🌤 Weather at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32–78 °F | 60–87 °F | 34–80 °F | 24–49 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Buckhorn Lake, 7 mi away, elevation 780 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is a state resort park in Kentucky near Buckhorn. It sits on Buckhorn Lake, a 1,230-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, with a lodge, a marina and a swimming beach.
Quick Facts
| State | Kentucky |
| Nearest City | Buckhorn |
Location & Getting There
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is located near Buckhorn, Kentucky. The park’s coordinates are 37.3833, -83.3500.
Things to Do
Buckhorn Lake is a 1,230-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1938 and wrapped in the steep hollows of eastern Kentucky’s Leslie and Perry counties. The state resort park’s 36-room lodge sits above it, and the lake sets the agenda: largemouth, Kentucky and white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish — and muskie, confirmed by both the park and the Corps. Two launch ramps serve the park side (there is no state-park marina here, despite what older listings claim), and the lodge front desk runs a free fishing-gear loaner program. Below the dam, the tailwater is stocked with trout from April through November.
On land, three named trails — Moonshine Hollow (1 mile, moderate, with a creek crossing), the half-mile Leatherwood connector, and the 2-mile Autumn Loop past rock formations and an overlook — cover the ridges behind the lodge, and the public sandy beach with its bathhouse opens Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter is the park’s secret season: bald eagles nest within sight of the lodge lobby and dining room, and the park runs elk-watching outings from September through December and January through March (schedules at 606-398-7510). Inside the lodge, look for the handcrafted models of Bowlingtown, the settlement that lies under the lake.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is beach-and-boat season, but note that the park lists fishing as a May-through-October activity and the lodge currently rents rooms Thursday through Saturday only (cottages seven days a week). The Bowlingtown Country Kitchen serves Wednesday dinner through Sunday lunch, closed Monday and Tuesday. Fall color and the elk watches make October–November the best non-swimming month; midwinter brings eagles at the window and the emptiest lake in Kentucky.
Visitor Tips
Kentucky State Parks charge no admission — you pay only for lodging and food. Overnight options are the lodge’s 36 rooms (check-out 11 a.m.) and five cottages, two with two bedrooms and three with three (2-night minimum, check-out 10 a.m.); rates are dynamic through the park’s reservation system, and both rooms and cottages take up to two pets. The lodge pool is for lodge and cottage guests only; Wi-Fi covers the lodge and conference center, not the cottages. The resort park has no campground. Camping on Buckhorn Lake is run by the Corps — Buckhorn Campground (31 developed sites plus overflow), Trace Branch (28 water-and-electric sites) and a 15-site boat-in area — and by Perry County at Eagle’s Landing in Gays Creek — as of September 2026.
The lodge is at 4441 KY-1833, Buckhorn — roughly 30 miles west of Hazard and 100 miles southeast of Lexington by the Corps’ reckoning. The historic Buckhorn Log Church in the village is the nearby stop worth the detour.
Facilities, hours and fishing details verified against parks.ky.gov and the Army Corps of Engineers’ Buckhorn Lake pages on September 2, 2026. Hours change seasonally — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Kentucky State Parks
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Kentucky. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Kentucky guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Buckhorn Lake SRP — 856 acres on Buckhorn Lake in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The park’s lake, Appalachian forest, and mountain streams support black bears, bald eagles, and wild turkeys. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish fill the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Buckhorn — adjacent. Perry County — surrounding. Daniel Boone NF — surrounding.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Carr Creek State Park (within about an hour’s drive) or Natural Bridge State Resort Park (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 36 sites — 36 sites with electric hookups for RVs and tents, plus a separate designated area for primitive tent camping without utilities. Free wireless internet, laundry facilities, hot showers, vending machines and flush toilets. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | Two 2-bedroom and three 3-bedroom executive cottages, booked separately via the lodge/cottage reservation system, not the campground; kitchenette with full-size refrigerator, sink and microwave (no oven/stove); tableware, cooking utensils and linens provided. The park's 36-room lodge is not included here (not camping). |
| Reservations | Not part of the statewide ReserveAmerica online booking system; contact the park directly at (606) 398-7510 for camping reservations. |
| Special sites | Dump station on-site; boat ramp, swimming area, basketball court, playground and horseshoe pits nearby. |
Camping questions about Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
Can you camp at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park?
Yes. Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park has 36 campsites. 36 sites with electric hookups for RVs and tents, plus a separate designated area for primitive tent camping without utilities. Free wireless internet, laundry facilities, hot showers, vending machines and flush toilets.
How do you reserve a campsite at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park?
Not part of the statewide ReserveAmerica online booking system; contact the park directly at (606) 398-7510 for camping reservations.
Are there cabins at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park?
Two 2-bedroom and three 3-bedroom executive cottages, booked separately via the lodge/cottage reservation system, not the campground; kitchenette with full-size refrigerator, sink and microwave (no oven/stove); tableware, cooking utensils and linens provided. The park's 36-room lodge is not included here (not camping).
Source: parks.ky.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of Kentucky state parks but must be leashed in all public areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required in all public areas (official policy does not state a maximum length)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are restricted from beaches, nature preserves and some historic sites
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly rooms and cabins available at select lodges for a $50-per-accommodation fee, max two pets, 80 lbs per pet
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $50 pet fee per accommodation for lodging (undisclosed pets: $150 per incident)
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets banned from State Nature Preserve trails at parks including John James Audubon, Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, Carter Caves and Pine Mountain
Are dogs allowed at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park?
Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of Kentucky state parks but must be leashed in all public areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.ky.gov. More: Kentucky state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
