When visiting the Land Between the Lakes you can’t help but to want to be on the water. When we were there in September the water was as smooth as glass and the weather was perfect for boating. We just missed the peak season, so rates were low and boats were available without reservations. We enjoyed a mid-day cruise around the Kuttawa Harbor Marina with Toko.

We choose an hour scenic drive from Lake Barkley to Kuttawa Harbor Marina so we could see some Kentucky farmlands and different sections of The Land Between the Lakes. Also, Kuttawa Harbor offered low rental rates and dog-friendly pontoons. We paid $156 for a four hour rental including gas.

The section of the lake near Kuttawa Harbor is busier and more industrial than the area near the Lake Barkley Resort. There were several barges hauling goods up and down the Cumberland River. We navigated up river to see the Kentucky Dam and then back down to see the State Penitentiary. I was surprised to see the State Penitentiary was a beautiful building on the water. The boating experience was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the tiny bird island and the tall river banks, but I would recommend another location, such as the Lake Barkley Marina.

The Lake Barkley Marina is located on a channel that branches out to the West. I imagine the barges that navigate the Cumberland River don’t travel into this section of Lake Barkley which dissolves into a few small creeks. The Lake Barkley channel has lots of little islands which make boating interesting, but it does not have the cliff-like embankment of the Cumberland River.

Anywhere you choose to take a boat out at The Land Between the Lakes is sure to be a wonderful experience. Enjoy!