In a 700 acre enclosure Elk and Bison freely roam The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This man-made peninsula is between 170,000 acres of lake and 300 miles of shoreline in gorgeous scenery and is dedicated to the life outdoors according to a philosophy of conservation and education.
With tons of activities off park and in park, a visit to LBL satisfies anyone’s tastes for a day trip or a full vacation in beautiful surroundings between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. For a remarkable journey back to the Great Plains as roamed by Native Americans, the LBL Elk and Bison Prairie experience is informative and scenic fun for everyone.
The Elk and Bison Prairie is an area of reintroduced prairie grassland that supports a full ecosystem as it was before human development stripped the area of its natural resources. Thanks to a careful program, the prairie was revived and as indigenous flora thrived, Bison and Elk were re-established.
Located north of LBL’s Golden Pond Visitor Center off The Trace, the Elk and Bison Prairie is open 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk. Visits to the Prairie are undertaken by car around a 3.5 mile loop road with an admission fee of $5 per car. Commercial vehicles and vans pay a tariff of 50 cents per passenger. Car tickets can be purchased at any LBL facility but commercial passes must be obtained at the Golden Pond Visitor Center.
The loop road allows great visuals of the Elk and Bison and other wildlife such as turkey, birds, small game and prairie mammals. Marvel at the animals roaming a grassland dotted with tree clusters and bursts of color from prairie flowers and blossoms, and pause at one of three interpretive stops to learn more about the sights you’re seeing.
View more bison in specially designed pastures at the South Bison Range where there’s the chance to observe these wonderful creatures more closely.
Elk and Bison Prairie at LBL is a must do experience during your visit to the Land Between the Lakes.
