Get Outside In Paintsville At These Outdoor Attractions

Paintsville, Kentucky, is a beautiful area of the country. It is the birthplace of country star Loretta Lynn and home to the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum, but there is much more to this part of Kentucky than just its famous residents. Here are some of the outdoor places you need to see and visit in and around the Paintsville area.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

The Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is just a few miles outside of Paintsville in Prestonsburg. This resort has tons of outdoor activities for the whole family from fishing, to golfing, and an outdoor theater. You can reserve a campsite or a lodge or cottage for your stay, and then take advantage of all the nature around you. Once you settle in, you can head to one of the three mountain biking trails, or go bird watching. This park is also one of the best areas to see Warblers migrating in the spring, and there is also boating on Dewey Lake. Either bring your own and keep it at one of the slips or rent a pontoon boat for cruising around the lake.

Visit Mountain HomePlace Farm

Mountain HomePlace Farm is a unique experience for any visitor. Head here to explore the grounds and get up close to the livestock. While you explore, you can see the one-room schoolhouse, the McKenzie double-pen family cabin, and the double crib barn. You’ll see interpreters dressed in authentic period clothing while they perform daily chores, and you can even discuss how life on the farm was back in the 1800s. Stop by the “In the Pines Amphitheater” on the grounds for an outdoor performance, or take a walk through the vegetable gardens and then go feed the animals.

Paintsville Lake State Park

If you like to spend your days outside and on the water, then a visit to Paintsville Lake State Park is a must. This large lake offers a variety of activities from fishing to boating and water skiing. There is a full-service marina with a launching ramp if you want to put your boat in the water, or you can bring a canoe or kayak for exploring the lake. This park also has a playground for the kids, volleyball courts and basketball courts for everyone, and picnic pavilions for when you want to get out of the sun.

Dawkins Line Rail Trail

Get out your bike and head to the Dawkins Line Rail Trail for a ride. This trail is 18 miles long now, but it will eventually extend over 36 miles, making it the longest rail trail in Kentucky. The open section features 24 trestles along with the Gun Creek Tunnel which stretches over 660 feet. Many people use this trail for biking, walking, and even horseback riding. You can use the path from sunrise to sunset.

Get outside in Paintsville at one of these area attractions. There are many activities to enjoy in this part of Kentucky with something for everyone. 

Image via Flickr by andyarthur

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