Before You Go
Plan ahead by bringing snacks, water, and anything you’ll want for a day in the outdoors. Other than a few vending machines, there are no food options once you’re inside LBL.
Picnic Areas
Pack a lunch and enjoy many of the picnic areas in Land Between the Lakes.
Visiting With Dogs
Dogs are welcome inside LBL but must be kept on a leash. Some places such as the Nature Station requires you to kennel your pups, but hiking trails are pet-friendly.
Worth the Detour
Worth the Detour takes you down unconventional paces you probably wouldn’t otherwise know about. If you’re looking to experience something different, this is right up your alley.
Best Time to Visit
Winter brings clear skies and open views through the trees, making wildlife easier to spot. In spring, wildflowers return and warmer days draw people back to the water and trails.
Summer is hot but ideal for boating, beach days, and shaded hikes if you come prepared. Fall is a favorite for camping, with cooler nights, fewer bugs, and colorful foliage across the hills.
Land Between the Lakes
Adventures for Everyone
You may already know about the hiking trails and scenic views, or that Land Between the Lakes sits between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. But there is more here than most visitors expect.
Fishing is a major draw, and so are the miles of shoreline, backcountry roads, and wooded trails that invite you to slow down and explore. Some visitors come for a quiet campsite, others for long days on the water or time on the trail.
Inside LBL, you will find primitive campgrounds and RV campgrounds, family-friendly activities, sandy beaches, mountain biking trails, and geocaching routes. There are places to paddle, places to picnic, and plenty of space to spread out.
Whether you are planning a full week or just a weekend, this site helps you sort through the options and make the most of your time here.
Special Programs and Happenings
Upcoming Events In LBL
Traveling with Light
This show presents different scenarios that reveal the complexity of light and its direct influence on our planet. From the heat and light of the Sun to the evolutionary impact of fire, light plays a vital role. Recommended for all…
Earth, Moon, & Sun
Journey along with Coyote, a character adapted from Native American oral tradition, as he explores the relationship between Earth and its neighbors. Native American stories woven through this show illustrate how we have long tried understand our planet and the…
Laser Legends of the Night Sky
Join Aesop the Owl in a journey through Greek-mythology inspired stories of the constellations, including princesses, warriors, and even sea monsters. Explore the fight of good versus evil, death, honor, betrayal, and sacrifice themed in a way that is suitable…
Lakin' It with Lydia
Sixty Seconds in LBL
Looking for ideas before your trip?
Each week, Lydia shares a one-minute highlight from the Land Between the Lakes area, from family activities, places to stay, and lesser-known experiences.
