A closer look into one of the wonders of Land between the Lakes
Echo Falwell
Thirty minutes away from the small town of Murray Kentucky sits a beautiful natural preservation sanctuary known as “Land Between the Lakes.” People from Murray might have traveled to LBL quite a few times, especially during the summer months. From bike trails to a planetarium, Land Between the Lakes simply has it all.
Despite all the attention LBL demands, one conservation project amongst the rest quite often does not get the recognition it so deserves. According to the website, the Elk and Bison Prairie is a 700-acre enclosure home to not only the obvious ‘Elk and Bison’ but a wide variety of small game including wild turkey, prairie animals and many species of birds. I have lived in Murray my entire life and have gone to the prairie more times than I can count. The prairie is especially fun to visit with friends, loved ones, children, and everyone else in between. I recently went there to capture these photos with one of my close friends, and we had a great time driving through the loop eating snacks, talking, and simply watching the animals roam.
Photo: Echo Falwell, Land Between the Lakes Bison and Elk Prairie
The Elk and Bison Prairie is open 24 hours and has a $5 fee to open the entryway gates. Once inside, there will be a plethora of animals freely roaming around. Personally, it’s a very serene place for me as I watch these 2000-pound Bison and 800-pound Elk grazing, walking, and enjoying life in the fields. There is a 3.5 mile driving loop that takes visitors on a very scenic drive through the forests, past the watering holes, going over the creek (be careful of high water!), and through the prairies as the tall grass sways in the wind, and the animals graze and play.
Photo: Echo Falwell, Land Between the Lakes Bison and Elk Prairie
As our minivan began its loop, we saw the bright prairies dotted with bison and their calves, along with Elk, Deer, and just about every other woodland creature one could imagine. As we made our way along, we came several feet away from a herd of Bison that had decided to remain in the middle of the road–suppose they were feeling extremely friendly. In addition to trying to sniff out if we had any food, they began to rub their 2000-pound bodies against our car, perhaps to scratch an itch. My mother said that she remembers the day well, and said it was “terrifying” and made her realize how large the animals were and how much damage they could inflict. It was pretty frightening as a 10-year-old kid, but now I look back and laugh at how comfortable the animals were in our presence–maybe a little too comfortable!
The main takeaway from this experience is that we are lucky to be able to witness these animals in their natural habitat, but we must also remember that we are guests within their piece of the world. The elk and bison prairie is a truly beautiful area of land that has been cultivated by these animals, and a close attraction that one can find information about easily.The Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau always has information about LBL and the sights to see. It is a great time of the year to get out and see spring come about in a new way, and the Bison can always be found enjoying the weather in these warmer spring months.
