Martins Fork Lake provides a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for thousands of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities from which to choose, including: fishing, hunting, picnicking, camping, sunbathing, hiking, boating and others.

Three launching areas and boat dock/storage available. Species present in the lake include rainbow trout, largemouth bass,smallmouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

Five-mile-long multi-purpose trail along the backside of Martins Fork Lake. The trail is available for use year-round and features excellent views of the lake. The trail winds its way along the ridges and through the valleys of Martins Fork. Two primitive campsites along the trail for backpackers.

Resting near the Kentucky-Virginia border on the crest of Pine Mountain, the park is the highest state park in Kentucky and offers scenic vistas second to none. Extraordinary rock formations are featured at this park, including Log Rock, a natural sandstone bridge, and Raven Rock, a giant monolith that soars 290-feet into the air at a 45-degree angle.

Kentucky Highway 1679, "Little Shepherd Trail", is a 38-mile narrow road on the crest of Pine Mountain from US 421 east of Harlan to US 119 south of Whitesburg. This serpetine route twists though numerous refreshing overlooks and massive, spine-like rock out-croppings. Paved sections are easily traversed, while mountain bikers and hikers greatly enjoy the more remote sections of this route. If you drive, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Licensed vehicles only. ATVs not permitted.

Martins Fork Wildlife Management Area and State Natural Area protects Martins Fork, a scenic high-quality mountain stream that originates in the higher elevations of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Bell County, Kentucky.