Kentucky's Most Snake-Filled Lakes Might Change How You Feel About Swimming

Kentucky is an outdoor lover's paradise. From the enchanting waterfalls along the Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail to the vast caverns of Mammoth Cave (the largest known cave system on Earth), there's a huge variety of natural wonders to explore across the Bluegrass State. This includes 45 major lakes, some of which hold superlatives all their own. Lake Cumberland, for example, is the largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi River, with over 60,000 acres of water and 1,255 miles of shoreline. With all of that space for fishing and boating, it's no surprise that millions of people flock to Russell County every year to enjoy some time out on the water. Many of Kentucky's lakes offer a similar range of outdoor entertainment. The pristine blue waters of Cave Run Lake make it a popular spot for swimming, tubing, and waterskiing. For a more luxurious retreat, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park combines the comfort and amenities of a high-end lodge with activities like golf and scuba diving.

Before you jump in the car for your Kentucky lake tour, though, you should know that fish aren't the only wildlife that call these lakes home. There are 33 species of snake found in Kentucky, and while only four of those are venomous (the Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake), most people would prefer to avoid all of Kentucky's slithery, scaly residents. To help you do that (or tell you where to go if you're a serpent enthusiast), here are the five Kentucky lakes with the highest snake populations.

The Green River is the longest waterway completely contained within Kentucky's borders. Green River Lake was created when a dam was built across the river in the late '60s, and since its opening in 1969, it has been the largest outdoor recreation area in the Louisville District. Situated about 90 miles from Louisville, it's known as one of the best fishing destinations in Kentucky, as well as a top spot to see migrating songbirds in the spring.

Those fish and birds aren't just a draw for human visitors. They're also a tasty treat for the local reptile population, including timber rattlesnakes, which are most active in the area in the late spring and early summer. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, most venomous snake bites happen between April and October since that's when both snakes and humans are the most likely to be out and about in nature. Luckily, about a quarter of those bites are dry and don't inject venom, but they can still be very painful and require medical treatment. There are non-venomous snakes inhabiting the Green River Lake area, too, like the aquatic Northern Water Snake, which is often mistaken for a copperhead but is much less aggressive, more inclined to flee into the water than strike out when approached.

Another central Kentucky lake, Rough River Lake spans three counties (Breckinridge, Hardin, and Grayson) about a hundred miles to the southwest of Louisville. This 5,100-acre reservoir was created as a flood-control measure in 1958, when a dam was constructed about six miles upstream from the small community of Falls of Rough. It has since become a popular spot for boating, with a 120-slip marina that offers kayak and pontoon boat rentals. Its Lake Ridge Nature Trail is a favorite with birders, with Bald Eagles among the species you can see circling the skies above the trail.

Rough River Lake's distinctive Y-shape gives it an extensive 220-mile shoreline. Combined with the thriving fish population (there are roughly 300 pounds of fish per acre in the lake at any given time), this makes it an ideal snake habitat. The good news is that venomous snakes here are rare, so while it's one of the places where you're most likely to see a snake, the odds are high it'll be harmless. Northern Water Snakes are common and have been reported to behave more aggressively here than elsewhere in the state, though they're still unlikely to strike unless provoked. You may also see species like Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, which are common across Kentucky and particularly fond of sandy shores and wetlands, both environments Rough River Lake has in abundance.

Kentucky Lake starts at Kentucky Dam, about 20 miles upstream from the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, and extends 184 miles south into northern Tennessee. It forms the western border of the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area, a sprawling outdoor paradise that's home to rare wildlife like herds of elk and bison — and, you guessed it, a sizeable population of snakes.

Most of Kentucky Lake's snakes are harmless, and include Northern Water Snakes, Eastern Garter Snakes, and Queen Snakes. You can also see less common species like Diamondback Water Snakes and Plainbelly Water Snakes, specifically the protected subspecies, the Copperbelly Water Snake. Some of Kentucky's more dangerous snake species inhabit this area, as well. Timber Rattlesnakes have been spotted basking along the trails in the Land Between the Lakes Region, and there are pygmy rattlesnakes living here, too, though those are the rarest venomous snakes in Kentucky and aren't frequently spotted in populated areas. You're more likely to see a copperhead, the most common venomous snake in the state, though state herpetologist John McGregor does reassure visitors that encounters are still rare. His best tips to avoid them are to pay attention to the trail in front of you when hiking and, "if you are walking in or near a wooded area at night, carry a flashlight — most snakes tend to be nocturnal during the warmer months of the year." (via Kentucky Monthly)

The Land Between the Lakes is the only region of Kentucky where you can find pygmy rattlesnakes, and that means you might find them around Lake Barkley, which forms the region's eastern border. In fact, you can find all four of Kentucky's venomous snake species here, along with harmless species like the Eastern Ribbon Snake, Black Rat Snake, and several species of water snake. All told, 26 snake species call the area home, with water snakes and Black Kingsnakes topping the list of most commonly encountered by humans.

Covering 58,000 acres, Lake Barkley is one of the largest bodies of water in Kentucky, as well as one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, especially known for its bass fishing. Given the size of the local snake population and the number of human visitors each year, some encounters between the two are inevitable, like the large Timber Rattlesnake found at Hurricane Creek Campground in 2021. Bites are rare, though. Land Between the Lakes Lead Naturalist John Pollpeter notes that while snakes will defend themselves if cornered or threatened, "Every time that I've ever had to deal with a snake, the first thing it's trying to do is get away ... they feel our vibrations as we're hiking, and they want to get the heck out of there." (via WKMS)

If you do encounter a snake in the wild, Pollpeter's top advice is to stay calm and slowly back away, giving it plenty of space to escape. Even venomous snakes will only strike something as large as a human as a last resort. And if you want to see some of Lake Barkley's snakes, you can celebrate them at the Nature Center on World Snake Day, which features events like a live snake feeding and snake-themed crafts.

At 175 acres, Murphy's Pond is the smallest body of water on this list. It's located in Hickman County, within the Obion Creek watershed and just east of the Obion Creek hunting area. It's part of a 1,400-acre tract of wetland that is one of the largest uninterrupted wetlands areas remaining in Kentucky. Murphy's Pond specifically is a bald cypress swamp, an environment that's rare in Kentucky, with only seven documented across the commonwealth today. This makes it a refuge for many unique species, including 187 species of plants, more than 200 species of birds, and 70 species of reptiles and amphibians — among them Kentucky's highest concentration of Western Cottonmouths (and one of the highest concentrations in the world). According to research, the Cottonmouth population here can exceed 300 snakes per acre.

On the plus side, Murphy's Pond isn't a spot that'll show up on the average tourist itinerary. Access to the State Nature Preserve is restricted to researchers and requires written permission from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission to enter. Other areas of the Obion Creek Wildlife Management Area are open to the public, however, so you'll want to be sure to watch where you step if you're hiking or hunting in this ecologically rich region of Kentucky.