Paintsville Lake State Park
4.7(664)google
4.7(6)yelp
LakeBoatingFishingCamping
Overview
Paintsville Lake State Park is a park located just west of Paintsville, Kentucky in Johnson County. The park itself encompasses 242 acres (98 ha), while Paintsville Lake, its major feature, covers approximately 1,139 acres (461 ha) extending into parts of Morgan County. The park contains thirty-two developed campsites, ten primitive campsites, a playground, four picnic shelters, a four lane launch ramp, an amphitheater, a restaurant, a marina, and a Kiwanis Trail, a National Recreation Trail.
Practical Info
Mon9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeSummer from June through August for active jet-skiing and primitive camping, or early October for peak fall tree colors. Position yourself on the wooden fishing piers near the primary marina between 4:00 PM and sunset; the setting sun blankets the expansive freshwater reservoir completely unhindered, casting a magnificent warm amber glow for classic wilderness photography.
Getting ThereTucked deep inside eastern Kentucky hills at 1551 KY-2275, Staffordsville. Driving via car is the exclusive transport option; route via US-23 into Paintsville, exit west onto US-460 West for 4 miles, and turn right onto the blacktop of State Road 2275 straight to the reservoir boundary. The state park operates extensive, free paved surface lots adjacent to the boat ramps.
Travel Tips
- The boat launch ramp features an intense slope grade; two-wheel-drive passenger sedans are barred from attempting mid-to-large watercraft extractions due to immediate traction loss and catastrophic deep-water slide risks.
- The Kiwanis Trail navigates tight sandstone fissured ledges notoriously heavily infested with venomous copperhead snakes; rigid hiking footwear is mandated, and trail access legally expires 30 minutes post-sunset.
- Outdoor grilling at mountain top shelters must utilize the provided deep-well steel charcoal basins; dumping live hot coals into the surrounding underbrush violates state forestry fire laws and carries strict criminal counts.
Reviews
Positive
- Towering limestone bluffs frame the wide blue lake, with lush Appalachian forests mirrored in the waters, delivering exceptional raw wilderness value.
- The campgrounds and RV park setups set a benchmark for maintenance, equipped with modern flush restrooms, hot showers, and full electric hookups.
- The massive lake features a professional full-service marina, making boat rentals, fishing, or paddling in secluded coves an absolute joy.
- As a state park, aside from nominal launch or camp fees, entry is free with low visitor density, allowing guests to soak in ultimate remote serenity.
Heads up
- The location is highly isolated, requiring a very long drive from major Kentucky metros, with almost no modern chain stores or quality dining for miles around.
- Since it preserves a raw ecosystem, cell service drops out completely inside the deeper forest trails, making it easy to wander off track without offline maps.
- Late-summer dry spells draw down reservoir water levels, exposing muddy rock banks and stripping away its charm, causing a disappointing contrast.
- After summer downpours, waterfront shores gather floating drift debris, and primitive vault toilets in remote spots suffer from low cleaning frequencies.