Fall is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the great outdoors.  The temperatures cool off a bit, and the humidity and bugs of summer disappear.   It is the perfect time of year to hike the area trails, take in a bike ride or scenic drive, and enjoy time outdoors.  Here are the top 8 reasons to visit Kentucky Lake in the Fall.

Fishing

With cooler temperatures, fall is a pleasant time to get out on the water.  As the lake temperature cools your fishing strategy may change, but there is still plenty of good fishing on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.  Hire a guide or read our fishing tips and enjoy a day out on the water.

Fall Color

With more than 150,000 acres of forest, Land Between The Lakes is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular mix of autumn color.  Blackgums, sumacs, and Virginia creepers turn bright shades of red; sassafras turns a brilliant orange; tulip poplars and hickories turn shades of yellow; oaks turn red, brown, or russet; while maples and sweetgums display the most vibrant colors including fiery reds, yellows, and oranges. Find trails to hike and bike,  scenic drives,  bugling Elk, and more at Land Between the Lakes website.

Trail of Tears Century Ride

Get Ready to ride.  The Annual Trail of Tears Century Bike Ride takes place on Saturday, October 20th.  This beautiful and challenging course winds through Livingston County. Distances are 16, 32, 48, and 100 miles. A large portion of the full 100-mile course follows the original Trail of Tears route.  Find registration information online here.  We ride at 8AM!

Run LBL

Are you a runner?  Run LBL offers a challenging and beautiful half-marathon and 10K road course. Both events start at Lighthouse Landing, beside the shoreline of beautiful Kentucky Lake. Runners quickly make their way to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, and on to the aptly named Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive. The course circles back, and finishes in Grand Rivers.  The 2018 Run LBL is scheduled for Saturday, October 27.  Find registration information online here.

Fall Festival

For over thirty years, on the second Saturday in October the village of Grand Rivers celebrates small-town community life with an old fashion fall festival.  This Famous Fall Festival features a taste of the lakes food vending area, craft and flea market vendors, Little Mr. and Miss Pageant, children’s Halloween costume parade, children’s games and activities, live music, and the big parade. The 2018 Hunters Moon date is Saturday, October 13.

Badgett Playhouse Theater

Rated the number one attraction in Grand Rivers by TripAdvisor,  the Badgett Playhouse offers music shows and mystery dinner theaters in October.  The must-see Christmas Spectacular starts the first weekend in November and runs on various dates through December.  Find the full Badgett Playhouse fall schedule online here.

Play Golf

Fall offers a nice change of pace from the hot and humid days of summer.  Spend time on the golf course and enjoy not only the refreshing temperatures but also stunning fall color.  Check out our area golf courses and get in a couple of rounds before winter sets in.

Travel Discounts and Packages

Many lake area hotels and resorts offer discounts and packages for the fall and winter seasons.  Lighthouse Landing Resort on Kentucky Lake is offering a 20% discount if you stay two nights or more during the week, Sunday through Thursday, Oct 1 till Oct 31. Patti’s Inn and Suites has a hotel plus Badgett Playhouse tickets package.  Visit our lodging page for a full list of Livingston County hotels, resorts, and campgrounds.

Ready to make your plans for a Kentucky Lake fall getaway?  Visit our Lodging pageAttractions page, and calendar of events.