More than 200 miles of trails and abandoned roads meander through our backwoods, fields and alongside peaceful lakeshores. Catch a glimpse of native wildlife. Walk in the footsteps of General Grant. Sleep under the stars...
Soaring vistas of Kentucky Lake are just a couple miles’ hike from the North Welcome Station on the North/South Trail. As you travel the edge of a steep ridge, you look over an endless expanse of blue water, dotted with green islands and white sailboats—LBL’s own version of the Mediterranean!
The bright green marshland of Honker Bay is a peaceful, serene spot about 2 miles into Honker Trail. You’ll pass from the shade of thick forest into a smooth, flat open glade, which is abundant with Giant Canada Geese and other waterfowl.
LBL has an abundance of wildlife, and hiking is one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of these animals. Some wildlife viewing tips: bring binoculars and field guides and walk quietly. Also, remember wildlife is usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon, especially during the hot summer months.
LBL has the oldest established herd of Fallow Deer in America. They are noteworthy for their majestic, palmated racks of antlers and the large numbers of white animals in the herd. They tend to travel in groups and stay mostly in the Environmental Education Area near the Nature Station. Fallows are frequently sited on the Hematite Lake, Honker Lake and Center Furnace trails.
Migratory Bald Eagles winter along LBL’s shoreline starting in early December until around mid-March. The best hikes to see Bald Eagles travel the shorelines of Kentucky Lake: the North/South Trail from Sugar Bay to Vickers Bay and the Fort Henry Trail from the trailhead to Panther Creek.
LBL is located on Hwy 79 off I-40 and I-24. For a detailed map, see http://www.lbl.org/VCMaps.html