Lake Barkley

Activities

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  Boating

  Lake Barkley's aesthetic shoreline makes it an enjoyable lake for boating and skiing. With six commercial marinas positioned at various locations on the lake, supplies and easy access are made readily available for recreational boaters. While not considered a deep-water lake, Lake Barkley maintains a commercial and secondary navigation buoy system to aid in the safety of commercial and recreation boating. Users unfamiliar with the lake should be aware of un-marked hazards and barge traffic while boating and skiing. Lake Barkley resides in both the state of Kentucky and Tennessee. Kentucky Boating Regulations apply when boating in that state as Tennessee Boating Regulations apply when boating in Tennessee.

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  Camping

  Lake Barkley host 4 campgrounds where an abundance of wildlife can be observed and beautiful scenic views. All locations offer water and electrical hookups. Canal, Eureka, and Hurricane Creek Campgrounds are located on the shores of beautiful Lake Barkely and offer water activities. Bumpus Mills is located in the wooded, rolling hills of western Tennessee and offers 19 sites. Additional amenities include hot showers, swim beach, and a boat launch. An abundance of wildlife can be seen here including the wild turkey. Canal Campground has 110 campsites and visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as well as many other outdoor activities. Canal Campground offers 50-amp electricity, water, sewer sites, playground, accessible restrooms/shower house, telephone, swim beach and a launching ramp. Eureka Campground visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as well as numerous other outdoor activities. It is nestled in the wooded, rolling hills of western Kentucky. The campground offers 23 camping sites with water and electric hookups. Additional amenities include hot showers; dump station, bike trail, playground, boat launch, swim beach, and picnic shelter, public telephone, and a 2.5-mile hiking trail. Hurricane Creek Campground visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as well as several other outdoor activities. The campground offers 51camp sites with water and electric hookups. Additional amenities include hot showers; dump station, swim beach, laundry facilities, playground, public telephone and launching ramp. Each of these locations provide the ultimate setting to watch nature at its best with your family and friends.

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  Climbing

  Rock climbing available in a near by area.

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  Fishing

  With over 57 thousand surface acres of water available for public use, Lake Barkley supports diverse and abundant fish populations. Sportsman licenses for fishing are required in both Kentucky and Tennessee and should be purchased for the State in which you will be enjoying these outdoor activities. Special permits may be obtained in both States for trout fishing. Please check State laws for complete information. Fishing licenses may be purchased over the counter at Bait Stores, Gas Stations, Marinas and Department Stores, which sell sporting goods.

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  Hiking

  There are 4 main trails:Canal Overlook Trail (1mile), Lake Barkley State Park Trail (3miles), Anderson Woodland Trail (.5 miles), and Chestnut Oaks Trail (2.5 miles).

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  Historic Sites

  "The Castle On The Cumberland" it is a favorite among photographers and visitors to Old Eddyville. Though the natives call this building a castle its anything but. Its actually the Kentucky State Penitentiary is located on KY 730 in what is known as Old Eddyville. Built over 100 years ago, this mammoth stone structure towers majestically over Lake Barkley.

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  Hunting

  Hunting on property managed by the Corps of Engineers for the operation of Lake Barkley has become a tradition and is a favorite pastime for many people. The abundance of wildlife at Lake Barkley allows for excellent game.

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  Picnicking

  Lake Barkley has a group picnic shelter, accessible picnic tables and grills, and various other picnic areas. There are seven picnic sites: Cadis, Dover, Dyers Creek, Eddyville, Linton, Old Kuttawa, and Rockcastle. Most of the sites are equipped with a playground and swimming area.

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  Water Sports

  Swimming on Lake Barkley is one of the more popular water-based activities. Swimming is prohibited at launching ramps, mooring points, and posted areas. It is allowed elsewhere, but for safety's sake please swim only in designated areas. These areas are much safer as they are off-limits to boaters. They are surrounded by "boats keep out" buoys and floating orange pipeline. Kuttawa Recreation Area has a sand beach and playground and there is a nominal Day Use Fee.