Paintsville Lake State Park: Paddling
By: Bonnie Honeycutt
One of the venues for the popular roving Paddle Fest events, Paintsville Lake is ideal for paddlers of all levels who want to explore Kentucky waterways.
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkIn 1983, the Corps of Engineers impounded Paintsville Lake from Paint Creek. Paintsville Lake State Park, located in Johnson and Morgan Counties, provides 1,140 acres (1.78 square miles) for your paddling pleasure. For those new to the area, one of the favorite paddling routes to take is from the marina to the twin rock towers and back for a 4-mile round trip.
What Makes It Great
What makes this lake great is its natural beauty and clean water, along with its terrific accessibility and peacefulness. Paintsville Lake State Park provides 1,140 acres (1.78 square miles) for your paddling pleasure.
The lake itself offers a playground for all types of nature lovers with 32 developed campsites, 10 primitive campsites, a playground, a marina, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a restaurant, a Kiwanis trail, and a four-lane launch ramp—not to mention a fully stocked lake for anglers. The lake is perfect for paddling all day, or mixing it up with your other favorite outdoor activities. Reserve a campsite, and spend a few days paddling and playing to your heart’s content. The water is unusually clear—so clear that many people report being able to see the bottom—and in some places the lake is 100-feet deep. The lake and its amenities are perfect for family outings with varying skill and adventure levels.
Who is Going to Love It
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkNature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and paddlers of all skill levels will love Paintsville Lake. It’s a fun, relaxing place where families can have fun engaging in lakeside activities. Stand up paddleboarding is getting more popular at the lake and if you’re new to the sport, this is a great place to try it.
Directions, Parking & Regulations
Paintsville Lake State Park is located at 1581 Ky Rt. 2275 in Staffordsville, KY 41256.
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkTips
Difficulty: 1Time to Complete: As long as you want; it’s a lake. Distance: 4 miles from the marina to the twin rock towers and back. (The lake itself is 1.78 square miles or 1,140 acres.)Seasonality: All seasonsFees: No feesDog Friendly: YesGPS Coordinates: 1581 Ky. Rte. 2275 in Staffordsville, KY
One of the venues for the popular roving Paddle Fest events, Paintsville Lake is ideal for paddlers of all levels who want to explore Kentucky waterways.
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkIn 1983, the Corps of Engineers impounded Paintsville Lake from Paint Creek. Paintsville Lake State Park, located in Johnson and Morgan Counties, provides 1,140 acres (1.78 square miles) for your paddling pleasure. For those new to the area, one of the favorite paddling routes to take is from the marina to the twin rock towers and back for a 4-mile round trip.
What Makes It Great
What makes this lake great is its natural beauty and clean water, along with its terrific accessibility and peacefulness. Paintsville Lake State Park provides 1,140 acres (1.78 square miles) for your paddling pleasure.
The lake itself offers a playground for all types of nature lovers with 32 developed campsites, 10 primitive campsites, a playground, a marina, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a restaurant, a Kiwanis trail, and a four-lane launch ramp—not to mention a fully stocked lake for anglers. The lake is perfect for paddling all day, or mixing it up with your other favorite outdoor activities. Reserve a campsite, and spend a few days paddling and playing to your heart’s content. The water is unusually clear—so clear that many people report being able to see the bottom—and in some places the lake is 100-feet deep. The lake and its amenities are perfect for family outings with varying skill and adventure levels.
Who is Going to Love It
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkNature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and paddlers of all skill levels will love Paintsville Lake. It’s a fun, relaxing place where families can have fun engaging in lakeside activities. Stand up paddleboarding is getting more popular at the lake and if you’re new to the sport, this is a great place to try it.
Directions, Parking & Regulations
Paintsville Lake State Park is located at 1581 Ky Rt. 2275 in Staffordsville, KY 41256.
Courtesy of Lynette Pruitt with Paintsville Lake State ParkTips
Difficulty: 1Time to Complete: As long as you want; it’s a lake. Distance: 4 miles from the marina to the twin rock towers and back. (The lake itself is 1.78 square miles or 1,140 acres.)Seasonality: All seasonsFees: No feesDog Friendly: YesGPS Coordinates: 1581 Ky. Rte. 2275 in Staffordsville, KY