Bird the short trail down to an overlook of Lake Cumberland to check the lake for waterfowl. A scope will be very helpful for identifying the distant birds.

 Lake Cumberland is the second largest lake in the Cumberland River System.  The lake provides varied outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year.

Lake Cumberland is located in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel, and Whitley counties in Southeastern Kentucky on the Cumberland River.  The damsite is at river mile 460.9 or about 10 miles southwest of Jamestown, Kentucky.

The Wolf Creek Project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1946.  Construction of the project, designed and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began in August 1941.  After a three-year delay caused by World War II, the project was completed for full beneficial use in August 1952.

The dam was completed for flood control operation in 1950.  Three of the six hydroelectric generating units were placed in operation in 1951 and the remaining three in 1952.  Operation of the lake is for the primary purposes of flood control and the production of hydroelectric power.  The cost of the project was approximately $80.4 million.

This state park has a lodge, restaurant, cabins, campground, golf course, boat ramp and picnic areas. 

The picnic grounds have tables, grills, and playgrounds for family outings. A picnic shelter has tables, grills, water, and electric; and may be reserved for rental up to one year in advance. Fee for shelter rental.

Habitat is mostly deciduous woods with some pine and red cedar. 

Birding opportunities exist throughout the park, but of special note are the numerous nesting chimney swifts high in the cliff walls of the boat ramp road. Flocks of turkey vultures also gather and roost in the hardwoods along the State Dock road every evening near dusk. Wild turkey can be seen in or near the hardwoods and along the scenic trails throughout the park.