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Annual permit is $100. 1-3 day permits are $20, valid 1-3 consecutive days from date of purchase.
Open daily year-round. Ride from dawn to dusk. Weather related closures are possible, so call 800-525-7077 to make sure the park is open.
Turkey Bay is the only designated off-highway vehicle area in Land Between the Lakes. Located on the Kentucky side of the recreation area, it contains about 100 miles of primary, secondary, and tertiary trails used by motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and other permitted off-road vehicles. The area also includes unloading space and primitive camping near Kentucky Lake, allowing riders to stay close to the trail system.
Riders enjoy the trails at Turkey Bay. Photos on this page courtesy Megan Durbin.
Turkey Bay covers roughly 2,200 acres and offers a mix of wooded routes, hills, rocky sections, stream crossings, and shoreline terrain. The trail system is not one continuous loop. Riders choose among signed primary, secondary, and tertiary routes, with conditions and difficulty changing across the area. Trails carry two-way traffic, so riders should expect other vehicles around blind turns and on narrow sections.
Every OHV must be registered with Land Between the Lakes before entering the trail system, and the permit sticker must remain displayed on the vehicle. Riders must also sign a liability waiver. When the Turkey Bay gatehouse is not staffed, permits are available at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Riding is limited to the hours posted at the gatehouse, generally between sunrise and sunset.
Helmets meeting Department of Transportation standards are required while vehicles are operating, except in qualifying vehicles with enclosed metal cabs or roll-bar protection and seatbelts. Youth operators are subject to age, engine-size, and adult-supervision requirements. Golf carts are not permitted.
Riders must remain on signed trails that match the size of their vehicle. Mud bogging, creating new routes, and traveling outside the Turkey Bay boundary are prohibited. Conditions can change quickly after rain, and portions of the area may close to prevent trail damage. Check current alerts before loading the trailer and download the official trail map before arriving.
Turkey Bay is used by motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and other off-highway vehicles that comply with the area’s rules and applicable state and federal requirements. Golf carts are not allowed. Vehicles must have properly functioning mufflers and spark arresters, and riders must use trails appropriate for the vehicle’s size.
Yes. Every off-highway vehicle must be registered with Land Between the Lakes and display a valid permit sticker. Riders must also sign a liability waiver. Permits are available at the Turkey Bay gatehouse when it is staffed or at the Golden Pond Visitor Center during its operating hours. Current permit options and rates should be confirmed before visiting.
DOT-approved motorcycle helmets are required while vehicles are operating, with an exception for qualifying vehicles equipped with an enclosed metal cab or roll-bar protection and seatbelts. Seatbelts must be fastened in vehicles that are equipped and designed to use them.
Yes. Turkey Bay includes primitive, self-service camping near the OHV area. Campsites provide basic facilities rather than the full range of services found at LBL’s developed campgrounds. Camping fees are separate from the OHV permit, and campers should review current rules and rates before arriving.
It can. Wet conditions can make trails unsafe and cause significant damage, so closures or restrictions may be issued when the ground is saturated or maintenance is underway. Riders should check the current Land Between the Lakes alerts before leaving home rather than assuming the area is open.
