Barkley Canal East Loop Trail Guide

The Barkley Canal East Loop Trail is located on the Kentucky side of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

This 3+ mile loop trail is designated for hiking and mountain biking use only. Equestrian and motorized vehicles are prohibited.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.

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Barkley Canal East Loop Trail Snapshot

Important trail information that you should know:

Location: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Trail Length: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 220 feet
Type: Loop
Average Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Pets Allowed: Yes (leash required)
Restrooms: Yes. At the Campground
Parking: Limited
Road Conditions: Paved and Gravel
Best Seasons: All Seasons

PRO TIP: This is a mountain biking trail. Hikers have the right of way on mountain biking trails. However, it’s easier to step aside and let riders go first if you want to. It’s up to you. Just remember to share the trail and be friendly to each other.

Why the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail is Worth Hiking

My wife and I really enjoyed hiking the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky.

This trail is moderate, but it’s a very easy moderate with a few small creek crossings (dry most of the time) and a few rolling hills. The trail was marked very well and easy to follow. You’ll get pretty views of Lake Barkley, a beautiful forest, and even some cool old homesites and buildings along the way.

You can pretty much visit this trail throughout the year because mountain bikers tend to use it all year long, which keeps it opened up well and free of spider webs most of the time.

Trail Map + Directions

This trail can also be found on AllTrails. Please note that my link is an affiliate link, and I might earn a commission, but it will not impact your price.

You can also find this trail on Komoot.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area also provides more information and maps about this trail.

To reach the trailhead for this hike (parking) from Paducah, Kentucky:

Take US-62 from Paducah to KY-453.
Cross Barkley Canal after passing through Grand Rivers.
Continue on the Woodlands Trace within Land Between the Lakes.
Turn down FSE-102 towards Nickell Branch (road is gravel)
Trail is to your LEFT right at the start of the Nickell Branch road loop at GPS coordinates 36.98685, -88.20168.
NOTE: The trail to the right is not part of this particular loop.

NOTE: You can either park on the side of the road around where the Nickell Branch sign is or park on the few little, small side roads into the woods that are right before the start of the trail. We parked at one on the right side of the road with a little dispersed campground by it.

You can also use this Google Maps Link to find the start of the trail from Paducah, Kentucky. Replace Paducah with your address.

All of the roads are paved until you reach the road to Nickell Branch. That road is gravel. There are potholes present. Any vehicle can make it. Just use common sense and slow down around the potholes. Your vehicle will likely get dusty.

The trail is only designated for hiking and mountain biking. Equestrian and motor vehicle use is strictly prohibited. Nickell Branch offers a campground (non-electric) with pit toilets and access to Lake Barkley. The campground is a fee-use area.

During wintry conditions, this road and trail may be impassable. Please keep an eye on the official Land Between the Lakes website for conditions and closures.

Cell phone signal is limited in this area. Download or print out maps before visiting the trail just in case you do not have any signal.

To hike the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail from the start of the trail:

Take the Canal Loop Trail to the left of the road (northwest).
The blaze for the Canal Loop trail is a blue diamond.
You’ll pass by Lake Barkley and go up and down winding rolling hills.
About 2 miles in, you’ll turn left on an old road and get off the Barkley Canal trail.
Take the old road until you get to the gravel road and turn left and walk back to where you parked.

Remember that this trail can be used by both hikers and mountain bike riders. Please share the trail and be nice to one another.

What You’ll See on the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail

There is a lot to see on the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail within the 3 miles you will be hiking along the trail.

The first point of interest shortly after starting the trail is the Lake Barkley overlooks. There are a few of them where you can see the lake and all of the recreational traffic on the lake. There is a bench provided with some memorial information on it.

After the lake views, you’ll enjoy a nice hike through winding and rolling hills along the trail.

The trail is very well maintained and clear, even in the summer. The Forest Service routinely burns the area, so there wasn’t a lot of annoying undergrowth to deal with or that much poison ivy. Prescribed fire is really healthy for forests.

There are a few small creeks to cross. Unless the areas had had significant rain, the creeks will likely be dry.

Once you’re back on the main road (to Nickell Branch), there is a cool homesite to your right with a few sets of stairs and some concrete still intact. A turned-over bus can also be found to the right on the road a little ways before the old road. To the left on Nickell Branch Road, there is an old metal building with no roof and some foundation that was interesting to look at.

Please use caution around the old homesites and look out for unprotected wells and metal and glass that can cut you.

How Difficult is the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail?

Moderate.

It’s more of an easier moderate. However, due to the rolling hills and some creek crossings (mostly dry creeks), I have to technically call it moderate. I feel like most hikers of all ages should be able to hike this trail.

Best Time to Hike the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail

The trail is nice all year long.

