Lake Cumberland / Russell County

Let Russell County be your host for an unforgettable vacation…….

Numerous commercial marinas and access points make Lake Cumberland a paradise in the backyard of year-round residents and visitors alike to participate in all forms of water sports,recreation, camping, or just plain relaxing. The area boasts excellent fishing. Walleye, striper, crappie, trout, bream, catfish and five species of bass are plentiful.

A major tourist attraction to the area is Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, a 3,117-acre park situated majestically above Lake Cumberland. The resort offers fine dining, convention and meeting facilities for small and large groups—including catering service, a gift shop, and grocery store. Accommodations include: a 63-room lodge; a small cozy 13-room lodge located on one of the lake coves; and 30 cottages including two bedroom suites and chalet style cottages. The resort also offers an indoor pool, spa, and activities center; an outdoor pool; playground; picnic areas; and RV campgrounds. Hiking, boating, fishing, tennis, horseback riding, and par 3 and miniature golf are among the many activities visitors can enjoy.

The Lake Cumberland State Dock provides a diverse range of eight models of houseboats for rent; pontoon, fishing, ski, and deck boat rentals; and boat slip rentals. The Dock also offers a launch ramp, extensive ship's store, and a 24-hour service marina.

The Jamestown Resort and Marina maintains 800 open and covered boat slips with full utilities, Mariner's Café, large ship's store, a 40-unit all-suite lodge, and 18 one-two-or three bedroom cabins. The Yacht Club offers a 150-seat patio and the marina also includes an ice cream parlor, grill and snack bar. The Marina Conference Center can accommodate meetings for large and small groups. Deluxe houseboats are for rent as well as pontoon boats. Facilities include a 19-hole championship miniature gold course, tennis courts, swimming pool and playground.

Popplewell's Alligator Dock #1 operates a 200 boat slip rental dock and restaurant. There are 10 one-two-and three bedroom cottages.

Indian Hills Resort and Alligator II Marina provides a full service KOA campground with swimming pool and miniature golf; lakeside camping and beach swimming at Wolf Creek Recreation Area; a full service marina with boat slips; houseboat, fishing and pontoon rentals; and log cabins that sleep 4 to 16 people. The marina has 26' x 80' slips and can accommodate the larger houseboats plus run-abouts, jet-skis, etc. in the same slip.

At the western end of Lake Cumberland, seven miles below Wolf Creek Dam, is a National Natural Landmark. The Rockhouse or Creelsboro Arch, is a 75-foot limestone arch carved by nature. The Indians as well as early settlers used the Rockhouse as a shelter against the elements. Creelsboro is an old deserted town that was once the county seat and hosted river traffic before the lake was constructed.

Wolf Creek Dam Powerhouse and Overlook offer spectacular views. The dam was constructed on the Cumberland River forming Lake Cumberland. The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, located nearby, raises over one million rainbow and brown trout as stock fish. A Fishing Derby for kids ages 5 to 15 is held the first Saturday in June at the Hatchery.

The Jamestown Lakefest Celebration, held the 4^th of July weekend, is a gathering for arts and crafts, food booths, free entertainment, and traditional fireworks. The Russell County Harvest Festival, held at the Russell County Fairgrounds the first Saturday in October, offers a farmers market, local handmade crafts, entertainment, pie-baking contest, pumpkin decorating contest, baked goods contest, kids games, hay rides and more. The Russell County Fair, held the last week in July through the first Saturday in August, is one of the largest and most widely attended county fairs in Kentucky and offers many attractions and events.

The Star Theater, on Main Street in Russell Springs, is a vintage 1950's movie house that has been restored and offers an Old-Time Radio Variety Show, live seasonal plays such as "The Nutcracker," and bluegrass and gospel music.

Residents and visitors alike have access to local city parks. The city park in Russell Springs has a 25-meter swimming pool, bike trail, picnic areas, playground, tennis courts, softball fields and a nature trail. The city park in Jamestown offers softball fields, a playground and picnic area.

The Links Public Golf Course at Lily Creek Resort is an 18-hole public golf course that includes a driving range, two practice greens, full pro-shop, and a snack bar. A semi-private country club with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and clubhouse is also located in Russell Springs.

Located in Jamestown is Kentucky's newest off-track betting facility. Thoroughbred racing is featured over 300 days a year from Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and other top tracks across the country.

Area Attractions Within 60 Miles:
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Green River Lake State Park
General Burnside State Park
Daniel Boone National Forest
Dale Hollow Lake State Park
Constitution Square State Historic Site
Herrington Lake
William Whitley House State Historic Site
Old Fort Harrod State Park
Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area

RUSSELL COUNTY

Russell County is located in south-central Kentucky's Mississippian Plateaus Region and encompasses a large portion of Lake Cumberland. Russell County covers a land area of 253 square miles and had an estimated 1997 population of 16,318 persons.

Jamestown, the county seat, is in the central portion of Russell County.

Russell Springs, the largest city in Russell County is five miles north of Jamestown.  Russell Springs is 173 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio; 117 miles southeast of Louisville, Kentucky; and 145 miles northwest of Knoxville, Tennessee.