Marina Rowena

Marina Rowena is Lake Cumberland’s newest marina — the first new commercial marina development on the lake in over 60 years. Located just 4 miles upstream from Wolf Creek Dam near Albany in Clinton County, it sits among hundreds of pristine coves on one of the most scenic stretches of the entire lake, filling a long-standing gap in marina access between the dam and Halcomb’s Landing.

The marina carries a name rich with local history. “Rowena” was a thriving riverside community along the Cumberland River that was submerged when Wolf Creek Dam was built and Lake Cumberland was formed in the early 1950s. Legend has it the community was named for a brave young woman named Ena who rowed passengers across the river — her neighbors’ calls of “Row, Ena!” giving the settlement its name. The Steamboat Rowena, one of the most celebrated vessels on the Cumberland River, also bore the community’s name and made regular stops at Rowena Landing for decades before sinking in 1934.

Marina Rowena was developed by Tony Sloan — whose family ran the legendary Grider Hill Marina for over 60 years — and business partner Tom Allen. After nearly a decade of planning and permitting, the marina opened in phases between 2017 and 2020. From A-Frame of Mind, it’s a scenic 45–50 minute drive, making it a rewarding half-day or full-day excursion for guests who want to explore the quieter, less-traveled end of the lake.

Before Lake Cumberland existed, “Rowena” was a thriving community on the north bank of the Cumberland River — established as far back as 1847 and known as a busy stop for the steamboats that traveled between Nashville and Burnside, Kentucky.

Legend holds the town was named for Ena, a brave young woman who rowed passengers across the river. The constant calls of “Row, Ena!” from travelers on the bank gave the settlement its enduring name.

When Wolf Creek Dam was completed and Lake Cumberland was formed in 1950–52, the community of Rowena — along with dozens of other riverside settlements — was submerged beneath the rising water. The marina stands today at the very site of the old Rowena Ferry crossing, honoring a community that gave way to the lake that now draws millions of visitors to Kentucky every year.