If you’ve ever hauled a boat down to Southern Kentucky, you probably headed straight for the massive marinas at Lake Cumberland. It's the "Houseboat Capital of the World," after all. But there is this weirdly specific spot, an island completely surrounded by the jagged, turquoise waters of the Cumberland River, that most people just drive past on Highway 27. It's called General Burnside Island State Park. Honestly, it’s a bit of an anomaly in the Kentucky state park system. It is the only park in the Commonwealth located entirely on an island.
The water here is different. Because the island sits right where the South Fork joins the main body of Lake Cumberland, the currents and the depths do things you don’t see in the wider, more exposed parts of the lake.
The park covers about 430 acres. It’s not huge, but it’s dense. You’ve got a massive golf course that takes up a huge chunk of the real estate, a tucked-away campground, and some of the best fishing access in Pulaski County. Most people think "island" and imagine something tropical, but this is pure Appalachian limestone and hardwood forest.
The Civil War General Who Never Saw the Park
There is a funny thing about the name. Ambrose Burnside. If you recognize the name, it’s probably because of his facial hair. He’s the guy who gave us the term "sideburns." During the Civil War, General Burnside established a headquarters nearby because the high ground offered a strategic view of the Cumberland River. He was trying to protect the supply lines. He didn't actually lounge on a golf course or roast marshmallows where the park sits today. The island itself didn't even exist back then in its current form.
The "island" part is actually man-made.
When the Wolf Creek Dam was completed in the early 1950s, the rising waters of Lake Cumberland swallowed the old town of Burnside. The town had to literally move uphill. What was once a high ridge became General Burnside Island State Park. If you dive in certain spots around the island—though I wouldn't recommend it without a local guide—you're basically swimming over the ghost of a 19th-century river town.
Why the Golf Course Is the Main Draw
Usually, state park golf courses are... fine. They’re okay. But the General Burnside Island Golf Course is actually legitimately difficult. It was redesigned around 2009, and they didn't hold back.
✨ Don't miss: Why Palacio da Anunciada is Lisbon's Most Underrated Luxury Escape
The course plays along the cliffs. If you slice a ball on the back nine, there’s a solid chance it’s ending up in Lake Cumberland, 100 feet below you. It’s a par-71. It isn't just about the game, though; it's the silence. Since you’re on an island, you don't get the same road noise you’d find at other courses. You just hear the wind coming off the water and the occasional hum of a pontoon boat in the distance.
The signature hole is probably the 18th. It’s a beast. You’re looking at a long trek back toward the clubhouse with the water framing the entire periphery. Locals from Somerset play here religiously, but for a traveler, it’s one of those spots where you can actually get a tee time without booking three months in advance, which is getting rarer and rarer these days.
Camping on the Island: What to Expect
Let's talk about the camping situation because it’s a little "kinda-sorta" weird. You have 102 sites. They all have water and electric. But here is the catch: because it’s an island with limited space, the sites aren't these massive, sprawling wilderness plots. They’re relatively close together.
- The North Side: Better for shade.
- The Loop: Most trailers congregate here.
- The Atmosphere: Very "neighborhood" feel. Kids on bikes, people grilling corn, the smell of woodsmoke everywhere.
If you’re looking for a "Lost in the Woods" survivalist experience, this isn't it. This is "I want to park my RV, walk 200 yards to the boat ramp, and spend the day on the water" camping. It’s convenient. There are two central bathhouses. They’re clean, but they’re state park bathhouses—don't expect a spa.
The Fishing Reality
People talk a big game about fishing on Lake Cumberland. They chase the Striped Bass (Stripers). These fish are massive. We’re talking 30, 40, sometimes 50 pounds.
General Burnside Island State Park is basically the gateway to the "junction." Because the water depth fluctuates so much depending on what the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Army Corps of Engineers are doing with the dam, the fishing spots change.
🔗 Read more: Super 8 Fort Myers Florida: What to Honestly Expect Before You Book
If you’re fishing from the bank of the island, you’re looking for Smallmouth Bass and Crappie. The rock ledges around the island drop off sharply. Fish love those ledges. If you have a boat, you use the park’s ramp to head toward the pits or the mouth of the South Fork.
Honestly, the best time to be here is late September. The water is still warm enough to swim, but the "lake people" have mostly gone home. The fish start moving into shallower water as the temperature drops. You can have the shoreline almost to yourself.
The Logistics of Getting There
The park is located just south of Somerset, Kentucky. You take US-27. You’ll cross a massive bridge, and the entrance is right there.
One thing people get wrong: they think there’s a ferry. There isn't. There’s a permanent land bridge (a causeway) that connects the island to the mainland. You can drive your truck and a 40-foot camper right onto it without any drama.
Nearby Essentials:
If you forgot the hot dog buns or your lure snapped off, you aren't stranded. The "new" town of Burnside is right across the bridge. There are plenty of gas stations and a few local diners. If you want a real meal, "The Reno's" or some of the local BBQ spots in Somerset are only a 10-minute drive north.
Misconceptions About the Water
You see the water and it looks blue. Then it looks green. Sometimes it looks like chocolate milk.
💡 You might also like: Weather at Lake Charles Explained: Why It Is More Than Just Humidity
This is a reservoir. After a big rain in the mountains, the debris and silt wash down the Cumberland River. If you visit General Burnside Island State Park right after a storm, don’t expect that Caribbean-blue look. Give it three days. The silt settles, and the water turns back into that deep, emerald green that Lake Cumberland is famous for.
Also, the water level changes. A lot. The Army Corps of Engineers manages the lake level for flood control. In the summer, the "Summer Pool" is high. In the winter, they draw it down. If you visit in January, the island looks much taller because the waterline has dropped 30 or 40 feet, exposing the red clay and limestone ribs of the island.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you are planning to spend a weekend at the park, don't just wing it.
- Book the Golf Tee Time Early: Even though it’s a "secret" spot, the locals know it. If you want a Saturday morning slot, call on Monday.
- Check the Lake Levels: Use the "Lakes Online" app or the Army Corps of Engineers website. If the lake is above 723 feet, some of the lower walking paths might be soggy.
- Bring a Kayak: The area around the boat ramp is protected from the main lake’s heavy wake. It’s one of the few places on Lake Cumberland where a kayaker won't feel like they’re about to be flipped by a 50-foot houseboat.
- Visit the Burnside Marina: It’s right next door to the park. Even if you don't have a boat, you can walk the docks, see the massive houseboats, and get a feel for the "lake life" culture that defines this region.
- Pack for Humidity: It’s Kentucky. In July, the humidity on the island can be 90%. If you’re camping, bring more fans than you think you need.
The beauty of General Burnside Island State Park isn't that it’s the biggest or most luxurious park in the South. It’s that it feels like a community. It’s a place where you can stand on a cliffside, look out over one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, and realize you’re standing on a piece of history that used to be a mountaintop.
Whether you're there to hit a ball into the woods or pull a trophy Striper out of the channel, the island serves as a weirdly perfect anchor for the lower Lake Cumberland experience. Just remember to bring your own shade; those golf fairways get hot under the Kentucky sun.