Things To Do

Things to Do in Eddyville/Kuttawa

Including Eddy Creek

The Eddyville, Kentucky Area offers a wide range of activities from boating and fishing on Lake Barkley to golfing and even hiking.

Lake Barkley / Barkley Dam

In 1964, the Cumberland River was dammed near Grand Rivers to form Lake Barkley.  Although still not quite as large at its sister Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley provides recreation to west Kentucky with over 1000 miles of shoreline, and nearly 60,000 acres of water at summer pool.  The lake is 134 miles long and stretches to the Clarksville, TN area.  Lake Barkley is navigable, and provides great opportunities for all types of recreation including fishing. 

Land Between The Lakes

About one-third of Lyon County lies in The Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.  Lyon County is the northernmost county in The Land Between The Lakes, or LBL, and is accessible through Livingston County at Grand Rivers.  LBL offers a wide variety of activities and attractions including hunting, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, hiking, biking, educational centers, horseback riding, annual events, and so much more. 

Numerous attractions within the park include the Nature Station, Elk & Bison Prairie, Golden Pond Planetarium, Homeplace1850s, and Turkey Bay OHV Area. LBL has more than one million visitors annually, so see for yourself why it is so popular.

Historical Sites

Lyon County is one of the more historically significant counties in the Kentucky Lakes Area.  Most fascinating is that both Eddyville and Kuttawa had to be relocated when the Cumberland River was impounded to form Lake Barkley.  The Old Eddyville site is fun to visit during winter pool, when Lake Barkley is five feet less than normal.  There, you can see streets, sidewalks, and foundations of the city that once was there over 50 years ago. 

Lyon County is also home to the mammoth Kentucky State Penitentiary.  While many would question a prison being an attraction, this one is an exception.  The facility was built in 1889 and looks very much like a castle.  The prison has been commonly referred to as "The Castle on the Cumberland".  The facility's towers stand over Lake Barkley, providing an exceptional picturesque setting. 

The Lyon County Museum is also a favorite for historical buffs.  The museum is near the KSP and features all sorts of exhibits, murals, maps, a replica iron furnace, and more.  The Lyon County Museum is open on a seasonal basis.  For more information, contact the Lyon County Tourist Commission at (270) 388-5300.

Mineral Mounds State Park Golf Course

Lyon County now has a beautiful but challenging golf course at Mineral Mounds State Park!  The golf course is located on the shores of Lake Barkley offering a beautiful lake view to enjoy throughout your game.    

Family Entertainment

The Venture River Water Park is one of the favorite Kentucky Lakes attractions for locals and tourists alike.  Venture River Water Park has features that will appeal to everyone in your family, from toddlers to thrill-seekers.  Besides water slides and a large wave pool, the park also includes a sand volleyball court as well as picnic areas for large groups.  Venture River is located at 90 Funway Drive in Eddyville, Kentucky.

The West Kentucky Factory Outlet Mall features a few shops and local businesses.  It's located at 100 Outlet Avenue which is just down the road from the Venture River Water Park.    

You can see our complete listing of Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Area Attractions for fun things to around the Kentucky Lake area.