ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW EGGNER'S FERRY BRIDGE COLLAPSE ~ On Sat., Feb. 4, from 9am to 1pm only, LBL will provide the public and media with a one-time opportunity to view the partial collapse of the Eggner's Ferry Bridge, across Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River, caused from being struck by a large cargo ship. US68/KY80 west from Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway (Woodlands Trace, formerly The Trace) to the bridge will be temporarily opened to traffic. Visitors will be directed to park at the Fenton Camping Area and Boat Ramp, and will be allowed to walk in designated areas only to view the bridge. Be advised that there will be a ¼ mile walk from the parking area to the bridge viewing area. This is the only time traffic will be allowed west on US68/KY80 past Woodlands Trace. For public safety, this entire area, including the Fenton Boat Ramp and Camping Area, is completely closed to all vehicle, boat, and pedestrian traffic until further notice. In the future, visitors ignoring road closures or U.S. Coast Guard restrictions on Kentucky Lake will be cited.
URGENT TRAVEL INFORMATION ~ All Land Between The Lakes' (LBL) offices and most facilities normally open at this time of year remain open, including Golden Pond Visitor Center, Energy Lake Campground, Wranglers Campground, other backcountry camping areas, trails, and picnic areas. On Jan. 26, 2012, a span of the Eggner Ferry Bridge over Kentucky lake, on the west side of LBL collapsed after being struck by a large cargo ship. LBL's Fenton Campground and Boat Ramp, located near this bridge, are closed until further notice to allow workers access to the incident. The Eggner Ferry Bridge and US Hwy 68/KY80 from Woodlands Trace Overpass to the bridge are closed. The Coast Guard has closed Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River to recreation boating from mile marker 41 to 43 on either side of the bridge. Commercial truck traffic on Woodlands Trace Scenic Byway is discouraged.
With the closing of the Eggner's Ferry Bridge spanning Kentucky Lake, visitors and commuters can access LBL from:
• The north through Grand Rivers, KY onto KY 453, Woodlands Trace. (Motorists living in Murray, Mayfield, Benton, Hardin, Aurora, and other areas west of LBL should travel north on the Purchase Parkway to I-24 and take Exit 31 to Hwy 453, off I-24, to travel south through Grand Rivers, KY to access LBL on the north end.)
• The south through Dover, TN onto Woodlands Trace from US 79; or from the east on US68/KY 80 through Cadiz, KY. (Motorists living closer to the Tennessee border can travel to Hwy. 79 either on Hwy. 121 south or US 641, then take Hwy. 79 east, towards Clarksville, to Hwy. 49 in Dover, TN to access LBL on the south end.)
• The east using the Henry R. Lawrence Memorial Bridge over Lake Barkley on the east side of LBL. Please note that motorists cannot travel beyond the Woodlands Trace overpass on US 68/KY80. Motorists must exit onto the Woodlands Trace to continue traveling either north or south through LBL.
NEW SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR FEB. 18 ~ Land Between The Lakes (LBL) will host a sustainable tourism business seminar on Sat., Feb. 18, 2012. Business owners interested in improving their current business strategies are encouraged to attend. The seminar will be held at the Golden Pond Visitor Center from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Click HERE for the schedule and more information.
NEW UPDATE - GOLDEN POND TARGET RANGE ~ as of Jan. 18th, the target range will be open on Saturday and Sundays only. It will be closed Monday through Friday for the next several weeks for improvement work to take place.
NEW AREAS CLOSED DUE TO TIMBER SALE ~ John Wayne salvage timber sale, logging activity could impact recreation and trails. During the next several months (weather permitting) a timber contractor will be working across 5 units. One unit is north of the Elk & Bison Prairie near The Trace, one is near Rushing Creek Campground, and three units are near Wranglers Campground. Click HERE for a map of the northern portion of the sale and click HERE for a map of the southern portion of the sale. These areas will be closed to visitors during portions of the timber sale:
• Campsites 4-17 in Rushing Creek Campground
• Trail 3 in Wranglers Campground
• The North/South Trail From Road 170 to Road 165 near Wranglers Campground
Stay safe by observing all safety signage and roads and trails closures. Use extra caution around logging equipment and trucks accessing Rd 165 to Wranglers Campground and The Trace.
ROAD CLOSURE ~ Road 108, in the northern portion of LBL is temporarily closed to through traffic due to a washed out culvert. Visitors can still use Road 108 to access Willow Bay, but there will be no through access across Willow Bay. Until further notice, please use Road 109 to access Demumbers Bay Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp.
LBL RULES AND CLOSURE ORDERS ~ An important part of planning a trip to Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area is to know the Rules & Regulations (pdf). In order to ensure the health and safety of forest visitors now and in the future, we ask you to follow the guidelines established to protect the natural environment. Supervisor Orders are posted on this website, posted on bulletin boards or located in the supervisor's office.
LBL WEATHER CONDITIONS ~ Click HERE for an LBL weather forcast, before planning your outdoor activities.
DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD ~ Protect our National Forests from Invasive Insects and Diseases
• Leave firewood at home – do not transport it to campgrounds or parks.
• Use firewood from local sources.
• If you have moved firewood, burn all of it before leaving your campsite.For more information about invasive species and the risks associated with firewood movement, please click HERE.