In the summer, the majority of the trail will be easy to hike because it’s well used by mountain bikers and hikers. The old road you hike on to get back to the main road can have a few spots of high grass and weeds during the summer months, as that section isn’t really used by mountain bikers that much.

I suggest enjoying the trail during the early spring, winter, and late fall seasons for the best conditions. We hiked it in the summer, though, and enjoyed it. There was a lot of shade, and it was fairly hot outside.

What to Bring on This Trail

This is a moderately rugged hike. If day hiking, I recommend at least bringing:

Comfortable clothing that breathes (no cotton)
Durable hiking boots or shoes (hiking socks, too)
Plenty of water and a snack (often no creek water to filter)
First aid kit and emergency supplies
Rain gear just in case
Flashlight and headlamp, just in case
Bug spray and sun block

It’s always recommended to at least carry the 10 essentials of hiking when enjoying the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail and Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky.

Safety Notes and Warnings

Use caution around the overlooks at Lake Barkley. Falling into the lake could result in drowning. Swimming is prohibited outside of areas where swimming is allowed.

It’s best to use a GPS or app that doesn’t require a cell phone signal on this hike. There will be little to no cell phone signal present. You should also carry a charging device to help keep your devices charged.

Pay attention to the local weather forecast before and on the day of your hike. The weather could change quickly. I advise you against visiting during unsafe weather conditions.

Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes have been observed within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. If you see a snake on the trail, safely move around it, giving it plenty of room. Never attempt to handle, harm, or harass a snake, as it is prohibited by law at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Water is not always available in the creeks. Don’t depend on it for filtering when you visit. The trail is moderately rugged, and you’ll need to drink more, especially when it’s hot, so bring plenty of water with you.

Ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting bugs are present in this area. Use DEET and permethrin to ward off most of these pests. Make sure you check yourself thoroughly for ticks after you’re done hiking for the day.

During hunting season, this area is popular among hunters. Please use caution if visiting and remember to give hunters plenty of room to enjoy the area, since they only get a few weekends out of the year. You should wear blaze orange or pink when recreating during hunting season.

Photography Tips

The Lake Barkley overlooks are probably the most photogenic spots along the trail.

Golden hour, sunset, and sunrise are going to be your best times to visit for photography.

Each season offers a different beautiful photo. Spring and summer offer a greener shot, fall gives you beautiful colors, and winter lets you see everything. This place is best used for photography all year round, in all honesty.

Check with Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area before using a drone. They may have special regulations and requirements for drone usage in this area. You must have an FAA license to use your drone for any sort of commercial activity, including putting ads on YouTube videos – that is required by federal law.

Nearby Trails to Hike

There are a lot of great hiking trails to enjoy in this particular area.

The Hematite Lake Trail is a nice 2.3-mile trail that I recommend hiking. I recently helped the US Forest Service build some stairs on the trail during National Trails Day in 2026. There is a lot to see along that trail.

The full Canal trails offer more than 20 miles of pristine mountain biking and hiking trails all around this area. You can visit the North Welcome Station for maps and information and a good starting point for the trails. There is a much bigger parking lot present.

Hillman Ferry Campground offers several miles on the Bohanon, Brown Springs, and Vogle Loop Trails. There is a lot to see on these loop trails. I definitely recommend hiking them, especially if you camp at Hillman Ferry Campground.

Who is the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail Best For?

This trail is moderately difficult.

I would recommend only hikers who are used to moderately difficult trails to hike this route. If you’re not used to rugged terrain, this trail will be significantly challenging for you to complete.

Rattlesnakes and copperhead snakes might be present.

Please always make sure you hike with a friend and tell someone where you are going before you go.

What To Do Near the Barkley Canal East Loop Trail

For dining, I recommend visiting Grand Rivers nearby. Patti’s 1880’s Settlement offers delicious food, mouth watering deserts, and an 1800’s home cooked atmosphere. T. Lawson’s Grill is also very good. Browns Hometown Market offers food as well. Between the Lakes Tap House has great burgers and adult beverages. Cabin Pizza serves up good pizza and other items.

You can get coffee from Iron Bell and ice cream from Craig’s Dairy Cream and Patti’s Ice Cream.

For lodging in the area, Land Between the Lakes offers multiple campgrounds, including dispersed, tent, and electric. We often stay at Hillman Ferry Campground when we visit. There are also lodging options available in Grand Rivers and the Calvert City areas as well.

The closest fuel stop is in Calvert City on the Kentucky side.

Hiking with Shawn’s Final Thoughts: Barkley Canal East Loop Trail

The Barkley Canal East Loop Trail is a great trail to hike if you’re visiting Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and you’re looking for an easier moderate 5K hike, trail run, or mountain biking loop. It’s easy to get to and easy to hike as long as you enjoy an easier moderate hike.

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

Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!