Wax Marina
The lake's largest slip operation, on the north end
Wax Marina has been operating on the north end of the lake since 1965, which makes it the longest-running of the three. The community it is named for got its name from beeswax sold at the local general store — the kind of detail that tells you how long people have been coming here.
It is the largest slip operation on Nolin by a wide margin, with more than 210 slips ranging from 10 to 80 feet, both covered and open. The docks use composite or concrete walkways with galvanized uprights and steel roofing over the covered slips, so this is modern dockage rather than aging infrastructure.
For buyers coming from Louisville, the Wax and Clarkson side is generally the quickest approach to the lake. Over a decade of weekend trips, that difference adds up more than most people expect when they are shopping.
Services & facilities
- 210+ slips, covered and open, from 10 to 80 feet
- Seasonal and annual slip rentals
- Full-service fuel dock
- Boat and watercraft rentals
- Ship's store — bait, fishing and boating supplies, watersports gear, apparel
- Adjacent Wax campground with 110 sites
- Public day-use boat ramp on the Wax arm
What this means if you're buying nearby
- If slip availability matters to you, Wax has the most capacity on the lake — useful leverage when a property you like has no private dock.
- Shortest drive from Louisville of the three marinas, which supports both resale and short-term rental demand.
- The Clarkson and Wax area mixes older lake homes with newer builds, so condition varies widely property to property.
- Slip waiting lists and pricing change season to season. Call the marina directly before assuming a slip will be available.
Looking at property on this side of the lake? We can tell you which neighborhoods sit closest to Wax and what's realistic on price.
Talk to a local expert