Overview
Lake Barkley is in the Western Waterlands of Kentucky and in Central Tennessee.
1 places to eat
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 — 31 mi away. Directions
- MWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, Marion — 67 mi away. Directions
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 106 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is an Amtrak train terminal in Fulton, KY, 50 southwest of Benton at the end of the Purchase Pkwy.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The Cumberland River was dammed in Grand Rivers, 2 miles from the Kentucky Lake Dam, to make Lake Barkley.
Tourist information
There are multiple websites online today that provide information about the Kentucky Lake region. Whether you want to learn about Kentucky Lake fishing, golf courses, area restaurants, boating information, hunting information, community information, or more, the following websites can help you do research about where to go and what to do in the Kentucky Lake region:
Fishing Licenses in Kentucky
Resident Licenses-
- Fishing License (annual) $20.00 (resident), $50.00 (non-resident)
- One (1) Day Fishing License $7.00 (resident), $10.00 (non-resident)
- Joint Fishing License (husband & wife) $36.00
- Combination Hunting & Fishing License $30.00
- Senior/Disables Licenses $5.00
Other Non-Resident Licenses-
- 7-Day Fishing License $30.00
- 15-Day Fishing $40.00
No Closed Angling Season in Kentucky
Cities
- Kuttawa
- Eddyville
- Cadiz
- Gilbertsville
- Grand Rivers
Get in
By plane
- Nearest Small Craft Airport - Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Airport in Gilbertsville.
- Nearest Scheduled Airline Service - Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.
- Nearest International Airport - Nashville International Airport in Nashville.
By train
There is an Amtrak train terminal in Fulton, KY, 50 southwest of Benton at the end of the Purchase Pkwy.
By car
The Kentucky Lake region is accessible by car using Interstate 24, US Hwys 62, 68 & 641, the Western KY Parkway, the Purchase Parkway and KY 80.
By bus
There is a Greyhound Bus Terminal in Paducah.
Do
Anglers will find the fishing exceptional on Lake Barkley.
While the lake is probably best known for its spring crappie run, catfish and game fish such as large and smallmouth bass can be caught year-round.
Spring, summer and fall months are filled with swimming, camping, boating, sunning, skiing, horseback riding, fishing, and golfing. Paved boat ramps are available along the shoreline, with area marinas offering a variety of services. If you don't own a boat, you can easily rent a fishing boat, pontoon, houseboat, or ski boat for the day or week. Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, with a freeflowing canal, provide more than 600 miles of round-trip cruising.
Sleep
Accommodations vary from scenic lakeside lodging to motels, hotels, and bed and breakfast establishments. These scenic lakeside resorts offer town houses, efficiencies, cottages, condos, and cabins. For the family who camps, both privately and publicly owned campgrounds are available. Campers can choose from primitive sites to developed campgrounds.
There are numerous lodgings in nearby cities such as Paducah, Eddyville and Murray.
Stay safe
Useful phone numbers in case of emergency.
- Fire/Police/Ambulance: 911
- KY State Police Emergency: +1-800-222-5555.
- Poison Control Center: +1 270 753-7588.
- Marshall County Rescue Squad: +1 270 527-9092.
Buy, eat and drink
Local marinas offer shopping that includes clothing, specialty items (fishing & water sports) and gift items, along with restaurants overlooking Lake Barkley where you can enjoy a delicious meal in a relaxing atmosphere. Don't forget to eat a country ham biscuit at the Cadiz Country Ham Festival in October.
- Miss Scarlett's, Exit 31, off I-24, Grand Rivers, 928-3126. Miss Scarlett's offers a complete menu of fine southern cooking, including steaks, pork chops, seafood, walleye, bison burgers and more. Daily 6AM-9PM.
Eat Patti's 1880s Settlement / Mr. Bills Restaurant
Two restaurants for your dining pleasure set in Patti's 1880s Settlement. Famous for its 2" pork chop, flowerpot bread and wonderful pies. lunch and dinner daily, 10:30AM-9PM.
In addition to these restaurants, there are more in the towns listed above in the cities listing.
Nearby
Grand Rivers
City / town · 2 listings · 1 mi away
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Park · 4 listings · 4 mi away
Gilbertsville
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Calvert City
City / town · 7 listings · 7 mi away
Benton
City / town · 32 listings · 14 mi away
Aurora
City / town · 12 listings · 17 mi away
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Park · 11 listings · 19 mi away
Princeton
City / town · 3 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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