Barren River Lake State Resort Park

Barren River Lake State Resort Park

Location in Kentucky

Type Kentucky state park
Location Barren County, Kentucky
Coordinates 36°51′56″N 86°04′09″W / 36.86556°N 86.06917°W / 36.86556; -86.06917Coordinates: 36°51′56″N 86°04′09″W / 36.86556°N 86.06917°W / 36.86556; -86.06917
Area 2,187 acres (885 ha)
Created 1965[1]
Operated by Kentucky Department of Parks
Open All year
Barren River Lake State Resort Park Official website

Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a 2,187-acre (885 ha) park located in Barren County, Kentucky and extending into parts of Allen County and Monroe County.[2] Barren River Lake, its major feature, is an artificial lake created with the building of a 146-foot-high (45 m) dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begun in 1960. It covers approximately 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) and has 141 miles (227 km) of shoreline.[1] The park was dedicated in 1965.[3]

Attractions

Fishing is a major attraction at this park. The largest hybrid striped bass ever taken in Kentucky (20 lb., 8 oz.) was caught in Barren River Lake in 1991.[4] The lake contains several other species of fish, including crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, and big channel catfish.[3]

The lake also includes a marina to support boating and water skiing. Numerous trails provide hiking and biking opportunities. The most popular hiking trail is the 1-mile (1.6 km) Lewis Hill Trail[3] which is also known as the Connell Nature Trail.[5] Guided horseback rides are available seasonally. The park also features an eighteen-hole golf course.[3]

Events

The Trashmasters cleanup day is a popular volunteer event that helps keep the park clean. Also, each June, the park plays host to Glasgow's Highland Games, a miniature version of the Glasgow, Scotland tradition.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "History". Barren River Lake State Resort Park. Kentucky Department of Parks. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Parks, State". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Associate editors: Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bailey, Bill (1995). "Barren River Lake State Resort Park". Kentucky State Parks. Saginaw, Michigan: Glovebox Guidebooks of America. ISBN 1-881139-13-1.
  4. "Kentucky State Record Fish List". Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. June 28, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. Elliott, Brook & Barbara (May 12, 1998). Hiking Kentucky. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics. p. 98. ISBN 0880118121.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, February 27, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.