Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Barkley Lake? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Barkley Lake, Kentucky's most popular destinations.
A permit is required to camp here.
A Basic Camping Area is an open field area without defined campsites. Amenities might include a vault toilet, trash removal, mowed areas, and a boat ramp. However, they may or may not have picnic tables and fire rings and/or grills. You may camp anywhere within the camping area with a Basic Camping Permit. Basic Camping Areas include:
Demumbers Bay
Pisgah Point
Ginger Bay
Neville Bay
You may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes (LBL). A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Facilities. A Dispersed Camping Permit is required when camping in non-designated areas of the recreation area. Both permits currently cost $50 for annual permit and $10 for a three-day permit and can be purchased https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/reservations/ or any LBL facility. Please note that these permits do not apply when camping at Self-Service Campgrounds.
$10 / night
Linton Recreation area is a day-use haven that sits on Lake Barkley near wooded rolling hills and abundant wildlife. Whether it's a gathering of family or friends, visitors can enjoy the the excellent atmosphere beautiful scenery.
Boating and fishing are a big hit, as is swimming in the designated sandy swimming area and playing sports like soccer or Frisbee in the grassy open fields.
The accessible picnic shelter fits 100 guests and 50 vehicles. Other perks include a flush toilet, playground, grills and swimming beach. No electric hookups are available.
The recreation area is on the shores of Lake Barkley, nestled in the wooded, rolling hills of southwestern Kentucky, very close to the border with Tennessee. Lake Barkley covers 57,900 acres with 1,004 miles of shoreline and offers warm water temperatures for comfortable recreation during summer months.
Visit Fort Donelson National Battlefield, where the Union Army won its first battle in the Civil War. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is just across the lake and features more than 170,000 acres of public land with numerous historical and outdoor attractions.
$35 / night
You may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes. A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Facilities. A Dispersed Camping Permit is required when camping in non-designated areas of the recreation area. Both permits currently cost $50 for an annual permit and $10 for a 3-day permit and can be purchased online or any of our facilities. Please note that these permits do not apply when camping at Self-Service Campgrounds.
Legend
Hurricane Creek Campground is small and intimate while still being close too many amenities. There are adequate RV campsites, and tent sites. Some RV sites require some serious driving skill to back your RV into and we better suited for tents. The tent sites are ample for tents, and two of the five tent sites have Trees close enough together for Hammock Camping.Tent site 11 has two trees that are not too big in diameter for hammocking. Parking for tent sites is above in a lot, and RV's are directly behind you 25-30 feet. I would recommend tenting on an RV site if you want your vehicle close to your site.
Guide
We stayed here in the middle of July in 2019! Wow was it hot! It also had a bit of flooding, how ever it made it easier for our girls to launch their kayaks and swim. Great spot for kayaking and tent camping. We were the only ones there so it was perfect! Highly recommend for tent camping.
Traveler
Tent camping.
Traveler
Great family campground where you can do anything from camp in a tent to rent a bunkhouse.
Energy lake is at land between the lakes but you pay for your site at the gate. You can choose a primitive site, a camper site with utilities, or a bunk house with heat and a/c. You can also rent a canoe or a kayak for the day. There is a private beach and great fishing.
I would recommend energy lake to any type of camper.
Traveler
Quiet, near shopping, family oriented, Pet friendly, boat launch, shore fishing, store, pull through sites, friendly helpful staff, tent sites, great place to camp.
TravelerOur family has been camping here for 20 years now. We love it! Very peaceful and clean. Tent sites are right next to the beach so kids can go back and forth easily. Bathhouse is very clean and kept up. Sites can be on an incline but if you are from here you know that terrain near the lake area is very hilly! If you need a flat site be sure to scope out before hand:) only con for us is having to walk through the rv sites to get to the tent sites. Makes it a little awkward. But the view and atmosphere is worth it. Very good prices as well!
Traveler
This campground is a very nice place to stay. There are lots of things to do and places to see. The campsites are varied with electric, water and sewer hookups. Or basic sites for tent camping. There is a store for camping needs, ice and wood. Swimming area, basketball, volleyball, boat ramp and playgrounds.
Ranger
We love all the bays and coves at LBL. We prefer less crowed camp areas and that is what sugar bay offers. Right on the water with access to several other things close by. Spots are in the grass and nothing fancy but perfect for us that love to Tent camp and enjoy natural comforts over amenities.
Traveler
We’ve gone when there was nobody (it was fall and pretty cold) and got to tent camp by the water and LOVED it. We went back on a weekend in June and it was awful. Packed, and RVs were loud and honestly rude. No tent only sites and RVs won’t hesitate to park next to a tent rather than by an RV. Bathroom was stocked but rancid and had no water. The site would be great if it were less busy so scope it out before hand.
