Lake Cumberland, Jamestown/Monticello/Somerset, KY

For your next long weekend, get away to the water

by Carrie Daut | August 21, 2011

With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, it’s time to think vacation: sun, sand and gentle waves. Louisvillians may be an entire day’s drive away from the nearest ocean, but that doesn’t mean we’re without some fantastic waterside retreats. That’s because we’re lake people.

And where do we go for the best lake getaway? Lake Cumberland, the largest lake (by volume) in the eastern United States.

Located in south-central Kentucky, massive Lake Cumberland stretches over six counties and is 101 miles long. Thousands of twisting, turning, secluded coves create over 1,200 miles of shoreline. (And that’s more than mainland Florida.)

Rent speedboats, jet skis or party-perfect pontoon boats. Brush up on your waterskiing and wakeboarding, or hold on tight and go tubing.

(Insider Tip: The average water temperature at Lake Cumberland this time of year is about 84˚F. Doesn’t that sound nice?)

For a more tranquil trip, search for area waterfalls, or relax with a good book on the top deck of your houseboat. Then see if anything’s biting; the lake has an abundance of largemouth, smallmouth, white and Kentucky bass, bluegill and walleye and is a favorite fishing spot.

When it comes to accommodations, you also have options. Nearby towns offer hotels and cabins with full amenities. Camping is available at two area state parks – Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and General Burnside Island State Park.

But this Insider’s lodging of choice? Rent your very own houseboat – “floating hotels” that can sleep up to 12 people comfortably. Our family has been staying on houseboats from the Beaver Creek marina for years.

Because the lake is so large, there are nearly a dozen different marinas on Lake Cumberland from which you can base your stay. Visit their individual sites to start planning your trip.

(Insider Tips: Lake Cumberland straddles the Central/Eastern Time Zone divide. Check your marina to find your local time. Additionally, cell phone coverage varies throughout the lake. If you don’t have a signal, don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Lake Cumberland is approximately 2.5 – 3 hours southeast of Louisville, depending on your exact destination on the lake. For maps, a handy lake user’s guide and more, visit lakecumberland.com.