Impounded by Kentucky Dam, Kentucky Lake is on the Tennessee River and lies next to the also humongous Lake Barkley, the two vast reservoirs enclosing a finger of land, known as the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which we’ll talk about next.Ĭlose to Murray the shore is lined with marinas, a public golf course, campgrounds and family resorts. Kentucky Lake Source: G-Stock Studio / shutterstock Kayakingĭrive ten minutes east of downtown Murray and you’ll reach the shore of the country’s largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi, with more than 2,000 miles of shoreline. If you want to keep things local, downtown Murray is a treat, and the same goes for the gentle green countryside all around, with old tobacco farms that can be seen on a quilt trail.
Murray can be your HQ for a vacation at Kentucky Lake, with the massive Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area less than 20 minutes from downtown, for a world of activities. As NCAA tournament regulars, the men’s basketball team are a force to be reckoned with and have helped develop several NBA stars, most recently Ja Morant. Sports fans will know all about the Murray State Racers, named for the region’s thoroughbred heritage. In the Jackson Purchase, just west of Kentucky Lake, Murray is a friendly small town, home to Murray State University.
