Kentucky might be better known for spirited Thoroughbreds than spotted bass, but with more miles of flowing water than any other state except Alaska, the Bluegrass State also has lots of other blue stuff. Much of that cooling water is contained in two huge lakes bordering Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, about 50 miles southeast of Paducah. Set between Kentucky Lake and…
Lake Barkley, the 1700,000-acre recreational areas contains historic sites, wildlife preserves, hiking trails, slate parks-and hundreds of miles of shoreline perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, and skiing. In addition to water-themed fun. Lake Barkley State Resort Park on the recreational area’s eastern edge offers golfing, biking, camping, birding, and one of the South’s most elegant state resort lodgers.
STAY: Architect Edward Dureil Stone (designer of Radio City Music Hall) drew the plans for the lake Barkley Resort Lodge. There are lake views from most of its 120 rooms. Rates from $100: parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/lake-barkley
PLAN YOUR VISIT: Lake Barkley State Resort Park: parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/lake-barkley
