Taylorsville Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taylorsville Lake State Park |
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 Taylorsville Lake State Park
Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Spencer, Kentucky, United States |
| Area | 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) |
| Established | 1983 |
| Governing body | Kentucky Department of Parks |
| Website | Taylorsville Lake State Park |
Taylorsville Lake State Park is a fun outdoor area in Spencer County, Kentucky. It covers about 1,200 acres (485 hectares) of land. This park is located between the cities of Louisville and Lexington.
The main part of the park is Taylorsville Lake. This large lake also reaches into parts of Anderson County and Nelson County. The lake and the nearby town are named after Richard Taylor. He was the father of President Zachary Taylor. Richard Taylor gave 60 acres (24 hectares) of his land to help create the town.
The lake was made by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a group that builds and manages many public works projects. They built a large dam across the Salt River. This dam created Taylorsville Lake. The lake officially opened in January 1983. The dam is 163 feet (50 meters) tall and 1,280 feet (390 meters) long. The lake itself covers 3,050 acres (1,234 hectares). It has 75 miles (121 kilometers) of shoreline and is 18 miles (29 kilometers) long.
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Park Facilities and Fun Activities
Taylorsville Lake State Park has two main buildings for visitors. There is a park office run by the state of Kentucky. There is also a visitors center managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The visitors center has a unique pyramid shape with a brown metal roof. Inside, you can learn about local trees, boating, and how the dam works.
Fishing at Taylorsville Lake
Fishing is one of the most popular things to do here. Taylorsville Lake is known for having many fish. It is the most stocked lake in Kentucky. This means lots of fish are added to the lake for people to catch.
You can find different types of fish in the lake. It is especially famous for its bluegill. You can also catch bass and crappie. To help keep the fish population healthy, there are rules for how big a fish must be to keep it. Bass must be at least 15 inches (38 cm) long. Crappie must be at least 9 inches (23 cm) long. There is no size limit for bluegill.
Hiking and Horseback Riding Trails
The park offers 17.3 miles (27.8 kilometers) of trails. These trails are used for both hiking and horseback riding. If you enjoy walking in nature, you can explore these paths. However, be aware that horses also use these trails. This can sometimes make the trails uneven for hikers.
Camping at the Park
If you want to stay overnight, camping is available at Taylorsville Lake State Park. Camping facilities were added to the park in 1998. This allows visitors to enjoy the park for longer periods.
