Grayson Lake State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 71 campsites
- Official site
- parks.ky.gov606-474-9727
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 1,204 acres, Grayson Lake State Park lies in Carter County, about 10 miles southwest of Grayson.
Visitors come for golf, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and hiking. Overnight options include 71 campsites, with tent sites.
Pets
Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas but must be leashed; restricted from nature preserves, beaches and some historic sites; service animals always permitted. Pet-friendly rooms/cabins available for an additional fee ($50 + tax).
Statewide rule from Kentucky's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Free general admission: "We charge no general admission fee." Some historic sites/museums and activities charge (see park listings).
Statewide fee rule from Kentucky's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (campsites, kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com); lodge rooms and cottages via per-park online booking links (guestrez.megasyshms.com)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground | 71 | Electric/water availableShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
Pick your spot under the stars in the spacious, 71-site campground. Utility hookups, a dump station, and two central service buildings with restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available. The check-in station has items such as soft drinks, ice, and firewood for sale. Open mid-March through mid-November.
Sheer sandstone canyons and gentle slopes contain the 1512 acres of Grayson Lake in Northeastern KY. The land was a favorite camping spot for the Shawnee and Cherokee Native Americans, and you will discover why with a visit to the park's spacious campground. The beautiful rolling terrain of the park offers challenging play on a 18 hole golf course that encircles the lake. [video:youtube.com/watch?v=biMp-DtGKiU]
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCampingCanoeing and kayakingFishingGolfHikingPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail | 0.8 mi | — | — |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking
The 0.8-mile Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail is an opportunity to discover and appreciate the distinctive plants, rock formations, and wildlife of the park. The trail begins near the theater area and circles the campground near the shoreline of the lake. Of particular interest on the trail are the several species of ferns, mosses, and lichens, the flowering rhododendron, "lizard head rock," and the unusual combination of beech-hemlock trees. For the hearty hiker, there is also a 3-mile Lick Falls trail.
Boating and paddling
Boating
A launching ramp provides boaters access to Grayson Lake. The 74.2 miles of shoreline range from gentle slopes to scenic canyons. Located 3 miles from the park, a marina has everything you need for a great day on the lake: rental fishing boats and pontoon boats, bait, grocery, and restrooms. Marina open year-round; fee for boat rentals. Marina phone number: 606-474-4513
Canoeing
Bring a canoe and explore the lake surrounding Grayson Lake State Park. Lined with steep cliffs and coves, search for waterfalls after a good rain.
Kayaking
Pack the kayaks and explore the lake surrounding Grayson Lake State Park. Lined with steep cliffs and coves, search for waterfalls after a good rain.
Fishing
Fishing
Grayson Lake is a 1,512-acre lake with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. A Kentucky Fishing License is required and can be purchased at the Campground Ticket Booth. If you don't have fishing equipment, please ask about the fishing equipment that can be checked out and loaned at no charge from the Campground Ticket Booth. The Campground is open April 1st thru October 31st.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
Camping
- Tent camping
Recreation
- Golf course
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 314 Grayson Lake State Park Rd.
Olive Hill, KY 41164 - Nearest town
- Grayson — about 10 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.2035, -83.0246
- Phone
- 606-474-9727
- steven.kennedy@ky.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Kentucky State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jul 22, 2026
- Find a Park listing IDs + Sitefinity listings OData API (/api/default/listings) used by the site
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology