Just because temperatures have dropped and snowfall has made its way to Kentucky, there is no reason not to visit Kentucky Lake in the winter. With unique experiences and year-round lodging, you have everything you need for a winter weekend getaway to Kentucky Lake.
Birding
Kentucky Lake is home to one of the country’s premier places to see Bald Eagles and other species of birds. With over 2,300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, bare trees, and ample food supply, bald eagles flock to Kentucky Lake every winter to nest and catch fish. There are an estimated 100 Bald Eagles that make Kentucky Lake their home every January and February, so bring your binoculars and keep your eye out for the chance to see one. Plus, see wintering ducks and nesting turkeys and visit the dams in the winter for rare gull sightings.
Don’t know where to look? Sign up for Captain’s Quarters Eagle Cruises on Kentucky Lake. They cruise in January and February. Reservations are made by the State Parks Department, not Captain’s Quarters.
Other cruises include:
- Kenlake Marina with the Friends of LBL on January 19 – 21
- Lake Barkley Marina on January 25 – 27
- Kenlake Marina on February 1 – 3
- Kenlake Marina with the Friends of LBL on February 14 (for a special Valentine’s Day Cruise)
Fishing
Fishing at Kentucky Lake is a popular activity enjoyed by most, no matter what time of year. Fishing in the winter creates a unique chance for solitude and new places to cast in a line. Good locations for winter fishing at Kentucky Lake include creek channel banks with deep water access. Rocky banks will tend to hold the heat longer, closer to the shoreline during the winter.
Visit the Elk & Bison Prairie
Sure, a visit to the Elk & Bison Prairie any time of year is wonderful, but it is particularly unique in the winter. See where both elk and bison roam free amongst an expansive native grassland habitat. See them more clearly with the bare winter landscape that increases your chances of spotting wildlife. Visitors can observe from their car via a 3.5-mile paved loop road. The area is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. The admission is $5 a vehicle.
Stay at Lighthouse Landing
Complete your winter weekend getaway to Kentucky Lake with a stay at Lighthouse Landing. Our year-round lakeside resort offers everything you might need for your winter vacation. Cozy cottages feature scenic lakefront views, comfortable bedding, some with a gas log stove, and full kitchens. Depending on your party’s size, choose from one, two, and three-bedroom cottages and guest rooms.
Plus, you can enjoy 10% off your stay when booking two or more nights between January 1 and February 28, 2021. View details here.
