Lake Cumberland – dammed if you don’t, dammed if you do
A dammed portion of the Cumberland River, the Lake Cumberland reservoir is a major summer destination for families and groups looking to escape the heat. The lake itself is a hot spot for boating, swimming, and water sports, and the surrounding areas are known for their agricultural industry, Civil War history, and thriving arts and culture scenes. With a Lake Cumberland vacation rental, you’ll be close to local landmarks like Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Park yourself at Lake Cumberland
In the mood for a state park? Take your pick – Lake Cumberland has 2 of ’em. Encompassing more than 3,000 acres along the northern shore of the lake, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park includes a marina, campsites, and hiking trails, and General Burnside Island State Park boasts a scenic golf course in the middle of the lake. At the rugged Daniel Boone National Forest features, you’ll find hiking trails and campsites, or you can get face to face with local Civil War history at the Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center & Museum.
Make a splash in Lake Cumberland
With more than 1,200 miles of shoreline and 102 square miles of open lake, water sports are the order of the day at Lake Cumberland. Kayaking and tubing offer a low-key way to explore the lake’s inlets and bays, while the more adventurous can opt for a speedboat, waterski, or jet ski rental. It wouldn’t be summer at the lake without a refreshing beverage, and a number of vineyards and wineries in the Lake Cumberland area offer tastings. In nearby Somerset, an annual music festival features everything from jazz and bluegrass to rock and world music, with local and internationally-acclaimed acts.
Wet hot Lake Cumberland summer
Lake Cumberland has a humid subtropical climate, which means mild winters and hot, muggy summers, as well as a good number of overcast days throughout the year. Despite highs in the 80s from June through September, summer storms are relatively common, so you may want to toss an umbrella in your beach bag. Summer is also the busiest time of year, and you’ll find that Lake Cumberland vacation rentals tend to be at their most expensive during this season. Winters are on the warmer side, with little snowfall and average highs in the 40s between December and February.
Lake Cumberland’s natural bounty
Surrounded by more than 1,200 miles of shoreline, Lake Cumberland is the 3rd largest lake in Kentucky. You can fish for bass, trout, and other fish, and more than 140 different kinds of bird have been spotted in the area. Upstream from the lake, the Cumberland River flows over a boulder-strewn riverbed as it makes its way down from the mountains. A short drive east from your Lake Cumberland vacation rental, the Daniel Boone National Forest is characterized by wooded mountain slopes, narrow ravines, and sandstone cliffs, and you’ll be able to spot species like wild turkey, elk, and white-tailed deer.
