Land Between the Lakes offers an extensive network of trails for backpacking adventures through the rolling hills, scenic lakeshores, and forests of Western Kentucky and Tennessee. From a long portion of the North/South Trail to a historic loop in the Fort Henry Trails, there’s a perfect campsite for everyone.
Backpacking is the activity of traveling/hiking/walking from one place to another while carrying your clothes and other things you need in a backpack. A backpacker at Land Between the Lakes carries all their camping equipment and personal belongings in a backpack on their back while walking via a hiking trail in order to camp one or more nights. Backpackers generally travel along the trail to a different location by foot each day.
Water is not available on trails. There are a few seasonal springs. You must carry water and/or bring a filter to use when you find water. Water is available at Golden Pond Visitor Center and dump stations in Land Between the Lakes.
Please note that parking a vehicle and carrying supplies by hand to a campsite along a trail is not considered backpacking.
Trails where overnight backpacking is allowed:
- Canal Loop Trail
- North/South Trail-North End
- North/South Trail-South End
- Fort Henry Trails