Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Barren River Lake State Resort Park | |
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Location in Kentucky Location in United States | |
Type | Kentucky state park |
Location | Barren County, Kentucky |
Coordinates | 36°51′56″N 86°04′09″W / 36.86556°N 86.06917°W |
Area | 2,187 acres (885 ha) |
Created | 1965[1] |
Operated by | Kentucky Department of Parks |
Open | All year |
Website | Official website |
Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a 1,053-acre (426 ha) park located in Barren County, Kentucky and extending into parts of Allen County and Monroe County.[2] Barren River Lake, its major feature, is an artificial lake created with the building of a 146-foot-high (45 m) dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begun in 1960. It covers approximately 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) and has 141 miles (227 km) of shoreline.[1] The park was dedicated in 1965.[3]
Attractions
Fishing is a major attraction at this park. The largest hybrid striped bass ever taken in Kentucky (20 lb., 8 oz.) was caught in Barren River Lake in 1991.[4] The lake contains several other species of fish, including crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, and big channel catfish.[3]
The lake also includes a marina to support boating and water skiing. Numerous trails provide hiking and biking opportunities. The most popular hiking trail is the 1-mile (1.6 km) Lewis Hill Trail[3] which is also known as the Connell Nature Trail.[5] Guided horseback rides are available seasonally. The park also features an eighteen-hole golf course.[3]
Events
The Trashmasters cleanup day is a popular volunteer event that helps keep the park clean. Also, each June, the park plays host to Glasgow's Highland Games, a miniature version of the Glasgow, Scotland tradition.[3]
References
- ^ a b "History". Barren River Lake State Resort Park. Kentucky Department of Parks. Retrieved September 23, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Parks, State". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Associate editors: Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
- ^ a b c d e Bailey, Bill (1995). "Barren River Lake State Resort Park". Kentucky State Parks. Saginaw, Michigan: Glovebox Guidebooks of America. ISBN 1-881139-13-1.
- ^ "Kentucky State Record Fish List". Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. June 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Elliott, Brook & Barbara (May 12, 1998). Hiking Kentucky. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics. p. 98. ISBN 0880118121.
External links
- Barren River Lake State Resort Park Kentucky Department of Parks
- Glasgow (Kentucky) Highland Games