Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Looking for info on Kentucky and Barkley.

Family with Grandma, Grandpa, myself, Wife, Kids, and my Sister.

Recommendations on where maybe to rent a house? With a dock?

Which area of the lake is better than others?

Kentucky Lake is the largest lake East of the Mississippi at some 163,000 acres. But if you're coming from the north, you'd do best to stay in Western Kentucky.

You're in luck because Kentucky has some great State Parks with fantastic rates on accommodations--hotels and cabins.

Right at Kentucky Dam is Kentucky Dam Village.
Kenlake is about halfway down the length of TVA's Land Between the Lakes.
Lake Barkley Resort Park is over on the Cumberland River east of Kenlake close to Cadiz.

They're all show places. See: http://parks.ky.gov

A little farther south just across the Tennessee State line is Paris Landing State Park. They have a beautiful lodge there.

Everything about that destination screams "Houseboat". Seriously think about renting one and splitting up the tab. Your pontoon boat will still be handy for really covering some water to destination points and viewing. But a houseboat vacation on the lake will be a memorial event that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Other lakes further east in KY and TN are better rental houseboat lakes. Like Lake Cumberland and the incredible Dale Hollow.

But renting one for a week requires placing a first lien on the soul of your first born grandchild. They're not cheap.
I guess you could take about 3 families with you, however.

Bamaman wrote:Other lakes further east in KY and TN are better rental houseboat lakes. Like Lake Cumberland and the incredible Dale Hollow.

But renting one for a week requires placing a first lien on the soul of your first born grandchild. They're not cheap.
I guess you could take about 3 families with you, however.

Houseboat sounds fun, but not in the budget. Not everyone on the trip are water lovers. We will spend lots of time on the lake, but my Dad likes to sight see on land also.

We like the idea of renting a house because we like to cook most of our own meals to keep costs down some.

I cannot believe how reasonably priced KY State Park cottages are.

TN and AL State Park hotels are getting quite expensive, and their few cabins are out of my price range.

I'm going to be cruising 200 miles down river starting at Chattanooga, and there are two hotels with docks on the water in Guntersville for in transits. It should make for a good 2 day trip.

Try this place on KY Lake. Great cabins, slips, play area, swimming, close to great attractions. http://www.cozycovewaterfront.com/.

Well I think I lost out. I think we're headin back to LOTO. Girls wanted more shopping and stuff to do. However, gotta please the whole crowd I guess.

The shopping is great at LOTO! Not so great in Western KY, except at Patty's 1800 Settlement in Grand Rivers. 'Course we DO have car racing, horseback riding, shooting range, fabulous fishing, perfect bourbon, and KY Fried Chicken! And the most gorgeous lake for boating, swimming and dinner cruises. Maybe next time!

landlockedsailor wrote:The shopping is great at LOTO! Not so great in Western KY, except at Patty's 1800 Settlement in Grand Rivers. 'Course we DO have car racing, horseback riding, shooting range, fabulous fishing, perfect bourbon, and KY Fried Chicken! And the most gorgeous lake for boating, swimming and dinner cruises. Maybe next time!

And the most reasonably priced state park accommodations anywhere. And a 163,000 acre lake ain't bad either--not including the canal over to Lake Barkley.

I would hate to see how much $ my wife and daughter would spend in a bunch of factory outlet malls. That's why we avoid Gatlinburg more than one time per year.

Your vacation just got more expensive!

If your looking for a quiet lake close to LOTO ( no shopping just serenity) Pomme de Terre is about an hour west of LOTO....just sayin.....

Mosnowman wrote:Your vacation just got more expensive!

If your looking for a quiet lake close to LOTO ( no shopping just serenity) Pomme de Terre is about an hour west of LOTO....just sayin.....

I hear ya, I'd love to just sit on the lake and enjoy the serenity. My Mom and Dad are going along, they usually cover the lodging portion of the trip so it helps a bunch, otherwise we probably wouldn't be making the trip anyways. I think we found a house on the Niangua arm for around 200 a night for 7 of us isn't too bad.

Niangua arm is definitely quieter than a lot of the areas of the lake. Have a great time!

I would avoid the main channel unless you have a really big boat! 5-6 foot waves are common during season...

Mosnowman wrote:Niangua arm is definitely quieter than a lot of the areas of the lake. Have a great time!

I would avoid the main channel unless you have a really big boat! 5-6 foot waves are common during season...

We were down there two years ago. Stayed in a cove at the 4mm. During the week the main channel was no problem, we went down past party cove into the grand glaze arm one day. Barely got the front carpet wet. A very different lake on the weekend though. We wanted to get further down the lake to see some differnt stuff this time. So figured the Niangua arm would be a good place to hide when the lake gets busy.