Aug 2, 2019
Carr Creek Lake

Sometimes, you need to take a break and get away from the grind of daily life. Camping, fishing, boating, and many other activities are waiting for you at the beautiful parks near West Liberty, Kentucky. Spend a weekend at each of these places to experience the fun and relaxation that only time in nature can bring. You’ll return home refreshed and confident that your time was worth it. 

1. Yatesville Lake State Park

You can visit Yatesville Lake State Park in Louisa, Kentucky, a little over an hour away from West Liberty. It’s a favorite among campers who like to fish or go boating. The lake hosts large populations of bluegill, crappie, and bass. There’s a ramp available for boaters at the campgrounds and another one at the marina. 

The park has 27 campsites with utilities, 16 campsites that people can hike or boat to, and 20 primitive campsites. Restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available, and you can go camping from April 1 to November 12. This state park includes Eagle Ridge Golf Course. It’s built for all skill levels, and it has four to five sets of tees for each hole. In 2009, Golf Digest named it one of their Best Courses You Can Play.

2. Natural Bridge State Resort Park       

In this expansive, beautiful park, you can rent a cabin or stay in one of the 35 rooms in the Hemlock Lodge. It’s open all year, and pets are welcome. It has a large pool with a stone bathhouse, and you can see hundreds of natural stone arches and other rock formations. Whittleton Campground and Middle Fork Campground provide a total of 87 sites with utilities. Tent campsites are available as well, and restrooms and showers are available. These campsites are closed from November 15 to March 15.

Every Saturday from May to October, you can visit the Natural Bridge Hoedown. It’s a popular tradition, and you can learn Appalachian square dancing, line dances, waltzes, and other dances. The warm-up starts at 6:30 p.m. and the main event begins at 7:30. You can rent a canoe from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the nearby Mill Creek Lake has bluegill, bass, crappie, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and more. A fishing license is required, but you can check out a fishing pole for free. 

3. Carr Creek State Park

This park is on the Carr Fork, a tributary of the Kentucky River, and it’s next to Carr Creek Lake. It has a marshy environment with lots of wildlife, including wild turkey, warblers, raccoons, striped skunks, wood ducks, blue and green heron, ruffled grouses, bobwhites, and red-winged blackbirds. It also has 39 campsites with utility hookups and access to the waterfront. See pioneer settlements from the 1770s and enjoy boating, swimming, or fishing.

At parks near West Liberty, you can spend some time in nature, experience scenic views, see interesting rock formations, and more. Camping at one of these places is a great way to take a break and relax.

Image via Flickr by LouisvilleUSACE