Lake Barkley

Recreation

Nashville District

Published Jan. 10, 2024

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Aerial photo of Lake Barkley Lock and Dam Project, Grand Rivers, Ky. (USACE photo)

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Announcement: Lake Barkley Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) 2025

The Lake Barkley Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) contains policies and guidelines for the effective long-range management of the shoreline resources on Lake Barkley. The primary objective of the SMP is to balance private shoreline uses, such as private boat docks, with the protection and conservation of Lake Barkley’s natural resources. In order to address ever changing public use demands affecting these natural resources, the SMP is reviewed every five years and updated if necessary.

* If you have purchased property on Lake Barkley adjacent to USACE land, please contact the Lake Barkley Resource Manager's Office to obtain any necessary permits.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Lake Barkley Resource Manager's Office at (270) 362-4236 or via e-mail at LakeBarkley@usace.army.mil. To view the draft 2025 SMP, go to https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/27349.

Camping & Group Picnic Shelters

* All sites are 100% reservable. To make reservations for a campsite, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. If the Park Attendant Booth is closed when you arrive, please go online to reserve your site and return to the Park Attendant Booth to check in when it opens.

The booths are only open during the respective recreation season.

Bumpus Mills Campground: 931-232-8831
Canal Campground: 270-362-4840
Eureka Campground: 270-388-9459
Hurricane Creek Campground: 270-522-8821

The Corps of Engineers manages several day use areas on Lake Barkley. Some shelters may be reserved (for a fee) up to 365 days in advance. Reservations may be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). When a shelter is not reserved, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelters are available for reservation from April 1 until October 31. To reserve a shelter, contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777.

Canal Campground is open the last Friday in March through the last Monday in October. Canal Campground is located in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, and offers 110 campsites along Lake Barkley's shoreline. Available amenities include 50-amp electricity, water, sewer sites, playground, accessible restrooms/shower house, laundry facilities, swim beach and launching ramp with courtesy float.

Eureka Campground is open the last Friday in April through the second to last Monday in October. Eureka Campground is located in Kuttawa, Kentucky, and offers 26 campsites with water and electric hookups. Additional amenities include restrooms/shower house, dump station, swim beach, laundry facilities, playground and a launch ramp.

Hurricane Creek Campground is open the last Friday in April through the last Monday in October. Hurricane Creek Campground is located in Eddyville, Kentucky and offers 51 campsites with water and electric hookups. Additional amenities include restrooms, shower house, dump station, swim beach, laundry facilities, playground, and launch ramp with courtesy dock.

The Corps of Engineers manages several day use areas on Lake Barkley. Some shelters may be reserved (for a fee) up to 365 days in advance. Reservations may be made through www.recreation.gov. Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boating

Lake Barkley's aesthetic shoreline makes it an enjoyable lake for boating and skiing. One of eight commercial marinas situated at various locations on the lake, or one of the many Corps of Engineers Access areas, provide easy access and supplies for boaters. As the number of boaters visiting Lake Barkley has increased in recent years, the Corps of Engineers encourages visitors to wear life jackets, pay close attention at all times, abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, and become familiar with the rules of the water and basic boating regulations.

Lake Barkley maintains a commercial and secondary navigation buoy system to aid in the safety of commercial and recreation boating. Users unfamiliar with the lake should be aware of un-marked hazards and barge traffic while boating and skiing. Kentucky Boating Regulations and Tennessee Boating Regulations apply when boating in either state.

Fishing & Hunting

Lake Barkley has over 57,000 surface acres of water available for public use, supporting diverse and abundant fish populations. Fishing licenses are required in both Kentucky and Tennessee and should be purchased prior to fishing on Corps of Engineers waters. Special permits may be obtained in both States for trout fishing. Licenses may be purchased at County Clerk's offices, marinas and other commercial establishments in the area. For up-to-date fishing information, lake elevations, and generation schedules visit the Lake Barkley Facebook page.

*Please note: Water release schedules often change without notice due to unanticipated changes in weather conditions and power system requirements. Use caution near dams. A large amount of water may be discharged without warning at any time. Your safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings.

Hunting licenses are required in both Kentucky and Tennessee and should be purchased for the state in which you will be enjoying these outdoor activities. Special permits are required in both states for hunting deer, wild turkey and waterfowl. If you plan to hunt the Western Shoreline of Lake Barkley keep in mind that this is under the management of the USDA Forest Service. Please check State laws for complete information. Hunting licenses may be purchased over the counter at Bait Stores, Gas Stations, Marinas and Department Stores, which sell sporting goods.

Special hunting regulations apply for the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area in Tennessee. If you are interested in hunting the Bear Creek Area you should contact the Ranger's Office at Dover TN, at (931) 232-7724 for detailed information.

Lake Barkley Duck Blind Drawing Information

In order to place a duck blind on Lake Barkley during waterfowl season a permit must be obtained through a drawing process. Lake Barkley holds its Annual Duck Blind Drawing on the third Monday of September each year. The drawing is held at the shelter below Barkley Dam with registration beginning promptly at 7 a.m. central time and the drawing beginning at 8 a.m. Central Time. All State and Federal licenses and Waterfowl stamps are required and should be purchased prior to the drawing to participate. For more information, contact the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office.

Scuba & Swimming

Scuba diving is allowed at Lake Barkley. Divers must display a "Diver Down" flag in the area where they are diving. Boaters should be alert to the "Diver Down" flag and keep a safe distance away.

The Corps of Engineers operates seven swim areas on Lake Barkley: Kuttawa Recreation Area has a sand beach and playground and there is a nominal Day Use Fee. Linton and Rockcastle Recreation Areas are free to the public and have sandy beaches. Canal, Eureka and Hurricane Creek campgrounds include sandy beaches for registered campers and their authorized visitors. Pets are prohibited at all beaches.

Trails

Anderson Woodland Trail Located in the Old Kuttawa Recreation Area, the half-mile Anderson Woodland Trail is an enjoyable footpath for birding and viewing the great tall trees of the region.

Canal Overlook Trail Located in the Canal Overlook Recreation Area, the 1-mile short hiking trail allows campers to enjoy the outdoor scenery at their leisure.

Lake Barkley State Park Trail Located in the Lake Barkley State Park, the 3-mile-long trail offers a well-maintained path for visitors to take an easy stroll through the lakeside woods where wildflowers and deer can be seen.

Chestnut Oak Trail Located in the Eureka Campground and Day Use Area, the 2.5-mile-long trail offer hikers and bikers a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.