Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Understand

The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers run roughly parallel through western Kentucky. Both have had dams constructed near Grand Rivers for flood control and power production. The Tennessee River was dammed to make Kentucky Lake and the Cumberland River to make Lake Barkley. A canal between the two lakes was dug at Grand Rivers, creating an inland peninsula. The federal government purchased all of the land between the lakes to create Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre national recreation area. Grand Rivers is the only community that fronts on both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Water recreation is nearly limitless in this area and so is camping, hiking, biking and other outdoor recreation.

History The history of the recreation area is tied to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Established in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the TVA was tasked with bringing flood control, power generation, and river navigation to the waterways of the Tennessee River valley. After the Great Flood of 1937, the TVA began land acquisition in order to build a dam on the Tennessee River near Grand Rivers. The dam was completed in 1945 and the resulting impoundment of water was named Kentucky Lake. Shortly after, the US Corps of Engineers began constructing a dam on the nearby Cumberland River with the aim of connecting the navigable waters of the Cumberland with the Tennessee. To accomplish this, a canal was constructed between the two rivers. The dam was completed in 1966 and the resulting lake was named Lake Barkley after Alben Barkley, a Kentucky native and Vice President of the United States under President Harry S. Truman. By 1963, all of the land between the two lakes had been acquired by the federal government and President John F. Kennedy signed legislation creating the recreation area and giving control of the land to the TVA. In 1998, the administration of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation area was transferred to the US Forest Service.

Landscape Th

Getting there

There are four major routes into the recreation area. I-24 and US 62 provide access to the north. US 68 runs through the central part of Land Between the Lakes and US 79 provides access to the south.

Getting around

The Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway, also known as the Trace, is a 43-mile highway that runs north to south in the recreation area. This highway forms a backbone from which most of the roads within the recreation area branch off of.

See

1 Elk and Bison Prairie (north of the Golden Pond Visitor Center on The Trace). Dawn to dusk. A 700-acre enclosure that has been restored to pre settlement habitat. Herds of Bison and Elk have been reintroduced and may be viewed from vehicles via a 3.5-mile loop. The Elk and Bison Prairie is open year round. 2 Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium (at the intersection of US 68 and The Trace), ☏ +1 270 924-2233. 9AM-5PM. The Golden Pond Visitor Center should be considered a starting point for anyone new to the area. Information on all aspects of the recreation area can be found here. The Planetarium is open most of the year with the exception of late December. After hours star parties are often held in addition to the regularly scheduled exhibitions. The visitor center is open year round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Operating hours may be limited between Christmas and New Years Day. The visitor center is open until 7PM from mid-May to early September. 3 North Welcome Station (on the Trace, just south of Grand Rivers). 9AM-5PM. A staffed visitor center at the north end of the Trace. The welcome station is open March 1 through November 30. The North Welcome station is open Monday through Friday in March and November and seven days a week from April through October. 4 South Welcome Station (on the Trace, 5 miles north of Dover). 9AM-5PM. A staffed visitor center at the south end of the Trace. The welcome station is open March 1 through November 30. The South Welcome station is open Monday through Friday in March and November and seven days a week from April through October. 5 The Homeplace (from the Golden Pond Visitor Center travel 12 miles south along the Trace). 10AM-5PM. A working history farm showcasing the farming techniques and home life of the mid-19th century. The Homeplace is open daily from April 1 to October 31. During March and November the farm is open W-Su. The Homeplace is closed to visitors from December 1 t

Do

Biking There are many miles of paved and unpaved roads to explore within the recreation area. Bikes are also allowed on the Canal Loop and North South trails.

Fishing Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley combined offer almost 220,000 acres of water to fish from. Besides the two large lakes, there are many small lakes and ponds within LBL. All applicable state fishing licenses are required.

Hiking Land Between the Lakes offers over 200 miles of hiking trails to explore.

Long distance trails North South Trail: At 58 miles, this trail spans the entire length of LBL and ranges from rugged, hilly terrain in the north to more smooth hiking in the south. Portions are accessible from The Trace for those wishing to hike a section of the trail. Fort Henry National Recreation Trail: In the south end of LBL, Fort Henry is a system of 10 connecting trails totaling 26 miles. The trail follows closely the route of General Grant's troop movements from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson during the Civil War. Canal Loop Trail: In the north end, this series of connecting trails provides walks ranging from 1.5 miles to 14 miles. One of the most popular trails, because it offers spectacular lake views and the opportunity for short walks.

Short trails Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail: An 11-mile multiple use trail connecting both lakes and running along the US 68 corridor. Most of the trail is compacted stone with 2.5 miles being paved. The trail is open to hikers and bikes. Honker Trail: Near the Woodlands Nature Station, this trail winds around Honker Lake through a variety of habitats. This trail is 4.5 miles long. Hematite Lake Trail: Near the Woodlands Nature Station, this easy walk around Hematite Lake offers a chance to see migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. This trail is 2.2 miles long. Woodland Walk: An easy, one mile, wooded trail winding through the forests and along the shoreline of Honker Lake. Center Furnace Trail: Embarking from the ruins of the Center Iron Fu

Buy

There are gift shops at The Homeplace, welcome stations, visitor center, and the Woodlands Nature Station.

Eat

Other than vending machines, there are no eating establishments within the recreation area. Visitors should plan on bringing in their own food to prepare or visit one of the surrounding communities or state parks.

Aurora, Kentucky Benton, Kentucky Calvert City, Kentucky Gilbertsville, Kentucky Grand Rivers, Kentucky Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Kentucky Murray, Kentucky Dover, Tennessee Paris, Tennessee

Drink & nightlife

There are no alcohol sales within t