Lough Gur is a shallow lake in County Limerick, situated between the towns of Herbertstown and Bruff, roughly a short drive from Limerick city. The lake covers 76 hectares and forms a horseshoe shape at the base of Knockadoon Hill. Its maximum depth is approximately 3.5 to 4.4 metres, with a mean depth of around 1.59 metres, making it one of only two lakes greater than 0.5 km² in the county. The lake is fed primarily by groundwater springs and surface runoff rather than any inflowing river, meaning it is not free-flowing.

Kayaking and paddleboarding are available on the lake, offered through the Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, with ecological kayaking tours also on offer. Booking at least one week in advance is advised for organised paddling activities. Motorised boats are not permitted on the lake, and fishing is also prohibited. As a protected conservation site, availability for water activities is limited.

Access to the lake is straightforward, with free car parking available at the lakefront near the Visitor Centre. The Heritage Centre car park provides a practical starting point, with grass areas adjacent to the water suitable for launching.

The lake is a hard-water, eutrophic body with continually high phosphorus levels. It periodically suffers from algal blooms, which can result in poor oxygenation conditions, elevated pH above 9, and excessive aquatic weed growth — factors that can affect water quality and the overall paddling environment. Dense summer growths of submerged plants including Ceratophyllum and Elodea are present, along with extensive reedbeds of Typha latifolia, Carex, and Iris pseudacorus along the margins.

The surrounding landscape is archaeologically significant, recognised as one of Ireland's most important prehistoric sites with visible remains spanning from the Neolithic period onward. Notable features in the vicinity include Bolin Island Crannog, the Lough Gur Wedge Tomb, and the Grange Stone Circle — the largest standing stone circle in Ireland, comprising more than 113 stones. The area is a proposed National Heritage Area and a Wildfowl Sanctuary, supporting populations of rudd, perch, and pike in the lake itself. Facilities at the lakefront include public toilets maintained by Limerick City and County Council, a refreshments kiosk, and a playground adjacent to the Visitor Centre.