Buckhorn Lake Park Anchors Perry County Outdoor Tourism Economy

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is a central economic and recreational asset for Perry County, combining overnight lodging, water recreation and accessible trails within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The park sits on a reservoir created by a dam on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River; the lake and dam project was authorized in 1938 and the park joined the state parks system in 1961, with much of its development completed during the 1960s. Those historical investments established the park as a focal point for outdoor tourism in the region.

Facilities at Buckhorn Lake support a broad range of visitors. A lodge with dining complements cabins and a campground, while boat ramps and slips, a swimming beach, picnic shelters, miniature golf, horseshoe pits and playgrounds broaden appeal for families and day-trippers. Fishing opportunities include bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and muskellunge, and multiple short hiking trails such as Leatherwood, Moonshine Hollow and Autumn Loop provide low-barrier options for trails-based tourism. The combination of overnight capacity and day-use amenities enables the park to host regional outdoor events that draw visitors beyond the county line.

For Perry County, the park’s fiscal significance lies in the spillover effects: lodging and dining demand from park guests supports local restaurants, convenience retailers and outfitters, while events increase off-peak visitation that smooths seasonal revenue swings. Traffic patterns are concentrated along KY-15 and adjacent county routes, which means maintenance, signage and safety investments on those corridors have direct returns in tourism receipts and tax collections. As outdoor recreation continues to grow nationally as an economic sector, sustaining the park’s facilities preserves a reliable source of visitor spending for local firms.

Policy choices at the county and state level will shape how that economic potential is realized. Priorities include maintaining dock and trail infrastructure, ensuring lodge and campground utilities meet modern standards, and coordinating marketing with regional partners to increase weekday and shoulder-season utilization. Infrastructure investments on KY-15 and feeder roads can reduce travel friction and capture more visitor spending in Perry County rather than in neighboring communities.

Practical access and planning remain straightforward: residents can reach the park from KY-15 and local county routes, and lodge reservations and phone details are available through the park’s official website. For local leaders, Buckhorn Lake is not just a scenic resource; it is a durable economic asset whose upkeep and strategic promotion will influence Perry County’s tourism resilience and small-business vitality in the years ahead.