Carr Creek State Park

About Carr Creek State Park

The Carr Creek wetland is unusual in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and offers a wide range of observable animals. It is located south of the city of Louisville, Kentucky, north of Interstate 65 and is probably named after the famous Long Hunter who hunted in the area. Carr Creek and Lake were once home to the area's earliest pioneering settlement, which emerged in the 1770s, and it was once the site of one of Kentucky's first settlement centers.

The area is home to a variety of animals including deer, elk, coyotes, foxes, wolves and coyotes, as well as a number of birds.

Carr Creek State Park is located 15 km southeast of Hazard and Carr Fork Lake covers 750 hectares and has a total area of 2,000 hectares with a maximum depth of 1,500 feet. Considered one of the best campgrounds in Southeast Kentucky, the park has two campsites and a full-service marina located at the KY-15 campsite.

The marina offers visitors boating and fishing equipment, and the jetty stretches the entire length of Carr Fork Lake, from 1,500 feet to 2,000 feet. Boat trips can also be made from the KY-15 campsite, with a boat ramp that is the only access to the lake for boaters.

Knott County was founded in 1884 and named after Governor James Proctor Knott from 1883 to 1887. History and nature surround Carr Creek State Park, one of Kentucky's most popular tourist attractions.

Explorers such as Christopher Gist took notes of the area as early as 1751 and not until the end of the 19th century, i.e. until 1800.

The Cherokee and Shawnee hunted through the forests of eastern Kentucky, including the region that would later become Knott County. For many years, the area of Knotts County, which was settled in 1825, remained somewhat isolated. Large coal deposits have been observed in the region, and coal reserves would play an important role in Kentucky's economic development for the next century and a half.

In the 1960s, the county's rail network was damaged by the construction of the Knott County Railway, one of Kentucky's first public railroads.

The rich coal deposits helped fuel industrial growth in the United States, and wood and coal became a staple of the region's economy. The county's hardwood forests provided timber for buildings and furniture, and the vast forests recall a bygone era when much of Kentucky was still part of a primeval forest. The park's landscape is characterized by wooded hills with a variety of Kentucky trees and plants.

All campsites are equipped with water and electricity, but pets are not allowed or kept, so do not keep pets. Relax at one of the 39 campsites overlooking the mountains or camp at one of the park's many picnic areas.

During the summer season, you can enjoy the sunshine at one of the park's many picnic spots, such as the picnic area on the east side of Carr Creek. Closed during the winter months, but reopened in the summer months - for camping, hiking, fishing and other activities.

Leisure boaters and anglers can explore the 750-hectare lake and miles of coastline and enjoy some of the best perch, toad and whale fishing. No fishing license is required for Kentucky, but a hunting license for Kentucky is required to fish in Carr Creek State Park.