Floyd district, Kentucky, United States

Places to visit near Van Lear

Van Lear is a town in Floyd district, Kentucky, United States, home to about 1,079 people. Within 50 km by road there are 60 places to visit — 20 hill stations & viewpoints, 24 churches, 5 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 3 museums. The must-see places are Dewey Lake (10 km), Stuffley Knob (18 km) and Paintsville Lake (25 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Van Lear on the map

Van Lear, Kentucky
Van Lear, Floyd district, Kentucky, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Van Lear at a glance

Location
Floyd district, Kentucky, United States
Population
about 1,079
Coordinates
37.7712° N, 82.7579° W
Places within 50 km
60 (5 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and museums

Top places to visit near Van Lear

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Van Lear: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Van Lear

Things to see near Van Lear, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Van Lear

106 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Bettys Knob (6 km); the best-known is Stuffley Knob (18 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Churches near Van Lear

77 churches within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Highland Church (6 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Van Lear

26 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Dewey Lake (10 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Museums near Van Lear

17 museums within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Loretta Lynn's Homeplace (6 km). Best time: year-round.

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Waterfalls near Van Lear

14 waterfalls within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Caney Falls (55 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Van Lear

13 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Van Lear. The closest is Jenny Wiley State Park Marina (11 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Van Lear

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 83 km on the road.

  1. Start in Van Lear
  2. 10 km Dewey Lake · lake, Floyd
  3. 11 km Loretta Lynn's Homeplace · museum, Johnson
  4. 29 km Paintsville Lake · lake, Johnson
  5. 14 km Stuffley Knob · viewpoint, Johnson
  6. 13 km Highland Church · church, Johnson
  7. 6 km Back to Van Lear

Plan a longer trip from Van Lear — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Van Lear

No traveller has reported from around Van Lear yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Van Lear

    All places near Van Lear by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Van Lear by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints20106Bettys Knob (6 km)
    Churches2477Highland Church (6 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs526Dewey Lake (10 km)
    Museums317Loretta Lynn's Homeplace (6 km)
    Waterfalls014Caney Falls (55 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens113Jenny Wiley State Park Marina (11 km)
    Forts & heritage711East Bridge Street (14 km)
    Parks05Laurel Creek Wildlife Management Area (62 km)
    Caves04Black Cave Hollow (69 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves02Spruce Pine Island (80 km)
    Beaches & coast02Skegg Hole (86 km)

    Van Lear: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Van Lear?

    Dewey Lake (lake, about 10 km), Stuffley Knob (viewpoint, about 18 km), Paintsville Lake (lake, about 25 km), Highland Church (church, about 6 km), Loretta Lynn's Homeplace (museum, about 6 km), Bettys Knob (viewpoint, about 6 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Van Lear?

    60 places on Spotwander: 20 hill stations & viewpoints, 24 churches, 5 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 3 museums, 1 sanctuary.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Van Lear?

    Bettys Knob, about 6 km by road; Stuffley Knob (18 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Van Lear?

    Highland Church, about 6 km by road; First Baptist Church of Paintsville (8 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Van Lear?

    Dewey Lake, about 10 km by road; Paintsville Lake (25 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Van Lear?

    Start in Van Lear, visit Dewey Lake, then Loretta Lynn's Homeplace, then Paintsville Lake, then Stuffley Knob, then Highland Church, and drive back — about 83 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Van Lear?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches and museums.

    Towns near Van Lear

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Van Lear’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Van Lear on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.