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Hi!
My husband and I are starting to seriously weigh a move to Kentucky from Santa Barbara, CA. I love SB (born and raised) but it is exorbitantly expensive. We had some big dreams to make it here and it doesn't seem to be working out. We are hoping to save and maybe buy a small farm property in KY. The thing that makes me saddest is leaving the ocean. I love swimming, just taking a break from my day to spend an hour taking a quick dip at the beach and going on with my day. I have read that KY has more freshwater coastline than florida. Cool. Are there places to go swim on the rivers or lakes (without needing a boat?). Is it enjoyable or are you swarmed by mosquitos or leeches or something? Anyone have suggestions or pictures of places, especially around central KY? In my ideal world I would be able to buy a few acres outside a nice town with a creek that would have a nice swimming hole. Is that far fetched?
Herrington Lake, aka Lake Herrington, is less than an hour from Lexington, to the southwest near Danville. Cave Run Lake, a much larger Army Corps of Engineers construction, is a bit farther to the east of Lexington- it has an "official" beach. Farther south is larger-yet Lake Cumberland, which offers all sorts of water sports.
As for finding property with a swimmable creek, it's possible, though many of Kentucky's creeks contain agricultural run-off and are not too safe for swimming (okay for wading if you wash your feet afterwards and don't have broken skin). But there are exceptions.
It may take some digging, but check out the lists of Kentucky's exceptional waterways, or get in touch with the state Division of Water for more information. While realtors can point you towards property with creeks, they may not know how safe they are.
Clear water is a good sign, as are crayfish (crawdads locally), water striders, and lots of small fish in shallow streams. Creeks which originate and flow through wooded areas are more likely to be clean, too. Mosquitoes do not breed in running water, and I'm unaware of any leech problems in central Kentucky. Our water comes from limestone surrounded springs - this is Karst topography - and is high in calcium and other minerals.
You should check out Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley/Land Between the Lakes area. Kenlake State Resort Park and Ky. Dam Village SRP both have beaches. They aren't officially opened any more but still have people going there. Moss Creek Day Beach, in the LBL is a nice quiet beach with picnic tables and shade to get out of the sun. Devil's Elbow, on the Barkley side of the LBL has a nice day beach also.
As far as owning property along either lake, the Corps of Engineers Craig mentioned have a lot to say on what you can put on the water. My wife's uncle wanted to put a boat dock below his house but couldn't until he had another local family go in on it with him according to the CEC.
Don't know of many creeks big enough to have a "swimming hole" in the western part of the state, but I've known some families who have put a small lake (you'd call it a pond. lol) on their property for swimming.
There aren't many places to "swim" as you mean it. Very few sandy beaches (Cave Run Lake is one; a couple of the state parks have a tiny area), but none of them are very appealing. The man-made lakes are largely for boat put-in and fishing, the rivers aren't hospitable, and much creek access is privately owned land. "Shoreline" is deceptive.
The cleanest lake in KY you will find is on the border with TN. Dale Hallow Lake. Shale rock bottom does a wonderful job keeping the water clean. My second cousin has a place on the water at the Land Between The Lakes and it is awesome. We just jump in from his dock all the time. Lake Cumberland is the largest lake you will find anywhere. I am sure that you can find something there to your liking.
The cleanest lake in KY you will find is on the border with TN. Dale Hallow Lake. Shale rock bottom does a wonderful job keeping the water clean. My second cousin has a place on the water at the Land Between The Lakes and it is awesome. We just jump in from his dock all the time. Lake Cumberland is the largest lake you will find anywhere. I am sure that you can find something there to your liking.
Lake Cumberland is a reservoir in Clinton, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne counties in Kentucky.[1] The primary reasons for its construction were a means for flood control and the production of hydroelectric power. Its shoreline measures 1,255 miles (2,020 km) and the lake covers 65,530 acres (265 km2) at the maximum power pool elevation. The reservoir ranks 9th in the U.S. in size, with a capacity of 6,100,000 acre feet (7.5 km3) of water, enough to cover the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky with 3 inches (76 mm) of water. The main lake is 101 miles (163 km) long and over one mile (1.6 km) across at its widest point.
Either way, there's a bunch of water out there! lol
Just out of curiosity, to the OP, did you move to Kentucky? I used to live near Lexington, liked it very much, but went to the Marriott there, they had a pool /health club outsiders could join. At least I got some swimming in, it was very nice. I don't know if they still let people other than hotel guests join any more.
Hi! Wow I am replying late, but we did move to KY! Best decision we have ever made! We LOVE it and live on a few acres out of Versailles! We actually do have a tiny creek on the property, northing to swim in though, lol! Ok, for anyone googling Kentucky swimming holes, so far this is where we go and have enjoyed:
Favorite so far is Falling Rock Park. Quarry filled with rain water! Beautiful clear water. Keep in mind, no one under 18 allowed, no alcohol. You have to have a floatation device. Love it.
Zilpo Beach at Cave Run Lake. Clear water, very pretty, there is a parking fee. Gravel beach so wear sandals.
Renting kayaks at Grayson Lake.
Renting kayaks on elkhorn creek, although water is murky after rain.
Dog Slaughter Falls is good to swim in.
Bark Camp Creek Cascades
Swift Camp Creek in the Gorge.
Lake Cumberland if you rent a boat.
Still plan to check out lots more. I hear good thigs about all you guys mentioned as well as Buckhorn Lake, and some lake in eastern kentucky that starts with a C, I am blanking ok it at the moment.
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