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.
This list of hiking trails at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area includes details, parking locations, and where to fill up your water bottle or bladder before the hike.
Where to Find Water
It’s incredibly ironic that the Land Between the Lakes, surrounded by water from Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, does not have any dependable water sources on the trails. This can easily lead to dangerous dehydration if you don’t do a little planning ahead.
On average an adult should drink 1 liter of water for every 2 hours of hiking. This can vary depending on level of physical fitness and current weather conditions. For each hiking trail below I’ll make some recommendations on where to find the nearest water source, how much you should carry, and what to carry the water in.
Here is a list of all the places to get water at Land Between the Lakes:
- South Welcome Station
- Golden Pond Visitor Center
- North Welcome Station
- Piney Campground
- Wranglers Campground
- Hillman Ferry Campground
- Woodlands Nature Station
- Homeplace 1850s Working Farm
You can, of course, fill a water bottle from either Lake Barkley or Kentucky Lake. I highly recommend using a water filter even if just for a single water bottle. The easiest, though somewhat awkward to use, option is the LifeStraw Personal Filter. I always travel with my LifeStraw Go Water Bottle because the filter is built into the straw; just fill the bottle and go. If you want to fill multiple bottles or large containers, I recommend the Katadyn Hiker Pro; it’ll take a little while, but you’ll have some great, fresh water.
No. 01
Fort Henry Trail
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.
Where to Park
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.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at the South Welcome Station or, if you are a guest, the Piney Campground. For this trail I recommend the CamelBak Thermobak. This 3-liter hydration pack is excellent for staying hydrated on half-day hikes.
No. 02
North-South Trail
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.
Where to Park
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.
Where to Find Water
Only the welcome stations and visitor center have water along this trail. I recommend hiking with the Platypus Big Zip water bladder with 3 liters of water. As long as you are able to refill at the end of each day I think two of these would be enough.
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No. 03
Bear Creek Loop Trail
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.
Where to Park
There is a large parking lot on Woodlands Trace across the road from the South Welcome Station.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at the South Welcome Station before heading out on this trail. I recommend the CamelBak Thermobak. This 3-liter hydration pack is excellent for staying hydrated on half-day hikes.
No. 04
Central Hardwoods Trail
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.
Where to Park
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.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. If you want to hike the entire section I recommend the CamelBak Thermobak 3-liter water bladder. For shorter sections, such as the eastern section I hiked, I recommend the CamelBak Chute.
No. 05
Honker Lake Trail
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.
Where to Park
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.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at Woodlands Nature Station before your hike. I recommend the CamelBak Thermobak 3-liter water bladder or, if you have your own day pack, the Platypus Big Zip 3-liter water bladder.
No. 06
Hematite Lake Trail
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!
Where to Park
There is a small parking area just beyond the Hematite Lake Picnic Area.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at the Woodlands Nature Station. For this short, easy hike I recommend a single CamelBak Chute water bottle.
No. 07
Canal Loop Trail
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.
Where to Park
Though there are a few places to access this trail, the best place to park is the North Welcome Station.
Where to Find Water
Fill up at the North Welcome Station. I recommend the CamelBak Thermobak 3-liter water bladder or, if you have your own day pack, the Platypus Big Zip 3-liter water bladder.
Where to Stay
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.
Budget
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.
Mid-Range
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.
Bed & Breakfast
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.
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!