Everyone knows that Kentucky is a great place during lake season, but you may not realize that the Bluegrass State is also home to many sandy beaches. Some of these beaches are small stretches of rocky sand along a lake, while others are quite wide and have soft, pristine sand. There are lakefront destinations that are well known and others that remain hidden from most. Locals and longtime Laurel River Lake visitors know they have something special with the beach at the spillway of the lake’s dam. The clearest beach in Kentucky has enough space for plenty of visitors and the clear waters and surrounding scenery may even rival the Caribbean.
Laurel River Lake is located near London, Kentucky in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest. This 5,600-acre lake has a lot to offer, including beautiful water and lovely surroundings.
Photo Courtesy of Ben Childers Photography
As one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky, this is a unique place to get out on the water, but there is plenty to experience from its shoreline. The Laurel River Dam is also an incredible engineering feat. The photo below shows the dam after some winter flooding.
Photo Courtesy of Ben Childers Photography
Near the dam’s spillway, you’ll find an unexpected sandy beach where you can relax for the day and play in the water. The beach is maintained by the Corps of Engineers, and while not known all over the state, it is a favorite summertime spot for those who live in and visit the area.
Google/Lysandra Neal
As you can see, many people love this scenic beach with clear water. Expect to find a crowd on hot, sunny weekends in the summer; but it’s quieter during the week and on milder days.
Facebook/Laurel River Lake
There are so many outdoor activities to experience in the area, but the beach is a great spot to relax and rejuvenate between adventures. Spend the morning hiking or riding around, then spend the afternoon lounging at the beach.
Google/José David del Rio García
If you’d like to get out on the water or prolong your stay with a night on a houseboat, check out Holly Bay Marina. It’s not far from the beach and you can rent a variety of boats here, as well as grab a bite to eat. Learn more about Holly Bay here.
Facebook/Holly Bay Marina
We may not get those famous Caribbean sunsets on a lake in Kentucky, but the skies certainly put on a show in the morning and at night. Imagine taking in this view while kicking back on the beach.
Facebook/Holly Bay Marina
Thanks to the clear water, scuba diving is actually a popular activity in the lake and countless people have fallen in love with this picturesque body of water. The spillway beach in Kentucky is a wonderful place too, so plan a visit soon to this stunning area of our state.
Google/Lysandra Neal
The beaches of the Caribbean are remarkably scenic and have crystal clear waters, but we can’t always get there easily from Kentucky. However, we can hop in the car and head to the beach at the spillway of the Laurel River Dam, which often boasts clear waters and sandy shores that are perfect for a day of relaxing. Have you spent time at the clearest beach in Kentucky? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Courtesy of Ben Childers Photography
Google/Lysandra Neal
Facebook/Laurel River Lake
Google/José David del Rio García
Facebook/Holly Bay Marina
For more information on Laurel River Lake, visit here.
Address: 86-98 Robert E. Blair Memorial Highway, Corbin, KY 40701
And for more beaches in Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Laurel River Lake, Kentucky, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest Beach In Kentucky April 05, 2021 Marisa Roman What are the most beautiful beaches in Kentucky? Le’s be honest - there aren’t too many people flocking to Kentucky in order to enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the country. But just because Kentucky is a landlocked state doesn’t mean there aren’t beaches out there to enjoy. Some of the best beaches in Kentucky can be found around the lakes or rivers, which are beautiful in their own right. In fact, there are so many pristine lakes in Kentucky, we decided to make an entire road trip out of it. Explore all of the best hidden beaches in Kentucky on this one road trip. Which beach in Kentucky has the most pristine sand? If you’re ready to dive right in on one of the best beaches in Kentucky with the most pristine sand, then you need to head over to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Located in Dawson Springs, this state resort park offers a beautiful blue-green pocket of water along a white sandy beach. While not large in size, the beach is still a gem due to the charm and natural beauty. Spend the day enjoying the sun and the lakefront amenities, plus there is a restaurant on-site, too! Did we happen to mention the beach is free to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day? What is the weather like in Kentucky in the summer? Kentucky is one of the prettiest places to be when summer hits because while the weather is warm, it isn’t incredibly hot. The humidity in Kentucky might be high, but the daytime temperatures don’t often reach past the 90s. The only issue Kentucky residents have to grapple with during summer is the thunderstorms, which commonly can spawn into tornadoes. However, if you’re visiting Kentucky during the summer months then here are five pristine beaches worth visiting.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest Beach In Kentucky
April 05, 2021
Marisa Roman
What are the most beautiful beaches in Kentucky? Le’s be honest - there aren’t too many people flocking to Kentucky in order to enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the country. But just because Kentucky is a landlocked state doesn’t mean there aren’t beaches out there to enjoy. Some of the best beaches in Kentucky can be found around the lakes or rivers, which are beautiful in their own right. In fact, there are so many pristine lakes in Kentucky, we decided to make an entire road trip out of it. Explore all of the best hidden beaches in Kentucky on this one road trip. Which beach in Kentucky has the most pristine sand? If you’re ready to dive right in on one of the best beaches in Kentucky with the most pristine sand, then you need to head over to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Located in Dawson Springs, this state resort park offers a beautiful blue-green pocket of water along a white sandy beach. While not large in size, the beach is still a gem due to the charm and natural beauty. Spend the day enjoying the sun and the lakefront amenities, plus there is a restaurant on-site, too! Did we happen to mention the beach is free to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day? What is the weather like in Kentucky in the summer? Kentucky is one of the prettiest places to be when summer hits because while the weather is warm, it isn’t incredibly hot. The humidity in Kentucky might be high, but the daytime temperatures don’t often reach past the 90s. The only issue Kentucky residents have to grapple with during summer is the thunderstorms, which commonly can spawn into tornadoes. However, if you’re visiting Kentucky during the summer months then here are five pristine beaches worth visiting.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Le’s be honest - there aren’t too many people flocking to Kentucky in order to enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the country. But just because Kentucky is a landlocked state doesn’t mean there aren’t beaches out there to enjoy. Some of the best beaches in Kentucky can be found around the lakes or rivers, which are beautiful in their own right. In fact, there are so many pristine lakes in Kentucky, we decided to make an entire road trip out of it. Explore all of the best hidden beaches in Kentucky on this one road trip.
Which beach in Kentucky has the most pristine sand?
If you’re ready to dive right in on one of the best beaches in Kentucky with the most pristine sand, then you need to head over to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. Located in Dawson Springs, this state resort park offers a beautiful blue-green pocket of water along a white sandy beach. While not large in size, the beach is still a gem due to the charm and natural beauty. Spend the day enjoying the sun and the lakefront amenities, plus there is a restaurant on-site, too! Did we happen to mention the beach is free to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day?
What is the weather like in Kentucky in the summer?
Kentucky is one of the prettiest places to be when summer hits because while the weather is warm, it isn’t incredibly hot. The humidity in Kentucky might be high, but the daytime temperatures don’t often reach past the 90s. The only issue Kentucky residents have to grapple with during summer is the thunderstorms, which commonly can spawn into tornadoes. However, if you’re visiting Kentucky during the summer months then here are five pristine beaches worth visiting.
