Taylorsville Lake in Kentucky

Trip Overview

Taylorsville Lake is a TVA man-made lake in north central Kentucky. Five main boat ramps off a variety of paddling options. Four are on the lake itself with one downstream of the dam. The lake ramps give access to areas of the lake where small creeks, tributaries of the Salt River, have created hollers where wildlife abound. Otters have been reintroduced to the lake area and can be seen up in the hollers and even out on the lake itself. Bald eagles nest close to the lake in a few places.

Taylorsville Lake is not a wide lake, so favorable paddling can usually be found easily. The lake is 13 miles long, so it is possible to paddle its length in a day, given weather.

Below the dam is the Tailwaters. This stretch of the lake follows the old Salt River channel. It is tree-canopied which makes it considerably more temperate during hot summer weather.

Accommodations:

Large marina at Settlers Trace boat ramp area. The Tailwaters area is close to this boat ramp. The State Park main entrance has camping facilities, There are a nearby hotel and cabins available also,

Fees:

No fees for use of the boat ramps.

Directions:

from Louisville - I-65 south to I-264 east, follow brown attraction signs to Taylorsville Lake Rd. State road signs lead you to the lake.

I-71 and I-64 south and west, respectively take Taylorsville Lake Rd. exit and follow signs.

Contact:

Taylorsville State Park, Taylorsville, KY 40071