Lakes Around 3 Hours or Less from Cincinnati

Would you like to spend some time enjoying nature, relaxing on or by the water? 

The are several lakes near Cincinnati to choose from.

I’m sharing lake options within 3 hours of Cincinnati that are perfect for a day trip or for an extended getaway. 

I highly recommend calling ahead and visiting the website for your lake of choice prior to your visit.

It’s important to know each lake’s individual safety procedures, opening dates, available facilities, entry fees, and operating hours before you go. 

Travel times can vary depending on where you are located in the Cincinnati Metro and your lake access point for the larger lakes. 

Ohio Lakes Around 3 Hours or Less From Cincinnati

East Fork Lake

36 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

Park Rd 2, Bethel, Ohio

2160-acre lake with a 1,200-foot swimming beach, 6 launch ramps for boating, and a campground.  

While you are in the area, stay and enjoy a drive-in movie at Star-lite drive-in located in Amelia 4 minutes away. Use these packing tips for the drive-in before you go.

Caesar’s Creek State Park 

50 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH

Caesar’s Creek has a 2830-acre lake 1,300-foot public beach and there is another small beach located at the campground for registered campers.

Acton Lake at Hueston Woods State Park

56 Minutes from Cincinnati

College Corner, OH 45003

Acton Lake is a 625-acre lake with a 1,500-foot swimming beach in the summer months. The lake has a 10 HP limit on motors and canoes with motors have a limit of 4HP.

There is a campground at Hueston Woods, a lodge (that will hopefully open later this summer), and cabin rentals. 

Cowan Lake

59 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

Wilmington, Ohio

*Enter Cowan Lake Public Beach in the GPS

Cowan Lake is a 692-acre lake with a public beach for swimming, fishing, and three boat launches. Motorboats have a 10HP limit and sailing is also very popular on this lake. The South Shore Marina concession offers boat, canoe, and motor rental and also sells fishing and picnic supplies. 

This is a popular area for bird watchers year-round and there are campsites and cottages available to rent on-site. 

Aqua Adventures Inflatable Obstacle Course

47 Minutes from Cincinnati

8762 Thomas Rd, Middletown, OH

Aqua Adventures at Land of Illusions isn’t a typical “lake” but it’s still worth mentioning because it’s a great option if you want to relax on the beach, swim, stand up paddleboard, and have fun on an inflatable obstacle course. 

Southern Ohio Parks with Kayak, Boat, or Canoe Rentals

Cincinnati has several local parks that also offer watercraft rentals for guests to enjoy time on the water. 

Winton Woods Boathouse

21 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

10245 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH

(513) 931-1849

Sharon Woods Boathouse

24 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

4631 E Kemper Rd, Sharonville, OH

(513) 769-4326

Lake Isabella Boat House

25 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

10174 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, OH 

(513) 791-1663

Miami Whitewater Forest

26 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

9001 Mt Hope Rd, Harrison, OH 

Boathouse: 513-367-9632

Lakes In Kentucky Around 3 Hours or Less from Cincinnati

Aj Jolly Park

30 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

1501 Race Track Rd, Alexandria, KY

Aj Jolly Park has a 200 Acre Lake. This isn’t a swimming lake but you can kayak, canoe, paddleboat, fish by boat, and stand-up paddleboard on the water. 

Aj Jolly Park also has a campground on-site, hiking trails, and horse trails. 

Williamstown Lake

47 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

290 Boat Dock Rd, Williamstown, KY

Williamstown Lake is 330 Acre Lake for recreation with a public self-serve boating ramp. on Summer Drive or you can pay to launch at Williamstown Marina on Boat Dock Rd.

Williamstown Marina also offers primitive campsites and kayak & pontoon rentals. 

Kincaid Lake State Park

57 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

565 Kincaid Park Rd, Falmouth, KY

Kinkaid Lake is a 183-acre lake in Pendleton County, KY.

This is not a swimming lake but you can rent a pedal or motorboats.  There is a swimming pool at the state park and the campgrounds will reopen in mid-June.

Falling Rock Park (FRP) LaGrange Quarry

2201 Fendley Mill Road, LaGrange, KY 

502-939-5049

1hr 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

The FRP LaGrange Quarry is an 18+ and up entry-only park where you can swim in a former rock quarry. Paddleboards and kayaks are welcome and there is no fishing.

No alcohol is allowed and all guests must have some form of floatation device (pool noddle, float, etc) to be in the water because the water is so deep. 

Cave Run Lake

2.28 hours from downtown Cincinnati

5195-KY-801, Morehead, KY

Cave Run Lake is an 8,270-acre in Eastern Kentucky.

There are primitive campsites at Claylick Boat-in Campground and Twin Knobs Recreational Campground (both opening Mid-June) and Zilpo Campground.

Laurel River Lake

2.35 hours from downtown Cincinnati

89-98 Robert E. Blair Memorial Highway, Corbin, KY

Laurel River Lake is a 5600 acres lake with seven boat launch ramps. There is a permanent beach area at the spillway of the Laurel River Dam. Laurel Lake is also very popular for scuba diving because the water is very deep and clear. 

Holly Bay Campground and Laurel Lake Camping Resort, with mid-Junes openings, and Corbin/Laurel Lake KOA Campground (located 12 minutes from the lake) are options for an overnight stay.

(Check their sites for specific limitations)

While you are in the area you might want to also check out Cumberland Falls and the Harland Sanders Museum and Cafe. 

Lake Cumberland

3.14 hours

1200 State Hwy 3189, Nancy, KY

Known as the “Houseboat Capital of the World” Lake Cumberland is THE place to rent a houseboat. The 65,530-acre lake offers plenty of outdoor recreation on the water. 

There is camping onsite and cottage rentals at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. 

Indiana Lakes Around 3 Hours or Less From Cincinnati

Brookville Lake

53 minutes from downtown Cincinnati

14108 State Rte 101, Brookville, IN

5260-acre lake with two beaches and a campground with 400+ campsites.  

White Rock Park

1hr 11 min from downtown Cincinnati

7080 S 750 E, St Paul, IN

This former rock quarry has cliff diving, swimming, scuba diving, floating platforms, and two additional lakes dedicated to fishing. There are campsites available at White Rock Park too. 

A First Timer’s Guide to White Rock Park in Indiana will be really helpful for your first visit. 

Patoka Lake

2.35 hours from downtown Cincinnati

County Rd 1100 W, French Lick, IN

Patoka Lake is an 8800-acre lake with lots of bald eagle habitats and freshwater jellyfish.  Don’t worry the freshwater jellyfish are very small and won’t sting you.

While you are at the lake, make sure that you check out the Patoka Lake Winery and visit Frech Lick, Indiana located only 30 minutes away. 

Lake Monroe 

S Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN

Lake Monroe is a 10,750-acre lake in Bloomington, Indiana with 3 swimming beaches and camping.

While you are in the area check out these things to do in Bloomington. 

Now the hardest part is deciding which lake you want to visit first.

Check out where to rent kayaks and canoes in Cincinnati if you are looking for another outdoor adventure on the water. 

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