by April
I love to get away for a weekend and consider it all the better if I don’t have to go far to feel a world away. If you live in or near a state with fantastic resort parks, a fun and affordable trip may not be far from your back yard. I recently traveled to Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz, KY with my son, sister, niece and parents for a weekend adventure not far from home.
My parents were the first to discover this spot and the recent trip was their 7th visit! They were right on target introducing my sister and me and the grandkids to all this state park has to offer. Lake Barkley Park is over 57,000 acres and has enough amenities and activities to keep every member of a multi-generational family relaxed and well entertained. In addition to the lake, playgrounds, game room and restaurant, the nearby Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre national recreation area managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, has endless trails, a bison prairie, and visitors center with planetarium.
You may be most likely to consider a trip to a state or national park in the summer, but don’t rule out the winter months. The cold temperatures are no reason not to enjoy the fresh (if not cold!) air and visiting during non-peak season means an even quieter and more peaceful setting. I have been to Lake Barkley in the summer, and in the winter it feels like an entirely different place. With all the leaves gone from the trees and the ice on the lake, the atmosphere is completely changed. If you go during the colder months you will definitely want to take advantage of the indoor pool (the kids in my travel party couldn’t get enough) and look for other seasonal activities such as eagle watching. Just pack a few extra layers of clothes so you can still enjoy the outdoors.
You can camp, stay in the lodge or rent a cabin at Lake Barkley State Resort park, and on this occasion we stayed in a cabin. No frills but clean and efficient. The cabin offered the family a chance to stay together, prepare some of the meals during the trip and feel even more away from it all. Set back from the lodge and far away from any city lights, even my 9 year old son remarked on the amazing number of stars you can see on a clear night.
If you’re thinking about planning a similar trip, here are a few extra tips:
Hiking shoes – if you don’t own a pair but think you will go hiking more than once or twice a year it is worth investing in shoes designed for hiking. It feels like a splurge until you realize they may save you from blisters, unsupported ankles, and ruining every pair of tennis shoes you own. Throw in pair of hiking socks and you’ve got the basis for your hiking trip wardrobe. I’ve found you can make do with regular outerwear and sportswear but the shoes make all the difference. There are a lot of good brands out there but I love my Merrells and my son never complains about wearing his Timberland boots.
Stop and smell the roses (or skip rocks) – there are a thousand ways to put together a fun itinerary at a place like Lake Barkley but some of the best moments are the simplest. I really think my son and his cousin could have spent an entire afternoon skipping and sliding rocks across the semi-frozen lake.
The Willow Pond – the Park’s Lodge restaurant offers solid choices and is super convenient but if you are venturing out of the park grounds to eat, consider The Willow Pond, a cute causal local restaurant with good fried fish and other seafood options. Look for the white beans and hushpuppies served up complimentary before your meal!