Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Contact Details

place20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road, Dawson Springs, KY 42408

call270-797-3421

publicparks.ky.gov

Surrounded by rolling hills, this 863-acre forest hideaway on the edge of Hopkins County features regularly scheduled, naturalist-led nature activities, as well as mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, swimming, golf, tennis, camping and more.

Top Five Things To Do

1. Take the family to swim at our beautiful sandy beach.
2. Hike the Lake Trail, Clifty Creek Trail, or Indian Bluff Trail.
3. Explore the lake by canoe, kayak, pedal boat and stand up paddle board.
4. Stroll across the Dam and bring your fishing pole.
5. Remember to take your photo with amazing views from Fisherman’s Rock.

Seasonal Operations
Cottages: 2 Night Minimum Length of Stay
Lodge: Friday & Saturday
Restaurant: Friday Lunch – Sunday Lunch
Golf: Open Year Round
Campground: Open Year Round

Lodging & Camping
Enjoy the beauty of the Pennyrile Forest in the 36-site campground. The campground features utility hook ups, a dump station, and one central service building with showers, rest rooms, and a laundry. Pets are allowed if restrained.

The 24-room stone lodge at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, overlooks Pennyrile Lake near Dawson Springs. Rooms are available by late afternoon and lodge room check-out is 11 a.m., local time. 13 cottages are also available with a handful on the lake with private docks. No more than two pets are allowed per room/cottage.

Pennyrile Forest offers 8 pull-through campsites specifically designed for horse owners. These sites feature electric, water and sewer hook-ups. Each site has its own corresponding hitching posts for up to four horses, picnic table, lantern hanger & fire ring/grill combo. Horse campers have access to all campground amenities, which include bathhouses, laundry area and playgrounds. A new 1.25 mile horse trail near the campground connects horseback riders to the 40+ miles of horse trails on the adjacent Pennyrile State Forest.

The campground is open seasonally mid-March to mid-November with the equestrian campsites open year-round. Equestrian campsites are available ONLY by calling the park directly at (270) 797-3421. Availability of equestrian campsites may be limited if not booked at least 10 days of arrival. Camping check-in is 1 p.m. and camping check-out is noon.

Restaurant
Stop by the park restaurant and enjoy a meal in the dining room.

Meetings
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is the perfect location for your next party, event, business meeting, reunion, or wedding celebration. For more information about hosting a group or wedding CLICK HERE.

Things to Do
Basketball
Enjoy a day of competition on our basketball/tennis court. Overnight guests may check out sporting equipment.

Birding
Request a table at the restaurant by the birdfeeders and watch birds while you dine or hike the Lake Trail for many birding opportunities year round. For eBird species information CLICK HERE.

Boating (canoes, kayaks, pedal boats)
Visit the boat dock to rent pedal boats, row boats, canoes and kayaks (open seasonally). Motorboats are restricted from Pennyrile Lake, however, Lake Beshear is located four miles from the lodge and allows motorboats.

Fishing
Pennyrile Lake is home to Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Loaner fishing gear may be borrowed from the front desk, or boat dock. A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Plan your fishing trip and improve your success with the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources fishing forecast. Click here to view.

Gift Shop
The offers a large selection of Kentucky handcrafts and souvenirs.

Golf
Test your skills on the regulation 18-hole golf course. A pro-shop, riding carts, pull carts, and rental clubs are available. Course open year-round, weather permitting. available. For more info about golf packages and online tee times CLICK HERE.

Hiking
Seven trails, rated from easy to difficult, loop around the lake and through the forest areas.

Horseback Riding
A 1.25 mile horse trail near the horse campground connects riders to the 40+ miles of horseback riding trails on the adjacent Pennyrile State Forest.

Horseshoes
There is a horseshoe pit between the mini golf course and the amphitheater. Equipment is available to borrow from the camp store.

Miniature Golf
Play a round of miniature golf on an 18-hole course ($). Special group rates available for groups of 20 or more.

Picnicking
Grills are available at picnic shelters, along with tables. Shelters are available for rent up to one year in advance by contacting the park.

Playgrounds
Playgrounds are located throughout the park.

Swimming/Beach
Enjoy sand between your toes and the gentle waves of Pennyrile Lake at the beach. Beach and pool are only open Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach is available to the public Monday – Friday only and open for in-house guests Saturday – Sunday only.

Tennis
Enjoy a day of competition on our basketball/tennis court. Overnight guests may check out equipment.

Trails
Nine different trails are available to explore.