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
Butterfly Hike
Program free with NS admission. Join a naturalist on a short hike through our prairie, about one-half mile. We will search for butterflies, insects and flowers while learning more about the unique prairie ecosystem. Meet at the flagpole.
Peewee Predators
Don't let their small stature fool you, these tiny predators are ferocious! From lightning-fast reflexes to silent ninja-like movement, these tiny terrors are some of the most fearsome predators around. Come and meet some of our smallest native predators and…
National Trails Day Clean Up
Help LBL trails by joining the cleanup! Get your cleanup adventure kit at Hillman Ferry Campground, the Woodlands Nature Station, Golden Pond Visitor Center, or Piney Campground. Sign up is at 8-8:30 am, June 6.
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.
