Yatesville Lake, the newest gem in the Kentucky Appalachians, was created in 1991 when the US Army Corps of Engineers dammed Blaine Creek for flood control and stormwater management. By the time it was opened to the public in 1992, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources had stocked the lake with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and black bass. The 2,200-acre lake features numerous coves, bays, and branches along its 93-mile shoreline, offering near-wilderness views and a peaceful, secluded atmosphere.
Boating is a major attraction at Yatesville Lake, with a marina offering boat rentals, including pontoons and jon boats. The marina provides 140 boat slips, and boat ramps are available at the marina and the campground. Fishing is popular, with regular tournaments, and an ADA-compliant fishing jetty is available near the marina. Pontoons are perfect for exploring the coves, while canoes and kayaks are ideal for paddling into narrow inlets to observe wildlife.
Yatesville Lake State Park, located near the dam, offers a well-equipped campground with electricity, drinking water, restrooms, showers, laundry, and a dump station. The park also includes a playground, volleyball court, picnic tables, grills, and pavilion. There are sixteen boat-in campsites accessible only by water and four hike-in campsites, providing a secluded camping experience. A swimming beach with showers, restrooms, and a snack bar is near the marina. The park features several trail systems, including the Mary Ingle Trail System, with six loops totaling 2.5 miles, and the Pleasant Ridge Trail System, with five trails winding through the campground area. The Multi-Purpose Trail is more than 20 miles long and accessible for equestrian riding, hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking.
Eagle Ridge Golf Course, which is close to the state park, is well-liked and reasonably priced. Less than ten miles east of the state park, the town of Louisa is a short drive away and has shopping, dining options, lodging options, petrol stations, and grocery stores. Country music fans can see live music and an extensive collection of country music memorabilia at the Kentucky Pavilion at Falls Creek, located just north of Louisa on Country Music Highway (US 23).
Yatesville Lake is conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from Grayson, Ashland, and Huntington, WV, and within two and a half hours from Lexington, KY. The area around Yatesville Lake offers real estate opportunities, with new housing developments, rental cabins, guest stays, and bed and breakfasts available. The scenic beauty of Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains and the recreational opportunities at Yatesville Lake make it an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation.
