Best launch point--north Kentucky Lake

T

takukla

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Aug 4, 2011
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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
23 Venture
Vessel Name
anna marie
We want to launch at the north end of Kentucky Lake and cruise for at least a week--maybe two. Any suggestions for the best ramp/best truck and trailer security?
A C-Dory friend has suggested Lighthouse Landing.
Additional opinions would be appreciated.
 
I fished there as a kid many years ago but I can not offer any current information. I just want to follow your thread.
I would also like to cruise Kentucky Lake sometime. I want to know when the best crappie fishing time of year is and maybe an idea where the best fishing might be.
 
Kentucky Lake Dam Resort State Park is very nice. I have stayed at, and launched my boat twice from that park. Colby
 
we visited Kentucky Lakes neighbor, Lake Barkley a couple years ago and I expected to find more facilities then we did. We didn't have a lot of time though and I would like to go back and see more both lakes.

You might try the marina locator service that BoatUS has. It's web site is: www.BoatUS.com/ServiceLocator. The site contains has maps, info and aerial views of the marinas and ramps.
Rich
 
Try Active Captain or Marinas.com, areial views and facility information.
 
Hi Takukla:

We spent a week in the area last October, and had a great time. I've written a piece about the trip, and really need to get it posted.

We launched SSV and left the truck/trailer at Buzzard Rock Marina which is real close (on Lake Barkley). The launch ramp is good, and there's a great secure place to leave your rig while you're out having fun. They charged us $20 for an overnight slip with electric, and the truck parking was free.

You're only about 20-25 minutes away from Kentucky Lake via the Barkley Canal, and there are lots of places to see on both lakes.

Maybe your inquiry will get me motivated to post the write-up of our trip. I really just need to get some photos organized to go along with the narrative.

Buzzard Rock is relatively small (at least compared to KY Dam marina) and is run by a very cordial fellow. All the staff were helpful, and there's a great restaurant on site.

Have a great trip.

Bob
 
Takukla,

I also plan to cruise in the area for a week to 10 days in mid-May and have been doing some research. I have used marinas.com and explorekentuckylake.com. The latter one has a list of marinas in the area. I then went into mapquest.com to plot the towns where the marinas are located, in order to have an idea where to buy gas along the way. I called Lighthouse Landing Marina and I am inclined to launch there and make my way south. Have not finalized yet where to stop for gas, where to turn back, etc.

This is a cruise that I have had in mind since last year, in an effort to start the boating season earlier, but never got around it. This may be the year. Hopefully, I will see you out on the lake.
 
If I remember rightly, Lighthouse Marina is on Barkley Lake, just across from where Kentucky Lake Dam State Park is. I still believe you would have more parking available at Kentucky Dam SP. The ramps there can be a little steep, and I don't remember if there is a dock right there at the ramp or not. But very easy access. I don't remember if the Lighthouse has parking for trailers on the property. The State Park has a very nice marina however. If I recall, the regular parking lot for tow and trailer is a day lot, however, they have an overflow lot close by that you can park in if you will be gone for several days. Here is their website:
http://www.kydammarina.com/
Colby
 
According to marinas.com, Lighthouse Landing is on Ketucky Lake, accross the lake from Kentucky Lake Dam State Park. I will check the issue about the ramp and parking on LL, which I was told when I called that it is complimentary.

From looking at the aerial photos of both marinas, it appears that LL has open slips while Kentucky Lake Dam's slips appear to be roofed. Unless it is pouring rain, I prefer the openess without a roof. Also, LL is on Grand Rivers, which seems like a nice little town that you can walk to from the marina.

I also found out something new to me of marinas.com. If you click on a marina and once in, click on "view full map", it takes you into a map of the area, where you can navigate and see other marinas, bypassing the need to go to mapquest as I had previously done. Pretty neat. :teeth
 
We stayed at Lighthouse Landing last October. It's a neat little marina. Very close to Kentucky Dam, and nearly directly across the lake from Kentucky Dam Marina and State Park.

Lighthouse Landing is mainly a sailboat facility, but they don't seem to hold that against power boaters! The staff was very friendly, and helpful. Their parking is sort of limited, so if you're planning on launching there, you might want to call ahead and see what they say about leaving your rig for a week.

Lighthouse Landing is also just a short walk up the hill to the little town of Grand Rivers, KY famous for Patty's 1880's Restaurant. This is a fun spot to eat, but be forewarned, you'll probably walk away stuffed. (At least the journey back to the marina is down hill!)
 
The last two messages has refreshed my memory more about Lighthouse Landing. It is on the Land Between the Lakes side of Kentucky Lake. And it is a cute little town with some really nice restraunts and shops. It is mostly sailboats. We slipped there with our SeaRay 268 for half a day while stopping to eat and shop. (I think we were the only powerboat there at the time, but no one treated us any worse for it. ;-) We used the state park ramps, as we were also staying at the lodge there.
 
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