If you’re going to take a scenic hiking trail in Kentucky, you want it to offer endless views of natural beauty. Some trails require some hiking through a not-so-scenic area before reaching the beautiful destination, while others are scenic all the way through. Located in Eastern Kentucky, Paintsville Lake State Park is an underrated destination that offers one of these trails with endless scenic views. Walk through the woods and enjoy incredible vistas of this unique lake on this favorite scenic hiking trail in Kentucky.

Paintsville Lake State Park is a lovely park located in Staffordsville, Kentucky.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
It's centered around a 1,140-acre lake that offers interesting rock formations and wooded banks. The park also has a marina and a 32-site campground.
Also within the park is the Kiwanis Trail, a 1.6-mile hike that's rated easy and is appropriate for all ages.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
The trail begins near the Administration Building and then makes a loop through the beautiful scenery of the park. You'll admire lush foliage all year long, as well as a chance to spot a variety of wildlife.
After a trek along the well-maintained trail through the woods, you'll come to the lake and jaw-dropping views.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
This lake has some interesting features and this particular area really showcases them. You can admire the rock formations and hills of forests surrounding the water.

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This trail is easy enough that you can bring along young kids, as well as dogs.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
But it's scenic enough and offers plenty of variety that even experienced hikers will enjoy this short and sweet trail.
The landscape of the trail changes with the season and the weather, so you may be treated to a few pop-up waterfall cascades.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
Some of the plant life here is green, even in the winter, making this a great year-round option. And with the rocky lake views, there's still plenty to see if the leaves have fallen off the trees.
This underrated park and trail in Kentucky is a wonderful little hike for getting fresh air and a taste of our state's natural beauty.
Joseph Larrimore / @vegan_joe, Contributed Photo
And if you want a scenic hiking trail in Kentucky that has endless views, then check out the Kiwanis Trail along Paintsville Lake.

Paintsville Lake State Park has one main trail, but that’s all it needs. This scenic hiking trail in Kentucky has a little bit of everything and is picturesque all year long. Bring the kids, your pup, or just yourself and explore this underrated park in Eastern Kentucky. Have you been to Paintsville Lake? What’s your favorite Kentucky hike that’s scenic the entire way? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on the Kiwanis Trail at Paintsville Lake, visit the park’s website and also read more about it on Alltrails.

And for another scenic lake trail, check out this beautiful spot along Green River Lake.

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Paintsville Lake State Park, 1551 Kentucky Rte 2275, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA