Travel Features

Hiking the Hillman Heritage Trail

June 24, 2025 | Lydia

If you enjoy a hike and love history, then you should definitely check out the Hillman Heritage Trail right here in Land Between the Lakes! Our adventure began at Hillman Ferry Campground. After a quick sign-in and a glance at the map, we hit the trail, ready to explore. Nature immediately greeted us with its beauty as we stepped onto the path winding through the peaceful woods.

As its name promises, this over five-mile-long hike offers a wonderful insight into the rich history connected to what we know today as the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. You'll enjoy serene nature while learning about the past at every turn. From the solemn Bohannan Cemetery, to remnants of old structures, and a large, overgrown pit that was once a bustling limestone mining operation, there's so much to discover. The trail also leads to unique landscapes and picturesque shorelines along Kentucky Lake. My urge to explore had me climbing down a slope, where I found myself right on Kentucky Lake among huge limestone formations. (Though I quickly discovered a much easier access point just a few feet further down the trail!)

But my personal highlight was undoubtedly the breathtaking view from the top of the old rock quarry, overlooking Kentucky Lake. We paused there to take even more pictures and even made a cute snake friend. Our enthusiasm for his discovery was single-sided, as he quickly slithered away between some rocks!

All in all, this trail is a lot of fun to hike! Just remember to bring plenty of water, bug protection, and maybe even a picnic to truly make the most of this beautiful national recreation area.

Here's a video of my experience...


Here is a map to the lake...

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