John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints

Land Between The Lakes, Kentucky and Tennessee

Location

Land Between The Lakes, often simply referred to as LBL, is situated in western Kentucky and Tennessee. It is the peninsula of land which extends northwards from Tennessee into Kentucky, created by two artificial lakes. To the west lies Kentucky Lake and to the east lies Lake Barclay.

What to See and Do

Land Between the Lakes, administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), is a recreational, mainly wooded area of about 170,000 acres.

The Trace (not to be confused with the completely separate Natchez Trace Parkway) is a scenic, paved road which runs north-south through the Land Between The Lakes and which takes in most of the main things to see.

The Homeplace is a reconstructed pioneer farm which is well worth a visit.

Kentucky Dam, at the north end of the Trace, is worth a look.

This all too brief description, based on a visit made some years ago, sadly does not do Land Between The Lakes justice as it has many other aspects which will appeal to visitors.

Jim Ames of Michigan City, Indiana, sent me email messages in which he describes with great enthusiasm why he so enjoys visiting Land Between The Lakes (reproduced here with his kind permission):

I have visited, camped, fished, explored and generally enjoyed this park for several years, ten to be exact. This park is one of the finest examples of being able to do whatever you wish in the United States. No matter what you want to do it's available. From 4-wheeling to fishing, to horseback riding, to hiking, it's there. Kentucky Lake is the only lake I personally can support catch and release fishing. This is because you will catch way more fish than you will ever want to clean. The towns close to the park are filled with friendly people. If you ever get a chance to visit this park, I highly recommend it.

I live by Lake Michigan in Indiana and it is about a 450 mile drive for me to get to Land Between The Lakes and I have never been disappointed going there. I need to get away from all the phones and work I have to do around here. If I go fishing on a local lake and the fish are not biting, I tend to think of all the work I could be doing at home. Then I end up loading the boat on the trailer and coming home. At Kentucky Lake I'm too far away to load the boat up and come home, so I can slow down and relax.

What I like about the Land Between The Lakes is the variety of the campgrounds in the park. When I mentioned 4-wheeling and horse back riding, that is what they have - separate campgrounds for each with all kinds of trails.

My nephews went with me this spring and took their dirt bikes along, and a 400 4-wheeler for me. I can personally attest to the fact that those trails are totally awesome. A few of the hills I could not handle but my nephews loved them. My idea of fun is not having to wear a lot of protective padding. They on the other hand enjoy wearing all the protective equipment and plan on falling off and dumping their motorcycles. That is not my idea of fun but I'm not in my 20's anymore. At 47 I think I have more sense.

Once again I can not overstate the fishing on Kentucky Lake, it is the best I have ever found and I've fished all over this country. You will have to support catch and release or take along someone just to clean fish. Another good thing about Kentucky Lake is that at a lot of the campgrounds your boat can stay in the water for your complete stay. No loading and unloading the boat every day, because that is a hassle.

Some Ideas for Places to Stay

Bowling Green (some considerable distance away - a nearer town might be a better choice)
As Jim describes above, there are campgrounds within the park.

In the Area

Fort Donelson National Military Park
Mammoth Cave National Park (some distance away)

Controversy

Throughout its existence Land Between The Lakes has generated considerable controversy. Many of the residents who were displaced by its creation naturally feel resentful of that event and remain so to this day.

There is also considerable discussion at the moment regarding future plans for Land Between The Lakes, particularly as to whether TVA's increasing emphasis on creating money-making commercial attractions within LBL should continue, a policy at odds with the original intention of creating the area for natural preservation and education purposes. As well as commercial logging, there have apparently even been proposals for building such monstrosities as a golf course, a resort hotel and a theme park.