Road Trips of America is supported by affiliate links. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn a commission. Learn more
The subject of this article is located on these scenic highways.
Did you know there are over 500 miles of hiking trails at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area? Ranging from short jaunts to days-long excursions, these hiking trails offer an escape into the wilderness. With all the trails rated an easy hike it’s really just up to where you want to go.
The Land Between the Lakes is a surprising area with historic sites, museums, scenic drives, and lots of hiking trails. It’s easy hiking on the small ridge between the lakes and thankfully shaded beneath a thick canopy. But before you hit the trails, there are a few things you need to know.
The National Explorer App is the official mobile app for information about the National Forests and Grasslands. The app has information about national forests, grasslands, recreation areas, and other areas managed by the USFS.
Developed by local forest rangers and interpretive staff, the app features contact information, detailed descriptions, and vital information about visiting the national forests. The app uses your geolocation on a map to quickly find nearby points of interest or explorer areas in advance. You’ll also have quick access to important information like ranger station hours of operation and phone numbers for planning a trip.
How to use this map: Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the star beside the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.
Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is precisely what the name implies: a 171,000-acre national recreation area between the artificial Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. It’s one of the best places for outdoor recreation, camping, and scenic views in western Kentucky and Tennessee.
The national recreation area was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. It was originally managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority after the TVA built dams impounding the two lakes. The national recreation area is on a ridge between the lakes, keeping it above the water levels.
In 1998, Congress transferred the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to the U.S. Forest Service.
https://landbetweenthelakes.us
No. 1
Although the Land Between the Lakes is known as a place for outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives, it’s also a place where action took place during the Civil War. The Fort Henry Trail closely follows the movements of General Grant’s troops as they traversed the terrain between Fort Henry and Fort Donelson (today Fort Donelson National Battlefield).
The Fort Henry Trail System includes 10 trails covering 26 miles near the Piney Campground. However, the best hike is the 5.9-mile Fort Henry Trail. This loop trail has a 600’ total ascent and takes a few hours to complete.
The best place to park for this trail is a cul-de-sac at the end of the dirt Road 232, just off Road 230 before reaching Piney Campground. A short hike leads to a crossing on Road 230 to begin the 5.9-mile loop on the trail.
No. 2
The 6.6-mile Bear Creek Loop Trail is a local favorite day hiking option at Land Between the Lakes. The trail connects to the North-South Trail and loops around a dense forest near the South Welcome Station. With a gentle 500’ total ascent it’s a moderate hike.
There is a large parking lot on Woodlands Trace across the road from the South Welcome Station.
No. 3
The Wrangler Trail System includes hiking and horseback riding trails around the Wrangler Campground. The system of trails sprawls for miles around the campground, crisscrossing several times.
No. 4
The 11-mile Central Hardwoods Trail is one of the easiest trails at Land Between the Lakes. The trail parallels US Highway 68 and is easily accessed from the Golden Pond Visitor Center.
The 2.5-mile eastern section of the trail is a wide, paved path that is handicap accessible and easy to walk. This section offers pretty spectacular views of Lake Barkley with pedestrian bridges crossing the water at a few points (the trail ends at the bridge crossing the lake).
The 8.5-mile middle and western sections of the trail are covered in the shade of the forest. The trail meanders close to US Highway 68 and ends at the Fenton Basic Campground. This section of the trail is packed surface which still makes it an easy walk but is not entirely handicap accessible.
There are three places to park for accessing sections of this trail. The Golden Pond Visitor Center is near the middle of the trail for hiking in either direction. Parking is available at the Fenton Basic Campground for reaching the western section. The best way to reach the paved eastern section is a small parking area near the Devil’s Elbow Day Use Area.
No. 5
The 59-mile North-South Trail is the big daddy of all hiking trails at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The trail follows the crest of the ridge through the recreation area, spanning a total of 59 miles between the South Welcome Station and North Welcome Station.
The southern section of the trail quickly ascends the ridge about 300’ and meanders through the wilderness. The trail crosses Woodland Trace near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.
The middle section closely follows along Woodland Trace to the Golden Pond Visitor Center & Planetarium. Here the trail crosses the Central Hardwoods Trail and US Highway 68.
The northern section quickly leaves Woodland Trace behind and winds along the various bays along Kentucky Lake. The trail passes around Hillman Ferry Campground and then right through my favorite spot at Land Between the Lakes at Moss Creek Day Use Area.
