Visitor Center and Welcome Stations

Golden Pond Visitor Center Hours

• • Open 7 days a week 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
• • Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

North and South Welcome Stations Hours

• • April-October | Open 7 days a week 9am-5pm
• • March and November | Open Wednesday-Sunday 9am-5pm
• • Closed December - February and Thanksgiving Day

Planetarium & Observatory

Golden Pond Planetarium Hours

• • Located in the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Open daily 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Admission:

• • Ages 13 and up: $7
• • Ages 5-12: $4.50
• • 4 and under: free
• • Laser shows: $8​

Program Calendar

• • Most shows are about 40 minutes. Subjects relate to astronomy, weather phenomena, re-created celestial effects, and more! Check out what's showing at the Planetarium!

Discount Package

• • A discount package is good for 7 days for one admission to each location over a 7 day period: Golden Pond Planetarium daytime show, Homeplace 1850s Farm, and Woodlands Nature Station.
• • Adult - $15
• • Child (ages 5-17) - $10

Elk & Bison Prarie

Admission:

• • $5 per enclosed vehicle
• • Purchase one-time entry at the cash/credit machine at the Prairie entrance.
• • You may also purchase one-time entry cards or discounted bulk entry cards at Golden Pond Visitor Center, Welcome Stations, or any day-use facility (3 entry cards - $10, 5 entry cards - $15, Buses/Commercial Vans - $.50 per passenger).

Hours

• • Open from dawn until dusk all year, 7 days a week.

Restrictions

• • Vehicles must be enclosed; pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. are not allowed for safety reasons.

Questions

• • Learn more about the Elk & Bison Prairie.

Annual Permits

Land Between the Lakes Annual Permits

• • Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area Riding Permit- $100
• • Wranglers Horse Trails- $100
• • Basic/Dispersed Camping- $50
• • Hunter Use Permit- $25
• • Golf Cart- $50
• • For full information on Land Between the Lakes day use and annual permits, see our Reservations and Permits page.

Homeplace 1850s Working Farm

Hours of Operation

• • The Homeplace is open (last entry ticket sold at 4:00pm)
• • May - October | 7 days a week 10am-5pm
• • March & November | Wed - Sun | 10am - 5pm
• • Closed Thanksgiving and December-February

Admission

• • Ages 16 and over $7
• • Ages 15 and under: free
• • Higher rates may apply to special events

Discount Package

• • A discount package is good for 7 days for one admission to each location over a 7 day period: Golden Pond Planetarium daytime show, Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, and Woodlands Nature Station.
• • Adult: $15
• • Child (ages 5-17): $10

Woodlands Nature Station

Hours of Operation

• • Woodlands Nature Station is Open (last ticket sold at 4:30pm)
• • April - October | 7 days a week 10am-5pm
• • March & November | Wed - Sun | 10am - 5pm
• • Closed Thanksgiving and December-February

Admission

• • Ages 16 and over $7
• • Ages 15 and under: free
• • Higher rates may apply to special events

Discount Package

• • A discount package is good for 7 days for one admission to each location over a 7 day period: Golden Pond Planetarium daytime show, Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, and Woodlands Nature Station.
• • Adult: $15
• • Child (ages 5-17): $10

Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area

Hours of Operation

• • Riding times are dawn to dark, with permit. Turkey Bay OHV Area is open 7 days a week. Any weather-related closures (such as heavy rains or saturated soil conditions) will be posted on our Alerts page.

Where to Purchase a Riding Permit

• • Turkey Bay OHV Area Gatehouse | Thursday-Sunday, from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
• • Golden Pond Visitor Center | 7 days a week from 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Permit and Camping Costs

• • Annual Riding Permit: $100.
• • 2023 Turkey Bay OHV Area annual riding permits are available for purchase beginning December 1, 2022. Upon purchase, annual permits are valid for riding and will expire on December 31, 2023.
• • 1 to 3 day Riding Permit: $20 (consecutive days from date of purchase)
• • Camping: $12 per night

Wranglers Equestrian Trails

Hours of Operation

• • Open 7 days a week with riding permit.
• • Permit for day use riding: A permit is required for each horse trailer entering Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
• • Get your permit online or at the Wranglers Gatehouse.

Permit Cost

• • Daily fee - $10 (purchase online)
• • Annual pass - $100 (only available for purchase at Wranglers Campground; annual permits valid January 1- December 31)

Guided Horseback Trail Rides by Rocking U Riding Stables

• • Rocking U Riding Stables is located in Wranglers Campground and is open April-October
• • 45 minute trail ride - $30
• • 90 minute trail ride - $40
• • Trail rides leave on the hour with the exception of the noon hour
• • To make a trail ride reservation, call 270-924-2211

Visitor Appreciation Days

Join us through the year for visitor appreciation days!

January 15, 2024 - Martin Luther King Day, Jr. Day

• • Free entry to the Elk & Bison Prairie and Day-Use Riding at Wranglers

February 19, 2024 - President's Day

• • Free entry to the Golden Pond Planetarium

June 8, 2024 - National Get Outdoors Day

• • Free entry to the Woodlands Nature Station and Homeplace 1850s Working Farm

June 19, 2024 - Juneteenth

• • Free entry to Turkey Bay OHV Area and Day-Use riding at Wranglers.

September 21, 2024 - Teacher Appreciation Day

• • Free admission for teachers, retired teachers, home educators and their immediate families to the the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, Woodlands Nature Station and Golden Pond Planetarium (excluding special programming).

September 28, 2024 - National Public Lands Day

• • Free entry to the Woodlands Nature Station and Homeplace 1850s Working Farm

November 11, 2024 - Veterans Day

• • Free entry to the Woodlands Nature Station and Homeplace 1850s working Farm for veterans and their family. One free show at the Golden Pond Planetarium for veterans and their family.