13 Best Kentucky Lake Resorts

With more than 2,300 miles of shoreline and 160,000 acres of water, Kentucky Lake is a favorite vacation spot on the Kentucky/Tennessee state line. For this article, we focused on resorts on the Kentucky side of the lake.

Whether you are traveling with the kids or on a couple's or friends' getaway in Kentucky, this giant lake offers plenty to do, from fishing to water sports. There are a number of resorts here, ranging from 3-star properties with lots of amenities to budget options with simple lodging that leave you more cash to spend in area restaurants or on activities.

Kentucky Lake was created by impounding the Tennessee River in the 1940s. It is connected to Lake Barkley by a free-flowing canal, and together, the two lakes are the largest body of water between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

The area between the lakes is known as the Land Between the Lakes and is a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area with opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. The resorts are located in the towns around the Kentucky Lake area.

Find a great place to stay with our list of the best Kentucky Lake resorts.

1. Lighthouse Landing Resort & Marina

Accommodation: Lighthouse Landing Resort & Marina

Right on Kentucky Lake's shoreline, Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina has a great location. This property is also within an easy stroll of downtown Grand Rivers and close to the highway leading to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

The 3-star resort offers accommodation in cute pitched roof cottages with large wooden porches facing the lake. The cottages come in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. Each has slightly different décor, but all feature cool tile floors, lots of windows, and full kitchens.

Book Cottage 24 if you're on a romantic vacation. It sleeps two people, has the most secluded location on the property, and the best lake view of any cabin. It also has an outdoor grill and a gas log stove. If you are bringing your own boat, the marina has 190 open slips.

Address: 320 W Commerce Ave, Grand Rivers, Kentucky

2. Kenlake State Resort Park

Accommodation: Kenlake State Resort Park

The 3-star Kenlake State Resort Park is in the town of Hardin and has a lakefront location backed by woods. The area has lots of animal residents, and walking along the shoreline or in the woods, you may come across deer, turkey, or even bald eagles soaring above.

The hotel has 48 rooms in a building set on well-maintained grounds with manicured flower gardens that change with the seasons. Rooms are clean and comfortable, with soothing color palettes, and come in a few different bed configurations.

There are also 34 cottages that are great for families. These come with full kitchens. If you are traveling with pets, the hotel allows up to two dogs per room or cottage.

There is no on-site restaurant, but the hotel staff can point you toward some tasty options nearby, including Willow Pond Southern Catfish, which is a local favorite. There is a swimming pool, gift shop, picnic area, game room, and indoor children's play area on the grounds.

Address: 542 Kenlake Road Highway 94, Hardin, Kentucky

3. Moors Resort & Marina on Kentucky Lake

Accommodation: Moors Resort & Marina on Kentucky Lake

Home to 37 cottages and 24 log cabin lodge rooms, the 3-star Moors Resort & Marina on Kentucky Lake is also one of the few resorts around here with an on-site restaurant. It serves a large menu of American food, including lots of sandwich, wrap, and burger choices for lunch; a full breakfast menu; and a number of more filling dinner entrees, from chicken to fish.

The cottages also come with full kitchens. Right on the lakefront, the resort is home to a full-service marina. Guests can rent slips and boats, and pick up fuel, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses. And there is a sandy beach, a swimming pool, a kids' playground, and mini-golf on the grounds.

Address: 570 Moors Road, Gilbertsville, Kentucky

4. Whispering Oaks Resort

Accommodation: Whispering Oaks Resort

The family-friendly Whispering Oaks Resort is a family-owned property in Benton. Right on the shores of Kentucky Lake, it is a great mid-range choice. The resort has 11 cabins to choose from. These are spacious and comfortable with pitched roofs and wooden porches. They come in a number of sizes and can accommodate couples, families, or groups.

The resort has its own boat ramp, and all the cabins are within a short walk from the water. Boat slips are available for guests to rent if you're bringing your own ride. But you can also rent pontoon and fishing boats. The lake has good crappie, catfish, bass, sauger, and bluegill fishing.

Other amenities on-site include a beach and dedicated swimming area, a kids' playground, and a community fire pit.

Address: 267 Millers Road, Benton, Kentucky

5. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

Accommodation: Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

In the town of Gilbertsville, Kentucky Dam Village State Park is a 3-star property located near the gate of the historic Kentucky Dam. A wide variety of accommodation options are available here.

Choose from one of the nicely appointed rooms in the main lodge that have private patios and kitchenettes. There are also more than 60 cottages available. These can accommodate families and groups and have kitchens.

The resort has lots of amenities, including the largest marina on Kentucky Lake. Watercraft of all sizes can be rented, and there are also slips if you have your own boat. The Harbor Lights Restaurants serves American fare, including some Southern favorites.

There is also a swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts on-site. Babysitting can be arranged, and if you are traveling with a dog, the hotel is pet friendly.

Address: 166 Upper Village Drive, Gilbertsville, Kentucky

6. King Creek Resort & Marina

Accommodation: King Creek Resort and Marina

In Benton, King Creek Resort has a number of one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages spread across grassy and woodsy landscaping. The cabins are rustic and homey with features like log bed frames. All have lake views. Many have full kitchens, and the three-bedroom cottages have giant wood decks. Some of the cabins are also pet friendly.

This family-owned resort is located across from the Rock Quarry and just a short distance from Lake Between the Lakes. The resort is also just a short drive from numerous restaurants, antique shops, and golf courses.

On-site amenities include a sandy beach with a gentle incline that is great for kids. There is a floating swim dock and BBQ grills for guests to use. If you are bringing a boat, there are slip rentals at the marina. Pontoon and fishing boats can also be rented, and you can pick up gas, bait, and fishing licenses here. Guide service can also be arranged.

