Sandwiched between Kentucky and Barkley lakes you'll find a land packed with an overwhelming variety of terrain, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Though historically exploited as a resource for the timber and iron industries, Land Between the Lakes is now a haven for outdoor activities, with numerous recreational facilities, including campgrounds, a 'living history' farm, a nature station, a planetarium, and equipment rentals. But the real attraction here is 170,000 acres of wooded land, and 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline.
There's a near-constant warbling in the green hardwood forest here, which is dominated by oak and hickory, along with more than 1000 species of flowering plants. Many species of rare and endangered critters make the forest their home, as well as white-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, fox, river otter. Birds of prey feed upon small mammals such as mice, squirrels, moles, and shrews. And if you go for a stroll in the 200-acre prairie, you'll probably encounter the bison and elk that roam free here.
The Land Between The Lakes is near I-24, about 90 miles north of Nashville, TN., and just south of Paducah, KY.
Here are GORP picks for the Land Between the Lakes :
Hike the North-South Trail
This 65-mile trail spans the entire length of Land Between the Lakes. It ranges from rugged, hilly terrain in the north to more smooth hiking in the south. You'll enjoy soaring vistas of Kentucky Lake and pass through some prime wildlife hangouts. Many of the backcountry campsites along the trail are lakeside.
Gander the Gander
Park managers have been involved in several projects to restore native wildlife like American bison, bald eagles, osprey, elk, red wolves, and river otters. The park offers wildlife viewing trips by van, boat, canoe, bike or on foot. Or you can hike to one of the wildlife hangouts along the Hematite Lake, Honker Lake or Center Furnace trails. The Elk and Bison Prairie is a microcosm of what much of this continent used to look like.
Canoe the Lakes
Paddlers have no excuse not to hit the water, with 15 landings accessing the two lakes. Numerous bays and inlets beckon exploration and angling. Canoes are available for rental at the Nature Station, and the lakes are dotted with campsites, ideal for overnight trips.
Contact Information
100 Van Morgan Drive
Golden Pond, KY 42211.
(270) 924-2000
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
