Wildlife Viewing

Best Places to View: Honker Lake, Kentucky Dam, Lake Barkley Dam, Empire Point, Boswell Landing, Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Best Time of Year to View: November - February. Peak is in January

Viewing Tips: Good numbers of eagles are often found along the Northwestern bays of LBL, but you can find good views at locations with high waterfowl concentrations like Honker Lake and the two large dams’ tailwaters. On warm days, look for eagles out towards the points of the bays. On cold, windy days, search in the trees in the back of the bay. 

Land Between the Lake's 300-miles of undeveloped and forested shorelines and proximity to the Mississippi Flyway make it an ideal destination for catching a glimpse of bald eagles’ courtship flight, squadrons of pelicans, or loons lazily riding the waves. Winter is the second-best time for wildlife viewing in Land Between the Lakes, as it brings a whole host of bird species to our unfrozen waters.  

• Learn More About Winter Eagle Viewing tips at Land Between the Lakes!
• Bald Eagle Fact Sheet

Note: Eagles are still federally protected. Eagle viewers must keep their distance from an eagle roost or eagle's nest at all times.

Best Places to View: Elk & Bison Prairie, South Bison Range

Best Time of Year: For elk, September -November during the rut. Also, in winter months, they can more easily be seen during the day. For bison, May during calving season, August during breeding season. 

Best time of Day: An hour prior to dusk, avoiding the heat of the day.

Viewing Tips: Avoid the middle of the day, choose to go either in early morning or early evening.  Take the driving loop slowly in the Elk & Bison Prairie, you may miss the light movement of an ear that would reveal a large bull elk. Often a second trip around the loop may give a better perspective and chance to see these two species. Binoculars are always a plus.  Wild turkeys, cattle egrets, and colorful songbirds can be quite easy to see and identify in both places.

Once upon a time, the core of Land Between the Lakes had large herds of elk & bison. These populations disappeared in the early 1800's. In 1996, Land Between the Lakes restored the prairie barrens that once dominated its ridgetops. Small herds of bison can be found in two locations, and a herd of elk roams the Elk & Bison Prairie, right off Highway 68/80.  The prairie offers a myriad of species to view, including colorful grassland songbirds, butterflies, and fall wildflowers. 

Note: Both the elk and bison are large wild animals, they are not tame. Do not get out of your vehicle when they are around.

• Elk & Bison Prairie Fact Sheet

Best Places to See in Spring/ Summer: Hematite Trail, Woodlands Nature Station, Twin Lakes, Long Creek wildlife refuge, Elk & Bison Prairie, Fort Henry Trails, back section of Energy Lake

Best Places to See Fall/ Winter: Honker Lake, Kentucky & Lake Barkley Dam tailwaters, Energy Lake Dam, Long Creek Wildlife Refuge, South Bison Range. Large numbers of hummingbirds can be seen every August at the Woodlands Nature Station and South Welcome Station.

Best Time of Year: Late march to mid-June, Peak: late April/ early May. Late November-February, Peak: mid-December to mid-January. Hummingbird migration peak is in mid-August.

Viewing Tips: Warm weather birds are most active at dawn and dusk with good lighting. Winter birding can be more determined by weather.  Windy and foggy days should be avoided. Paddling a shoreline may give the birder his/her best opportunities to see some birds up close.

Over 250 species of birds have been documented in Land Between the Lakes.  Land Between the Lakes is a lengthy corridor with diverse habitats, undeveloped shorelines, and undisturbed acreage. This gives the birder ample opportunity to spot something for the "life list". 

Note: While birding, please do not approach nests, as nervous nestlings may bolt and fall out of the nest with tragic consequences.

• Birding Checklist

Best Places to See: Spring: Hematite Lake Trail, Fort Henry Trails, Redd Hollow, North/South Trail between Sugar Bay and Smith Bay. Summer: Hematite Lake Trail, Honker Lake, Energy Lake (best seen by paddling), Fall: Elk & Bison Prairie, Woodlands Trace (Mile marker 12-19).

