Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
🏆 Official Guide: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park — A full-service resort park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, overlooking the 1,100-acre Dewey Lake — featuring May Lodge (49 rooms), cottages, 121-site campground, 10+ miles of hiking trails (including the 8.9-mi Jenny Wiley Trail), Dewey Lake boating + fishing (bass, crappie, catfish), 18-hole disc golf, the renowned Jenny Wiley Theatre (outdoor amphitheater), and a mountain bike loop.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is Eastern Kentucky’s premier outdoor destination — a full-service resort perched above the scenic Dewey Lake in the heart of Appalachian mountain country. Named for the legendary pioneer woman who was captured by Native Americans and escaped through these very mountains, the park combines comfortable lodge accommodations with rugged backcountry trails, lake recreation, and the celebrated Jenny Wiley Theatre’s Broadway-style productions.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Prestonsburg, KY — Eastern Kentucky mountains |
| Lake | Dewey Lake — 1,100 acres |
| Lodge | May Lodge — 49 rooms, lake overlook |
| Trails | 10+ miles — multiple difficulty levels |
| Theatre | Jenny Wiley Theatre — outdoor amphitheater |
| Nature Center | Local history, wildlife, mining heritage |
Accommodations
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| May Lodge | 49 rooms — balconies, restaurant, seasonal pool |
| Cottages | 1 + 2 bedroom — private lodging |
| Campground | 121 sites — hookups, showers, dump station |
| Dining | Music Highway Grill — on-site at lodge |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Hiking | 10+ mi — incl. 8.9-mi Jenny Wiley Trail (strenuous) |
| Mountain Biking | 3-mi loop + Sugarcamp Mountain Trail system |
| Boating | Dewey Lake — pontoon + boat rentals, slip rentals |
| Fishing | Largemouth + hybrid striped bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish |
| Disc Golf | 18-hole championship course |
| Swimming | Seasonal outdoor pool — lodge guests |
| Camping | 121 sites — full hookups available |
| Theatre | Jenny Wiley Theatre — Broadway-style musicals |
| Golf | Stonecrest Golf Course — adjacent to park |
| Nature Center | Cultural + natural history exhibits |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jenny Wiley?
Jenny Wiley (1760–1831) was a frontier pioneer who was captured by a band of Native Americans in 1789 after her family was killed. She endured months of captivity before making a daring escape through the Appalachian wilderness — through the very mountains surrounding this park. Her story of survival is legendary in Eastern Kentucky.
Can I rent boats on Dewey Lake?
Yes — pontoon boat rentals and boat slip rentals are available at the park marina. You can also bring your own boat. The 1,100-acre lake offers excellent fishing and scenic cruising through the mountain-framed waters.
