Tent camping near Baskett, Kentucky offers options within a landscape marked by rolling hills and small lakes characteristic of western Kentucky's terrain. Lake Mauzy East in the Harris-Dickerson Wildlife Management Area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation, providing a more secluded camping experience with sites directly accessible from unpaved roads. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for overnight camping.
What to do
Hiking the River to River Trail: Camp Cadiz Campground serves as the eastern trailhead for this long-distance path. "This is the Eastern trailhead for the River to River trail, there is also a shorter trail, Beaver. Good one to practice your backpacking skills on," notes camper Shelly S.
Bird watching: The wetland areas surrounding Lake Mauzy East attract diverse bird species. One camper observed, "Super quiet, tons of birds, and we saw snake mounds but not yet seen one...birds and butterflies and owls...OH MY."
Cemetery exploration: Several small, historic cemeteries dot the area near Camp Cadiz. According to Art S., "We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away."
What campers like
Wide, spacious sites: The tent camping areas offer ample space between sites. Ryan P. mentions about Camp Cadiz, "The spaces are wide open and big for multiple tents."
Stone fireplaces: The CCC-era stonework at Camp Cadiz Campground adds historical charm. Hannah F. observed, "The fire pit had a grate large enough to cook on and I didn't need to use my extra grate that I keep in my camping kit."
Quiet atmosphere: The remote location ensures minimal noise. Jeremy G. chose Camp Cadiz because "Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party. Stayed an extra day because of it."
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Turkey hunting and mushroom foraging create specific busy periods. Art S. reports, "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey... It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them."
Road dust issues: At Camp Cadiz, site selection matters for comfort. "Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road," advises Art S.
Limited supplies nearby: Fill up before arrival. According to Shelly S., camping at Camp Cadiz requires preparation: "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois, fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill."
Tips for camping with families
Navigation preparation: Cell service is unreliable in the area. "Not much phone signal in these parts so bring the old fashion paper map," recommends Shelly S. when describing access to Camp Cadiz.
Lighting needs: The absence of ambient light creates very dark conditions. One camper notes, "Very dark at night, bring your headlamp," making this essential for families with children.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities are basic but maintained. Hannah F. reports, "Bathrooms were not super clean but they were fine. There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers."
Tips from RVers
Boondocking opportunities: Lake Mauzy East offers no-hookup camping suitable for self-contained units. Tammy advises, "No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place."
Site access limitations: Larger rigs may find navigation challenging on the narrow gravel roads leading to Camp Cadiz. The campground is "down a gravel road a bit but nothing too hard to find," according to Ryan P., though he notes it's better suited for smaller recreational vehicles.
GPS reliability: Electronic navigation may not be accurate in this rural area. One camper advised about Camp Cadiz, "The GPS is a little off BUT it gets you in the area... There is a sign for Camp Cadiz, trust the sign."
