Champagne Tastes®

  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipe Index
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure

    Kincaid Lake State Park (Falmouth, KY)

    Published: Aug 16, 2021 · Modified: Oct 18, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Looking for an outdoor adventure near Cincinnati, Ohio? Check out Kincaid Lake State Park for kayaking, hiking trails, golf, camping and more!

    Kincaid Lake State Park Boat Dock.
    Kincaid Lake State Park Boat Dock

    We've been on a quest this year.

    Our goal has been to find outdoor getaways that make for an easy day (or weekend) trip in the central Kentucky area.

    And there are quite a few!

    Happily for us, Kentucky has a great collection of state parks that are perfect for exploring.

    One of our latest discoveries is Kincaid Lake State Park in Falmouth, Kentucky, located about 55 miles north of Lexington and 35 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio.

    Looking for other nearby outdoor experiences? Check out East Fork State Park in Ohio or Veterans Park Mountain Biking Trails, Bernheim Forest, England-Idlewild Park and Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Kentucky.

    We got to try out kayaking, hiking, and camping at Kincaid Lake and came away really pleased with the experience!

    Kayaking at Kincaid Lake

    There are eight kayaks available for rent at the lake.

    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake.
    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake

    The cost, as of summer 2021, was $10 per hour or $60 for the day.

    Kayaking Near Cattails.
    Kayaking Near Cattails

    You can also rent other types of boats, such as pontoon boats, canoes, and pedal boats.

    Kincaid Lake Boat Dock.
    Kincaid Lake Boat Dock

    The rental process is handled right on the dock at the marina, which is open throughout the summer. If no one is there, call the business office. The boat dock opens at 10 a.m.

    Kincaid Lake Boat Dock Hours.
    Kincaid Lake Boat Dock Hours

    We found the lake to be a great place for beginner kayakers. When we visited there were no motor boats speeding by and creating wakes. It was very peaceful!

    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake.
    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake
    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake.
    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake

    The slow current and very little motion in the water do mean that you’ll mostly be moving the kayak yourself, so be prepared for an arm workout!

    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake.
    Kayaking in Kincaid Lake

    We packed our lunches in these waterproof dry bags, stuck our phones in these waterproof phone cases, and enjoyed a few hours on the water.

    Need other suggestions for kayaking gear for beginners? This guide is for you!

    Kayaking Near a Heron.
    Kayaking Near a Heron

    Hiking Trails

    There are two trails at Kincaid Lake: the Spicebush and Ironwood trails.

    Trail Information Building.
    Trail Information Building

    To get to both of them, follow the path behind the recreation area restrooms. When you reach the trailhead information building, go through the building and down the trail.

    Path to Hiking Trails.
    Path to Hiking Trails

    Both trails are well-marked and easy to follow.

    Hiking Trailhead at Kincaid Lake State Park.
    Hiking Trailhead at Kincaid Lake State Park
    Trail Marker.
    Trail Marker

    The trails are both moderately easy. Since it was such a hot and humid day, I was glad I brought my daypack with lots of water, even though it wasn’t a long hike.

    Trail Marker.
    Trail Marker
    Hiking Trail.
    Hiking Trail

    We did see lots of poison ivy on the trails! I recommend bringing along some Tecnu poison ivy + oak scrub.

    Bridge on Hiking Trail.
    Bridge on Hiking Trail
    View from Hiking Trail.
    View from Hiking Trail

    Other Amenities

    There's a swimming pool at the park, and campers can get discounted access. Just ask for wrist bands to get admittance!

    The pool's not necessarily open every day towards the end of the camping season, so check before you go if that's important to you.

    There's a nine-hole golf course, with golf carts available to rent.

    Kincaid Lake Golf Course Office.
    Kincaid Lake Golf Course Office

    The golf course also has a kitchen serving ice cream, pizza, and picnic-type foods.

    Kincaid Lake Golf Course.
    Kincaid Lake Golf Course

    Near the campground, there's a miniature golf course with nine holes, which you can play for $3 a game. There's a playground in the recreation area, as well as volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts.

    Kincaid Lake Campground

    It's easy to book a campsite online through Kincaid Lake's website.

    There are two loops at the campground just for tents, which is nice for tent campers because those loops tend to be quieter than the RV accessible loops!

    Tent Site with Shade.
    Tent Site with Shade

    Some of the tent spots have lake access, so if you brought your own kayak, those spots would let you enter the lake without driving to the boat dock.

    Lakeside Tent Camp Sites.
    Lakeside Tent Camp Sites

    The bathrooms were clean, but plan on bringing your own soap. We were able to find bathrooms at both the boat dock and the recreation area near the trailhead.

    Rather than vault toilets, there were porta-potties installed by the tent loops (which I thought was a little odd). We opted to drive to other bathrooms instead.

    Two shower houses are available just a short walk away from the tent-only camping spots. The shower houses were pretty busy while we were there, so we didn't make use of them.

    Our stay at Kincaid Lake was brief, but getting out on the lake and doing some kayaking was just the change of pace we were looking for! So if you're interested in a peaceful camping spot and a little outdoor recreation, this state park is worth a visit.

    More Outdoor Adventure

    • Hiker standing on rocky outcrop holding trekking poles and wearing Altra 9+ hiking shoes.
      Altra Lone Peak 9+ Review
    • Backpacker preparing to cross glacial stream with mountain peak in background.
      Favorite Rain Gear for Backpacking
    • Backpacker on barren Icelandic slope.
      Trail Runners Review: Altra Lone Peak vs Topo Terraventure
    • Red train car with sign labelling it as Virginia Creeper Trail Welcome Center.
      Things to Do in Damascus, Virginia

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • langostino lobster rolls on a serving tray.
      Langostino Lobster Rolls
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2025 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.