Some of the best family memories are built around family activities. Share your love for nature with your kids and spend time bonding in the great outdoors.
Nature offers up a vast stage for family connections with opportunities to play, discover, learn, and challenge yourself. You can feed your sense of adventure together or just unwind and relax.
You can enjoy warm beach days, exploratory hikes through the woods, playtime on the water, and more. We have a wide-ranging list of outdoor fun ideas.
So review our list of family fun ideas together with your kids, have everyone pick out a favorite, and start bonding and planning your family vacation. The simplest pleasures often create the fondest memories.
Say Hello to the Trees
The Land Between The Lakes offers miles and miles of hiking trails for every age to enjoy. Bringing a bucket, nets, binoculars and your camera can add interaction and fun to your explorations. Water is not available on trails. Make sure and take water out with you, and use tick repellent spray before heading out in the woods. A few of our favorite trails for families include –
Woodland Walk – An easy, wooded trail winding through the forests and along the shoreline of Honker Lake. Enjoy a picnic at the trail head’s picnic shelter! Length: 1.0 mile
Hematite Lake Trail – Located near The Nature Station, this easy walk around Hematite Lake offers a chance to see migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of our picnic tables at the trailhead. Length: 2.2 miles
Long Creek National Recreation Trail – Located near The Nature Station, this paved trail is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. Length: 0.2 miles paved
Canal Loop Trail- D Connector – In the north end, this series of connecting trails provide walks ranging from 1.5 miles to 14 miles. The D Connector part of the trail is accessible at the North Welcome Station. One of Land Between The Lakes most popular trails, because it offers spectacular lake views.
Learn About Nature
Get up close and personal with the natural world with a visit to The Nature Station in Land Between The Lakes. The station features a backyard exhibit area, and a calendar full of special programs.
Located between Honker and Hematite Lakes, the Nature Station also serves as a gateway to the 8,500-acre Nature Watch Area. Call to find out which animals, insects, plants, or habitat we will feature that day 270-924-2299.
Pack a lunch and plan a full day as The Nature Station also rents canoes and kayaks from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, and several scenic hiking trails embark from The Woodlands Nature Station.
Learn About The Planets
Enjoy a variety of entertaining and educational programs at Land Between The Lakes Golden Pond Planetarium. Most shows are about 40 minutes. Show Subjects relate to astronomy and re-create celestial effects in the 40-foot domed theater. Popular laser light shows begin the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Planetarium is a 25-minute drive from the Nature Station.
Spend Time on the Farm
The Homeplace is Land Between the Lakes gives your family a glimpse of life on the farm in the 1850’s. When you visit the Homeplace, you find interpreters in period clothing going about their daily chores. A visit to the Homeplace blends the perfect mix of artifacts, restored historic log cabin structures, farm animals, and traditional seasonal activities to step you back in time to relive history before the Civil War.
Spend Time on the Water
Land Between The Lakes offers lake access at designated Backcountry Camping Areas. Moss Creek Day on the north end of Land Between the Lakes is a favorite swimming area. Here you will find a few picnic tables, grills, and Kentucky Lake access. Bring your water shoes if you plan to get your feet wet. The natural beach areas are rock and pebble beaches. the
For a day out on the water, Green Turtle Bay offers a fleet of Avalon luxury pontoon boats and Alumacraft fishing boats. Find rates and information on th Green Turtle Bay website.
Share The Music You Love
The Badgett Playhouse in Grand Rivers is the must-see show in Western Kentucky. Rated the number one attractions for Grand Rivers on TripAdvisor, Summer schedule includes the Fabulous 50’s Show, Super 60’s Show, The 70’s Show, Awesome 80’s Show and more. Share the music of your era with your kids with two full hours of singing, dancing, and a live band. Check the Badgett Playhouse website to find out the schedule for your vacation dates – no matter what is playing, you will have a great time.
Ready to Plan your Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Family Vacation? Make sure and check out our attractions page, and lodging page.
