Grayson Lake
Why Rent On Grayson Lake
Grayson Lake is a 1,500-acre reservoir in Carter and Elliott counties in Kentucky. It was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1968 by impounding the Little Sandy River with the Grayson Dam, an earthen structure 120 feet high, creating a maximum capacity of 118,990 acre-feet. Sections of Kentucky Route 7 were re-routed as a result of the lake’s creation. KY 7 now traverses a modern highway stretch around the park, crossing the dam also.
The lake is the major attraction of Grayson Lake State Park.
- Surface area (mi)
- 3.79
- Max depth (ft)
- 59.06
- Elevation (ft)
- 643.04
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 75
Popular activities
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Jet Skiing
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Marinas on Grayson Lake
Nearby lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Grayson Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, swimming is allowed in Grayson Lake, but not from the dam, boat launch, or areas with posted restrictions. Swimming is permitted in other parts of the lake at your own risk.
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Grayson Lake is a popular destination because it offers various recreational activities. You can kayak, hike, golf, and go boating on the 1,512-acre lake. The park also features scenic cliff sides, waterfalls like Grotto Falls, and hiking trails with sandstone rock formations.
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In Grayson Lake, Kentucky, the size limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass is a 15-inch minimum. You can catch up to the daily limit specified for the lake, but this must be checked against specific lake regulations. Grayson Lake was the first major lake in Kentucky to implement a 15-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass, starting in 1982.
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There is no public beach at Grayson Lake. The swim beach at Bruin, which was the only beach area, is closed until further notice, and swimming is not permitted from state park land. However, swimming is allowed in other parts of the lake, except at boat ramps and restricted areas.
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Towns near Grayson Lake include Clarkson, Leitchfield, and Caneyville. These towns are located within Grayson County, Kentucky, and are in close proximity to the lake. Clarkson and Leitchfield are the larger of these towns, with Leitchfield being the county seat.