You can park at the South Welcome Station, Cedar Pond Picnic Area, Golden Pond Visitor Center, Sugar Bay Campground, Hillman Ferry Campground, Moss Creek Day Use Area, or the North Welcome Station. For overnight trips I would recommend the welcome stations or visitor center.
No. 6
Without having to think on it for a single moment the 2.4-mile Hematite Lake Trail was my favorite hiking trail at Land Between the Lakes. It’s one of the easiest and most scenic hikes in the recreation area and utterly, completely peaceful.
On my way to the trailhead near a small concrete dam I saw a massive herd of deer cross the road. I know that may not be an everyday experience but it was my experience and it was cool. The small lake was covered with hundreds of lily pads in full bloom!
There is a small parking area just beyond the Hematite Lake Picnic Area.
No. 7
I discovered the 5.4-mile Honker Lake Trail quite by accident and it turned out to be one of my favorite hikes at Land Between the Lakes. I decided to have lunch at the Honker Bay Day Use Area and noticed what looked like a trail crossing an earthen dam. I crossed over and just kept hiking, though I turned around without finishing it.
If I had finished the trail I would have come to the Woodlands Nature Station. The trail circles around Honker Lake in the forest, past the nature station, and along the shore of the lake to the day use area. It’s a pleasant and easy hike.
The easiest place to access this trail is to park at the Woodlands Nature Station. But my favorite place is the Honker Bay Day Use Area. There are several places to park at the day use area.
No. 8
The 10-mile Canal Loop Trail is perhaps the most rugged trail at Land Between the Lakes. But it also offers some of the best scenery of the lakes. The trail follows the shoreline along Lake Barkley, past the Nickell Branch Basic Campground, beneath the bridge leading to Grand Rapids, and along the ridge just above the Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive.
Though there are a few places to access this trail, the best place to park is the North Welcome Station.
There are a lot of amazing hiking trails at the Land Between the Lakes. You might want to make a weekend of the adventure! Here are a few places to stay that I highly recommend.
There are four developed campgrounds and over a dozen basic and self-service campgrounds throughout the Land Between the Lakes. Click to read my write up about Everything You Need to Know About Camping at Land Between the Lakes.
Quality Inn would be a great budget-friendly option for staying near the Land Between the Lakes. The hotel features King Rooms and Queen Rooms with two queen beds. The hotel also includes a rather nice indoor swimming pool. It’s located about 20 minutes from the North Welcome Station and 30 minutes from the Golden Pond Visitor Center.
Patti’s Inn & Suites would be an interesting place to stay. The hotel resembles a multi-unit apartment building and while the building is older the rooms have modern furnishings and bedding. Along with a swimming pool and good breakfast in the morning it would be a great place to stay. This hotel is located about 10 minutes from the North Welcome Station in Grand Rivers.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park has a very nice lodge only twenty minutes from the Golden Pond Visitor Center. The state park has King Rooms and Double Rooms with two full beds in the lodge, a Two Bedroom Deluxe Cabin with two full beds in each bedroom, and a Two Bedroom Log Cabin with a queen bed in one bedroom and two full beds in the other.
Kenlake State Resort Park is the closest state park to the Land Between the Lakes, located just ten minutes from the Golden Pond Visitor Center. This park features cottages ranging from one bedroom to two bedroom with a variety of beds from queen to full.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park would be an amazing place to spend the night while hiking all day. The park features rooms in a lodge with a view of the lake and others with a view of the garden, and several cottages ranging from one to three bedroom. This state park is located about 10 minutes from the North Welcome Station.
You know how much a fan I am of Hampton Inn. Located about 20 minutes from the North Welcome Station it’s a bit further away, but worth extra drive for a great place to stay. The hotel has King Rooms and Queen Rooms with two queen beds. The free breakfast in the morning will make a good start to the day.
If you really want to treat yourself while exploring the Land Between the Lakes take a look at the Maple Hill Bed and Breakfast. It’s a good thirty-minute drive to the North Welcome Station, but the B&B’s location on Lake Barkley just about makes it worth it.
Do you have a question about road trips? Travel gear? Do you want to correct one of my stories?
Use this form to send me an email. Be sure to include your name and email address. I typically respond within 24 hours.
I respond faster if you include a good riddle.
2 Responses
Appreciate the information. Planning to spend 5 days hiking the area July 2020.
I am also planning a return trip this year! I think considering current conditions it would be rather wonderful to spend five days at the LBL!