Kentucky Lake is a 160,000-acre lake on the Tennessee River, stretching about 184 miles from Kentucky Dam in Kentucky south through West Tennessee.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Kentucky Lake, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
It's the largest man-made lake by surface area east of the Mississippi, and the Tennessee side has Paris Landing, Nathan Bedford Forrest and Mousetail Landing state parks.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Kentucky Lake
Everything you rent is ready for you at Kentucky Lake — no truck, no trailer and no towing required.
- MasterCraft surf boat rentals – big, clean wakes for surfing and wakeboarding at Kentucky Lake, with boards, skis and tubes on board.
- Sea-Doo rentals – rent a single jet ski or several for your group's day on Kentucky Lake.
- Captained charters – sit back and enjoy Kentucky Lake while our captain drives, or learn to wakesurf with one-on-one coaching.
- Water toys and towables – tubes, lily pads and paddle boards for kids and grown-ups alike.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Kentucky Lake at a glance
| Location | Paris, Camden and New Johnsonville, TN |
|---|---|
| Size | About 160,000 acres |
| Length | About 184 miles |
| River | Tennessee River |
| Dam | Kentucky Dam, 1944 |
| Parks | Paris Landing and more |
Best things to do on Kentucky Lake
- Water skiing and tubing – huge open water.
- Jet skiing – bays and creeks to explore.
- Wakesurfing – sheltered bays on calm mornings.
- Fishing – crappie, bass and catfish.
Where to launch at Kentucky Lake
- Paris Landing State Park – state park with a marina.
- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park – state park near Eva.
- Mousetail Landing State Park – state park on the east shore.
Big-lake wind builds in the afternoon, so mornings are best. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Kentucky Lake
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Tennessee requires an observer 12 or older or a wide-angle mirror when towing.
- Jet skis can't run between sunset and sunrise in Tennessee.
Tennessee boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children 12 and under must wear one whenever the boat isn't docked or tied up, even when drifting, and everyone on a jet ski must wear one.
- Towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber requires a 170-degree wide-angle rear-view mirror or an observer 12 or older besides the driver, and the person being towed must wear a life jacket.
- Jet skis can't be operated between sunset and sunrise.
- Keep to no-wake speed in posted no-wake zones, marinas and near docks and swimmers.
- The north end of Kentucky Lake is in Kentucky, so Kentucky boating rules apply north of the state line.
- Give barges and tows plenty of room on the main river channel, and keep clear of the lock approaches.
Map of Kentucky Lake
Kentucky Lake rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Kentucky Lake?
Wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, water toys, and private charters with a driver-instructor — everything for a full day on the water.
Do I need a truck to tow the boat?
No. Your boat or jet skis are ready for you at Kentucky Lake, so there's no towing.
Where is Kentucky Lake in Tennessee?
In West Tennessee, around Paris, Camden and New Johnsonville.
Can you jet ski on Kentucky Lake?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Kentucky Lake.
How big is Kentucky Lake?
About 160,000 acres, the largest man-made lake by surface area east of the Mississippi.
Is Kentucky Lake connected to Lake Barkley?
Yes. A canal near the dams in Kentucky connects the two lakes.