COUNTDOWN: THE TOP 10 THINGS TO DO AT LAKE CUMBERLAND

Whether you love outdoor adventures or want a quiet refuge, Lake Cumberland is one of the best vacation spots in the country. At this lake, visitors can enjoy hiking, house boating, fishing, and many more activities. From sunbathing on a houseboat's deck to spotting rare birds, visitors at the lake can unwind and enjoy a relaxing vacation. 

10. Camping Within Lake Cumberland State Resort Park,

visitors will discover a 129-acre campground. It consists of standard laundry facilities, showers, and bathrooms. Open throughout the year, this campground is a perfect starting point for hiking, swimming, and boating. 

9. Geocaching 

While this hobby is still relatively unknown, it has gained growing popularity in recent years. Basically, items are hidden at specific geographic locations. With a compass or GPS system in hand, you can wander around Lake Cumberland to find all the hidden caches. This free activity is basically like a modern treasure hunt and is a top way to explore Lake Cumberland's natural setting. 

8. Visit Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and Creelsboro Natural Arch

After viewing one of the largest dams in the United States at the Wolf Creek Dam, visitors can head downstream from the dam to find the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and its visitors center. You and your children will love learning about how the hatchery produces more than a million trout a year and protects the environment.  Then head a little farther downstream to Creelsboro Natural Arch. Created by limestone, this natural bridge stands 60 feet high next to the Cumberland River. Long ago, Native Americans once used the bridge to seek shelter from the elements. 

7. Birding 

No matter what time of year you go to Lake Cumberland, you can enjoy some excellent birding. Out of the many species that fly around the lake, you may be able to spot American kestrels, screech owls, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and coopers hawks. If you happen to go to Lake Cumberland during the winter and fall, you can also spot mallards, belted kingfishers, green herons, whip-poor-wills, and belted kingfishers.

6. Horseback Riding 

This fun expedition is perfect for the entire family. Horseback riding tours are offered by local stables, or you can rent one for the entire day. Trail rides are offered in the area every day during the warmer months of the year. These rides are generally available every hour, so your family has plenty of options to choose from. 

5. Hiking 

Enjoy hikes through hickory, beech and oak forests. While there are many hikes near the lake, the Lake Bluff Trail and the Baugh Branch Trail are two of the most popular. The Baugh Branch Trail consists of just 1.6 miles of level terrain. It starts about 3.6 miles away from the park's entrance and heads out to an overlook above the lake. Meanwhile, the Lake Bluff Trail spans four miles in length from the activities center to a lake overlook. This more difficult trail covers rough grades, beautiful views, and steep slopes. Either trail offers a great way to explore the natural flora and fauna that live around the lake. 

4. Cumberland Falls Known as Little Niagara,

Cumberland Falls is placed along the Cumberland River. This waterfall is placed within the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and stands an impressive 68 feet high. When the moon is full and the air is clear, you can see a lunar rainbow appear in the mist that floats around the falls. Known as a moonbow, this sight only appears when the moon is full and shining brightly down onto the falls. From the Cumberland River, visitors can also take guided rafting trips to explore the waters up close. In the Western Hemisphere, you can only see the rare moonbow at this location. It is made by the angle of the waterfall, the way the river flows, and the light behind the waterfalls. 

3. Jet Skiing 

For water lovers, this lake is the ideal place to go for a range of water-based activities. Other than kayaking and canoeing, visitors can rent a personal watercraft, popularly known as a jet ski, to cruise along the waters of the lake. From exploring hidden coves to speeding along the open water, a jet ski is one of the best ways to discover the hidden recesses of the lake. 

2. Fishing 

It would be impossible to discuss a trip to Lake Cumberland without discussing the many fishing sites. While at the lake, visitors will find crappie, Kentucky bass, smallmouth bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and walleye. The lake encompasses more than 50,250 acres when the water level is at its highest, so there are plenty of fishing spots to explore. All you have to do is make sure that you pack your fishing equipment and buy a fishing license before you hit the lake. Check out the Lake Cumberland Fishing Guide.And, the number one thing to at Lake Cumberland…

1. Lake Cumberland Houseboat Rentals

It is impossible to visit Lake Cumberland without enjoying the crystalline waters of the lake. Known as one of the world's most popular houseboating destinations, this lake is the perfect spot for an extended vacation or a weekend trip. Houseboats at the lake range from compact designs to luxury palaces, so you can choose the style and price range that suits you best. Once your houseboat is ready to go, you can sail to secluded sections of the lake and discover your own secret lagoons. As one of the best ways to experience the lake, a houseboat rental places you in the middle of everything that Lake Cumberland has to offer. Swim from your personal water slide or grill fresh fish beneath the stars. No matter what type of vacation you want, you can find it at Lake Cumberland.