CADIZ, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2024) – Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, the main lodge and pool at Lake Barkley State Resort Park will undergo $17 million in renovations to enhance visitor experiences. As part of this improvement project, the main lodge and pool will be temporarily closed starting Sept. 2, 2025. Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation funding the lodge room upgrades, which was approved by the General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session.
Renovation upgrades for the main lodge include essential structural repairs, a new roof, safety upgrades and updates to walkway canopies. Pool renovations include new pool upgrades and a sun terrace overlooking the lakefront. During the renovation period, lodging in the cabins, cottages and the Little River Lodge will still be available. All other facilities will remain open, including the Windows on the Water restaurant, beach, campgrounds, golf course, marina, hiking trails and the convention center.
“We are committed to investing in our state parks, including Lake Barkley, to provide more recreational opportunities for Kentuckians and more reasons for guests to visit the commonwealth, strengthening our New Kentucky Home by boosting economic development and job opportunities in the region,” said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer. “These renovations at Lake Barkley State Resort Park are a testament to our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and recreational opportunities our state parks offer Kentuckians and visitors alike.”
Once the renovations are complete, the main lodge and pool will reopen with improved amenities and experiences. Kentucky State Parks officials will share updates as the renovations progress. Additional future improvement projects at Lake Barkley include fitness center upgrades, beach refurbishment and golf course repairs.
Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses, with breathtaking views of mountain ranges, waterfalls, wildlife, scenic hiking trails, caves to explore, fishing, boating, kayaking, nationally recognized golf courses, camping, lodges, historic sites, museums and more, offering opportunities for exploration, entertainment and education to Kentuckians and visitors from across the world. Along with their natural, historic and economic significance, Gov. Beshear has used Kentucky State Parks and their dedicated teams to respond to tornadoes, flooding and other natural disasters by opening their doors to Kentuckians during difficult times.
During the legislative session, Gov. Beshear signed House Joint Resolution 56, releasing $71 million for capital construction projects, including building system upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various state parks.
Gov. Beshear recently announced that Leitchfield in Grayson County has officially been certified as the commonwealth’s 30th Kentucky Trail Town. The Kentucky Trail Town program, managed by Kentucky State Parks, is a tourism and economic development program designed to provide a strategic plan for communities to capitalize on recreation opportunities within their communities.
Leitchfield’s Kentucky Trail Town certification follows the Governor’s announcement in August that $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote recreational projects.
To capitalize on Kentucky’s historic economic momentum and record-breaking tourism success, Gov. Beshear recently announced New Kentucky Home, a strategic initiative to further drive economic investment, attract and retain talent and increase tourism across the commonwealth.
Earlier this year, the Governor announced that 2023 was the best year on record for tourism, with $13.8 billion in economic impact and 95,222 jobs. This followed a record-breaking 2022 when he announced that tourism had generated more than $12.9 billion in economic impact and secured 91,668 jobs in Kentucky that year.
Kentucky’s impressive economic success over the last four years is a direct reflection of the Beshear administration’s continued investments in the tourism industry.
In November 2023, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth broke an all-time record with nine new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $292.1 million in economic investment. These projects also are expected to create 550 jobs once operational. Through October 2024, the state has approved nine tourism development projects this year with an estimated investment of $251.5 million. The projects will provide 352 full-time jobs and 1,326 part-time jobs once operational.
In 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Previously, the Governor dedicated $5.3 million in federal funding to 103 tourism and destination marketing organizations in 88 Kentucky counties.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $35 billion in announced investments, creating roughly 58,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $13.5 billion more than the next highest total.
Located near Land Between the Lakes, Lake Barkley State Resort Park provides lake views from the private balconies of most of the 120 rooms and four suites. The park also has 13 cottages and is open year-round. There are 79 sites at the campground, which is open seasonally.
Kentucky State Parks is hosting a series of events throughout 2024 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. For the latest updates and information on events, visit parks.ky.gov. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov.