Boating Wildlife Safety Most of the lake is open to motorized and The quiet coves and Wear your lifejacket. nonmotorized boats. Laurel River Lake has seven surrounding forest offer Wearing a life jacket at all times public boat ramps for lake access. Holly Bay opportunities for wildlife could have saved 80 percent of all Campground offers an additional boat ramp for viewing. The lake is home drowning victims according to the registered campers only. to Canada geese, bald U.S. Coast Guard. eagles and other wildlife The Goose Management Area on Cane Branch is Do not swim at boat ramps or marinas. species. The Canada closed to motorized boats but open to canoes, Stray electrical currents can pose serious threats in the Goose Management Area kayaks and rowboats. The area provides a unique water where boats are connected to power. in Cane Branch is closed opportunity to explore the lake at a slower pace. to motorized boats. Watch for submerged hazards. Marinas Water levels at Laurel River Lake vary. Rocks, trees, stumps Laurel River Lake Fishing and landforms may lie just below the surface when the Two full-service marinas operate on Laurel River lake level changes. Not all underwater hazards are marked. The lake provides excellent fishing for bass, Located within the Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel Lake. They are located near Grove and Holly Bay Be alert and reduce your speed. rainbow trout, walleye, crappie, bluegill and River Lake features 5,600 acres of deep, clear water and campgrounds. The marinas are privately catfish. Night fishing for trout is popular during Alcohol is prohibited. nearly 200 miles of tree-lined shore. As one of the most operated under a special-use permit. the summer. Fishing licenses may be bought at Kentucky law prohibits consumption and open containers scenic lakes in Kentucky, visitors come here to enjoy Swimming county clerk’s offices, marinas and many local of alcohol in public places, including national forest land boating, swimming, fishing and camping in the great stores. State fishing regulations are enforced. and Kentucky waterways. outdoors. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. swimming beach at the spillway of Laurel River The U.S. Forest Service administers the main body of the Picnicking Swim away from areas where engines vent exhaust fumes. Dam. Lifeguards are not provided. Swimming is The Forest Service offers picnicking opportunities Never sit or hang on the back deck of boats while engines lake and most of its shoreline. The U.S. Army Corps of not allowed at boat ramps or marinas. Engineers oversees the operation of Laurel River Dam and at Laurel Bridge and Bald Rock picnic areas. are running. recreation facilities at the dam site. Laurel Bridge offers a picnic shelter that can be Avoid black bear encounters reserved through the London Ranger District • Protect yourself and black bears by reducing odors that Laurel River Lake receives heavy use on the weekends Office. Bald Rock Picnic area, on KY 192, has vault attract bears. Food and trash storage is mandatory. during summer months. Week days and the months of toilets, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits and • Make noise to avoid surprising a bear. September through March offer visitors more solitude. hiking trails. The Army Corps of Engineers • Never approach or feed a bear or other wild animal. maintains a picnic area and shelter near Laurel • Do not hike in the dark. River Dam. Recreation Permits • Carry EPA-registered bear pepper spray. A fee is required to use Flatwoods, Grove, Holly Bay, Marsh • If a bear is observed Branch and Laurel Bridge boat ramps. A permit must be Scuba Diving nearby, pack up your displayed in your vehicle at these locations. Permits may The clear waters of Laurel River Lake provide food and trash and be bought opportunities for scuba diving. Be alert for flags leave immediately. at local stores or that indicate divers below the water surface. • If a bear approaches, Forest Service Boats must stay 100 feet away. move away slowly; do district offices. WARNING: You WILL be ned if your pass not run. Get into a is not properly displayed. TO BE VALID: All infor unaltered mation MUST be lled in and , using non-erasable ink. Pass must be displa Hiking yed on dash or rear vie vehicle or a secure Call the London facing out and clear w mir non-refundable. ly visible from theror withoutside. the Passdate is Ranger District for Hikers will enjoy miles of trails near the lake. The building. more information. Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail skirts the western edge of the lake. United States Department of Agriculture Campgrounds London District Office Grove Marina The Forest Service oversees two developed drive-in Reduce odors USDA Forest Service P.O. Box 1483 Laurel River Lake 761 South Laurel Road Corbin KY 40701 campgrounds on Laurel River Lake, at Holly Bay and Grove. Daniel Boone National Forest that attract bears London KY 40744 606-523-2323 These campgrounds provide electricity, drinking water, 606-864-4163 flush toilets and showers. Reservation, first-come, Food storage is required on the Daniel Boone National Holly Bay Marina first-served and walk-in sites are offered. Forest. Daniel Boone National Forest P.O. Box 674 How to store your food and trash... 1700 Bypass Road London KY 40744 Boat-in Campgrounds Winchester KY 40391 606-864-6542 859-745-3100 Store it in a closed vehicle Put it in a London-Laurel County Boat-in campgrounds at Grove and White Oak are www.fs.usda.gov/dbnf with a solid top bear- Tourist Commission first-come, first-served and are accessible only by boat or or a closed resistant U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 140 Faith Assembly on foot. These campgrounds provide drinking water, vault hard-body container. 71433 Laurel Lake Road Church Road toilets and trash bins. trailer. London KY 40744 London KY 40741 606-878-6900 Group Campgrounds 606-864-6412 Put it in a food storage Throw trash away in a bear- USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender. Craigs Creek Group Area is by reservation only and is locker provided by the resistant trash can designed for groups of 12 or more people. The area has Forest Service. provided by the three group sites, a picnic shelter, drinking water, flush Forest toilets, shower facilities and trash bins. A trail leads from Service. the campground to the lake. Lakeside Camping Primitive camping is allowed at least 300 feet from roads, In the backcountry... trails, streams and shorelines. Store your food in a bear-resistant container or hang from a tree. Cook and eat at least 100 yards from your tent. Forest Daniel Boone R8-RG 258 Photo by Robin Acciardo Photo by Deborah Evanson Lacy Service National Forest July 2020 National Recreation Reservation A fee is required to use some boat National Recreation Reservation ramps. A permit must be displayed in System: Call 1-877-444-6777 or go to your vehicle at these locations. System: Call 1-877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov. Reservations Permits may be www.recreation.gov. Reservations can can be made for summer recreation bought at local be made for summer recreation WARNING: You WILL be ned if your pass season only. Reservation fees apply. is not properly dis season only. Reservation fees apply. stores or Forest TO BE unalteredVALID: Al l played. disp , usin info lay g no rmation facing ed on n-er MU dash or re ST non-r out and asable ink. be efund cl ar vie lled i ab early vi w Pas n and le. sible from mi thr s mu ror w st be ith the e o da Service offices. utside. P te Some picnic shelters may be reserved Some picnic shelters may be reserved a area US Fee Restrooms Drinking Water Fish Cleaning Marina Nearby Camp Nearby Picnic Nearby Nearby Trails ss is by calling the district. by calling the district.* US Fee area area US Fee Reservations Sites Tent Picnic Shelter Restrooms Drinking Water Showers Sites RV Dump Station Electricity Ramp Boat Mooring Boat Hiking Trails Craigs Creek Boat Ramp • • • area US Fee Reservations Site Group Picnic Shelter Restrooms Drinking Water Ramp Boat Hiking Trails Field Playing Horseshoes Volleyball Flatwoods Boat Ramp • • • • Craigs Creek Group Area • • 3 • • • • Grove Boat Ramp • • • • • • • Craigs Creek Group Area • • • • • • • • • • • Grove Campground • • 56 • • • • • • • Hightop Boat Ramp • • Laurel Bridge Picnic Area* • • • • • • • Grove Boat-In Campground • 22 • • • • Holly Bay Boat Ramp • • • • • • Bald Rock Picnic Area • • • • • • Holly Bay Campground • • 94 • • • • • • • • Laurel Bridge Boat Ramp • • • PICNIC AREAS Laurel Dam Picnic Site (Corps) • • • • • • • White Oak Boat-In Campground • 39 • • • • Marsh Branch Boat Ramp • • • • BOAT RAMPS BOAT CAMPGROUNDS D . 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