Cave Run Lake is nestled among the rolling hills within the Daniel Boone National Forest near Morehead, Kentucky. Built for flood protection by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1965 and 1973 along the Licking River, the lake provides excellent habitat for various aquatic species such as crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, musky, and various pan fish. Surrounding the lake are thousands of acres of forest that provide opportunities for hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
There are several highlights of Cave Run Lake that include:
- Twin Knobs Recreation Area and Zilpo Recreation Area, two large campgrounds along the shore of Cave Run Lake.
- Zilpo Scenic Byway, an 11-mile winding two-lane route between Clear Creek Lake and the Zilpo Recreation Area on the west side of the lake.
- Clear Creek Iron Furnace, an abandoned iron furnace that operated along Clear Creek between 1839 and 1873.
- Clear Creek Lake along the Zilpo Scenic Byway.
- Tater Knob Lookout Tower, an abandoned fire tower along the Zilpo Scenic Byway. Fire lookout towers provided housing and protection for individuals whose duty was to search for wildfires. Located on the summit of a mountain or otherwise high vantage point, the spotters could observe for smoke that may develop, determine its location, and call for fire suppression personnel to the fire.
