Lake Cumberland

wilson2304 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:00 pm

Has anyone spent any time on Lake Cumberland? What's it like? Can you suggest a place to stay?

Sierra · **Posted:** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:16 pm

I actually have friends who used to keep their boat on Lake Cumberland and had planned to join them this summer on one of those crazy, tricked-out 80 foot house boats (until I couldn't bear the thought of spending time on the water away from my boat). In any event, they had recommended we rent the boat from either Jamestown Marina which looks very nice, or State Dock Marina which also looks very nice. If you haven't stumbled upon it yet, http://www.lakecumberland.com is a great resource. And for anyone else just browsing this topic, click on those links and check out the houseboats (which are certainly familiar to some of you but totally foreign in my part of the world). Not for real "cruising" to be sure, but a whole different flavor of fun!

What are you planning?

tennja · **Posted:** Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:14 pm

We typically make it down at least once a year. I would consider Cincy Aquaholic the resident expert on Lake Cumberland. Until he upgraded to a larger boat he was down there at least every 3rd weekend. (I am sure he is down there this weekend for the annual poker run.) We usually stay at Woodson Bend resort. http://www.woodsonbendresort.com/. We have friends that own there so we usually stay with them.

We have stayed with friends here as well http://www.goldenpondresort.com/kentucky-vacation-rentals.htm. Both of the places were nice but they are privately owned and rented so the quality may vary but I think for the most part they are pretty nice.

As Sierra stated many people rent houseboats for the week. I lurk on the lake cumberland.com forum that Sierra posted a lot of good info there.

As far as the lake it is very deep with rocky shores. No real beaches to speak of. Many coves, some are as extreme as the pictures that were posted from lake Lewisville. Others are more family friendly. For all intents and purposes it is a "dry" area. You cannot purchase alcohol around the lake so you must bring enough beverages to last the duration of your stay.

I don't know where you are traveling from but not much farther is Norris lake We went there this summer as well See here.http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4293 I like Norris better than Cumberland. Dale Hollow is also close to this area and is supposed to be beautiful although I have never been there.

I hope that helps.

ohiolakerat · **Joined:** Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:47 pm **Posts:** 53

Cumberland is my home lake. I would definitely recommend State Dock (it's attached to a State Park, but not owned by the state). It's the premier dock on the lake with the largest boats and seems to have the most going on every weekend. Their website is http://www.statedock.com.

Jamestown Marina is nice also. They are located right across the harbor from state dock and have a nice hotel to offer. http://www.jamestown-marina.com.

Xavid · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:09 pm

We love Cumberland - it is huge, with plenty of coves, plenty of open water, really never crowded, deep, and clean. Just beautiful too, with steep rock walls flanking the sides, few houses in view, and a forested hilly/mountainous landscape. We've stayed at a nice rental condo/house at Jamestown (but avoid the "rustic cabins" - they are crap), and the State Park cottages, and we have camped there as well. The best set up is at Jamestown, as the marina is nice, with well maintained slips, a good restaurant, and a free shuttle service that will take you from your rental to and from the launch ramp/marina, and a free water taxi service that will ferry you and your junk to your slip.

french829 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:20 pm

We used to keep our boat on Lake Cumberland, but moved after they dropped the lake level to fix the dam--an 8 year project that is probably in about year 4. We moved to Lake Laurel in Corbin, KY and next season will be trying Norris Lake in TN for our home lake. Cumberland is beautiful and even with the water down 40 feet from normal has plenty of room to explore and enjoy. I have been to Jamestown and Lee's Ford since the drop and both provide good ramps, resturants, etc. Jamestown is probably a bit nicer overall, but I have found the ramp to be a bit crazy at times. I would probably stay away from the Burnside area. This used to be our home marina--but the area always seems to be full of debris (logs, etc) and just got to be too much trouble to navigate. Dropping the water level seemed to make it worse. I have not been there is at least 2 seasons--so perhaps it has gotten better. I echo the comment about the area being dry--so bring provisions if that is something you enjoy.

Xavid · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:24 pm

^Norris Lake is another fantastic lake. We stayed at a nice new condo right at Twin Coves Marina, I think it was called The Willows. I remember it being just a few miles off I-75 which is so nice when you are hauling around your monstrous boat!

french829 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:09 pm

The Willows at Twin Coves is actually our new home marina. We boated there 3-4 times last season and decided to make the move for next season. Lots of great marinas and places to eat on the lake--and many great houses to rent as well. We are looking forward to trying a floating house next season.

www.iFourWinns.com

Lake Cumberland

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