Rough River Dam State Resort Park

270-257-2311 michael.ricks@ky.gov 450 Lodge Rd., Falls Of Rough, KY 40119

Item 1 of 13

17c7a102e6602f1e6b084888f8008e4c_RRgiftshopstoneware52022.jpg

3837a9faec499c730bb524a6a3b9fc52_sliderroughrivercottages.jpg

52d44d8a392b5f42a9a96a39fa0bef00_sliderroughriverpatio.jpg

Overlooking a 5,000-acre lake, Rough River offers some of the finest fishing in the state as well as boating. Park features rooms, cottages, restaurant and meeting rooms.

Operations:
Lodge Rooms open Thursday - Sunday; Cottages open 7 days a week starting November 1st to March 31, 2025.

Lobby Hours (All Central Time)
Sunday – Wednesday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday 24 Hours

Grayson's Landing Restaurant Hours
Thursday: Dinner- 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday & Saturday:
Breakfast- 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Lunch- 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dinner- 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday:
Breakfast- 7 a.m. to 10.a.m
Lunch- 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Top Five Things to Do

- Spot a Bald Eagle along the Lake Ridge Nature Trail.
- Rent a pontoon boat or a Kayak and explore the beautiful 5,000 acre Rough River Lake.
- Explore the 3.8 km permanent orienteering course in a mixed forest and park-like setting.
- Bluegrass Music every 2nd Friday evening of each month.
- Fish for largemouth, white and Kentucky bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and rough fish.

Basketball
Basketball courts are available for those wanting to play.

Birding
There are great locations for birding throughout the park, like the Lake Ridge Nature Trail, from the back patio of the lodge down towards the lake, and the open meadows near the lodge. For eBird species information, CLICK HERE.

Boating
The marina offers 120 open slips, 31 houseboat slips, 48 covered slips, and rental pontoon boats. Call 270-257-9961 for fees, hours of operation, and pricing. Launching ramp available year-round.

Disc Golf
Play the lakeside disc golf course with recreational and championship tees, for both novice and expert players. Loaner discs available at the lodge front desk.

Fishing
The avid angler will delight in the abundance of fish. Stop by the lodge front desk and ask about our free fishing loaner program! A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Gift Shop
The Gift Shop continues to feature a large collection of Kentucky Crafted items along with several Local Artists, Kentucky Proud food items and park logoed clothing and souvenirs. The Gift Shop also sponsors 2 craft events at the park, Spring Fling the first Saturday in May and All Wrapped Up Gift & Craft Show the first full weekend in November.

Hiking
The Lake Ridge Trail, a one-mile nature trail along the shoreline, links the lodge, marina, and cottage areas. This is a great trail for bird watching and offers beautiful lake views. The park also features a walking path that meanders from the Gazebo and around the lawn area that passes by the Mini Golf, lake, picnic and playground areas.

Miniature Golf
A beautiful miniature 18-hole golf course near the lodge provides family entertainment. Seasonal.

Orienteering
Rough River Dam State Resort Park offers a 3.8 km permanent orienteering course featuring 13 controls (checkpoints) in a mixed forest and park-like setting.

Picnicking
Tables, grills, and playgrounds are located throughout the park, and a picnic shelter near the beach is available for rental up to two years in advance.

Playgrounds
Playgrounds are located throughout the park.

Swimming
A pool is available for lodge and cottage guests.

Tennis
Three tennis courts are near the beach; one tennis court is lighted. Sports equipment is available for checkout at the lodge desk.

Volleyball
A sand volleyball court is located adjacent to the shelter with equipment available for checkout at the lodge desk.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park offers 40 lodge rooms, most with stunning views of Rough River Lake and the marina. Guests can choose between deluxe and standard rooms, with ADA-accessible options available. Each lodge room features a private patio with seating—perfect for enjoying a morning coffee. For those seeking a more private retreat, the park also offers cottages, most with beautiful lakefront views, available in deluxe and ADA-accessible options.

Lodge room check-out by 11:00 a.m., local time.
Cottage Check-out by 10:00 a.m. local time.

Airport / Aircamp
Aviators can pitch a tent and camp near their aircraft at the airport air camp. The air camp has a central service building with showers and restrooms. Rate is $12.00 per night plus taxes and no advance reservations are needed. The park has a 3,200 foot paved and lit airstrip with tie downs. Aviation fuel not available. Open year-round. Visit airnav.com for FAA information on Rough River Dam State Park Airport.

Grayson's Landing Restaurant:
Enjoy gorgeous lakeside scenery while dining in the restaurant. As a supporter of the Kentucky Proud program, we use local meats and produce when available and now serve Kentucky wine and spirits in the restaurant.

Restaurant Hours (All Central Time):
Thursday: Dinner- 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday & Saturday:
Breakfast- 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Lunch- 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dinner- 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday:
Breakfast- 7 a.m. to 10.a.m
Lunch- 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The rich history of Rough River Dam State Resort Park is brought to life through a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. This history section was created as part of a mitigation plan during the rehabilitation of Rough River Dam, located in Grayson and Breckinridge Counties, Kentucky. Phase II of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification Project includes the construction of a new outlet works and a full-depth cutoff wall across the dam and is expected to take approximately 6 years after construction begins. The end result following Phase II will be a safer dam that will continue to serve the Rough River Community for years to come. The project was developed under the guidance of a Memorandum of Agreement among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP).

This partnership ensured that the unique cultural and historical significance of the area would be preserved and shared with visitors for years to come. Through this initiative, the park’s story—including its role in local development, historical significance, and impact on the region—is celebrated and documented, highlighting the lasting legacy of Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

Click here and learn about the park’s history to discover its transformation from a vital water management project into the beloved destination it is today!