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Land Between the Lakes is a 170,000-acre national recreation area occupying the peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in western Kentucky and Tennessee. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, it protects a broad landscape of forests, wetlands, open lands, interior lakes, historic sites, campgrounds, and undeveloped shoreline.
Much of LBL is open for outdoor recreation. Visitors can hike, bike, camp, paddle, fish, watch wildlife, ride horses, explore backroads, or spend time along the lakes. Turkey Bay provides a designated area for off-highway vehicles, while Wranglers Campground serves the recreation area’s horseback-riding network. Hundreds of miles of trails cross the peninsula, including shorter nature paths and sections suited for longer hikes or overnight trips.
LBL is also home to several developed attractions. The Elk & Bison Prairie offers wildlife viewing from a vehicle. The Woodlands Nature Station focuses on native animals and habitats. The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm interprets life on a mid-19th-century Tennessee farm, while the Golden Pond Planetarium and Visitor Center provides astronomy programs, regional exhibits, maps, and trip information.
The recreation area is large, and travel times between attractions can be longer than expected. Cell service is also unreliable in some sections, so downloading maps and checking current alerts before entering LBL is a practical part of planning a visit.
Hematite Lake is a popular picnic, kayaking, and hiking spot in LBL.
Land Between the Lakes has several attractions that provide a closer look at the region’s wildlife, history, and natural environment. The destinations below include drive-through wildlife viewing, living history, native-animal exhibits, astronomy programs, and off-road recreation. Each offers a different way to understand or experience the land between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
Land Between the Lakes has several attractions that provide a closer look at the region’s wildlife, history, and natural environment. The destinations below include drive-through wildlife viewing, living history, native-animal exhibits, astronomy programs, and off-road recreation. Each offers a different way to understand or experience the land between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
Wildlife exhibits...
Drive-thru wildlife experience...
Visitor center & daily shows...
Living history farm...
OHV area for off-roaders...
Programs and events take place throughout the year at the Golden Pond Planetarium, Woodlands Nature Station, The Homeplace, and other locations across LBL. The schedule may include animal programs, farm demonstrations, guided paddles, astronomy presentations, seasonal festivals, workshops, and family activities. Browse the upcoming events below and check the individual listing for current dates, times, admission, and reservation requirements.
Land Between the Lakes is a national recreation area located on the peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. It spans portions of Kentucky and Tennessee and is managed by the USDA Forest Service. The area includes public attractions, campgrounds, trails, wildlife habitat, historic sites, interior lakes, and large stretches of undeveloped land.
There is no single general admission fee to drive through or enter Land Between the Lakes. Individual attractions, campgrounds, permits, and activities may charge their own fees. These can include admission to developed attractions, camping permits, Turkey Bay OHV permits, and certain special programs. Check current rates before visiting a specific facility.
A few hours is enough for one attraction or a short drive, but a full day or two allows time to combine several stops. Visitors planning to explore trails, campgrounds, wildlife areas, or attractions at opposite ends of LBL may need more than one day. The recreation area covers about 170,000 acres, so choosing a few priorities before arriving is usually more practical than trying to see everything at once.
Dogs and other domestic animals are allowed in many parts of LBL, but they must generally be kept on a leash no longer than six feet or otherwise under physical control. Pets cannot be left unattended, and some attractions or activities may have additional restrictions.
