Honker Lake Loop Trail Guide

Honker Lake Loop Trail is a 5-mile loop hiking trail located within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.

This loop hiking trail is available on the All Trails app. (Affiliate Link)

This easy-to-moderately difficult loop trail features many beautiful views of Honker Lake and the Land Between the Lakes forest scenery, as well as a quiet hike along a lightly used trail system.

This trail is designated for foot traffic only. Bicycles and equestrians are prohibited from using it. Hikers, runners, and walkers may enjoy it all year round. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and pet owners are expected to clean up after their pets.

In this guide, you’ll learn more about the Honker Lake Loop Trail in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.

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How to Get to the Honker Lake Loop Trail

Getting to the Honker Lake Loop Trail is relatively easy.

For my fellow Southern Illinoisans, we drive through Paducah, Kentucky, to reach the trailhead. (Alternative route using Brookport Bridge)

If traveling from Nashville, Tennessee, this route is going to be the best route to the trailhead.

If traveling from Saint Louis, Missouri, take this route for the best driving experience to the trailhead.

All roads to the trailhead are paved. The road to the trailhead is gravel, but it should be able to be accessed by any vehicle. There are numerous areas to park for access to this trailhead.

During wintry precipitation and flooding events, access to this trailhead and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area could be very limited and even restricted in some cases. It is best to visit this area on days under normal weather conditions.

Visit the Welcome Station on the Kentucky or Tennessee sides of the National Recreation Area for further information and directions.

This trail consists of single track to wider trails, bridges over creeks, stairs going up and down, and rolling hills. There are some creek crossings, we well.

 

Honker Lake Loop Trail Points of Interest

There are many great Points of Interest to check out when hiking the Honker Lake Loop Trail.

We hiked the trail counterclockwise but noticed many were hiking it clockwise.

The trailhead offers signage that talks about the trail, the lake, and some history of the area. Picnic tables are also available at the trailhead. Restrooms are nearby, across from the Nature Station and within the Nature Station.

While some of this trail could be used by handicapped users (with assistance), the entirety of the trail is not rated for ADA compliance.

Most of the south and eastern sides will have scenic views of Honker Lake. There are a few areas where you can get right on the lake shore. Along this side of the lake, you’ll cross a few smaller creeks by foot and larger ones by bridge.

At coordinates 36.90512, -88.02235 is an interesting area where a homesite once stood. This homesite was likely destroyed after the Tennessee Valley Authority forcefully took control of the land many decades ago. All that is left now are some cornerstones and daffodils to mark the old inhabitants.

You’ll cross a levee in between Honker Lake and Honker Bay. Honker Bay eventually goes into Lake Barkley, which also encompasses the Cumberland River. The levee gives you stunning views of the lake and the bay. There are many birding opportunities in this particular area, as well, so be sure to bring some binoculars with you.

While on the levee, at about coordinates 36.90943, -88.02696, there is a TVA survey marker on the ground. There is another one on the island in the middle of the two levees at coordinates 36.91105, -88.03066, which is also rising from the ground.

Once you get past the levee, you’ll start hiking on the western side of the trail. This portion of the trail is mainly in the forest and has little to no views of Honker Lake. This area is also pretty hilly along some parts of the trail.

Once you get back to where you nearly started, you can hike through the front of the Woodlands Nature Station or to the rear of the station in the old group camping/canoe rental section. There is an old cemetery back there and a cool Yurt that is now used for storage.

This trail was said to be originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

The nearby Woodlands Nature Station offers low-cost self-guided tours of the wildlife area, where visitors can see various animals such as coyotes, birds of prey, and even red wolves. During the weekends, this station offers many programs appropriate for people of all ages.

Along this hike, you’ll enjoy many scenic views and ample opportunities to view wildlife, wildflowers, and nature to its fullest.

 

Safety Tips for Hiking the Honker Lake Loop Trail

There are a few safety considerations to keep in mind when visiting the Honker Lake Loop Trail.

• Venomous copperhead snakes may occur in this area. Please watch your step to avoid a negative encounter with any snake along this hiking trail.
• This trail contains some rolling hills that may fatigue inexperienced hikers, although it is usually a good choice for beginners in decent shape.
• Please use caution around the lake shore. There are no lifeguards, and falling into the lake could be hazardous to your health and safety.
• Poison ivy occurs along this trail. Please be sure to clean yourself, your gear, footwear, and pets after your hike.
• In the warmer months, it is advisable to bring plenty of bug spray, as mosquitoes occur on this trail. Also, check yourself for ticks after you hike.
• Use plenty of sunblock when hiking the Honker Lake Loop Trail, as many parts of it expose you to sunlight.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks to keep yourself hydrated and fueled throughout your hiking experience.
• Wear comfortable outdoor-appropriate clothing such as hiking-specific clothing, fitness apparel, and comfortable footwear that is broken in.
• Finally, if you can, try not to hike alone, and be sure to let a friend or loved one know you will be hiking this area before you visit.
• You can avoid most hazards by staying on the trail and watching where you take each step while hiking the loop.

The most important tip I can give you to stay safe while hiking the Honker Lake Loop Trail is to use common sense and prioritize safety.

 

Other Things To Do Near the Honker Lake Loop Trail

There are ample amounts of things to do around the Honker Lake Loop Trail and within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The lake is a great choice for kayaking. You can put in from the Honker Bay Day Use Area and Boat Ramp to access Honker Bay and possibly into Honker Lake from behind the Nature Station. I recommend contacting the Nature Station first before putting in from there.

Other hiking and mountain biking trails are nearby. Further south, the National Recreation Area provides equestrian and ATV/OHV use opportunities. There are hundreds of miles of scenic roads to drive on and explore throughout the area, whether by vehicle or gravel biking.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is also a great area to explore for geocaching.

If you’re looking for lodging, there are many campgrounds in the area, including electric, non-electric, and backcountry camping options.

Visit the Visitor Centers for maps, information, and merchandise about Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

For dining, shopping, and lodging – check out Grand Rivers and Lake City. Calvert City is probably the best place to get fuel on the Kentucky side.

 

Final Thoughts About This Trail

My final thoughts about this trail are that we really enjoyed it. We thought it was easy to hike but strenuous enough to get some exercise. It made for a nice and quiet Sunday hiking adventure not too far from home. We have absolutely no complaints about this trail and would rate it a 5 out of 5 (5 being the best) based on our experience.

I recommend you hike the Honker Lake Loop Trail at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.

Comment below and tell me what trails in the Land Between the Lakes area you enjoy hiking the most. Where should we go next?

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!

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