Overview
Kentucky Lake is in the Western Waterlands of Kentucky and the West Tennessee region of Tennessee.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 27°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PAH Barkley Regional Airport, Paducah — 28 mi away. Directions
- MWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, Marion — 65 mi away. Directions
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 108 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are four major routes providing access to the lake. I-24 and US 62 provide access to the north. US 68 runs through the central part of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and US 79 provides access to the south.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Understand
Kentucky Lake was built during World War II by the Tennessee Valley Authority to generate electricity, to control flooding on the Tennessee River and create a recreational paradise.
Get in
There are four major routes providing access to the lake. I-24 and US 62 provide access to the north. US 68 runs through the central part of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and US 79 provides access to the south.
Do
With 160,000 acres (64,000 ha) of water and 2,380 miles (4,000 km) of shoreline you can fish, ski, tube, kayak, sail, jet ski, drag race, and relax on the lake. Kentucky Lake is the second largest man-made lake in the U.S. and the area offers a variety of restaurants, many antique stores, go-cart riding, championship golf courses, miniature golf courses, biking, hiking, nature viewing, music shows, and festivals. Fish for catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sauger, stripers, and large and smallmouth bass, or enjoy hunting throughout the area.
Go next
- Kenlake State Resort Park
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- Lake Barkley
Cities and towns
- Benton
- Aurora
- Calvert City
- Grand Rivers
- Gilbertsville
- Murray
- Paris
Nearby
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Park · 4 listings · 2 mi away
Gilbertsville
City / town · 14 listings · 2 mi away
Grand Rivers
City / town · 2 listings · 2 mi away
Calvert City
City / town · 7 listings · 5 mi away
Benton
City / town · 32 listings · 12 mi away
Aurora
City / town · 12 listings · 18 mi away
Paducah
City / town · 28 listings · 19 mi away
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Park · 11 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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