Situated along a peninsula between the lush shorelines of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, Canal Campground offers modern camping and provides the ideal setting to enjoy nature at its best with family and friends.
Visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the Barkley Dam and boats traveling through the canal from the comfort of their campsite. The campground faces Barkley Lake, and the shore of Kentucky Lake is a brisk one-mile walk across the canal.
Recreation
From water sports to wildlife viewing to hiking and biking, Canal Campground is the perfect setting for outdoor activities. Eagle nests can be spotted throughout the grounds, and its not unlikely for visitors to encounter deer and other wildlife. A short hiking trail allows campers to enjoy the outdoor scenery at their leisure.
Fishing is also a popular pastime, and during warm months bass and catfish are plentiful in both lakes.
Facilities
A designated swimming beach and a boat ramp help campers enjoy the lake. Picnic pavilions and a playground create a perfect setting for a party or family get-together. For group camping, several sites surrounding the pavilion can be reserved, and a fishing float nearby allows groups to go out on the lake together.
Electric hook-ups, showers and flush restrooms create a comfortable camping experience.
Natural Features
Lake Barkley, as part of a dam project at the Cumberland River, spans 134 miles along the Kentucky landscape, offering countless recreational activities to visitors. The canal connects Lake Barley with Kentucky Lake, forming one of the greatest freshwater recreational complexes in the country.
Nearby Attractions
Grand Rivers, a short drive from the campground, has several restaurants and two public marinas.
ADA Access: N
I stopped here on my way back home splitting up a 14 hour drive. The campsite was clean and had a good size. Each campsite has fire pit, tent pad and picnic table.
The bathrooms were clean. Most of this campsite is for RVs but tent campsite was still nice. However there are tons of golf carts.
not the best place if you like tents and nature. it's a well maintained campground with a private beach, a shower house, washing machines, and a playground. there are golf carts everywhere! this isn't a bad thing if your into that but don't go here thinking you'll be spending your trip among nature. canal is run by the Corp of Engineers. It's really more of an RV park with trees and water than a campground. on the bright side you can drive a golf cart to the local town ( Grand Rivers ) which has some neat stuff to see.
Some sites have gorgeous views of Lake Barkley. Immaculate and well maintained. Close to Grand Rivers and the famous Patti's Porch Restaurant, currently being rebuilt after a disastrous fire.
This portion of the canal Campground, is way back in the campground but right next to the actual Canal that connects the two Lakes. There is a pavilion and a flag pole and a large area for outdoor games and activities, however outhouses are the only nearby toilet. This is a portion of the canal Campground that has traditionally been primitive camping, now however it has morphed into having Water and Electric hookups
Canal Recreation Area is right by Grand Rivers, Ky and Patti's Settlement. That right there is enough said as far as outdoor activities go. Then you have Canal Rec Area that just adds too the vacation.
Book early because the best sites stay full, but really they are all pretty good sites. The different areas cover just about anything you are looking for in a site from big rig pull through sites, tiered tent sites, water and beach access sites and boat ramp sites.
There is a trail within the campground to walk, a day use area, newer showerhouse/laundry facilities and dump stations. The area is large enough to jog, bike and golf cart. If your not interested in the nearby entertainment there is enough to do right on site to keep you occupied for your entire vacation be it a day or a week+