No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Laurel River Lake Picnic Area continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 26 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18 – Sep 30, 2026): 19 open for online reservation · 5 reserved · 2 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Where the open windows are
Load status
Sep 18 – Sep 30, 2026Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 14 fall on weekdays and 5 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Sep 2026September holds the most room. 19 of 26 reservation dates are still open there.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 2 day-use units| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| A100 | 11 |
| A200 | 8 |
The 2 day-use units with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotThe next bookable date is Sep 20; the first open weekend starts Sep 25. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
All 2 day-use units with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| A100 | 11 | 11 dates | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 |
| A200 | 8 | 5 dates | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 |
About Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
Overview
Laurel River Lake Picnic Area is a day-use facility located on a peninsula along the shores of Laurel River Lake. The picnic area provides 19 individual picnic sites which are first-come, first-serve, and two reservable shelters. There is no overnight camping allowed in the area.
Click here for the Laurel River Lake Picnic Area virtual tour.
Recreation
Laurel River Dam was completed in 1974 creating a 5,600-acre lake which provides hydroelectric power, safe drinking water and recreation opportunities for the public. Since its impoundment, the Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers have cooperated in developing public recreation facilities on and around the lake.
Facilities
Laurel River Lake Picnic Area offers one small and one large reservable group picnic shelter, with 19 additional picnic sites with tables and grill. port-a-potties, drinking water, playground, horseshoe pit, fishing pier and a volleyball net are also provided.
Natural Features
Laurel River Lake, with its cliff-lined shores and quiet coves, is a favorite destination for thousands of visitors each year. They come to boat, canoe, fish, hunt, hike, camp, swim, scuba dive, view wildlife and relax at one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky.
Nearby Attractions
Less than a mile up the road is a 725-feet long sandy beach area with a parking lot and chemical treated toilets. The beach is unguarded so always wear a flotation device when you're on or in the water. While visiting the picnic area you can stay at one of the Forest Service drive-in campgrounds located at Holly Bay and Grove Recreation Areas. Whiteoak and Grove boat-in campgrounds are accessible only by boat or trail. Cumberland Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Rockies. It is about a 20 mile drive from the area. Cumberland Falls State Park provides lodge and cabin accommodations for guests.
Getting there
From London, Kentucky, head west on HWY 192 for approximately 15 miles. Turn slight left onto KY-1193. Continue on KY-1193 until arrive at destination on left. Area is marked by "Laurel Dam Picnic Area" signs.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area?
Reservations for Laurel River Lake Picnic Area are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 19 of 26 tracked reservation dates are open (73.1%), though availability can change. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which month has the most availability at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area?
September 2026, with 19 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 26.
When is the next open date at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sun, Sep 20 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 25. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Let the app watch this shelter
Choose the reservation dates you want at Laurel River Lake Picnic Area.
Campsite Sniper can monitor this facility and notify you if a selected date becomes available.
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.