The Golden Pond Visitor Center And Planetarium At Land Between The Lakes
- Date Visited: September 30, 2022
- Address: 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Phone: 1-800-525-7077
- Website
- Hours: 9 AM-5 PM
The Golden Pond Visitor Center is your one-stop shop for all the information you’ll need for your visit to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The visitor center is open daily 9 am-5 pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The parking lot is large enough for any size vehicle.
There are picnic tables and a pavilion provided for family lunches as well as trashcans. There is also a children’s play area for the little ones.
Inside you will find a large selection of brochures, pamphlets, and maps on the recreation area and surrounding attractions.
An information desk is also staffed at all times. Employees are able to answer any questions you may have and help you get a permit for camping. There are a number of camping options in the recreation area.
A small gift shop is stocked with plenty of swag and clean restrooms are available.
The center has a large exhibit room full of historic photographs and interpretive displays explaining the history of the land and the people who lived here.
Be prepared to do a lot of reading.
If you’re interested in watching the fifteen-minute version of the 50th Anniversary Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area movie ask at the desk.
If hiking is your thing the trailhead for the Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail starts here. Golden Pond sits right next to the center so be sure to check that out.
The visitor center has its own planetarium.
The planetarium is open daily from 10 am-5 pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. A different show is shown each hour.
Admission is as follows:
- Ages 13 and up: $7
- Ages 5-12: $4.50
- 4 and under: free
- Laser shows: $8
The last show starts at 4 pm. Ask at the desk for a schedule of the shows or check online.
We watched the show Firefall and really enjoyed it.
There are also welcome stations that serve as mini visitor centers on the north and south ends of the recreation area.
You’ll find maps and brochures on the area as well as restrooms, picnic areas, and snacks. They also have dump stations and potable water fill stations for your RVs.
Welcome stations are open daily April-October from 9 am-5 pm. From November-March they are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am-5 pm.
They are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.