🏨 Kentucky’s Lakeside Full-Service Resort — A 120-room lodge on the shore of 57,920-acre Lake Barkley, with 18-hole golf course, full-service marina, 78-site campground, 13 cottages, Windows on the Water restaurant, fitness center, swimming beach, and direct gateway to the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
On the western shore of Lake Barkley — a 57,920-acre reservoir created by damming the Cumberland River in 1966 — Lake Barkley State Resort Park delivers something that most state parks can only dream of: a full-service, year-round resort experience operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, at state park prices. A 120-room lodge with lake views and a full restaurant. An 18-hole championship golf course. A full-service marina with boat rentals. A fitness center with indoor pool, sauna, and racquetball. 13 two-bedroom cottages tucked in the woods. A 78-site campground. A swimming beach. And, minutes away, the gateway to one of the most remarkable public recreation areas in the country: the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Lake Barkley is one of Kentucky’s “State Resort Parks” — a designation that elevates it beyond a traditional campground-and-trails operation into a genuine hospitality destination. The concept is uniquely Kentuckian: build proper resorts on some of the most beautiful public land in the state, and offer them to everyone at prices that working families can afford. The result at Lake Barkley is a park that functions equally well as a weekend fishing trip, a family vacation basecamp, a romantic getaway, or a golfer’s retreat — with the vast wilderness of Land Between the Lakes waiting just across the road.
Lake Barkley
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 57,920 acres |
| Dam | Barkley Dam (Cumberland River, 1966) |
| Shoreline | 1,004 miles |
| Maximum Depth | 60+ feet |
| Adjacent Lake | Kentucky Lake — connected via canal |
| Between the Lakes | Lake Barkley + Kentucky Lake = “Land Between the Lakes” |
The Lodge
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rooms | 120 rooms and suites with lake views |
| Restaurant | Windows on the Water — full-service dining |
| Fitness Center | Gym, racquetball, sauna, steam room |
| Indoor Pool | Year-round wellness pool |
| Gift Shop | On-site |
Golf — Boots Randolph Golf Course
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Holes | 18 |
| Par | 72 |
| Design | Scenic fairways with meadering stream |
| Pro Shop | Full equipment, cart rental |
Marina and Boating
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Boat Rentals | Fishing boats, pontoons, ski boats |
| Boat Slips | Seasonal and transient slips |
| Fuel | On-water fuel dock |
| Supplies | Tackle, bait, fishing supplies |
| Phone | (270) 924-6081 |
Fishing
| Species | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Spring, Summer | Weed edges, points, structure |
| Crappie | Spring (spawning season) | Brush piles, submerged timber |
| Bluegill | Summer | Docks, weed edges |
| Channel Catfish | Summer, Fall | Night fishing, cut bait |
| Striped Bass | Fall | Deep water, trolling |
Fishing Loaner Program: Forgot your gear? The park offers a free fishing loaner program — rods, reels, and basic tackle available to borrow. A Kentucky fishing license is required.
Camping
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sites | 78 campsites |
| Season | March – November |
| Hookups | Water and electric |
| Accommodates | Tents and RVs |
| Cottages | 13 two-bedroom cottages |
Trails
| Type | Miles | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking Trails | 9+ miles | Easy-Moderate |
| Mountain Biking | 7 miles | Moderate |
Land Between the Lakes — 170,000 Acres
Lake Barkley State Resort Park sits at the eastern gateway to Land Between the Lakes (LBL) — a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area managed by the U.S. Forest Service, occupying the narrow peninsula between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. LBL features:
- Elk & Bison Prairie: Drive-through wildlife viewing — free-roaming elk and bison herds
- Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory: Astronomy programs and stargazing
- Woodlands Nature Station: Live animal exhibits, nature programs
- Homeplace 1850s Working Farm: Living history museum
- Turkey Bay OHV Area: Off-highway vehicle trails
- No entrance fee — individual attractions have separate fees
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3500 State Park Road, Cadiz, KY 42211 |
| Hours | Year-round (lodge, restaurant, fitness) |
| Phone | (270) 924-1131 |
| Website | parks.ky.gov/cadiz/parks/resort/lake-barkley-state-resort-park |
Getting There
- From Nashville: 80 miles northwest (~1 hour 20 minutes)
- From Paducah: 30 miles southeast (~35 minutes)
- From Louisville: 220 miles southwest (~3 hours 15 minutes)
- From Clarksville, TN: 65 miles northwest (~1 hour)
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Crappie spawning, dogwood, golf season opens | Moderate |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Full marina, beach, boating, LBL programs | High |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Eagle migration, fall foliage, bass fishing | Moderate |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Lodge retreat, indoor pool, eagle watching | Low |
Is Lake Barkley a full resort?
Yes! Lake Barkley is a Kentucky State Resort Park — a full-service resort operated by the state. It features a 120-room lodge with lake-view rooms, a full-service restaurant (Windows on the Water), an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina with boat rentals, an indoor fitness center with pool, sauna, and racquetball, plus 13 two-bedroom cottages and a 78-site campground. It’s a genuine resort at state park prices.
What is Land Between the Lakes?
Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area managed by the U.S. Forest Service, located on the peninsula between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. It features the Elk & Bison Prairie (drive-through wildlife viewing), the Golden Pond Planetarium, the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, off-highway vehicle trails, and extensive camping. There is no general entrance fee — individual attractions have separate admission. Lake Barkley State Resort Park sits directly at LBL’s eastern gateway.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Kenlake State Resort Park (a short drive away) and Mineral Mound State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Kentucky state parks online at kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Lake Barkley State Resort Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
