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Camping and More at Land Between The Lakes
With more than 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, over 500 improved RVing
campsites, and 170,000 acres of rolling forest, it's no surprise that camping is
one of the most popular activities at USDA Forest Service's Land Between The
Lakes (LBL). But camping in this western Kentucky and Tennessee National
Recreation Area is more than just spending the night under the stars.
LBL
has three developed family campgrounds: Hillman Ferry in the north end, Piney in
the south, and Energy Lake, northeast of the Golden Pond Visitors Center. All
have improved scenic campsites along the lakeshore, as well as in shaded woods.
While Hillman and Piney offer RVing amenities like water, electric, and sewer
hookups, they also feature a wide array of recreational and environmental
education activities and programs.
LBL also has one of the region's largest
horse camps, Wranglers Campground. Wranglers features 100 miles of horse and
wagon trails, an outpost center, stalls, tack, hay/feed and farrier service, and
virtually everything horse and rider need for a holiday of camping and trail
riding. Wranglers Campground also offers guided horse trail rides for LBL
visitors.
Campers can explore LBL's lakes, trails, and visitor attractions,
but those staying at Hillman and Piney also have access to many activities not
open to other LBL visitors. In the summer, these two campgrounds offer swimming,
volleyball, softball, basketball, Frisbee, arts and crafts programs and live
music. The majority of these activities are free for the campers staying at the
campground. Bike rentals have also been added to the amenities offered.
Both
Hillman Ferry and Piney Campgrounds rent adult and children's mountain bikes. In
addition to the old logging roads and fire access lanes that stretch through
LBL, there are mountain bike trails available on the north end of LBL.
"One
of the best ways to see LBL is by bicycle because you have access to areas that
most visitors never see." explained Kristy Barnes, Recreation Technician in
charge of Piney Campground.
The Western Kentucky and Tennessee region is rich
with a vibrant history, native wildlife, and natural beauty. Numerous visitor
attractions await at the Land Between The Lakes: The Homeplace living history
farm, Woodlands Nature Station environmental education center, the Elk &
Bison Prairie wildlife viewing area, and the Golden Pond Planetarium &
Observatory. These four facilities join LBL's other fascinating
attractions-including the ruins of the Great Western Iron Furnace, the South
Bison Range, and the Golden Pond Visitor Center-to make it a place worth
visiting.
The Homeplace, located in the southern portion of LBL, allows
visitors to experience life much as it was in mid-19th century rural America.
Through a blending of artifacts, historic structures, and the re-creation of
farm activities, the Homeplace gives visitors a glimpse of the traditions and
lifestyles of this era in American history. As Homeplace Facility Manager Darrin
Samborski noted, "The Homeplace doesn't just bring history to life, it brings it
into the here and now."
In addition to re-creating such daily activities as
cultivating and harvesting tobacco, working farm animals, and household chores,
The Homeplace also spotlights social events of the period: a Pickin' Party, a
traditional July Fourth celebration, and an 1850s Wedding and the fall Harvest
Celebration. The Nature Station provides an up-close look at the outdoors with
live plant and animal exhibits.
"We offer guided hikes and investigations
along trails, streams, ponds, and lakes, as well as canoe trips and other
programs that teach about the wildlife found in LBL," said Nature Station Lead
Interpreter John Pollpeter. The Nature Station offers special events throughout
the year. In the winter, the most popular events are guided bald eagle tours,
which take visitors to see the migratory bald eagle population wintering in the
LBL.
The Elk & Bison Prairie is a 700-acre area restored to the native
prairie habitat that thrived in Western Kentucky and upper Middle Tennessee more
than 200 years ago. Native wildlife, such as elk and bison, inhabit the prairie.
Visitors can take a self-guided driving tour along a 3.5-mile road that features
three interpretive stops.
The Golden Pond Planetarium located in the Golden
Pond Visitor Center features an 81-seat theater and state-of-the-art planetarium
shows several times daily during the LBL operating season. It is open Mar.
1-Dec. 21, and admission is $3 for ages 13 & up, $2 for ages 5-12, and 4
& under, free. The Homeplace and Nature Station are open Mar. 1-Nov. 30;
admission is the same as for the planetarium. The Elk & Bison Prairie is
open year-round, dawn to dusk; admission is $3 per vehicle.
Special fees
apply for some of the events and camping facilities. For more info on camping
and attractions, call 800-LBL-7077. Camping information and maps are also
available on the LBL website at www.lbl.org.
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