Travel Features

Visiting Duncan Lake, An LBL Wildlife Refuge

June 17, 2025 | Lydia

Duncan Lake is a genuine hidden paradise in Land Between The Lakes, and I'm looking forward to telling you about it! While Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are the well-known giants, LBL also has several other smaller, equally beautiful lakes. Located in the western part of LBL, Duncan Lake provides a uniquely peaceful escape.

This calm spot is perfect for relaxing. With its clear waters and the surrounding area full of diverse plant life, it's an ideal place to lay out a blanket and have a quiet picnic. There aren't any facilities, but that's part of its appeal – you get to experience untouched nature up close.

This peacefulness is largely because Duncan Lake is a wildlife refuge. Due to this, you can't access it from November 1st through March 15th each year. This closure protects essential wintering grounds for a lot of wildlife, especially waterfowl and impressive eagles. It's a great place for birdwatching if you're quiet and pay attention!

While there aren't official hiking trails right around the lake, you can definitely walk across the earthen dam and explore some of the shoreline, taking in all the natural beauty.

Ready to find this secluded spot? From The Trace, take LBL Road #132 for about three-quarters of a mile, then look for the first gravel lane on your right, which goes straight to the lake.

Here's a video of my experience...


Here is a map to the lake...

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