Canal Lake Barkley Campground provides pet-friendly camping near Benton, Kentucky with designated waste stations and waterfront sites accessible from small boats. Located 11 miles from Benton, this campground sits along the canal connecting Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. The area typically sees summer temperatures reaching 90°F during June through August, with cooler spring and fall camping conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Boating and paddling access: At Canal Lake Barkley Campground, visitors can launch directly into the canal system. "You can leave Eureka by boat and dock at Land Between the Lakes for a great trip. Great wildlife here," notes one camper, highlighting the interconnected waterways.
Mountain biking trails: The extensive trail system at Hillman Ferry Campground offers direct access to popular routes. "A premier and amazing mountain bike trail system is accessible directly from campground!! The Canal Loop Trail and North South Trails are well known and revered by area mountain bikers and hikers," explains one reviewer who appreciated the trail connectivity.
Astronomy opportunities: The dark skies in this region make stargazing a popular activity. "Golden Pond visitors center offers planetarium programs and there is an Elk and Bison observation area along the Trace which runs the length of LBL," mentions a camper who enjoyed these educational opportunities near Sugar Bay Campground.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront camping: Many sites at Eureka Campground offer direct water access and scenic views. "Eureka campground is a small, beautiful campground with wonderful waterfront sites! The camp hosts were extremely nice and very accommodating! It is beautifully wooded and filled with wildlife," writes a reviewer who camped there in June.
Family-friendly amenities: The recreational facilities at Energy Lake receive high praise. "The camp hosts were friendly and the no-wake lake and canoe rentals were fun," explains one camper who stayed in a cabin with four children, noting the option to rent canoes directly at the campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting provides opportunities to see local fauna. "I saw a doe with a spotted fawn nursing on my first trip onto the water," shares a camper who went kayaking at Energy Lake Campground, highlighting the quiet coves ideal for wildlife observation.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Most campgrounds in the Land Between the Lakes area have spotty service. "No WiFi or internet service. Cell signal in prior years have been spotty," notes a Hillman Ferry camper, suggesting visitors should prepare for limited connectivity.
Seasonal insects: Summer brings various insect challenges to certain campgrounds. "There was so many biting flies. Literally drawing blood so my kids and family hated it," warns a Sugar Bay Campground visitor, recommending bug spray for summer visits.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant storms during certain seasons. "The first night we camped, there was a massive thunderstorm with a tornado warning, ended up sleeping in the car, a couple trees fell in the campground," recounts a Sugar Bay camper, suggesting weather monitoring during spring and early summer.
Tips for camping with families
Plan for playground options: Quality of play areas varies significantly between campgrounds. "The playground is old with just a metal slide and swings," mentions an Energy Lake Campground visitor, suggesting families might want to research which facilities have better recreational options.
Consider swimming conditions: Beach areas differ in quality throughout the region. "The beach was far from impressive with basically gravel as half of the beach. I wasn't expecting Florida beaches in Kentucky, but in Indiana we have nice sandy beaches at lakes so I was disappointed," shares a camper at Energy Lake.
Look for educational opportunities: Several attractions offer learning experiences for children. "We checked out the Homeplace, which is a working farm and 'living history museum,' which the kids really loved," explains a family who used Energy Lake Campground as their base for exploring the area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring careful site selection. "Sites are very small but spread out. Our 35 ft class a barely fit. They do show length limits for sites and they definitely max limit," advises an RVer at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
Hookup logistics: Utilities at some campgrounds may require special preparation. "There are extensions needed. The sites are very small but spread out. Electric (30 amp) and water at the site but it was 75 ft from my sites," warns another Kentucky Dam Village camper, suggesting extra cables and hoses.
Navigation considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads challenging for larger rigs. "The road in is one way and to dump you have to go all the way around and back towards the campsites. The access road to the site is very winding and somewhat narrow for a large rig," notes a visitor to Eureka Campground who still managed with their vehicle.
