View Lake - Rough River Lake - Reviews

My family and I live about 45 minutes south of RRL and I spent quite a bit of time there as a child. After our little one was old enough to be out on a boat, we promptly bought a boat and have since spent much time on RRL, especially this summer now that's she's almost three years old. My work schedule offers me the chance to be at the lake a lot during the week, and it is much less crowded during that time. There are actually few enough boats on the water that we actually have to come back on a weekend just to feel like it's summertime! (It's nice to have 5,000 acres nearly all to yourself sometimes though!) The staff at each of the Marinas is knowledgeable and friendly, as are all the people we've met throughout our times there. You would think through all my years of going there, I would have known more about the surrounding area, but for many years I was unaware that there was any other place to get a bite to eat other than the State Park Lodge. Just a short pair of miles north on HWY 79 you will find the Axtel campground, and the beginning of a delicious journey! The Knotty Pine Restaurant serves up some of the best home cooking you will find anywhere, and on the weekends they have an ice cream shop just to the other end of the parking lot. There is also a donut shop across the road that serves up wonderful treats on weekend mornings! Just up the road to HWY 259 (1/2 mile or so) and you will find the local pizza parlor that offers delicious pizza and my Wife and Daughter's favorite, a mean fettuccine alfredo! For those that like burgers, hot wings, and a darn good fish sandwich on rye, Rubbie's Wing Shack can't be beat. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor seating being on the original "Lady of the Lake" paddlewheel tour boat. It's an old flatboat that has been converted to a picnic-style eatery with views of the lake. If you're a fast-food family, on up 259 another ten minutes and you come to Hardinsburg, home of the famous US60 1/8 mile dragstrip and your traditional DQ, McDonald's, Sonic, Hardee's and some fine local establishments, as well as a Wal-Mart where you can stock up on boating and camping supplies.
As far as the facilities for the lake itself, my personal favorite for campgrounds is the Axtel campground. It's location near all the great food, as well as the beauty of great lake location of this campground is hard to be beat. I also like the convenience of being right across the road from Nick's Boat Dock, which is where I keep my boat while on the lake. The Bronger family has a very nice establishment and offers everything you need for a day on the lake, as well as the best prices on slips and fuel anywhere on the lake. The Axtel ramp adjacent to Nick's is not ideal for boat, as all three lanes (one two lane and one single lane) are not steeply sloped, I have a hard time getting my bow up on the front roller without being so deep that the hull doesn't free float in the aft end. Cave Creek has what I think is the ideal angle for ramps, but is a single lane ramp and is one heck of a hike back up to the parking lot. (This area is to the extreme end of the lake as well, just down a couple miles from the State Park & Dam.)
This lake is very clean, you will be hard pressed to find trash in the water or on the banks, 98% of campers and boaters take pride in the lake and keep it clean, and the corps has done an excellent job of marking the few hazards in existence. You will not hit anything in this lake unless you're not paying attention to the buoys. I can only think of four or five places that have a hazardous spot, one is a rock just beneath the surface as you're turning to go to Nick's Boat Dock as you're approaching Axtel campground, the others are sandbars and one small island, none of which are in the middle of the lake and are clearly marked. The thing we really enjoy most is the fact that you can run very far up in the river channel and just enjoy the ride and looking at the homes and cliffs along the river. M & D's Marina (Formerly Bill's Marina), offers a last chance for fuel and supplies prior to journeying on up into the further parts of the river. I met Mick (the owner) one Wednesday afternoon a few weeks back before journeying on up the river, and I enjoyed the chance to talk with him and to hear his ideas for the future of his Marina. His marina offers snacks, drinks, ice, life jackets and towables, as well as pontoon rentals and easy-access fueling. I could go on and on about this lake, but hopefully you've managed to stay with me this long and allow me to convince you to visit Rough River Lake. I'm telling you now, if I thought I could make the drive to work, I would pack up and move today! Hope to see you at the lake!!