With More Than 6,000 Acres To Explore, Kentucky's Largest State Park Is Worthy Of A Multi-Day Adventure
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 22, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s an embarrassment of riches here in the Bluegrass, especially with regard to our state parks. Each and every one of Kentucky’s 45 state parks brings something unique and wonderful to the table. For wondrous waterfall hikes, head to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The perfect beach day? Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. A glorious getaway? Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park. Epic history lesson? Columbus-Belmont State Park! In terms of superlatives, Nolin Lake State Park is Kentucky’s largest state park; and, with more than 6,000 amazing acres to explore, it’s worthy of a multi-day adventure.
There are 45 beautiful state parks in Kentucky and while we hate to play favorites, Nolin Lake is one of our favorites.
Home to the 5,795-acre Lake Nolin, this Kentucky State Park celebrates the water -- and once you see this cerulean blue pool for yourself, you'll understand why.
For those doing the math, there are an additional 333 acres of dry land to explore at this Kentucky State Park, for a total of 6,000+ glorious acres!
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Popular for a variety of water recreation, the fishing is top-notch at Nolin Lake, with anglers finding an abundance of bass, walleye, catfish, and crappie. On the shores, birders delight in the avian species that call Lake Nolin home, including blue heron, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, and even the occasional wild turkey!
Boating
You'll pretty much always see boats out on the water, too, with folks on pontoons, thrill-seekers on jet skis, and families pulling inner tubes full of happy, laughing kids!
In fact, in terms of family friendliness, Nolin Lake State Park is tops, with a large, sandy shore offering the perfect beach day in the Blugerass State.
Visitors can continue enjoying the water on land, too; the Waterfall Loop Trail boasts a seasonal waterfall that hikers and mountain bikers can enjoy. Visit after it rains for the best waterfall flow!
In total, this loop trail spans 9.2 miles and is open year-round. This hike is considered "moderate" in terms of difficulty, so please ensure that you have proper hiking shoes and water before hitting the trail!
In total, this Kentucky State Park has 32 campsites with water and electricity and 27 primitive campsites. A playground is located nearby, which is great for the kids to run off excess energy before bedtime.
Three sites have been adapted for the disabled, too -- and leashed dogs are permitted.
Whether you come for the trails, the camping, the wildlife, or the lake, you'll want to spend several days exploring Nolin Lake, a dazzling gem of the Kentucky State Parks.
When was the last time you visited Kentucky’s largest state park? Whether it was last year or last week, Nolin Lake State Park is one Kentucky State Park worth exploring in full.
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