Land Between the Lakes

Land Between the Lakes is my secret weapon for Tier 1 trips where terrain is a concern. Got a boy recovering from an injury? New to backpacking and nervous about hills? LBL is mostly flat peninsula trails between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley - gentle terrain but real wilderness. The wildlife is incredible: bison herd at the prairie, deer everywhere, wild turkeys, and elk if you're lucky. The North-South Trail runs 60+ miles, so you can customize distance to your group. Water is plentiful, camps are easy to find, and the sunset views over the lakes are stunning. This proves you don't need mountains to have a legitimate backpacking experience. Sometimes the best trip is the one that builds confidence rather than breaking spirits.