Ranger
The tent sites were well kept. They are gravel pads with a grill and fire ring. They are right on the water with easy access to put in a kayak. And close to a boat ramp if bringing a boat. It’s shaded. The bath house is a bit of a walk and they have restrooms only, no showers.
Traveler
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.
Traveler
we got a tent last year and the same day we hit up Hillmans Ferry. it’s been years since I’ve been camping with my parents and it was fun. so we decided to take the kids and boy was it fun it was quiet where we were located at and next to the water too. it was the end of September the weather was nice and a chance to relax. the campground was very clean cheap to tent camp no power and just a nice experience. the spaces were pretty good size and spread out.
GuideThis huge campground has the best tent sites near the water on loop B that aren't reservable, so you'll likely get a good one just showing up on a weeknight in the summer or less busy weekend. The kids had a great time at the beach/swimming area and there's a nice store and not too much traffic for riding bikes. Firewood was dry and reasonably priced. Definitely a favorite family campground at LBL!
GuideWe visit this campground every year. There are about 45 sites. Camper sites have electric and water. There are tent sites also. There are about 15 waterfront sites, a playground, beach, boat ramp, and small bath house. They can accommodate all sizes of campers. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Several sites are current being renovated. Most sites are fairly level. The attendant was very helpful and we saw him checking the campground several times.
Legend
Barge Island is boat-ramp and that is all. At the end of Barge Island Rd, to the left, next to Birmingham Point Campground (privately owned) it is functional, has a porta pot, parking and a small dock.
The sign on the way in has a tent camping symbol but I saw no evidence that anyone has ever camped in the thin strip of grass on each side of the road. It is feasible that you could though.
If you continue straight on Barge Island Rd it turns to gravel and you end up on a small gravel beach area, good for fishing.
TravelerI often camped here when I wanted something mildly primitive but still somewhat accessible not completely away from all people. They have many sites to choose from that are near the waters edge or further away. There is always a trailer there for the host of the area. I have never seen this place plum full so it’s likely you will find a site, for tent camping. It provides some beautiful scenery and a gorgeous view in the morning as the sun rises. You occasionally get people docking or putting in water craft as they have a ramp nearby, but usually not much activity in the area.
Legend
When I stayed at Prizer Point, I felt as if I were in a small coastal town. It is the first campground I have been to that has condominiums. It doesn’t matter what kind of camping or glamping you do, this campground has it, except for yurts. However, they do have tree houses. There are also choices of cabins,“chalets”(although it didn’t look like a chalet when I looked at one), bungalows, floating cabins, etc. Of course, being a tent camper, that’s my choice. Some of the tent sites are on top of each other, but if you are lucky enough, you can stay at a site beside the woods. You still don’t get complete privacy, but it is better than being on the other side of the path where the tent sites are on top of each other. The tent sites are grassy, which I like. I prefer a grassy site over a concrete pad. Some people love the large campgrounds with lots of activities, especially when there are children with you. Since I am mainly a tent camper, I prefer the solitude of being in the woods. Fortunately, I was there at the beginning of the week, and it wasn’t as crowded as it normally would be. Personally, and subjectively, I would rate this campground one star; but objectively, I have to rate it five stars because it offers so much. While I was there, I toured the campground and was amazed at how much they have. They have go carts, oversized chess, swimming pools, a soccer field, a marina, a restaurant, and a section called Prizer Lagoon. You can also rent golf carts to get around, and you will want to do that unless you want to walk for miles. There, you can play in the inflatable obstacle course or ride in a paddle boat. There is also a zip line that crosses the water. For RVers, you have quite a few options. One section has formal concrete pads with hookups. Another section is not as“sanitized” but offers everything you need for your RV. I was surprised by the size of the marina, which was huge according to my limited knowledge of marinas at campgrounds. There is also a boat ramp for when you want to launch your own boat. If I wanted to RV, I would choose the little peninsula beside the boat ramp. Great view! If I wanted to stay in a cabin, there are some cabins next to the lake that also have great views. Overall, this campground has everything you want in a resort campground.
LegendHurricane Creek is off of Rt 274 in Kentucky on the east side of Land Between The Lakes.
The campground is tucked away in its own little area with lots of shade trees and it's very own boat ramp. The sites are close but not stacked on top of each other.
the RV sites are both next to and near the water. You can park your water craft nearby. There are also several sites up in the trees, some back in, some pull through. It is an older area so the pavement is not all flat and pretty.
The tent sites are walk in, from the boat ramp parking area. Shaded and accessorized with tables, and fire rings. There were a few that tree tents would work well on.
The shower house is a little bit of a walk, but centrally located for the entire campground.
Overall a nice , quiet area, I will definitely be back.
