Home › Kentucky › Public land › Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Recreation area · 2026-27
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area rules, zones and quota slots
National recreation area in Lyon County and Trigg County: 107,594 acres, Deer Zone 1.
Hunting gearPhoto: Drew Tarvin (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Energy Dam Day Use Area and Boat Ramps at Land Between The LakesBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Center Furnace TrailheadParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Long Creek Trail HeadParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Land Between the Lakes ownership, permits and caveats
Land Between the Lakes takes in Corps of Engineers ground at Barkley Lake.
Sources: eCFR · KDFWR area page; checked November 10, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
The character of Land Between the Lakes
With roughly 107,594 acres in Lyon and Trigg counties, Land Between the Lakes is one of the Purchase Region's public hunting places. Its manager of record is the USDA Forest Service.
In the agency's words, Land Between the Lakes offers this:
- Between Kentucky and Barkley lakes. Access by KY 453 (The Trace) and KY 80. Many secondary roads and trails within area.
- Terrain varies from gently rolling to fairly steep; much of area is forested with many clearings, old farm sites, plantings.
- Special hunting regulations. Scheduled field trials Sept. 1- March 31. For specific information, write Land Between the Lakes, Natural Resource Section, 100 Van Morgan Dr., Golden Pond, KY 42211-9001, or call (270) 924-2065. Hunter Use Permit ($25) required (Hunter Use Permit does NOT include LBL backcountry camping permit). Horseback riding on designated trails. Also hiking, camping, fishing, boating, nature and educational centers, captive elk and bison herd.
About 90 percent of Land Between the Lakes is forest, the largest cover type on record.
Hematite Lake and its marshy shore seen from the trail at Land Between the Lakes
Acres: KDFWR Public Lands Search detail page ("Size: 107594 acres"). Description and habitat from the area record; checked November 10, 2026.
Limits posted for Land Between the Lakes hunters
LBL requires its own LBL hunt permit ($25) with a Kentucky license; LBL deer quota hunts are drawn by computer (301 KAR 2:050); LBL migratory bird hunting closed last Saturday in September – Nov. 30.
- Land Between the Lakes Hunter use permit is required.
- Please Call (270-924-2065) or visit the Land Between the Lakes National Recreational Area’s website for more details including more information about full season dates and bag limits.
- All hunters age 16 and over must have a Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit and applicable state licenses (LBL page; 301 KAR 2:050). Deer: no more than two deer during archery hunts and one during quota hunts; no bait (301 KAR 2:178 Section 8).
Area regulations as printed on the KDFWR area page. Checked November 10, 2026.
Land Between the Lakes season chart for 2026-27
KDFWR lists Land Between the Lakes under "call for details" on the 2026-27 charts; phone the number below before you go.
From the 2026-27 quick reference charts on the KDFWR Public Land Hunting page; footnotes are KDFWR exceptions as printed. Checked November 10, 2026.
Deer zones for Land Between the Lakes
Typical game for this part of Kentucky.
Wild turkeys in a fall wildlife planting along the Woodlands Trace in Lyon County
Land Between the Lakes is a Deer Zone 1 area; the season rows below are the Zone 1 ones.
| County | Deer zone | Zone limit | Zone change | CWD zone | Bear | Elk zone | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon County | Deer Zone 1 | Unlimited antlerless | No | No | None | No | Western |
| Trigg County | Deer Zone 1 | Unlimited antlerless | No | No | None | No | Western |
Zone 1 statewide deer seasons
| Season | Covers | Begins | Ends | Right now | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth, senior crossbow | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth gun | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Early Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Modern gun | Zone 1 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Zone 1 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Free youth weekend | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | Guide p. 12 |
Dates above are the Zone 1 framework, not a promise that Land Between the Lakes is open every day of them.
Zones from 301 KAR 2:172 and the KDFWR deer zone layer; dates from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Draw hunts scheduled on Land Between the Lakes
Additional quota entries for Land Between the Lakes:
- LBL Kentucky adult deer quota hunts Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 20-22, 2026; youth-only quota hunt Oct. 23-25, 2026 (LBL Hunting and Fishing page)
Land Between the Lakes draws its own deer quota hunts by computer and needs its own hunt permit; they are separate from the KDFWR quota table.
Quota hunts from the KDFWR Quota Hunts page and the Guide p. 34; checked November 10, 2026. Every Kentucky quota hunt · how the draws work.
Big game zones touching Land Between the Lakes
Elk rules
Because Land Between the Lakes is not in the elk zone, the out-of-zone elk permit and deer season dates are what count.
CWD from the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone; bear from 301 KAR 2:300; elk from 301 KAR 2:132; checked November 10, 2026. CWD zone · bear zones · elk zone.
