Cove Lake State Park

At 717-acres, Cove Lake State Park occupies a beautiful little mountain valley on the Cumberland Plateau. If you enjoy riding bicycles, there are two dedicated bike paths that are paved and regularly maintained by park staff. Totaling 3.5 miles, these cycling paths overlook the beautiful Cove Lake and are known by locals due to the two bike maintenance stations installed in 2012. 

Park management asks that dog owners stay clear of the cycling path as they can be dangerous on foot. Hiking is a great past time for visitors to Cove Lake State Park, with over six miles of trails to walk and enjoy. These trails are a blend of paved surfaces and compacted gravel, so there is something for everyone here. 

These trails are open to canines as well, provided they stay on their owner's leash. During the winter months, both the cycling paths and the standard hiking trails become snowshoe paths. Cove Lake State Park offers both snowshoe and ski rental for all visitors provided you leave a small down payment. 

Canines are welcome on all routes during the winter months, but park management requests that owners use their best judgment, as not all canines are built for winter weather. The 210-acre Cove Lake also has a bustling boating community, albeit a slow one. Trolling motors will be the biggest you see here, with rowboats, kayaks, and canoes being the more popular vessels. 

Rowboats are available for rental, with a half-day rentals for $15.00 and a full day for $24.00. There's an $8 launch fee per day per vessel that visitors are required to pay upon entering the facilities. Canines are allowed on the lakeshore provided they stay on an 8-foot leash or shorter. A public swimming pool is open during the warmer months and costs $5 for regular visitors, or $2.50 for camping guests.