General FAQ

LBL is an 170,000-acre inland peninsula. Approximately 110,000 acres of LBL are in Kentucky and 60,000 acres are in Tennessee. It makes up one of the largest, contiguous blocks of public land in the southeastern United States.

Before modern transportation and developed road systems, many families buried their deceased on small family plots or in community church cemeteries. There are more than 270 known cemeteries in Land Between the Lakes. These cemeteries are remnants of the communities that existed prior to the creation of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Please be respectful of these cemeteries and the importance they represent to the people who once lived here.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is open 24/7 and has no general entrance fee to the recreation area itself. Check our Visit page for full information on each facility hours of operation and fees. See our Passes & Discounts page for information on the interagency passes we accept.

Facilities Open Year-Round:

The Golden Pond Visitor Center, Golden Pond Planetarium, Elk & Bison Prairie, Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area, Wranglers Campground, self-guided tours, Brandon Spring Group Center, self service and basic and dispersed camping areas operate year-round.

Facilities Open Seasonally:

The Woodlands Nature Station, Homeplace Working Farm, North and South Welcome Stations, Piney Campground, Hillman Ferry Campground, and Energy Lake Campground are open seasonally.

Motorized Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM, is a legal document required under the Travel Management Rule that shows trails and roads designated for motor vehicle use.

Our four developed campgrounds offer primitive cabins. Additionally, the surrounding region offers four gateway state parks and multiple private lakeside resorts plus an array of hotel accommodations in our surrounding communities.

Groups can also stay at our year-round, environmental education and recreation facility, Brandon Spring Group Center. Lodging, food service, and programs available. Reservations required.

The Outposts at Hillman Ferry, Piney and Wranglers Campgrounds offer basic amenities. Our major attraction facilities have soda machines and some snacks in their gift shops. You will find gas stations, grocery stores, retail malls, doctors, hospitals, shopping, and restaurants in our surrounding communities.

Land Between the Lakes Rules and Regulations are listed on our website:

• Camping Rules
• General Rules and Regulations
• Hunting Rules

Contact our Friends of Land Between the Lakes volunteer coordinator by phone: 270-924-2007 or email: volunteer@friendsoflbl.org. Check out the Friends of Land Between the Lakes website for more information and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thank you for your interest!

If you are interested in any of these programs, you may e-mail us at lblinfo@usda.gov or call 270-924-2000.

If you find an injured or stray animal in Land Between the Lakes, do not try to help the animal yourself. Keep your distance as the animal may become aggressive or injure you in an attempt to get away. Please call the Woodlands Nature Station at 270-924-2299 or Law Enforcement Office at 270-924-2196.

We require a Special Use Permit for events such as weddings, reunions, and other recreational programs of 70 people or more, research studies, and commercial activities, such as commercial filming and photography. Firewood permits are available all year. Call 1-800-525-7077 or 270-924-2000 for more information, or see our permits page.

Our visitor center, welcome stations, and environmental education attractions close for New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. While some of our campgrounds and environmental education facilities close for the winter season, the recreation area itself is open year-round.

Facilities Open Year-Round:

The Golden Pond Visitor Center, Golden Pond Planetarium, Elk & Bison Prairie, Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area, Wranglers Campground, self-guided tours, Brandon Spring Group Center, self service and basic and dispersed camping areas operate year-round.

Facilities Open Seasonally:

The Woodlands Nature Station, Homeplace Working Farm, North and South Welcome Stations, Piney Campground, Hillman Ferry Campground, and Energy Lake Campground are open seasonally.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or “Drones” on National Forest Systems Lands

Know where to fly:

• Individuals and organizations may fly UAS for hobby or recreational purposes in compliance with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Section 336 of Public Law 112-95).
• UAS must be flown below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles.
• UAS are considered to be both “motorized equipment” and “mechanical transport” as such they cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from congressionally designated Wilderness Areas.
• UAS are not permitted to fly in areas that have “Temporary Flight Restrictions” (TFR) in place.  You can search the FAA website for current TFRs.
• Never fly your UAS over or in close proximity to any fire operation (wildfire or prescribed).  UAS flights over fire operations disrupt aerial firefighting operations and create hazardous situations.
• The Forest Service regularly flies aircraft at low altitudes to perform natural resource management. It is the UAS Operator’s responsibility to be aware of these flights and take the steps necessary to avoid them. Contact the local Ranger District Office or the FAA for scheduled flights in the area.   
• UAS are not allowed in developed campgrounds, facilities or the Elk & Bison Prairie in Land Between the Lakes.

Protect Wildlife & the Environment

• Do not fly over congressionally designated Wilderness Areas or Primitive Areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide.
• Do not fly over or near wildlife as this can create stress that may cause significant harm, and even death. Intentional disturbance of animals during breeding, nesting, rearing of young, or other critical life history functions is not allowed unless approved as research or management.
• Follow state wildlife and fish agency regulations on the use of UAS to search for or detect wildlife and fish.
• Launch the UAS more than 100 meters (328 feet) from wildlife. Do not approach animals or birds vertically with the UAS.

Fly safely, stay in control:

• Keep your UAS within your visual line of sight at all times.
• Take lessons and learn to operate your UAS safely.
• Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations.
• Fly your UAS at least 5 miles from an airport or backcountry airstrip.
• UAS should not be flown over or in close proximity to populated and noise-sensitive areas, such as campgrounds, trail heads, and visitor centers.
• Obey all privacy laws.

Follow Federal Aviation Association (FAA) guidelines:

Do not fly any aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds (total weight, including payload and fuel source).

Ensure that you comply with all FAA regulations and guidance for flying your UAS. The FAA has authority over all airspace.

Electric bikes, or e-Bikes, are considered motorized equipment and can only be operated on designated motorized routes (Forest Service legal roads and OHV trails). They are not permitted on non-motorized (hiking/biking/equestrian) trails. To learn more about our motorized routes, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Q. Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are allowed in Land Between the Lakes but must be on a leash at all times. E-collars are not a substitute for a leash.

There are some facilities where they are not allowed:

• Pets cannot go into the Woodlands Nature Station. However they do provide an outside kennel for your pet while you tour.
• Pets cannot go in the Welcome Stations, Visitor Center or Planetarium.

This does not apply to service animals.