Looking for a drive that offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, lakeside serenity, and well-paved roads? The Woodlands Trace Parkway—known simply as The Trace—delivers exactly that. Stretching nearly 50 miles from Dover, Tennessee to Grand Rivers, Kentucky, this two-lane route winds through the heart of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL), offering a tranquil alternative to the bustle of U.S. Highways. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful detour or planning a full-day exploration of the lakes region, this drive is an ideal pick for nature lovers and road trippers alike.
Our journey begins in Dover, Tennessee, at the intersection of U.S. Route 79 and Tennessee Secondary Route 461. After just a few miles north, we officially enter the Land Between the Lakes—a federally managed nature preserve bordered by Lake Barkley on the east and Kentucky Lake on the west. As TN-461 transitions into the Woodlands Trace Parkway, the forested corridor envelops us, and the urban world falls away. With little traffic and few intersections, this drive becomes more about the scenery than the destination. You’re not just passing through the woods—you’re immersed in them.
As we continue north, the Parkway crosses into Kentucky near the Cedar Pond Picnic Area, a great place to stop for a break or quick walk. A few miles up the road is Golden Pond, a small settlement that once stood as a bustling town but now serves as the home to the Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium. This is the primary hub for LBL and worth a visit if you’re interested in learning about the area’s history, wildlife, or star-gazing opportunities. Here, The Trace intersects with U.S. Route 68/KY 80 at a rare interchange—your chance to head east to Cadiz or west toward Aurora and the western shore of Kentucky Lake.
North of Golden Pond, the Trace becomes even more serene. Sparse traffic, shaded curves, and a near-constant presence of wildlife—particularly deer and wild turkey—define this stretch. Along the way, you’ll pass Woodson Chapel Road, which loosely marks the point where the Parkway begins a gentle northwest arc. Soon after, drivers can access Star Camp Picnic Area, one of the quieter recreation spots in the park, followed by the Hillman Ferry Campground, one of the largest and most developed campgrounds in LBL. Both are excellent spots for an overnight stay or picnic by the water.
The final leg of the journey takes us across the Barkley Canal, a narrow waterway connecting Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. The moment we cross, the Trace ends and transitions into Kentucky Route 453. From here, we continue a few miles north into Grand Rivers, a charming town nestled between the two lakes. Grand Rivers itself is a destination, home to the Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, Green Turtle Bay Resort, and the Canal Loop Trail, which provides scenic hiking and cycling options.
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