🌤 Weather at Lake Barkley State Resort Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–79 °F | 66–90 °F | 39–83 °F | 27–50 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Kenlake Resort, 11 mi away, elevation 484 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏨 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.
⛺ Camping at Lake Barkley State Resort Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 79 sites — 73 Standard Electric sites (30-amp electric and water hookups) and 6 Standard No Electric sites (no hookups), all with picnic table and fire ring, in a single loop (Sites 1-79). RV site lengths range 32-65 feet. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 13 cottages: nine two-bedroom, two-bath cottages with lake or wooded views, and 4 two-bedroom log cabins. Separate from the resort lodge. |
| Pets | Pets allowed on all listed campsites per the reservation system. |
| Reservations | Reservations via ReserveAmerica or by phone at 888-459-7275. Minimum stay 1 night on weekdays, 2 nights Friday/Saturday. Maximum 8 occupants per site; base rate covers 4 adults and children 16 and under. |
| Special sites | Dump station on-site; golf carts permitted for $25/week or $100/year. Firewood may not be imported from outside Kentucky (Emerald Ash Borer rule); firewood sold on-site. |
| Season notes | Camping is seasonal, open April through October per the park's published overview; the reservation system currently shows the season running through October 31. |
Camping questions about Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Can you camp at Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Yes. Lake Barkley State Resort Park has 79 campsites. 73 Standard Electric sites (30-amp electric and water hookups) and 6 Standard No Electric sites (no hookups), all with picnic table and fire ring, in a single loop (Sites 1-79). RV site lengths range 32-65 feet.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Reservations via ReserveAmerica or by phone at 888-459-7275. Minimum stay 1 night on weekdays, 2 nights Friday/Saturday. Maximum 8 occupants per site; base rate covers 4 adults and children 16 and under.
Are there cabins at Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
13 cottages: nine two-bedroom, two-bath cottages with lake or wooded views, and 4 two-bedroom log cabins. Separate from the resort lodge.
Are pets allowed at the Lake Barkley State Resort Park campground?
Pets allowed on all listed campsites per the reservation system.
Source: parks.ky.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lake Barkley State Resort Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of Kentucky state parks but must be leashed in all public areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required in all public areas (official policy does not state a maximum length)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are restricted from beaches, nature preserves and some historic sites
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly rooms and cabins available at select lodges for a $50-per-accommodation fee, max two pets, 80 lbs per pet
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $50 pet fee per accommodation for lodging (undisclosed pets: $150 per incident)
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets banned from State Nature Preserve trails at parks including John James Audubon, Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, Carter Caves and Pine Mountain
Are dogs allowed at Lake Barkley State Resort Park?
Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of Kentucky state parks but must be leashed in all public areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.ky.gov. More: Kentucky state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Lake Barkley State Resort Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
