Natural swimming hole
Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake
Lake · Kentucky
Community-reported spot. Details below are compiled from public sources and are reported to be accurate — always verify locally before visiting.
About this swimming hole
The Zilpo Day-Use Area, on a peninsula in the middle portion of 8,270-acre Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest, offers a sandy beach and a roped swimming area, with a bathhouse nearby. It is a separate swim beach from the Twin Knobs beach elsewhere on Cave Run Lake. The Forest Service delayed Zilpo's spring opening in 2025 to July because of flooding and listed the site as closed for the season afterward, so verify current opening and reopening status with the Forest Service before visiting.
Good to know
| Water type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Depth | Roped swimming area off a sandy beach |
| Best season | Memorial Day-Labor Day |
| Reservations required | No |
| Hours | Seasonal day-use hours; closed for the season outside the summer season per the Forest Service site page |
| Parking | Parking available at the Zilpo Day-Use Area; from US 60 take KY 211 through Salt Lick, turn onto Forest Service Road 129, go 2.5 miles to Forest Service Road 918 and follow it about 8 miles to the recreation area |
| Amenities | restrooms |
| County | Bath County |
| Nearest town | Salt Lick |
| Safety notes | Verify current opening/reopening status with the Daniel Boone National Forest before visiting - flooding delayed the 2025 spring opening to July and the site closes seasonally. Swim in the roped swimming area; Forest Service guidance warns of strong currents and undertows in forest waterways. |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake?
Yes — Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake is listed as a natural swimming spot in Kentucky. Heads-up: Verify current opening/reopening status with the Daniel Boone National Forest before visiting - flooding delayed the 2025 spring opening to July and the site closes seasonally. Swim in the roped swimming area; Forest Service guidance warns of strong currents and undertows in forest waterways.. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake require reservations?
No reservations are required at Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake based on current information — but verify before you go.
When is the best time to visit Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake?
The best season is typically Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Is Zilpo Day-Use Beach - Cave Run Lake safe for swimming?
Reported safety notes: Verify current opening/reopening status with the Daniel Boone National Forest before visiting - flooding delayed the 2025 spring opening to July and the site closes seasonally. Swim in the roped swimming area; Forest Service guidance warns of strong currents and undertows in forest waterways.. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — swim at your own risk.