Traveler
Nickel branch is the first campground on the north end of Land between the Lakes. the sites are maintained fairly well. There is a boat ramp, a basic outhouse, and good place to swim or fish. nickel branch offers a place for anyone wanting to tent camp. you can basically throw a tent up where ever you find a spot. I stayed there for a week right next to the water and was pretty well left alone by anyone else in the campground. There are hiking trails, fishing spots and being at the north end; your only about 15 minutes away from the closest store. this area requires a backwoods permit which is available at the north welcome station ( also about 15 minutes away)
Ranger
Like everything, know what you're getting into. I would give this site 3 stars for me personally because I thought it would be a typical state park experience but it is way more built up and resort-like (well, it is in the name!). A fantastic place to go with kids or people who aren't as into tent camping. Tons to do in the park and the quaint towns nearby. Campsites are nice, shady, not too close together but not a ton of privacy. Lovely lake surrounds the site. If you want sometime more rustic there are lots of other choices, but for more modern or upscale camping this is the place for you!
GuideWe ended up at this campsite by accident. We were looking for dispersed camping sites, but right as we were pulling into one of the only good tent sites at the campground, someone snagged it from us. We ended up in area D right by the restrooms. Hubby and I would’ve never camped there on our own because we prefer to be more secluded but it was perfect for our daughter! Our site was tucked in the trees across from the restroom. Bathroom was clean and convenient. We woke up the next morning and rented kayaks and got out on the lake! Good experience! Probably better for RVs and Campers than tents, though.
RangerVery good for pull behinds or semi-permanent but less than desirable for tent campers. Tents were relegated to a narrow strip in the campground really too small for campers. Water and electric are available but restrooms/showers are about 1/4 mile away. Not what would be considered tent friendly.
Pretty quiet and peaceful campground in early April.
Website said the Pier restaurant would be open but when we arrived it wasn't scheduled to open until later in the month.
Restrooms and showers were clean but most are very small. There is 1 handicapped and 1 family unit for the facility.
Standing dead trees in the tent site. I had to ask workers to cut 1 tree beside my site when I arrived.
Gave them a (generous) 4 from our perspective.
TravelerWe have visited several times in the last couple of years. This last visit we stayed at one of the non electric tent sites. It was very nice and close to the lake. (PLEASE don’t wash in our lake! We don’t need more chemicals in our local lakes, use the designated wash rooms!!) The sites are clean and reasonably spaced. The kids love the playground and you can get decently priced firewood at the shop or check in area. The staff have always been nice and patient. There is a beach to swim in the lake which is nice especially if you have kids.
Guide
Returned to Smith Bay to tent camp with our adult boys. Same campsite on the water and with it's own pebbly beach. Unlike last week when both Smith Bay and Birmingham Ferry were quite busy, we have been the only campers here! I'm guessing that the rain over the weekend scared folks away. We returned with the beautiful weather, but no one else did. The only negative is that the pit toilet has not been cleaned since before we arrived a couple of days ago, and there have been plenty of boaters using it. (Note: this out of the way boat ramp stays busy from early until late.) On a side note: this is a great place to launch a drone.
LegendLand Between the Lakes tends to be very back country, there is very often not any cell service, and you have to travel at least 20 miles to a small town if you need anything (but every small town in western Kentucky has a Dollar General!) so you need to pack in everything you need, to include drinking, cooking and cleaning water. Smith Bay is very primitive, with a vault ("pit") toilet and a boat ramp readily available. Smith Bay is popular for tent camping and often used for launching small water craft like kayaks. It is accessable by paved road with the camp ground roads being gravel and compacted rock, making it available to small RVs and campers too. The campground slots run the perimeter of the area, and are spaced far enough apart to give privacy without being too far from the water front. Some areas are wooded and well shaded, others are in direct sun without shade. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring, are first come first serve, and require a back country camping pass (available at either LBL Welcome Station or Corps of Engineers campground) or you may pay a daily fee.
Legend
This is the "developed" side of Twin Lakes, but it is only more developed because the sites each have cement tables and fire rings. There is also a vault toilet at the farthest end of the camp site, so if you choose a site with a trail to the water, you are going to hike up and over to the lou. This is also a basic (dispersed) campground, and you will need to purchase your permit prior to coming out. Pack in everything you need. The views are okay here, I just didn't see a whole lot to draw me back here. It is close to the North-South trail. It is very quiet here, and most campsites are level and grassy, which is a plus when tent camping. There is a small beach with gravel shore, but not much sand.
Guide
Very rustic, woody campground with water and electric hookups. Very quiet and beautiful sites on Barkley Lake. The sunsets were beautiful! I have a 20’ camper trailer which fit in nicely.
Tent camping near Barkley Lake in Kentucky offers a serene escape into nature, with various campgrounds providing unique amenities and activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Barkley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Barkley Lake is Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Barkley Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Barkley Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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