Best Time of Year: Peak spring ephemerals - dogwoods/red buds April 1-15th. Summer: Peak is around July 4th, the American lotus blooms on Honker Lake at the beginning of July. Fall: Mid-September to mid-October. Monarch migration also occurs at this time. 

Viewing Tips: Wildflower sites on the south end tend to bloom sooner than the ones on the north end, so plan accordingly. 

Each warm season brings Land Between the Lakes bouquets of wildflowers. Over 2,000 species of plants put down roots here, including some rare beauties.  Sunshine-filled forest floors pop out spring ephemerals, while summer roadside prairies with yellow, white, and purples attracting great emergences of butterflies and bumblebees.  Fall flowers along the Woodland Trace acts as a natural highway for thousands of migrating monarch butterflies.

Best Places to See: Spring: Hematite Lake Trail, Fort Henry Trails, Redd Hollow, North/South Trail between Sugar Bay and Smith Bay. Summer: Hematite Lake Trail, Honker Lake, Energy Lake (best seen by paddling), Fall: Elk & Bison Prairie, Woodlands Trace (Mile marker 12-19).

Best Time of Year: Peak spring ephemerals - dogwoods/red buds April 1-15th. Summer: Peak is around July 4th, the American lotus blooms on Honker Lake at the beginning of July. Fall: Mid-September to mid-October. Monarch migration also occurs at this time. 

Viewing Tips: Wildflower sites on the south end tend to bloom sooner than the ones on the north end, so plan accordingly. 

Note: Please do not pick the wildflowers, this often damages their growth and possibly kills them. We want them there for the next visitor to see and enjoy.

Best Places to See: Woodlands Trace, Woodlands Nature Watch, Honker Lake Trail, Jenny Ridge Road (Road 145), Road 206, Fort Henry Road and Bear Creek Loop of the Fort Henry Trails.

Best Time of Year: Peak of fall colors usually falls between mid-October to mid-November.

Viewing Tips: Pay attention to weather patterns in summer and early fall to determine when peak will be. A dry summer/ fall can mean an early peak. Warm and wet weather can push it back later.

Traveling back roads will showcase the most vivid colors for any "leaf peeper" out there.  The diversity of trees and habitats will make it worth the trip.  Bottomland forests will reveal the greatest color varieties with orange sugar maples, red gums, and yellow paw paws dotting streamside strolls. Golden oaks, scarlet sumacs, and yellow hickories dominate the eyes driving back-road ridges.  

Best Places to See Dark Sky: Honker Dam, Golden Pond Observatory, Colson Hollow, Empire Point,

Best Times to See Dark Sky: Both Summer and Winter months offer different opportunities with great views

Best Places to See a Sunrise: Eggner's Ferry Bridge, Bobcat Point

Best Places to See a Sunset: Eggner's Ferry Bridge, Energy Lake, Kentucky Lake Scenic Loop, Ginger Bay

Viewing Tips: Be sure to check on the internet prior to going out and be there a half hour ahead of time.

An often forgotten and rare resource is "Dark Sky," the ability to see the cosmos without interference of artificial light.  Land Between the Lakes offers some unique opportunities gaze into the night sky at all times of the year. Being surrounded by water can also provide visitors some amazing jaw-dropping sunrises and sunsets.

Best Places to Paddle for Wildlife: Honker Lake, the back section of Energy Lake, Taylor Bay, Kuttawa Landing, Ginger Bay, Gatlin Point, Fulton Bay

Best Time of Year: Many of these locations are best in late spring and summer. Taylor Bay is an excellent fall paddle.  

Viewing Tips: Quiet approaches with a kayak or canoe can give you the best results in viewing wildlife from water.  Migration peaks will give you the best opportunities.

With 300-miles of undeveloped shoreline, Land Between the Lakes has an immense water trails system.  You can find hidden treasures on every mile, but certain locations carry a high diversity for the wildlife viewer.  

Note: Please pay attention to signage or dates on maps as many of these locations become wildlife refuges are closed during that period to paddlers.  Do not approach nesting birds, as the chicks may get scared and jump out of the nest into the water below with tragic circumstances.