Lake Cumberland

Aerial view of Lake CumberlandThe Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Lake Cumberland, the second largest lake in the Cumberland River System.  The lake provides varied outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year.  Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have many opportunities to fish, hunt, camp, picnic, boat, canoe, hike, and enjoy the outdoors.

Lake Cumberland is located in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel, and Whitley counties in Southeastern Kentucky on the Cumberland River.  The damsite is at river mile 460.9 or about 10 miles southwest of Jamestown, Kentucky.

The Wolf Creek Project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1946.  Construction of the project, designed and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began in August 1941.  After a three-year delay caused by World War II, the project was completed for full beneficial use in August 1952.

The dam was completed for flood control operation in 1950.  Three of the six hydroelectric generating units were placed in operation in 1951 and the remaining three in 1952.  Operation of the lake is for the primary purposes of flood control and the production of hydroelectric power.  The cost of the project was approximately $80.4 million.

Contact

855 Boat Dock Road Somerset, KY 42501
606-679-6337
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM -4:30 PM
lakecumberland@usace.army.mil

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Links of Interest

Recreation

Camping & Group Picnic Shelters
Registration Center hours are:
Mon. & Thurs. 11 am to 5 pm
Tues. & Wed. CLOSED
Fri. & Sat. 10 am to 7 pm
Sun. 12 noon to 6 pm

*If the Registration Center is closed when you arrive please select a non-reserved site and return to register for your stay during the hours listed above.

Cumberland Point Campground will open for the 2023 recreation season May 1 through October 1. The campground and Day Use Area is located on Lake Cumberland, approximately 10 miles west of Nancy, KY off of Highway 761. The campground offers has 30 campsites with water and electric hook-ups. Cumberland Point Recreation Area has many scenic vistas and is noted for its breathtaking sunsets.
Fall Creek Campground will open for the 2023 recreation season March 31 through October 29. The campground is located  is off of Highway 2393 approximately four miles from Conley Bottom Resort. The campground offers water and electric hook-up  campsites sites with water and electric hook-ups.
Fishing Creek Campground will open for the 2023 recreation season March 31 through October 29 The campground and is located just outside of Somerset, KY on Highway 1248 upstream of Lee’s Ford Marina Resort. The campground offers 46 campsites with water and electric hook-up sites, and can accommodate the largest RV's.
Kendall Campground will open for the 2023 recreation season March 31 through November 26. The campground is located approximately 10 miles west of Jamestown, KY on Highway 127 below Wolf Creek Dam. The campground offers 115 campsites with water and electric hook-up sites. Kendall is the largest recreation area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Cumberland. Because of its amenities and location, it is quite the desirable destination for camping recreation. 

*SPECIAL MESSAGE - River sites 43-53 will be closed during rehabilitation of the access road that received erosion damage from increased discharge at Wolf Creek Dam. Site 54A will be closed and utilized as a turn-around point. In addition, the tailwater launching ramp at Kendall Day Use will be subject to closure during the rehabilitation of the access road. Please contact the Lake Cumberland Resource Manager's Office at (606) 679-6337 with any questions.
Waitsboro Campground will be open for the 2022 recreation season April 7 through October 30. The campground is located just off of Highway 27, North of Burnside, KY. he campground offers 115 campsites with water and electric hook-up sites. Waitsboro Campground offers 22 campsites with water and electric hook-up sites.
 

The Corps of Engineers manages several day use areas on Lake Cumberland.  Some shelters may be reserved (for a fee) up to 365 days in advance.  Reservations may be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS).  When a shelter is not reserved, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Shelters are available for reservation from April until October. To reserve a shelter, contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777.

Boating

Lake Cumberland provides boaters with a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy their respective recreational interests. Our 1,255 miles of shoreline and 65,530 surface acres of water at maximum pool provides boaters with a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy their respective recreational interests.  One of 10 commercial marinas situated at various locations on the lake, or one of the many Corps of Engineers Access areas, provide easy access and supplies for boaters. As the number of boaters visiting Lake Cumberland have increased in recent years, the Corps of Engineers encourages visitors to wear life jackets, pay close attention at all times, abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, and become familiar with the rules of the water and basic boating regulations. You may contact the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources concerning boating regulations and boating safety information.

Fishing & Hunting

Fishing is a popular recreational activity on Lake Cumberland. Kentucky state fishing licenses are required for most individuals prior to fishing on Corps of Engineers waters.  Licenses may be purchased at County Clerk's offices, marinas and many other commercial establishments in the area. For up-to-date fishing information, lake elevations, and generation schedules visit the Lake Cumberland Facebook page. Lake Cumberland's fishing report which is updated Monday through Friday can be heard by calling (606) 678-8697. 

Hunting and trapping are permitted except in areas prohibited by the District Engineer.  These prohibited areas include developed recreation areas such as day use areas and campgrounds, lease areas, marinas, etc.  All Federal, State, and local laws governing these activities apply on Lake Cumberland and the surrounding public land. The Kentucky Department of Wildlife Resources administers the wildlife management program and has cooperative agreements with area farmers who perform management practices to benefit wildlife. The fields are interspersed among undeveloped woodlands and make for excellent hunting.

Scuba & Swimming

Scuba diving is allowed at Lake Cumberland. Divers must display a "Diver Down" flag in the area where they are diving. Boaters should be alert to the "Diver Down" flag and keep a safe distance away. 

Lake Cumberland is home to over 1,200 miles of shoreline and swimming is allowed along majority of the shore.  Swimming is not allowed on courtesy docks and boat ramps.  Swimming is prohibited at launching ramps, mooring points, marinas, public docks, and posted areas. 

Trails 

Black Walnut Trail is a quarter mile, one way, trail boasting many interpretive signs to assist with a self guided tour. The trailhead is located located at the Lake Cumberland Natural Resource Management Office at 855 Boat Dock Road Somerset, Ky.  A map of Black Walnut Trail can be found here

Kendall Whispering Pines Trail is a half mile, one way, trail takes you through a forest of pines which is home for much of the area's wildlife.  The trailhead is located in the Kendall Campground at 80 Kendall Road Jamestown, Ky.  A map of the Whispering Pines Trail can be found here!

Announcements

Lake Cumberland Virtual Tour

Click here to check out our virtual tour.

 

Additional Attractions