Land Between the Lakes
Brandon Spring Group Camp
Brandon Spring is a residential facility located in the extreme southern portion of LBL just across the Tennessee border. Especially being a residential facility, we ask that you come prepared. PLEASE bring appropriate clothing because we WILL BE OUTDOORS!!!! Come prepared for BOTH indoor and outdoor comfort. Think most months in KY/TN – unpredictable!!!
Information:
If you need additional information, please contact us at 270-809-2595.
E-mail: cee@coe.murraystate.edu
Directions/Map
For Printable Map Click here
From Murray area, Follow HWY 121 South and follow this past the KY/TN line (the road number changes to 119). Stay on 121/119 until it ends at HWY 79 (about 20 miles). Turn left onto HWY 79. Stay on HWY 79 for about 10 miles. Watch for signs to turn left onto the “Trace” of Land Between the Lakes. You will pass Piggly Wiggly and an Amoco on the left. Turn left just past the BP station. Follow the signs on the Trace to Brandon Spring Group Camp, which is approximately 7 – 8 miles. Brandon Spring will be on your right to few miles past the South Welcome Station.
If you are coming from 68/80,turn into Land Between the Lakes and go south on the Trace. Stay on this road… you will enter Tennessee. You will pass the 1850’s Farm and Buffalo Range. Continue on until you see the signs for Brandon Spring Group Camp. You will turn left at the appropriate sign marking Brandon Spring. When you turn you will follow this entrance road, about 1 mile.
If you are coming from Hopkinsville, take 68/80 and cross the first bridge over Barkley Lake. From here you will proceed until you get to the entrance of LBL at the Trace. Turn left into LBL and when you get to the Trace, turn left and follow the Trace south. You will pass the 1850’s Farm and Buffalo Range. Continue on until you see the signs for Brandon Spring Group Camp. You will turn left at the appropriate sign marking Brandon Spring. When you turn you will follow this entrance road, about 1 mile.
If you are coming from Paducah, take I-24 and go east until you get to the Grand Rivers Exit. You will go south on this road and will enter Land Between the Lakes at the North Entrance. Continue following this road. You will pass signs for Hillman’s Ferry, Nature Station, Youth Station, and Elk and Bison Prairie. Continue your trek south. You will enter Tennessee on this road. You will pass the 1850’s Farm and Buffalo Range. Continue on until you see the signs for Brandon Spring Group Camp. You will turn left at the appropriate sign marking Brandon Spring. When you turn you will follow this entrance road, about 1 mile.
If you are coming from Madisonville, take I-24 and go west until you get to the Grand Rivers Exit. You will go south on this road and will enter Land Between the Lakes at the Northeast entrance. Continue following this road. You will pass signs for Hillman’s Ferry, Nature Station, Youth Station, and Elk and Bison Prairie. Continue your trek south. You will enter Tennessee on this road. You will pass the 1850’s Farm and Buffalo Range. Continue on until you see the signs for Brandon Spring Group Camp. You will turn left at the appropriate sign marking Brandon Spring. When you turn you will follow this entrance road, about 1 mile.
Emergency Numbers/Personal Phone Use
Emergency phone numbers:
The following numbers may be provided to family or child-care givers for emergency use only. The phone at Brandon Spring is located in the dining hall. If there is no one there to answer, callers may leave a message on the answering machine; Brandon Spring staff will check the machine regularly. A dispatch person will be on duty at the Forest Service Police Headquarters at all times and will have an officer deliver emergency messages. Forest Service Police will not deliver personal messages.
Forest Service Police ~ (270) 924-2194
Brandon Spring Group Camp ~ (931) 232-7405
Personal phone use: Please be aware that cell phones work only intermittently and that there is a phone in the dining hall that can be used to make calls using a prepaid calling card for your convenience.
Food
Meals: The meals are served cafeteria-style. We ask that you come prepared to eat what has been made (much of the time from scratch) for our group. There are always many things on the menu and you can choose what you want to eat and don’t want to eat when you go through the line. If you’re extremely picky or have specific dietary concerns, please let us know and come prepared. Many times, the ladies in the cafeteria are able to accommodate most requests and needs.
Snack machines: There is a Coke machine in the dining hall that sometimes is either empty or not working. Please note that there is NO snack machine. Prepare yourself accordingly.
Water bottles/Reusable cups: It is recommended, especially if you’re attending during the warm months, that you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Also, if you are a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate drinker, it is sometimes convenient to have your own reusable cup or travel mug with you so that it can be portable. Coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day.
Accommodations
Sleeping: The sleeping quarters are designed in a dormitory style with 6 sets of bunk beds (12 beds) in each dorm/sleeping area. Each bed is provided with a light blanket and a pillow (no pillowcase). Each person is responsible for bringing his/her own bedding (sheets/quilt, sleeping bag, etc.) A personal alarm clock is recommended.
Bathrooms: Each dorm is equipped with 2-3 toilet stalls, 2 showers, 2 sinks, a paper towel dispenser, and a mirror all within the same room. Each person is responsible for bringing his/her own toiletries (towel(s), wash cloth(s), soap/shampoo, etc.) While the facilities are always very clean, some people may choose to wear shower shoes or flip-flops during and/or in and out of the showers.
