Cave Run Lake
Cave Run Lake is nestled among the rolling hills of northeastern Kentucky. This 8,270-acre lake provides flood protection and a clean water supply to area communities. Tourists enjoy the lake for its scenery and excellent recreation opportunities like boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing.
The U.S. Forest Service administers the lake and surrounding shoreline. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees the operation of the lake's dam and nearby recreation facilities.
Cave Run Lake and the recreation sites below are located on the Cumberland Ranger District.
Complexes
Surrounded by forested hills, Clear Creek Recreation Area is a small, quiet area with a boat ramp onto Clear Creek Lake, a picnic area featuring the remnants of an 1800s-er
Clear Creek Picnic Area is located off Clear Creek Road (#129) and is part of a recreation complex that includes several trails, boating at Clear Creek Lake, and picn
Clear Creek Boat Ramp is located off Clear Creek Road (#129) near the start of Zilpo Scenic Byway.
Clear Creek Shooting Range is located off Ratliff Road (Forest #909) near Clear Creek Lake.
Claylick Boat-in Campground has 13 primitive campsites on Cave Run Lake.
Claylick Boat Ramp is located on the eastern shore of Cave Run Lake. The parking lot serves both boaters and walk-in campers at the nearby Claylick Boat-in Campground.
Longbow Marina is located on Cave Run Lake near Longbow Boat Ramp. The Marina has boat slips for rent and full-service gasoline pumps.
Longbow Boat Ramp is located off of KY 1274 on a narrow portion of Cave Run Lake.
Boat Gunnel Group Campground is located off KY 801 on Cave Run Lake among the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky.
Boat Gunnel Picnic Area is located off KY 801 near Cave Run Lake and provides access to Boat Gunnel Shoreline Trail #1206, Oak Ridge Trail #1208 and Wildlife Habitat Trail
Scott Creek Marina is located on Cave Run Lake next to Scott Creek Boat Ramp.
Scott Creek Boat Ramp is located off of KY 801 and provides direct access to Cave Run Lake.
Twin Knobs Recreation Area is a 700-acre facility located off KY 801 on the north shore of Cave Run Lake. This family-friendly recreation area includes a large campground with tent and RV sites, three group use areas, bath houses with showers, scenic foot trails with overlooks, a sandy swim beach and nearby boat ramps with vehicle and boat trailer parking.
Family-friendly Twin Knobs Campground offers 200 campsites developed for tent and RV camping. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring.
Spend the day at Twin Knobs Recreation Area and relive your summer camp memories!
The group camping areas within Twin Knobs Recreation Area make it easy to bring the whole family to the lake!
Located within Twin Knobs Recreation Area, the Twin Knobs Group Use Area is the perfect spot for family reunions, outdoor performances and other large-scale events.
Zilpo Recreation Area is located at the end of the Zilpo Scenic Byway on a peninsula on the south shore of Cave Run Lake. Zilpo is a prime destination for families. The recreation area includes a large campground, a boat ramp, campground store, a sandy swimming beach and scenic trails.
Scenic Zilpo Campground offers cabin rentals, tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups and a selection of lakefront sites.
Spending the day at Zilpo Recreation Area is a wonderful way to squeeze the best parts of a Cave Run Lake vacation into a single day.
Recreation Sites
Alfrey Boat Ramp
Bangor Boat Ramp
Beaver Creek Boat Ramp
Billy Branch Picnic Area
Blackwater Boat Ramp
Boat Gunnel Group Campground
Boat Gunnel Group Picnic Area
Claylick Boat Ramp
Claylick Boat-in Campground
Clear Creek Boat Ramp