Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Guide
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- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a pristine natural gem nestled between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, spanning over 170,000 acres across western Kentucky and Tennessee. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this area offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking and biking on more than 500 miles of trails to fishing and boating on its expansive waterways. Wildlife lovers can explore the Woodlands Nature Station or witness elk and bison roam freely in the Elk & Bison Prairie. Families can enjoy stargazing at the Golden Pond Planetarium or uncover history at The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm. With numerous campsites, picnic spots, scenic drives, and available RV Share units to rent, the area is ideal for day trips and extended stays.
Camping in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers RV-friendly campgrounds with modern amenities and scenic views. Explore nearby camping options, including designated sites and dispersed camping areas. You can also locate nearby dump stations for a hassle-free RV experience.
Campgrounds in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Private Campgrounds Near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
For a comfortable stay, consider choosing some of the top campgrounds near the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. These sites often offer added amenities like Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and full hookups, ensuring an enhanced RV camping experience.
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Fishing and Water Activities
Hillman Ferry Campground
Piney Campground
Energy Lake Campground
Budget-friendly Campgrounds
Hillman Ferry Campground
Piney Campground
Energy Lake Campground
RV Rentals Near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Hiking Trails
Explore diverse hiking trails in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks.
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Distance: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.91 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Challenging Trails for Hikers
Distance: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 16.09 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.41 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Lakeside Trails
Hematite Lake Trail
Distance: 2.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Barkley Canal Full Loop
Distance: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 55.61 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
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Hematite Lake Trail
Several trails are located near the Woodlands Nature Center, demonstrating how close visitors get to nature when visiting the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The first is the Hematite Lake Trail that encircles 80-acre Hematite Lake. The diverse displays of woodland flowers alone are enough to recommend this trail.
Length: 2.2 miles
Intensity: Easy to Intermediate
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Honker Trail
The second recommended trail located near the Woodlands Nature Center is the Honker Trail. This pathway circles 180-acre Honker Lake, an artificial shallow lake created by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s for wildfowl management. Several species, such as beaver, otters, osprey, and giant Canadian geese, were reintroduced to the area and flourished.
Length: 4.5 miles
Intensity: Easy to Intermediate
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Long Creek National Recreation Trail
A third trail near the Woodlands Nature Center is the Long Creek National Recreation Trail. The pathway is wide, paved, and approved for ADA use. The path winds amongst sycamore, sweetgum, and oak stands where beaver, green herons, and kingfishers thrive.
Length: 0.25 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Fort Henry National Recreation Trail
For avid hikers and bikers who wish to spend a day or more hiking the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, the Fort Henry National Recreation Trail is a dream come true. This is a system of 10 connecting trails covering the entirety of the recreation area's southern end. The trail closely follows the troop movements of General Grant during the Fort Henry/Fort Donelson campaign early in the Civil War.
Length: 26 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
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North South Trail
The North South Trail takes hikers the entire length of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The pathway takes hikers along lazy valleys covered in prairie grass, through crowded forests, and across ridges that present challenging terrain. This trail is recommended for avid hikers, with the southern end restricted to hiking only.
Length: 59 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Some of the best things to do in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area are as follows:
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers over 250 days of in-season hunting annually, featuring species like white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and squirrels. Hunters aged 16 and over must possess a $25 Hunter Use Permit, valid for one year.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers seasonal camping from March to November at Energy Lake, Piney, and Hillman Ferry Campgrounds. Piney Campground features 384 sites, including nine cabins for rent. Seasonal camping permits are available for two to nine months.
Horse riding at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a delight with over 100 miles of scenic trails. Wranglers Campground offers facilities for riders, including stables and trailer hookups. Trails provide breathtaking views of lakes and forests.
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Fishing
With over 300 miles of natural shoreline, this recreational area provides some of the country's best angling opportunities. Typically, anglers come to this area to fish for bluegill, sauger, catfish, crappie, and bass. Whether you are into lake fishing along the banks, in a boat, or angling along the many streams and small lakes that dot the recreation area, there is an opportunity for you to get the fight of your life in these waters.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is one of the favorite sports in which visitors engage at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The Forest Service maintains over 450 geocache sites for visitors to pursue. Ask at any official site inside the park for information for GPS coordinates and start your quest.
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
Much of the wildlife found in this recreational area can be found in many other places as well. Rodents such as rabbits, squirrels, and voles are found everywhere. What is of particular interest in this area is the reintroduction of wildlife that once flourished here. Buffalo, elk, otter, and beaver are only a few of those relocated and are now established and increasing in number.
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Stargazing
Stargazing at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is one of the main reasons visitors come as little light pollution obscures the night sky. A planetarium augments what you see in the night sky with laser programs describing what you see when you look up on a clear night.
How to get to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Address: 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211
Fee: Entry fee $0
By Car
From Nashville, Tennessee: Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is approximately 90 miles away. Take I-24 west to Cadiz, Kentucky, then follow U.S. 68/KY-80 west to The Trace, LBL’s main road.
From Paducah, Kentucky: Drive about 45 miles via U.S. 62 and KY-453 south to access the northern entrance.
By Air
Nashville International Airport (BNA): Located about 90 miles east of LBL, this airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Barkley Regional Airport (PAH): About 50 miles away in Paducah, Kentucky, this airport offers regional flight connections.
Seasonal Restrictions
Certain trails, campgrounds, and recreational areas may be closed during adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall or flooding. Check the official website for updates before visiting.
Fees in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Fees in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area include $5 for Elk and Bison Prairie (per vehicle) with camping fees ranging from $10–$35 per night, and a $25 annual Hunter Use Permit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
What is the best time to visit Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
The best time to visit Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is in spring to see the trees and wildflowers in bloom. However, if you visit between mid-September to mid-October, you can see beautiful fall colors and will be in the middle of elk bugling season.
Is Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area open all year round?
Yes, the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is open year-round. Not all facilities are open in the winter, but the Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium, the OHV area, the elk & bison prairie area, and the Wranglers Campground are all open.
What type of wildlife lives in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
Bears, elk, bison, bobcats, and wild turkeys are among the wildlife that lives in the Land of Lakes National Recreation Area. There is also a variety of birds, small animals, butterflies, and fish.
What is the closest town to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
Hardin, Kentucky is one of the closest towns to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. There are restaurants and stores nearby where campers can take a break or stock up.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Campers can stay in dispersed campsites for a maximum of 14 nights within a 30-day time period.
