Relax on the Barren River Beaches
Barren River Lake is one of the best places to swim near the Grand Victorian Inn and likely the only place in Kentucky you’ll be able to find a beach. But even though there are hundreds of miles of shoreline, only some parts of the lake are nice enough to be considered one of these sandy sanctuaries.
Some of the most notable areas have to be Sunset Cove Beach near the park entrance and Quarry Road Recreation Area on the western side of the lake. While they might not be the standard beach you’d find in Florida, they work if you want a comfortable place to swim and relax in the sun.
Barren River Lake Boat Rentals
What if you want to skip the shore and get in the water? Head to any of the three main marinas in the park. These marinas not only function as boat launches, but allow you to rent from a selection of pontoon boats, fishing boats, and smaller watercraft. Here are the three boat docks:
River Park Marina
Peninsula Marina
Narrows Marina
Barren River Lake Fishing
Fishing is one of the most common activities on the lake’s shore. Be sure you bring your Kentucky fishing license along so you aren’t breaking the law. You can also sail out on your boat rental for a chance at some of the bigger fish.
Fishing Report
- White/Black Crappie
- Largemouth Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Striped, White, Yellow, Bass
- Redear Sunfish
- Walleye
- Blue/Channel Catfish
Want to take a break from the lake for a while? Try some strokes at the golf course onsite. There are 18-holes with gorgeous green views of local scenery. Golf cart rentals and golf club rentals are available for guests who didn’t get their own.
Book your tee time today so you don’t miss out on this prime golfing opportunity.
Address: 8741 New Glasgow Rd, Scottsville, KY
Phone: 615-319-1099
Want to go for a short horse ride? While there aren’t stables on site, you can go on a guided horse adventure through the local horse stable—the Maple Dell. If you want to learn the basics of riding, you can spend some extra money for a lesson from the experts. Book a horse trail tour today.
What’s Not at the Park
Barren River Lake is a 40-minute drive from the Grand Victorian Inn. As such, you should know exactly what the park offers before you arrive, so you don’t expect an attraction that isn’t here. You shouldn’t expect to see the following here:
- Fishing Charters: While there are occasionally fishing guides, few of them, if any, actually charter you out onto the lake waters. Rent a boat or do some shore fishing instead.
- Hiking Trails: There’s a small trail, but it’s more a walk than a hike.
- Bait Shops: You need to bring your own fishing supplies, or rent from a nearby town.
Hopefully we’ve been able to help you see why Barren River State Park is such a fun place to explore. Whether you want to adventure out in the water or you just want to kick back and watch the fish snag themselves, it’s a perfect experience.
