A scenic lake with unspoiled beauty and rocky shorelines, with gentle waves, serene surroundings, and an abundance of natural life, Rough River Lake is a stunning recreational getaway for all outdoor lovers. Spanning over 5,000 acres, the lake is the primary attraction of Rough River Dam State Resort Park, attracting thousands of visitors to the park annually. Located in south-central Kentucky, 95 miles southwest of Louisville, the lake was created in 1959 by The United States Army Corps of Engineers. In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages Rough River Lake and its resources, which include its wildlife, lake area, plants, and trees, as well as its fisheries. Visitors to the lake have a range of activities to choose from. The large lake has several boat ramps, with marinas and kayaks also available. There are also hiking, birding, and fishing opportunities at the lake, with numerous sport fish species available to anglers. Visitors can also explore the nearby town Falls of Rough, as well as any of the many annual events sponsored by the Friends of Rough River Lake. The resort has four campgrounds, offering visitors safe and comfortable camping opportunities, making Rough River Lake a perfect stop for RV campers.
Rough River Lake can be accessed by vehicles off Kentucky Hwy 79 in Falls of Rough, near Louisville. There are various routes leading to the park from the city, and all roads leading to Hwy 79 are smooth and vehicle-friendly. Hwy 79 leads to 14957 Falls of Rough Road, which is close to the park entrance. Roads at the park are mostly paved roads or dirt roads and are well maintained allowing easy transportation around the resort.
North Fork is located on the shore of the lake with 81 campsites. Sites have water and electric hookups with no sewer option. Campsites are near the lake and offer boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. Picnic tables, showers, flush toilets, fire pits, and water pumps are available at the ground. There is a playground for kids nearby, and there are brilliant birding opportunities around the grounds in the morning and at dusk. The maximum stay is 14 days and reservations are advised.
This large campground has 158 sites spread along the shore of the lake. As a result, all have enviable views. This proximity to the water means that guests can also take advantage of a swimming beach and boat ramp. Anglers will appreciate the presence of a fish cleaning station, and everyone will find flush toilets and showers add to their comfort during a stay at this campground.
About the only bad thing to say about this campground is that they're isn't too many trees, so privacy between the sites isn't as good as it could be. Then again, most campers will be too busy watching the sunset over the lake to pay much attention to each other.
For a slightly more intimate campground setting, Cave Creek offers 65 campsites. Thirty-six of these sites have electrical hookups, while the rest are primitive. For added comfort, though, the campground does have a dump station and a shower facility.
Cave Creek also offers its share of activities to keep you busy. A game of basketball or disc golf here will help keep you active while on vacation. Or for something a little more sedate, drop a line off the fishing pier. You'll also find a kid's playground and a boat ramp to let you get out on the lake.
With 71 sites, Laurel Branch is a fair sized campground. Although only a few of the sites have electrical hookups, you will find flush toilets and showers here. There is also a playground to keep kids entertained. The shore of the lake offers a boat ramp, swimming beach and fish cleaning station. And a nature trail attached to the campground makes a great place to stretch your legs.
There are boat ramps at the lake as well as marinas that can visitors use to explore the resort. The marinas and boats are sometimes used for angling at the river, but visitors also use them for exploring and bird watching as well.
There are several rentals available at the resort and boat ramps, so don't worry if you don't have a boat of your own. But remember that marinas can be closed depending on the weather.
Kentucky has a vibrant bird population, and visitors to the resort can see some of these birds. Blue heron can be seen near the lake at dawn, with various songbird species being heard as well.
Turkey and grouse roam the grasslands, and waterfowl can be spotted on the lake with duck, and other water-based birds easily spotted too. Hawks, eagles, and woodpeckers are also common at the park.
Hiking is a popular activity at the lake, with hiking trails available for all levels of ability. There are numerous trails offering visitors scenic views of the resort, with brilliant wildlife and birding opportunities as well. For instance, the one-mile lake ridge trail is a popular hiking trail at the park, with the 0.7-mile Folklore Trail also often used by hikers.
Wildlife is abundant at the resort. The park has a vibrant ecosystem, and the diverse wildlife is a big part of that.
You can spot coyotes roaming the grasslands at dawn, with deer and rabbits also popular. There are also various otter species, with other small mammals like foxes and raccoons also commonly seen.
The best times to spot wildlife are usually either at dawn or dusk. Remember to keep your distance and never feed wild animals, no matter how cute you find them.
The large lake area is often used to swim by visitors. The cool lake waters and sandy beach are always a popular attraction in the warmer months. There's no better way to cool off from the heat of summer, especially after a long walk in the sunshine.
Be aware that there are no lifeguards, so visitors should be self-sufficient. Swim to your abilities and stay with a group in case you get into trouble.
Bikers can also use the hiking trails at the resort. The one- mile lake ridge trail is popular at the resort, and the 0.7-mile Folklore Trail are the two most popular biking trails with a few at the campground as well.
Because these trails are multi-use, remember to be respectful of hikers and other bike users out on the paths.
