National park · United States
Greenbo State Resort Park
Enter Greenbo State Resort Park for $5 per vehicle, hike the 2 mi Greenbo Lake Loop early (under 1 h), visit April–October for best weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1954
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- The park spans 3,600 acres (≈14.6 km²) of forest, lake and recreational facilities.
- Established
- 1954
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Greenbo State Resort Park offers lake‑centered recreation, extensive trail networks and a historic lodge, all set in the Appalachian foothills of northeastern Kentucky.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1954.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1954
The park spans 3,600 acres (≈14.6 km²) of forest, lake and recreational facilities.
Why go
- Lake‑centered recreation with fishing, swimming and boat rentals.
- Over 25 mi of hiking, biking and horseback trails through Appalachian forest.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanPark closed for winter
- FebPark closed for winter
- MarOpening mid‑month, mild
- AprFull facilities open, pleasant weather
- MayWarm, low crowd levels
- JunWarm, some thunderstorms possible
- JulHot, occasional storms
- AugHot, similar to July
- SepCooling, fewer visitors
- OctCool, park closing mid‑month
- NovPark closed after mid‑Oct
- DecPark closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, troutMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirdsMar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lexington, KY
Drive east on I‑75 to KY‑1, then follow signs to Greenbo State Resort Park (approx. 2 h).
2 h
Open the page →
From Louisville, KY
Take I‑64 east to I‑75 north, then KY‑1 to the park (approx. 3 h).
3 h
Open the page →
From Greenup, KY
Follow KY‑1 south for about 5 km (3.1 mi) to the park entrance.Follow KY‑1 south for about 3.1 mi (5 km) to the park entrance.
15 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge and main entrance | Jesse Stuart Lodge, gift shop, dining, and vehicle entry gate. | Open daily during season. |
| Campground area | 63 sites with utilities, 35 primitive sites, showers, dump stations. | Open mid‑Mar to mid‑Nov. |
| Lake recreation zone | Boat dock, swimming beach, fishing piers. | Open seasonally. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centered on the lodge; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry | US$5 | vehicle | Check official rate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Pets not allowed in lodge or campground, service dogs permitted.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground sites; backcountry camping prohibited.
- Fishing
- License required; follow Kentucky DNR regulations.
- Boating
- Motorboats limited to 10 hp; safety equipment mandatory.
- Firearms
- Prohibited on park grounds.
Where to stay
In the park
Jesse Stuart Lodge
36 rooms with lake views; check‑in afternoon, check‑out noon.
Near the park
Campground
63 sites with utilities; reservation recommended in peak season.
Near the park
Greenup town
Motels and B&Bs a short drive from the park.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Lightning storms high
Boating accidents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Lodge entrance and main parking are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Lake Loop trail is paved and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Other forest trails are rugged and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; refill stations at lodge.
- Stay on designated trails to protect forest habitat.
- Support local vendors in the gift shop.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Greenbo State Resort Park?
Vehicle entry is $5 (check official rate); individual tickets for camping or lodge stay are separate.
What are the best hikes in Greenbo State Resort Park?
The 2‑mi Greenbo Lake Loop (easy) and the moderate Appalachian Trail segment are popular; both are self‑guided.
When is the best time to visit Greenbo State Resort Park?
April through October offers full services, mild weather and lower crowd levels.
Do I need a permit for camping?
Yes, a campground permit is required and can be purchased at the lodge or online.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed in the lodge or campground, except service animals.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Greenbo State Resort Park
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