Camping Adventure at Hillman Ferry Campground

Camping Adventure at Hillman Ferry Campground

It was a long week at work and all I wanted to do was get away and into the woods. Called my friend and we picked a location in between both of us. Hillman Ferry Campground in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area was the perfect place. After some quick texts on who would be bringing what I set out for Hillman Ferry. I arrived and picked a great site located in Loop A right on the water, with a beautiful view of the bay that leads right out to the lake. Sitting next to the beach, just down…
Read More
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”…
Read More
Best 2017 Eclipse Viewing Areas

Best 2017 Eclipse Viewing Areas

View the 2017 total solar eclipse from your favorite spot in Land Between the Lakes!  RECREATION SITE STATE/ COUNTY SUN VISIBLE Y/N BEST VIEW  AT SITE NEAREST  TOILET NEAREST DRINKING  WATER PARKING Kentucky Lake Drive Kentucky/Lyon Yes Visible from any of the vistas Nickell Branch or North Welcome .5 mile North Welcome Station About 7 vehicles per designated pull off North Welcome Kentucky/Lyon Yes Best in the parking lot or the picnic area On site On site 50 slots and 20 bus parking slots Nickell Branch Kentucky/Lyon Yes Large field at entrance, ramp parking lot, and the shoreline On site…
Read More
Solar Eclipse 2017

Solar Eclipse 2017

Update 8/10/2017 Are you planning to view the total solar eclipse from Land Between the Lakes? If so, read more about how you can come prepared to have a safe and enjoyable viewing experience. https://landbetweenthelakes.us/great-american-eclipse-2017-questions-answers/ Update 7/28/2017 We have updated the best viewing locations list across Land Between the Lakes. The chart now shows where the closest drinking water is to the viewing location. Check it out! https://landbetweenthelakes.us/best-2017-eclipse-viewing-areas/ Update 7/25/2017 The Elk & Bison Prairie will open at 3pm on eclipse day. Here's why... https://landbetweenthelakes.us/expected-crowds-delay-opening-elk-bison-prairie-eclipse-day/ Update 7/21/2017 Learn what to expect for the total solar eclipse on August 21! https://landbetweenthelakes.us/total-solar-eclipse-august-21-2017/…
Read More
Hillman Ferry Campground Improvements

Hillman Ferry Campground Improvements

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Camping season is just around the corner so dust off that camping gear! Hillman Ferry, Piney, and Energy Lake Campgrounds open for the 2016 season Tuesday, March 1. Check out the latest improvements, upgrades, and regular maintenance completed at Hillman Ferry Campground over the winter. Two picnic shelters at the Beach, and behind the Outpost were rehabilitated using revenue generated at Hillman Ferry Campground.   Due to poor water distribution during rain events, there were ongoing issues with deteriorating road conditions in A and B loops . Using soil and water restoration funds, capital improvement funds, and…
Read More
Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area Improvements 

Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area Improvements 

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Sites at Birmingham Ferry Backcountry Area were in need of rehabilitation. We knew work had to be done. A portion of the revenue from Backcountry permit sales is set aside for improvement projects. These funds were used to rehabilitate and reinforce campsites at Birmingham Ferry where necessary to reduce erosion. This project was completed in December of 2015. We hope our campers at Birmingham Ferry enjoy the improvements...Happy camping! --Gary  
Read More
Cravens Bay Campground Improvements

Cravens Bay Campground Improvements

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager In May of 2015, several Land Between The Lakes staff met with campers who use Cravens Bay Campground. We wanted to know what was most important to campers at Cravens Bay. Maintenance and the current condition of the bathhouse were the two biggest topics. This meeting resulted in a project list for improvements for Cravens Bay Campground. All sites markers will be replaced. Completed August of 2015. The road drainage was reworked to allow better flow of water in storm events. Completed November of 2015 The current bathhouse will not be replaced but rehabilitated. The interior of the…
Read More
Monitoring Program Update #1

Monitoring Program Update #1

Dear visitors, friends, and stakeholders, The new Forest Service 2012 Planning Rule requires all forests to transition to the new monitoring evaluation program requirements of our fiscal year beginning October 1. As part of this review process we are discussing our monitoring program with members of the public and our stakeholders. Our goal at this step is to develop any needed changes in our monitoring programs to comply with the new planning rule. The new planning rule monitoring requirements cover the following eight areas: Watershed conditions Ecosystems Focal species Federally listed threatened and endangered species, proposed and candidate species, species…
Read More
Colson Hollow Road Upgrade

Colson Hollow Road Upgrade

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Colson Hollow Road 169 Creek Crossing Hardening Project Forest Service Road 169 is the access to Colson Hollow Group Campground. There is a low water creek crossing at the entrance of the developed recreation site. There have been intense storms that have deposited gravel in the crossing that made it difficult for many vehicles to use. The group that maintains the cemetery located at the back of the campground was having trouble using the crossing with mowers after storms. Planning and funding were in place in October of 2015. The creek crossing was stabilized…
Read More
Wranglers Campground Improvements

Wranglers Campground Improvements

By Gary Hawkins, Recreation Program Manager Why make improvements to Wranglers Campground? As a result of hearing from campers at public meetings in 2011, the US Forest Service planned, secured funding and began improving several campsites at Wranglers Campground in 2015. Campsites were upgraded and constructed to accommodate more people and make better use of unused campsites. What improvements were made? Camping season peaks at Wranglers in April and October due to spring and fall breaks and desirable weather conditions. With project planning from the Land Between The Lakes Engineering department and work completed by Envirosmart, Wranglers upgraded services on 17 campsites and constructed 4 new sites…
Read More