Address: 972 King Creek Road, Benton, Kentucky

7. Lynnhurst Family Resort

Accommodation: Lynnhurst Family Resort

Facing Kentucky Lake's Blood River inlet and just over 20 miles from the Tennessee border, Lynnhurst Family Resort is another lakefront property. The resort offers a mix of basic rooms that are nonetheless tidy and comfortable. Some have kitchens and separate living spaces.

There are also cabin and condo rentals if you need more space, and these have full kitchens, decks or screened porches, and often lake views.

On-site amenities include beach access and complimentary canoes and paddleboards for guests to use. There is a swimming pool, a seasonal café, and tennis courts.

If you brought a boat, there are slip rentals here. And if you need a vessel, the resort can arrange fishing and pontoon boat rentals. Lynnhurst Family Resort is also pet-friendly if you're traveling with a pup.

Address: 270 Lynnhurst Dr, Murray, Kentucky

8. America's Paradise Resort

Accommodation: America's Paradise Resort

Just off the main channel of Kentucky Lake at mile marker 48 in Murray, America's Paradise Resort is a fun 2-star property that has been popular for more than half a century. This family-friendly resort has lots to keep the kids entertained. There is a children's playground, a swimming beach, horseshoes, a big swimming pool, and volleyball courts.

There is a marina with covered boat slips, and if you need to rent watercraft, this can be done. Non-motorized water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding are also offered. Fishing is one of the main reasons people visit, and you can fish right from the dock or take a boat out for opportunities to catch everything from bluegill to bass.

For accommodation, choose from condos and cottages. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the largest ones can accommodate up to 12 people. Full kitchens are included, and the resort is pet-friendly.

Address: 1024 Paradise Drive, Murray, Kentucky

9. Shawnee Bay Resort

Accommodation: Shawnee Bay Resort

Set on 15 wooded acres with water on three sides, Shawnee Bay Resort is a great budget choice. This 2-star resort has modern cabins in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. All feature lake views from screened-in porches, as well as full kitchens. They are nestled amid oak and hickory trees on grassy grounds.

The private marina has single and double-wide covered slips with electricity. In-water fueling is also offered. If you need to rent, they have pontoon and fishing boats and can also provide a guide service.

Address: 1297 Shawnee Bay Road, Benton, Kentucky

10. Big Bear Resort

Accommodation: Big Bear Resort

In operation since 1948, Big Bear Resort was one of the original resorts on Kentucky Lake. Today, it is run by the third generation of family members, and it sees a lot of repeat guests each year who come for fishing trips, family reunions, or romantic getaways.

Set on 52 acres of woodlands and lakefront property, the resort offers all sorts of lodging options, including lakeside cottages, chalets, townhouses, and condos. There are even campsites if you just want to pitch a tent. All units here have full kitchens, and some of the accommodations are pet friendly for a $20 per day fee. Condos have washers and dryers, but guests can also use the on-site laundry services.

The marina here has 122 covered and open slips with lighted docks and full electric hookups. If you don't have your own boat, you can rent fishing, pontoon, or ski boats, as well as equipment from water skis to tubes. Live bait and fishing tackle are available at the marina store.

Address: 30 Big Bear Resort Road, Benton, Kentucky

11. Aurora's Kentucky Lake Cottages

Accommodation: Aurora's Kentucky Lake Cottages

The family-owned and operated Aurora's Kentucky Lake Cottages is located less than half a mile from the lake. It is a good budget-friendly option. Choose from motel rooms that are tastefully decorated or cottages. The cottages come in a number of sizes, but all have full kitchens.

This is a popular choice with families, as there are lots of kid-friendly amenities, including a huge playground, a swimming pool with a waterslide, and games from ping pong to air hockey and horseshoes. If you are traveling with a pet, the hotel is dog-friendly.

Address: 16918 US Highway 68, E, Aurora, Kentucky

12. Lakeland Resort

Accommodation: Lakeland Resort

Located just three-quarters of a mile from Kentucky Lake, Lakeland Resort offers easy access to Land Between the Lakes, Honkers Bay, and Turkey Bay. It has a range of accommodation options, from motel-style rooms to cottages and a spacious Fisherman's Cabin.

The resort is family-friendly, and in summer there are lots of kid-friendly activities, including cornhole and ping pong. There is also a children's playground, and outdoor movie nights happen frequently. Other amenities include a swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and a fish-cleaning station.

Address: 16410 US Highway 68, East Hardin, Kentucky

13. Green Turtle Bay Resort

Accommodation: Green Turtle Bay Resort

In the town of Grand Rivers, on Lake Barkley, Green Turtle Bay Resort is popular with families as well as boaters. The resort has its own beach area with sun-loungers facing the lake and a volleyball net in the sand.

There is also a full-service marina with an easy-to-launch boat ramp and 450 slips that can accommodate everything from sailboats to houseboats. If you don't have your own watercraft, rent one here. The double-decker pontoon boats with slides are one popular option.

Accommodation is in one- to four-bedroom vacation rentals. These condos are tastefully styled and come with all the comforts of a private home. You'll have a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, sleeper sofa, and a gas grill to use. Some condos are pet-friendly if you are traveling with your dog.

On-site amenities are also plentiful at Green Turtle Bay. There are three restaurants. The Commonwealth Yacht Club focuses on fine dining with marina views. The other two restaurants serve casual American fare for either breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner.

If you're in need of some pampering, pay a visit to the spa and health club. In addition to treatments, you'll find an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and sauna. There are also an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and kids' outdoor play equipment on the grounds.

Address: 263 Green Turtle Bay Drive Cumberland River Marker 32, Grand Rivers, Kentucky