It’s time to dust off those swim suits and head out to the lake, whether or not your summer body is ready! Many of Kentucky’s swim beaches open over Memorial Day weekend and stay open through Labor Day. Check out this list of lake beaches in Kentucky and have a fun (and safe!) weekend out on the water! Kentucky swim beaches are a great place to enjoy with the whole family.
For more family friendly fun in Kentucky, check out our Kentucky kids and family events guide.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Enjoy the sand in your toes and the gentle waves of Pennyrile Lake at the park’s swim beach. The beach is located just adjacent to the boat dock. If you are looking for a pool to swim in, lodge and cottage guests can enjoy use of the pool next to the lodge during their stay.
Visit Expedia.com to book the lodge at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
20781 Pennyrile Forest State Park, Dawson Springs, KY 42408, 270-797-3421
Lake Barkley State Resort Park
The public beach at Lake Barkley State Resort Park has all you need for hours of swimming fun in the waters of Lake Barkley. The seasonal beach offers a volleyball court and a bathhouse. The state park also has a swimming pool in front of the lodge for the exclusive use of lodge and cottage guests as well as an indoor wellness pool at the park’s Fitness center.
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3500 State Park Road, Cadiz, KY 42211; 270-924-1131
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Located not far away from Lake Barkley, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park has one of the only public-access sand beaches on Kentucky Lake, located just at the edge of the Kentucky Dam. The swim beach is open seasonally from 10am – 7pm and features both a pavilion and beach volleyball courts. The park also has a swimming pool next to the lodge which is open seasonally and available for use only by lodge and cottage guests.
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113 Administration Drive, Calvert City, KY 42044; 270-362-4271
Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Located just southeast of Bowling Green, Barren River Lake is a beautiful 10,000 acre lake surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills. The park has a sandy beach that is perfect for relaxing or taking a dip in the lake. Open seasonally and may be closed in severe weather.
Visit Expedia.com to book the lodge at Barren River Lake State Resort Park
1149 State Park Road, Lucas, KY 42156; 270-646-2151
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
The centerpoint of a sprawling forested property in Perry County, Kentucky, Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is a perfect place to spend a day with the whole family. While the lodge swimming pool is for exclusive use of lodge and cottage guests, the public beach is open Memorial Day through Labor day and features a bathhouse complex for visitor convenience. The beach may close in bad weather. Read more about Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park here.
Visit Expedia.com to book the lodge at Buckhorn Lake State Park
4441 KY-1833, Buckhorn, KY 41721; 606-396-7510
Rough River Dam State Resort Park
Don’t be fooled by the name, the gentle waters at Rough River Dam State Resort Park are perfect for family swimming. The park has a swim beach right on the shores of the 5,000-acre lake. There’s a bathhouse for changing and a sand volleyball court. If you’d like to get out on the lake, you can go boating or fishing from the marina.
Visit Expedia.com to book the lodge at Rough River Dam State Resort Park
450 Lodge Road, Falls of Rough, KY 40119; 270-257-2311
Lake Malone State Park
Lake Malone is enclosed by dramatic 50-foot sandstone bluffs that rise up out of the water’s edge and surrounded by hardwood forests. If you need to cool off on a hot summer day, head down to the sandy swim beach for endless hours of fun. For your convenience, a bathhouse with showers, restrooms and a vending area are available. The beach is open for swimming from Memorial Day – Labor Day.
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331 S.R. Rd. 8001, Dunmor, KY 42339; 270-657-2111
Nolin Lake State Park
Nolin Lake State Park has a nice sandy swim beach area open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Please note that pets are not allowed on the beach and the beach may be closed in the case of severe weather.
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2998 Brier Creek Road, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259; 270-286-4240
Carr Creek State Park
Carr Creek State Park is located near Hazard, KY. The Carr Fork Lake is the park’s main highlight. The lake covers 750 acres and has the longest sand beach in the State Park’s system. The lake is open seasonally in the summer for those who want to head down to catch some rays in the sun and enjoy swimming in the lake.
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2086 Smithboro Road, HWY 15, Sassafras, KY 41759; 606-642-4050
Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park is located near Campbellsville, KY. The lake is the park’s main feature and a popular destination for Central Kentuckians each summer. The sandy beach offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the gentle waves of the Green River Lake. It is located at the campground and features a sandy volleyball court.
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179 Park Office Road, Campbellsville, KY 42718; 270-465-8255
