Yatesville Lake State Park
State park
4.7 (313)
2667 Pleasant Rdg Rd, Louisa, KY 41230
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Pond/LakeKY
Pickle Fork
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Check Paintsville Lake's prohibition on cliff jumping and ramp swimming before considering the historical Pickle Fork shoreline reference.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Paintsville Lake prohibits cliff diving and cliff jumping. Swimming is prohibited at the dam, within 100 feet of its intake structure and at boat-launching ramps. The historical Pickle Fork gate/trail and swimming entrance remain unverified.
Water type
Pond/Lake
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Confirm charges for the destination and activity; no general free swimming claim
Best season
Check current access, weather and notices before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Paintsville, Oil Springs
Water body
Paintsville Lake
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Paintsville, Oil Springs
Place-name search
Pickle Fork: Paintsville Lake Rules & Access Limits
Map searches for the named location. Confirm the entrance and current access with the park before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Pickle Fork is not a cliff-jumping itinerary
The retained archive describes a Paintsville Lake shoreline approach through a white gate, then two high cliffs. The USACE Paintsville Lake page explicitly prohibits cliff diving and jumping from cliffs. Do not turn those historical heights into a current activity recommendation.
Separate lake rules from a lawful entrance
The lake also prohibits swimming at the dam, within 100 feet of the intake structure and at launching ramps. USACE reports no developed swimming facilities. This does not prove that the archived Pickle Fork path, parking or particular bank is open for bathing. Ask the lake office at 606-297-6312 about the intended location before traveling.
The gate and old parking suggestion are not permission
The archive mentions a no-parking sign, then speculates about parking elsewhere on the road. That is not a current parking approval or a public right of way. Do not bypass a gate or follow a shoreline path without confirming authorized access.
Plan services separately
USACE directs campers to Paintsville Lake State Park campground near the marina. A booked campsite does not authorize the old cliff approach. Confirm the selected destination's current notices and services; no cliff-side facilities or water-quality clearance are established here.
Getting There
Do not use the archived white-gate path and roadside-parking suggestion as current access directions. Ask Paintsville Lake staff to identify a lawful approach and permitted activity at the particular shoreline before travel.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Paintsville Lake prohibits cliff diving and cliff jumping. Swimming is prohibited at the dam, within 100 feet of its intake structure and at boat-launching ramps. The historical Pickle Fork gate/trail and swimming entrance remain unverified.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Paintsville Lake prohibits cliff diving and cliff jumping. Swimming is prohibited at the dam, within 100 feet of its intake structure and at boat-launching ramps. The historical Pickle Fork gate/trail and swimming entrance remain unverified. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
Campground
5 (1)
2667 Pleasant Rdg Rd, Louisa, KY 41230
Lawrence County Wilderness Park
Campground
4.5 (76)
77 Wilderness Rd, Louisa, KY 41230
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
Louisa Plaza
Shopping mall
4 (319)
200 Town Hill Rd, Louisa, KY 41230
Restroom
Best Western Plus Louisa
Hotel
4.3 (424)
18199 US-23, Louisa, KY 41230
Traditional rooms & suites in a basic hotel with an indoor pool & fitness room, plus free breakfast.
Free Wi-FiFree breakfast
Perfectly Pink Boutique & Consignment
Consignment shop
5 (15)
118 Rice Ave, Louisa, KY 41230
Louisa City Pool
Public swimming pool
4.4 (56)
800 N Lock Ave, Louisa, KY 41230
The Falls Campground
Campground
4.6 (274)
6072 KY-3, Louisa, KY 41230
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickle Fork
Can I cliff-jump at Pickle Fork?
No. USACE prohibits cliff diving and cliff jumping at Paintsville Lake.
Is swimming allowed at boat ramps?
No. The lake rules prohibit ramp swimming and also exclude the dam and the zone within 100 feet of the intake structure.
Is the white-gate trail a confirmed public entrance?
No. Its current access and parking permission were not verified. Do not treat the old roadside-parking suggestion as approval.
Does the lake have a developed swim beach?
The reviewed USACE page says no developed swimming facilities exist. That is not permission to use an unresolved shoreline entrance.
Where should I ask about the intended bank?
Contact the Paintsville Lake office at 606-297-6312 and identify the particular shoreline and planned activity.
Can I camp at the cliff site?
No exact-site camping authorization is established. USACE directs camping to the separate Paintsville Lake State Park campground near the marina.
Highlights
Pickle Fork: Paintsville Lake Rules & Access Limits
Current source distinctions
Archived directions retained separately
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or use a rope swing based on historical descriptions
- Current conditions, depth, submerged hazards and water quality are not certified by this listing
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical visitor accounts are retained in archived directions, not presented as current permissions.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Use permitted public viewpoints only; no site-matched gallery approved.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries and posted restrictions, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current access, weather and notices before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
No measured or verified approach to an exact swimming entrance.
Fee
Confirm charges for the destination and activity; no general free swimming claim
Facilities
No verified exact swimming-entry inventory of toilets, drinking water, changing facilities or lifeguards.
Activities
Authorized destination-specific recreation; no verified jumping or rope-swing itinerary
Phone
606-297-6312 (Paintsville Lake USACE office)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Book an authorized campground separately; no camping permission at the historical water entry established.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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