[1]Office of Land Between the Lakes, KY/TN – U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers provide their annual list of safe habits to follow while recreating outdoors during one of the busiest times of the year–summer.
“We want everyone to have fun while they’re here,” explains Forest Service Law Enforcement Patrol Captain, Duane Cameron, “and often times practicing safe habits can make all the difference in the world.”
[2]LBL Aerial of North End Canal. (Land Between the Lakes)
Cameron asks visitors to keep safety in mind while enjoying the great outdoors at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area and neighboring communities around the lakes area.
Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers are on duty to help keep Land Between The Lakes a safe place to visit. In case of emergency, dial 911 or 877.861.2457 for 24-hour dispatch. Visitors are asked to immediately report any criminal or suspicious activity.
Fireworks are prohibited in Land Between The Lakes. Neighboring state parks and private resorts provide fireworks displays, some visible from Land Between The Lakes. Nearby fireworks displays will be posted on www.landbetweenthelakes.us [3] as schedules become available.
More safety tips can be found on the Forest Service website [4] and at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division [5].
Visitors can find information about tick safety on our fact sheet [6]. General, campground, and trail maps can be found at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/maps/ [7].
Boating Safety
- Do not drink alcohol and operate a boat.
- Be courteous at all times, especially around boat ramps.
- Be aware of your surroundings. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, driver inattention is the number one cause of boating accidents and deaths.
- Ventilate inboard motors before starting the engine.
- Engage your car’s emergency brake when pulling your boat out of, or lowering your boat into, the water.
- Be responsible for the safety of your riders; ensure availability of life jackets for all, and keep within legal weight limits.
Driving Safety
- Do not drink and drive.
- Do not text and drive.
- Be courteous. Share the road with bicycle and motorcycle riders.
- Watch out for wildlife, especially deer, feeding along the highways.
- Watch for hikers, horse riders, and mountain bikers crossing roadways.
- Stay on designated roads as identified in the Land Between The Lakes Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). These roads are numbered. landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/maps/ [7]
- Keep a map with you to guide you through the numbered backcountry roads.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Heavy rains may wash out sections of creek crossings or roadways.
- Off-roading is restricted to designated trails in the Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area [8].
Biking and Hiking Safety
- Be sure to carry sufficient water to keep hydrated. Do not rely on springs.
- Plan ahead and inform a responsible person of your route.
- Carry a map and a compass, or a global positioning system (GPS) unit, with you. Cell phones may not work in all areas. landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/maps/ [7]
- Use tick, chigger, and mosquito repellant.
Camping Safety
- Before setting up your camping site, look to see if any tree limbs may be ready to fall in strong winds, and adjust accordingly.
- Be aware of the high fire danger associated with hot, dry weather.
- Be courteous to other campers. Honor quiet hours from 11:00pm to 6:00am.
- Be cautious around campfires. Remove any debris around the fire ring. Make sure your campfire ashes are cold before leaving them unattended. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires. smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.asp [9]
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area manages more than 170,000 acres in western Kentucky and Tennessee as part of the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture’s public lands program. Land Between The Lakes offers outdoor recreation, lake access, land management, and environmental education to over 1.4 million visitors annually. The Friends of Land Between The Lakes works in partnership with the Forest Service providing program services, funds development, and volunteer support.
To find more information about Land Between The Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us [3] or call toll-free at 1.800.LBL.7077 or local at 270.924.2000. For more information on the Friends of Land Between The Lakes, log on to www.friendsoflbl.org [10].
To subscribe to the official electronic newsletter, send an email to LBLinfo@fs.fed.us [11]. Land Between The Lakes official Twitter accounts include @LBLScreechOwl [12], @LBLNature [13], @LBLHomeplace [14], and @LandBtwnLakes [15], and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/lblnra [16].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.