grove Marina and Holly Bay Marina) actively rent motorized pontoon and fishing boats, confirming motorized use is normal and accepted here; no kayak/canoe/paddleboard-specific rental or restriction language was found.
Rentals nearby
Pontoon and tritoon boat rentals only (7 boats: 2024-2025 Bennington SX22, Sylvan pontoon, tritoon, and Bennington pontoon; 10-13 passenger capacity, 90-115 HP). No kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals found.
Prices: $400/day flat rate across all boats (per rental.grovemarina.com booking portal)
3482 Grove Rd, Corbin, KY 40701 (near the Grove campground/boat ramp area of Laurel River Lake, roughly 1.5 mi from the lake's central coordinates) · Monday-Sunday, 7am-11pm
Pontoon boats (25' standard 10-passenger, 30' slide pontoon 15-passenger, 24' deluxe 12-passenger) and a Tracker bass/fishing boat (4-passenger, 60 HP). No kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals found.
Prices: Weekday rates: bass boat from $150/day; 25' standard pontoon from $250/day; 30' slide pontoon from $375/day; 24' deluxe pontoon from $400/day (weekend rates may vary; per rental.hollybaymarina.com)
247 Holly Bay Marina Rd, London, KY (near the Holly Bay campground area of Laurel River Lake, roughly 1.9 mi from the lake's central coordinates)
Backstory
The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1964 and 1974, standing 282 feet high (earth and rock-fill construction); hydropower generation began in 1977.
Laurel River Lake: FAQ
Is Laurel River Lake kid friendly?
The Laurel River Lake Picnic Area beach is a 725-foot sandy, shallow-entry swim beach (good for kids), but the Forest Service/Recreation.gov note it is unguarded with no lifeguard, so flotation devices are recommended. USFS also gives a general forest-wide caution about currents/undertows in its waterways, though the designated beach itself sits in a calm cove away from boat traffic.
Do I need to hike to reach Laurel River Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Laurel River Lake?
Dedicated parking lot serves the 725-foot sandy beach at the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area (day-use only); no fee was stated on the Recreation.gov facility page.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Laurel River Lake?
Two marinas on the lake (Grove Marina and Holly Bay Marina) actively rent motorized pontoon and fishing boats, confirming motorized use is normal and accepted here; no kayak/canoe/paddleboard-specific rental or restriction language was found.
What are the rules at Laurel River Lake?
Laurel River Lake Picnic Area is day-use only with no overnight camping. Both the spillway beach and the picnic-area beach are unguarded, so the Forest Service/Recreation.gov advise wearing flotation devices. Forest-wide, USFS cautions that swimming in forest creeks, streams, rivers and lake waters can involve strong currents and undertows, and swimming is prohibited near boat ramps, courtesy docks and marinas.