County harvest context for Land Between the Lakes
KDFWR does not publish harvest by public area, so these are county Telecheck totals for the counties around Land Between the Lakes (2025-26 license year). Trigg County checked 1,804 deer in 2025-26, placing 24th in Kentucky.
| County | Telecheck deer | Place | Turkey | Bear | Elk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon County | 853 | 74th | 264 | – | – |
| Trigg County | 1,804 | 24th | 470 | – | – |
KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck, license years); spring turkey by calendar spring; checked November 10, 2026.
Nearest towns and KDFWR contacts for Land Between the Lakes
Grand Rivers, roughly 14 miles out, is the first town you reach from Land Between the Lakes on this site. Cadiz counts 2,741 residents (2024), more than any other town in the table. Murray, 19 miles away, holds the closest KDFWR office. KDFWR's Purchase Region line: (270) 577-6374.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rivers | Livingston | 345 | 14 miles | northwest |
| Cadiz | Trigg | 2,741 | 14 miles | east |
| Kuttawa | Lyon | 674 | 14 miles | north |
| Dexter | Calloway | – | 15 miles | southwest |
| Eddyville | Lyon | 2,332 | 15 miles | north |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); KDFWR offices from the KDFWR contact page and the regional biologists map; businesses from services.json listings (call ahead); straight-line miles. Checked November 10, 2026.
Where Land Between the Lakes sits among nearby areas
Kenlake State Resort Park is the nearest neighbour, 7 miles to the southwest. The nearest six break down as 3 wildlife management areas, 2 state parks and 1 national wildlife refuge.
| Public land | Kind | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenlake State Resort Park | State park | 1,591 | Calloway | 7 miles | southwest |
| Lake Barkley State Resort Park | State park | 3,304 | Trigg | 9 miles | east |
| Lake Barkley WMA | WMA | 907 | Lyon | 11 miles | southeast |
| Kentucky Lake WMA | WMA | 4,044 | Calloway | 19 miles | south |
| Beechy Creek WMA | WMA | 119 | Calloway | 21 miles | south |
| Clarks River NWR | Refuge | 11,852 | Graves | 21 miles | west |
Point: KDFWR Public Hunting Areas layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Earliest and latest legal shots at Land Between the Lakes
Land Between the Lakes clocks fall back on November 1, 2026 and spring ahead on March 14, 2027, shifting every time in this table by an hour across those dates.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | General hours | Migratory birds | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 6:26 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | CDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 6:37 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 6:54 a.m. | 6:24 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:54 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:24 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:00 a.m. | 6:15 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. | CDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 6:29 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:41 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 6:44 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 6:56 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:01 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:03 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | CST |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Bring these along to Land Between the Lakes
Land Between the Lakes hunters get four items suited to a Kentucky year, from the September bow opener to February rabbits.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
From the September bow opener to the January close, a climbing stand earns its keep.
Chest waders
Waterfowl hunters along the Ohio and Mississippi bottoms pack chest waders.
Squirrel call
Squirrel season stretches from late summer into winter, and a squirrel call lasts through it.
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area: the range on site
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area has 1 listed range of its own: Golden Pond Target Range (Land Between the Lakes).
From the KDFWR range layer and permit list, club sites and directory listings, checked November 10, 2026.
Golden fog over the Cumberland River at Land Between the LakesPhoto: Research & Remixes (CC BY 2.0)
Calm lake water and wooded shore at Land Between the LakesPhoto: Drew Tarvin (CC BY 2.0)
Hunters ask, the records answer: Land Between the Lakes
Are bears open game on Land Between the Lakes?
No, the area is outside the bear zones.
Which elk rule applies at Land Between the Lakes?
The out-of-zone elk permit, during deer seasons.
Is Land Between the Lakes a big area?
It runs to 107,594 acres by the record.
Where do Land Between the Lakes hunters stock up?
Grand Rivers is nearest, roughly 14 miles off.
Start and stop times for hunting Land Between the Lakes?
Most game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks and geese end at sunset.
How do I contact KDFWR about Land Between the Lakes?
Try (270) 924-2065 first, then the regional coordinator on (270) 577-6374.
Any added paperwork for Land Between the Lakes?
Yes, its own LBL hunt permit ($25) along with a Kentucky license.
Which of the four deer zones covers Land Between the Lakes?
Zone 1 rules apply (unlimited antlerless).
Do I need a draw to hunt Land Between the Lakes?
Not for deer: no deer quota hunt is listed there this season.
Do CWD carcass limits apply at Land Between the Lakes?
Not inside the area itself, since its counties are outside the zone.
Double-checking plans for Land Between the Lakes
Report a poaching case on Land Between the Lakes to KDFWR law enforcement; the KDFWR Information Center is (800) 858-1549.
Sources: KDFWR area page · KDFWR page · KDFWR map layer · KDFWR PDF · LBL hunting page · 301 KAR 2:050; seasons from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Other photos on this page: Jeff Laird (posted by Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area) (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Jason Lupardus (National Wild Turkey Federation, posted by Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area) (Public Domain Mark 1.0).