The 2023 Geocache Challenge is still going…will you take the challenge?

The 2023 Geocache Challenge is still going…will you take the challenge?

If you’ve never done a Geocache and would like a fun reason to hike outside on the Land Between the Lakes, here’s your chance to do that and earn a really cool, solid bronze, challenge coin! There are only 25 of these limited coins left as only 200 were minted! The rules are simple: find the six geocache locations, take out one metal tree tag from each, return the six metal tree tags from each box at one time to the Golden Pond Visitor’s Center on the Land Between the Lakes (where Highway 68/80 and the Trace meet). In exchange,…
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2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge: Communities Between the Rivers

2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge: Communities Between the Rivers

The 2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge begins Sunday, May 7  at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area! The 2023 Communities Between the Rivers Heritage Challenge Coin The annual Heritage Geocache Challenge is put on by the Heritage Program at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area as part of our outreach to the public, to get people to explore their forest and their history, and to share the unique heritage of the families from Between the Rivers. About the GeocachesThis is the eighth year of the Heritage Geocache Challenge at the Land Between the Lakes and, like in previous years,…
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The Land Between the Lakes 2022 Heritage Geocache Challenge: The Heritage of Wildlife Conservation

The Heritage Geocache Challenge begins Friday, June 10, 2022 at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The Wildlife Conservation Heritage Challenge Coin The annual Heritage Geocache Challenge is put on by the Heritage Program at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area as part of our outreach to the public, to get people to explore their forest and their history, and to share the unique heritage of the families from Between the Rivers. About the GeocachesThis is the sixth year of the Heritage Geocache Challenge at the Land Between the Lakes and, like in previous years, we like people…
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Dusk till Dawn

Dusk till Dawn

I looked east and spotted the orange glow piercing through the oaks still leafless from the long winter nights. I turned right from the trailhead and regained my footing as I reached a muddy path. I slipped and contorted in many ways as I tried to maintain my footing. My mind kept racing, “warm thoughts, warm thoughts,” but it did nothing to stop my now uncontrollable shivering. Only a madman could be up in these conditions for my specific agenda. I stumbled in the half-morn light crashing heavily on a twig. The crack pierced the cold morning air and a…
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Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Where will you be August 21, 2017? The Great American Eclipse will pass through Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on August 21, 2017. A total solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in Western Kentucky, as nearby Hopkinsville is the closest city to the point of greatest totality. What to expect? We are anticipating over 50,000 visitors at Land Between the Lakes. All campsites which can be reserved have been booked and most local lodging is full. Basic and self-service camping are still available. Please get your permits online before you…
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Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Dear Campers, You may have noticed a recent name change of your favorite Backcountry Campground on our maps. Here is the reason… In 2000 when the US Forest Service assumed management of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, the decision was made to keep the backcountry permit system for the smaller campgrounds created by the Tennessee Valley Authority. These campgrounds are small and have less amenities than the large, developed campgrounds such as Hillman Ferry, Piney and Wranglers. Since Land Between the Lakes is now part of the National Forest System, the camping areas referred to as “backcountry areas”…
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Open lands-Helping Wildlife Survive

Open lands-Helping Wildlife Survive

Dear friends, As part of our Land and Resource Management Plan, we designated approximately 10,600 acres as open lands. This acreage specifically supports insects, game animals, grassland type birds, and mammals through open lands management. Managing open lands involves keeping desired vegetation in an early stage of growth. We do this by cultivating and planting our wildlife plantings and cropland areas. We maintain grassland type habitat primarily by mowing, disking, prescribed fire and herbicide applications. These open land types provide food and shelter for hundreds of species at Land Between the Lakes. Since the turn of the 21st Century, natural…
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Sustainable Recreation Arrives

Sustainable Recreation Arrives

Dear Friends, Over these past four years we have been adjusting and adapting our programs and services in order to balance our budget as it “down sized.”  We’re in better shape than other Forest Service units because of our prioritizing strategies we worked on together in our 2012 Budget Reduction Open Houses. Today we want to include you in our part of the region-wide effort to achieve sustainable recreation. Sustainable Recreation = Recreation that Lasts Our regional facilities budget has decreased by more than half and our recreation operations budget has gone down by 12 percent since 2012. We are…
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Land Between the Lakes Geocache Challenge

Land Between the Lakes Geocache Challenge

Visitors claimed all 100 geocache coins recently. This year’s challenge is over. The geocaches at Land Between the Lakes were more than just GPS points, though. They highlighted important historic locations and gave geocachers a chance to explore the area. We received numerous comments from participants. Take a moment to read a few. KY Hiker On Fulton Furnace “Our second of the day and loved the hike to this location. Outstanding history lesson and special cache challenge. To make it interesting we hiked a different way out and did more exploring on this perfect day. Loving this Challenge and the…
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