Martins Fork Lake, in Harlan County, Kentucky is a popular destination for all kinds of watersports. Swimmers and boaters will be instantly impressed by the clear water and beautiful scenery. This 340-acre reservoir exists as a result of the dam built on the Martin's Fork of the Cumberland River by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1979. The lake gets its name from an early pioneer to the area, James Martin, and because of the temperate climate in this part of the US, the recreation season here is quite long.
The main activities at the lake understandably revolve around the water. When you visit this lake, plan to spend your time swimming, boating, and fishing. If the water doesn't appeal to you, that's OK. The hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing will be enough to keep you busy.
The camping is limited at Martins Fork Lake and has no camping options for RVs. Head to nearby Cumberland Gap National Historic Park to enjoy the scenery and relax in the comfort of your camper or trailer while having plenty of amenities. Once at Cumberland Gap, it's a quick journey to Kentucky Ridge State Forest, only about 40 minutes away. You can also visit the Daniel Boone National Forest in a little over two hours from Martins Fork. With all these excellent places within your reach, start your next road trip in southern Kentucky today.
The roads around Martins Fork Lake can be winding and contain switchbacks depending on where you are coming from. The roads in all directions are paved but the most difficult stretches are north of this COE lake. Leave yourself extra time when traveling in this region. Traveling less than 40 miles can take up to an hour and a half.
Parking is available at Smith Recreation Area for vehicles and larger rigs like campers, RVs, and trailers.
Since there is no COE camping at Martins Fork Lake for RVs, you will need to take a drive to spend the night in comfort. Less than 40 miles away, plan to stay at the Cumberland Gap Wilderness Road Campground in Ewing, Virginia.
You'll find a total of 160 sites here and 41 of them have electric hookups and most can handle RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. The loops that make up the campground are all paved so getting around is relatively easy.
There are hot showers and restrooms along with drinking water and a dump station for campers to use. When staying here, beware of bears. Make sure to store all food in your car or in the park's bear-proof trash bins. The setting here is beautiful and wooded so it's no wonder the bears frequent the area.
You can only make reservations for the group campsites here by calling the park office. All the non-group sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
While there are no RV-friendly campgrounds at Martins Fork Lake, there are two primitive campsites along the Cumberland Shadow Trail. These are not accessible to RVs and have no services.
There is also one tent-only group campsite located directly on the lake. You'll find ten tent pads and a few other amenities here like restrooms, picnic tables, and running water. Reservations for this group campsite must be made in advance by calling the Resource Manager's Office.
It's best to swim in designated areas at Martins Fork Lake. The most popular and safest location is the Smith Recreation Area where boats are prohibited and swimming areas are clearly marked. At Smith, the only recreation area within Martins Fork Lake, you'll find restrooms, volleyball, basketball, and group shelters.
If you can't make it to the Smith Recreation Area, you can swim pretty much anywhere except the pier and boat launch areas. Just be cautious and keep an eye on younger kids since the swimming is unsupervised.
The water at this COE lake is crystal clear and the picturesque mountain surroundings make swimming here appealing to everyone.
Boats without at special waiver at Martins Fork Lake are limited to ones with motors of ten horsepower or less because of the lake's small size. Bring your row boat, canoe, or kayak to tour around at your own pace.
While on the water, find a quiet cove to tie up your boat while you dive in for a quick swim. Bring your gear and fish from your boat as well to maximize your day out.
For families partaking in all the outdoor activities that Martins Fork Lake has to offer, it's natural to want to eat lunch or dinner in the fresh air as well. Luckily, there are many picnic areas suited to both small and large groups.
The two main group picnic shelters are the beachfront and hilltop ones. The beachfront shelter overlooks the beach and lake and has restrooms and water access. For entertainment, there are horseshoe pits. Use the electrical service, grills, or fireplace to cook your meal here. the group site can accommodate up to 150 people. The hilltop shelter will fit about 80 people and also has horseshoe pits, restrooms, and access to water.
For smaller groups, you can find a spot at the Smith Recreation Area or just spread out a blanket on the beach. No matter where you end up, you're bound to have an excellent view.
At Martins Fork Lake, you can appreciate the barrier-free fishing areas on the tailwaters below the dam and at the Smith Recreation Area. You can also fish from your boat and various other shoreline locations.
The most common catches include walleye, bluegill, catfish, bass, and crappie. If you are fishing below the dam, rainbow trout are stocked here from March to November so your chances of hooking one are good.
Check with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for catch limits and licensing requirements.
Hiking is a common activity at the park year-round. For wonderful views of the lake in a natural setting, head to the Cumberland Shadow Trail. It's five miles long and is used by both hikers and cyclists.
You can access this trail below the dam or above the second bridge over the lake. You'll travel along the backside of the reservoir through the valleys and along the ridges of Martins Fork. If you are hiking during the fall, watch out for the hunters who also use this area during that time of year.
Get ready to see some wildlife on your trip to Martins Fork Lake. The small lake packs a big punch when it comes to land-based creatures. You can expect to see some white-tailed deer grazing and running through the area. Smaller animals such as wild turkey, grouse, and squirrels can also be observed here.
For birdwatchers, you're likely to see Canada geese who have stopped here for the winter due to the temperate climate and you may even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle. Make sure you have your camera with you.
