www.iFourWinns.com

My folks found a rental lake house available in June that looks really nice for our family to visit, and has a dock to tie my boat to. My concern is the rather small size of the lake and due to its proximity to Lexington, it may get really crowded especially on weekend days. Have any of you guys boated there? What did you think? Was the water clean? I have heard that it isn't the cleanest lake and there is trash along the shoreline.

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2005 Horizon 250

I live about 30 miles from Herrington. I don't know it to be a very popular lake for trailering a boat to. While I haven't been there, I occasionally see news stories related to the lake area. In general, it usually looks muddy and less scenic than many of the other lakes in the area.

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Can't speak to Herrington, but there is a really beautiful lake down in those parts called Cave Run Lake. Really nice. No houses to rent, but there are a couple of campgrounds. Very scenic and worth the trip.

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Thanks for the info y'all. I think I'll pass on Herrington. I have been to Cave Run, tent camping, years ago before I had a boat. I recall it being quite scenic. Since we really need a cabin or house or lodge to accommodate my 60-something parents, brother and his family, along with my family of 4, I think I will look at Nolin and Barren River lake and maybe Cumberland, though that's a little far for a weekend trip. My brother has a little dog, which also limits our options.

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2005 Horizon 250

I was just reading about Cumberland yesterday. They are going to have the water level back to 680 again this summer down from the normal 720. Sounds like A LOT of places are hurting and looking to get people to their place just to survive. You may find some good deals in that area, plus the boating is still spectacular. I drove through Burnside on a motorcycle trip last fall and the lake looks very cool down 40 feet. Lot's of old structures and "stuff" to see that has been underwater for many years.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Another option is Laurel Lake. Me and my wife love it. Very clean water and nice scenery. It's a little narrow so the water gets a little choppy but it's a very refreshing lake to go to. It's about a 75 minute trip south of Lexington, pehaps just as far as Cave Run (which is east of Lexington).

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We travel to Dale Hollow Lake all the time from Louisville for weekend trips. It is really not that bad for the beauty and cleanliness of the waters on the "Holler". Dale Hollow is known for its clean water. As far as taking a dog Hendricks Creek Resort has small Houseboats that are pet friendly, they may also have some cabins that are pet friendly but I am not sure about that. Once you make the trip to Dale Hollow you may never want to go anywhere else

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2008 Vista 278, Dale Hollow Lake

Laurel Lake is really clean and beautiful. It is just about the same driving time as Cumberland but much smaller. Still, I agree, a wonderful lake. Are there good rental options/lodging? I went on Laurel while staying in Corbin for a couple months as a student.

Dale Hollow is nice and HUGE. We go every year, but, again, it is pretty far to go for a weekend trip.

Lake Cumberland is still my favorite lake. Even with the lowered water level it is unrivaled in my opinion, with deep clean clear cool water, majestic cliffs of stone rising from the water, wide open spaces and innumerable coves and fingers. Plenty of room for tubing and skiing and plenty of decent marinas and lodging opportunities.

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2005 Horizon 250

Check out vrbo.com

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Laurel is beautiful, but nothing to rent as the entire lake is a state park. Water is extremely clean and very scenic. Not huge--but plenty of room and usually not quite as crowded. There are quite a few hotel options in Corbin--but nothing to stay on the water. I have kept my boat on Cumberland, Laurel, and Norris in TN. I am currently at Norris and there are many great places to stay and many marinas for dinner options on the water. Any one of the three though are beautiful--just different experiences.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

I keep my boat at Lake Cumberland and highly recommend it even with the water level at 680. Several places to stay. We use Conely Bottom Resort. A couple of times a year we go to Barren River and I would also recommend. Not as big as Cumberland, but still a nice size (around 10K acres) lots of open water. The state park has cabin rentals.

Bring on the Season!

Safe and Happy Boating!

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-Eddie/2007 H200/5.0 Merc 220hp/2004 GMC Yukon